Fit in fitness. Exercise wherever and whenever you can; it doesn’t have to fit one mold or be done in one way. Here are some easy ways you can work out throughout the day in your everyday setting:
Red Light Abs:
Sitting down can now be a work out. Every time you’re at your desk or stopped at a red light, contract and release your abdominal muscles to keep them toned. It's a basic pilates move fitted into your work day.
Take the stairs:
This isn’t exactly something you could do anywhere, but it’s a common option throughout your day or week. Taking the flight of stairs versus the elevator is an easy way to get in an instant work out. Keep track of your steps and challenge yourself to increase it every week.
Park Far:
Rather than wasting time to find the nearest parking spot, park further away. This gives you the opportunity to walk more and isn’t as annoying as hunting for the perfect spot.
Walk to Dinner:
Rather than driving to a restaurant, choose a nearby eatery that will give you the opportunity to walk before and after your meal. It's not only a healthy choice but an economical choice as well.
Lift Household Items:
Don’t have weights—no sweat—use your household items for weight resistance, such as laundry detergent bottles or a stack of coffee table books. Use what you have. And don't dread vacuuming because that chore is a great calorie burner. You can burn up to 200 calories an hour doing your household cleaning. Bring on the dirt!
Airport Lunges:
Waiting for a flight takes time so use this opportunity to get some lunges into your day. Use your luggage handle as a bar and roll along with your luggage as you do a lunge with each step. It's quick and easy and you can fit in several reps as you wait for your flight…or maybe even rush to your flight.
Subway Stretches:
If you live in a city with public transit, a lot of your day may be consumed by commuting. You can use that time to fit in a little subway stretching or flexing by doing simple calf-raises and forward bends.
Exercise Ball:
Keep an exercise ball handy to switch with your chair at work or at home. Sitting on an exercise ball will work your posture and abs without you even noticing.
What’s your favorite on-the-go workout? Share your tips in the comments below.
Comments
8Responses
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Emma G -
Standing in line at the store, bank, etc? Try some calf raises while you're waiting. Simply rise up on your toes, try 2-3 sets of 10, it's the perfect way to multitask, plus there's nothing better than defined, sexy calves!
- - Jan 31, 2012
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Lizl MacGregor -
Thanks for the tips! Let's do it!
- - Jan 31, 2012
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Beth Helmly -
Sounds good and throw some kegels in with those red light ab moves!
- - Feb 1, 2012
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Theresa Morehead -
Love the "Red Light" abs....soooo doing this one for sure! Already do a couple of the others.
- - Feb 1, 2012
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Renee Case -
Just bought the Body By Bethenny DVD and I really enjoyed it! Gotta warn everybody though, I also made the "Brownie Cookies" recipe included in the recipe booklet (excerpt is from The Skinny Girl Dish) and they are vegan, but definitely NOT diet food! According to my "Lose It" calorie counting app, each cookie has 237 CALORIES and 5.2 grams of fat, if your cookies are small enough for 24 cookies. Personally, next time I'll save myself the trouble and eat a vegan candy bar instead. They were good though!
- - Feb 5, 2012
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sheila powell
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I had a double hernia repair Jan. 5, 2012 and the Dr. cleared me to start back slowly exercising. We live in Frederick Md. a cool city. So I started walking slowly ( I cant run till next month),I take the stairs, for one block I make my stide faster, another block I slow my stride( interval training the fun way! ) and taking in the fresh air and all the great shopping! And of course I start with some yoga stretches prior! I carry water with me and a protein bar or I map out my favorite juice bars, or a treat at Starbucks!!
- - Feb 19, 2012
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wifeypie12 -
I already take the stairs at work and walk to/from the bus stop (about 15-20 minute walk each way). Another hidden gem for fitting in exercising into your day is house work (mopping, dusting, vacuuming). One hour of light housework can burn approximately 150 calories or more. Also while sitting either at your desk at work or on the couch watching our favorite show, BEA, you can tap your feet ... I do 15 minutes on one foot and switch, doing 15 minutes on the other foot. This also burns calories.
- - Apr 4, 2012
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Whitney Beasley -
I walk EVERYWHERE. Even though I live in a very walkable part of downtown San Diego, everyone can fit in extra walking. My friends will say, but I don't live downtown, I have to drive everywhere... No you don't! You can park far away as you state here, but then leave your car where it is and walk around the immediate area to finish your other errands if the stores are in a centralized location. Walk across the street to the next shopping center over. We have to not make excuses and just do it!
Also, anytime there are stairs around I run up and down a few times. Most people have stairs in the homes or access somewhere so just do it already. Yes, it's going to hurt. Yes, your heart may feel like it's going to bust out of your chest, but guess what? That's GOOD for you! :)Another tip is for people like me who have to be on the computer all day long whether at home or in the office, try taking a break every hour to walk around and stretch or do something physical. It can be quick, walk around on your phone calls, take a few laps around your builing, run up and down the stairs, walk to a coworkers office for a quick chat... We have to stay moving...
- - May 15, 2012
