How to Be More Active
There are 1440 minutes in every day.
Can’t you spare 30 of them for physical
activity?
When?
- Lunch hour? Eat a little faster and walk a few blocks after.
- Walk off dinner as a family every night.
- Exercise in front of the TV while you watch your favorite shows—or skip the shows and work out.
How?
- Park in the farthest spot instead of the closest.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Play with your kids or walk your dog.
- Get up from your desk every hour and walk around your office or your block.
- Carry in your groceries one bag at a time.
- Go dancing!
- Start a walking group in your neighborhood.
“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.” - Steven Wright
Haven’t Been Active for a While?
Use a sensible approach by starting out slowly.- Begin by choosing moderate-intensity activities you enjoy the most. By choosing activities you enjoy, you'll be more likely to stick with them.
- Gradually build up the time spent doing the activity by adding a few minutes every few days or so until you can comfortably perform a minimum recommended amount of activity (30 minutes per day).
- As the minimum amount becomes easier, gradually increase either the length of time performing an activity or increase the intensity of the activity, or both.
- Vary your activities, both for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
- Explore new physical activities.
- Reward and acknowledge your efforts.
“Those
who think they have not time for bodily exercise will
sooner or later have to find time for
illness.”
— Edward Stanley
Laughter
is exercise, too.
Here’s a funny clip of how to NOT use a treadmill.