How to Lose Weight and Get Fit in Front of the TV
At the end of a long day, I usually want nothing more than to plop down in front of the tv and catch up on some of my favorite shows. Of course, even though this sounds wonderfully appealing, it certainly doesn’t help me in my quest to get in shape. In fact, it probably takes away from it quite a bit.
If you find yourself in similar shoes, rest assured that it is possible to get fit right in front of the tv in the comfort of your own home. Take a look at these easy ways to get fit without missing out on your favorite down time tv shows.
Interval Training
Most shows are either 30 minutes or 1 hour long. What a great timer! When your favorite shows coming on, use it as a timer. Get your workout in front of you, and start your interval training at the same time that your show starts. Write it down so that you don’t have to think about it. Break it up into appropriate time limits so that your workout lasts just as long as your tv show. By the time your show is over, you will have gotten in a great workout without sacrificing your much needed relaxing time in front of the tv.
Use Commercial Breaks
Another great natural timer is to use commercial breaks. You want to get fit? Get up during every single commercial break and do squats, jumping jacks, sit ups, or whatever exercise you see fit. Don’t stop until the show comes back on, and then rest while your show is on. While this won’t equal a super long workout, it will still encourage fitness. If you don’t have commercials (thanks Netflix!), then set a timer and do your workout sets every 5 or 10 minutes. With some very tiny preparation, you can get fit without missing a beat of your guilty pleasure.
Use a Machine
Have you ever been to the gym and seen a tv in front of every machine? Of course you have! That is because it is a great distraction. When you can watch tv while hopping on a machine, you don’t have to put the thought into your workout. Often, this equals working out even longer than if you had to solely focus on the workout. Make that setup in your home. Buy a stationary bike or an elliptical machine, station it in front of the tv, and don’t stop until your program is over.
Getting fit is definitely what we all want, but sometimes, we just want to relax and watch tv too. Luckily, these 2 requests don’t have to be contradicting. In this case, you can have your cake and eat it too! Use these tips to get in great shape without sacrificing your favorite nighttime practice.
Image Credit:
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Parker Knight