How to stay active in your busy life
Make a commitment – even a small one – to be active every day. It's not only a great way to burn calories, which helps maintain a healthy weight range, it also works to reduce stress levels and energize you.
You don't have to belong to a fitness club to be active. All kinds of activities help rev up your metabolism to burn calories. Start with 15 or 20 minutes a day. If you're short on time, try breaking your activities down into shorter time intervals to reach your end goal.
Follow these simple tips to improve your fitness level in no time:
- Try walking, cycling or in-line skating to work. If this takes longer than your usual commute, you'll need to plan ahead. Pack your briefcase and lay out your clothes the night before. Remember to have an extra set of clothes at work for a quick after-commute change.
- Make use of your lunch break. Go for a brisk walk or jog, climb the office stairs or make a speedy gym visit.
- Exercise with a friend. This makes it more enjoyable and helps you stick with it.
- Keep a record of your daily activities and their duration. As time goes on, challenge yourself by increasing the amount of time you spend being active and trying new activities.
- Schedule your favourite aerobic activities, such as walking, dancing, biking, in-line skating or tennis. And jumping rope is a great, inexpensive aerobic activity.
- Do some chores. Mow the lawn with a push mower, vacuum the carpet, rake leaves, shovel snow, wash the car, carry groceries or a filled laundry basket up a flight of stairs. These are all great ways to get in some activity while getting things done around the house.
- Play a game with your kids – shoot some hoops, play some hopscotch or toss a ball.
