Healthy Living
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Energy Bandit: 7 ways to be more active when you don't make time for fitness
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You hear yourself saying, "I'm too busy" or "I don't have enough time." Everything else in your life seems to crowd out this essential energy activity.
ENERGY BOOSTER: Sneak in fitness. While reading an article in a magazine or newspaper, I stand up and do squats. It really tones my thighs and doesn't take any time away from the activity I would have been doing anyway. Squeeze in little fitness opportunities through out the day today:
- When you arrive home from the grocery store, do a few bicep curls with each full plastic bag before you set it down.
- If you need to go to the restroom, don't use the closest bathroom -- use the one that requires you to walk a bit -- preferably up the stairs.
- Balance on one foot the entire length of time (two minutes, hopefully) you're brushing your teeth. Then stand on the other foot while you brush your hair. Great for core stabilization.
- Invest in a cordless headset. When I get a call, I can chat while walking around my house and doing lunges.
- Install a chin-up bar in a doorway in your home. Every time you pass by it, do as many chin-ups as you can (even if it's none to start -- you'l get there).
- While talking on the phone, do knee-bends or squats until you hang up (this might force you to reduce the length of the call).
- Go to a sporting goods store and buy two inexpensive, lightweight dumbbells. Every time you feel stiff, take a break and do a quick set of ten overhead presses. The tension will fade away and your energy will return.
Most people complain about not having enough time because they are thinking about trying to find a "block of time" in which to exercise. You'll rarely have a sixty-minute block magically appear on your calendar. How about ten minutes? Surely you can find ten minutes a few times a day to move around a bit. Do something! If you can't find ten minutes, something is definitely wrong. You say you want to increase your energy? Put your time where your mouth is!
© 2008 Laura Stack.
Related: work, time management, organization, healthy living, fitness, family, career, business
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Posted by Adi'sMommy Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:01am PDT
Good suggestions! A lot of these could be done at work too depending on what type of job you have and the office you work in!
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Posted by carvergirl616 Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:45pm PDT
I always say I want to work out more - but then even the easy stuff I find myself groaning at! I just can't imagine coming home and trying to to do chin lifts when I enter a room and using the bathroom on the opposite floor! But at least tips such as these leave little room for excuses! And the benefits of exercise are so great, that no one should deny themselves a workout! Thanks for the tips - for more advice on keeping up with working out, check out this great prevention blog! http://buzz.prevention.com/community/trimom73/surprising-exercise-benefits
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Posted by Pamela Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:26pm PDT
These are good ideas. Sometimes if I don't have weights to use I grab 2 cans of soup or canned veggies instead. They work just as well in a pinch.
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Posted by Christina Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:06pm PST
Other good ideas are:
Not parking in the front of the parking lot. Parking in the back allows you to add a few minutes of cardio. When you go to the mall, walk around the mall first without stopping then go shopping.
I try to do squats or situps on my bed while I watch TV or read a magazine. I like the idea of little bursts of activities.
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Posted by Christina Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:07pm PST
Other good ideas are:
Not parking in the front of the parking lot. Parking in the back allows you to add a few minutes of cardio. When you go to the mall, walk around the mall first without stopping then go shopping.
I try to do squats or situps on my bed while I watch TV or read a magazine. I like the idea of little bursts of activities.
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Posted by Art Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:46pm PST
Another idea (although it takes up more space) is a rowing machine in front of the TV. You can warm up and exercise during the news or your favorite program. Arms, back and legs - many
reps or just a few heavy reps (adjusting the tension). Overhand or underhand.
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Posted by Robert Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:57pm PST
THE SUGGESTIONS ARE VERY GOOD, HOWEVER TWO THINGS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO CREATE THE ENERGY TO DO ANY EXERCISE: ENOUGH RESTFUL SLEEP AND PROPER NUTRITION. SIX, SMALL, BALANCED MEALS A DAY WITH TWO GLASSES OF WATER EVERY 3 HOURS WILL DO WONDERS IN SPEEDING UP YOUR METABOLISM. TOTAL BODY, CIRCUIT TRAINING WITH LIGHT WEIGHTS, AS OUTLINED BY ARNOLD S., IN HIS BOOK, BODYBUILDING FOR MEN REALLY WORKS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT SINCE, ALONG WITH THE RUNNING AND WALKING UP HILLS 7 DAYS A WEEK, WITH SUCH A ROUTINE YOU WILL FORCE YOUR METABOLISM TO GO SUPER FAST. EVEN AT THE AGE OF 55 I WAS ABLE TO LOSE 43 LBS. AND 6 INCHES AROUND MY WAIST. NO CHANGE OCCURRED IN MY METABOLISM FOR OVER 9 MONTHS.
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Posted by J T Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:59pm PST
Sex every morning is a good way to get the heart rate up and the juices flowing. (no pun intended).
Not sure what to tell you married guys.....I guess go to the kitchen and do curls with a can of soup.
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Posted by Patty Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:16pm PST
I've thought about these quick ways to work out, but wondered if I might pull a muscle if I do squats or lifting dumbells without stretching first. Any comments on this?
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Posted by Steve Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:27pm PST
just get staRTED AT WHAt ever you do . the sooner u get started the better u will feel . 15 minutes a day on a power walk . Go too the gym right after work takes the stresses of the job away. Trust in the lord and he will take care of you finding time with the lord everydaywill help you relax better then working out .
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