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Change your scenery. If you’re bored to tears by the thought of a treadmill, then hit the pavement or walk to the mall. |
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Reset the clock. Change the time you work out. Lots of afternoon exercisers have switched to the morning hours and loved it. |
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Gear up. Track your progress with exercise equipment such as a pedometer, which clocks the number of steps you take. Maybe compete against a friend or spouse to see who can log the most number of steps in a day! |
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Swing out. Take advantage of new dance crazes like ballroom or belly dancing by registering for classes. |
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Walk for a cause. Charity fund-raising events such as walks, runs and bike races are terrific ways to get in shape. Besides the health benefits, you’ll feel good about what you’re doing. |
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Do double time. Use an exercise machine, stretch, or do your muscle-toners while you’re watching television. Do your daily crunches and push-ups while catching up on the news headlines on TV. |
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Act like a kid. During warmer months, take the kids or grandkids o the beach or park for an afternoon of kite-flying. If you take children on an outing and actually play with them, I promise you’ll get a workout! |
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Make a date. Make exercise a social occasion by pairing up with a friend or spouse. You’re more likely to stick to a routine if you make a commitment to someone else. |
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Clean up. Housework burns lots of calories, so get busy washing windows, vacuuming, and dusting. Turn on some tunes while you’re working to keep you moving. |
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Hide the remote. Try getting up to change the television channel instead of using the remote. If you’re like most people and change it often, you’ll be in great shape! |
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Be old-fashioned. Pass up modern conveniences such as elevators in favor of a few more steps. |
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Join an exercise class. Try several classes until you find the one that’s right for you, and don’t be distracted by the perfect bodies in the room. Those people are there for the same reason you are: to get in shape and stay there. And many of them started where you are now |
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Watch more TV. That’s right! Check out the variety of fitness videos or exercise classes that cable television offers. At home, you don’t have to compare yourself to others. Find an instructor you like, and work out at your own pace. Some folks like to record their favorite shows to exercise at their convenience. |
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Try a treadmill. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, women who walk on treadmills in their homes lose an average of 8 more pounds than women who walk on the street or at a gym. In the study, women from ages 25 to 45 were told to walk briskly for 30 minutes every day for 18 months. One-third of the women were given treadmills, others were left to their own devices. The treadmill group also exercised more frequently. |
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Work smart. If you’re stuck at your desk from 9 to 5, here are some great tips for adding a little physical activity to your day:
- Stretch your legs while you’re on the phone.
- Hop up frequently to file papers.
- Take your fingers off the keyboard and point them upward, rotating them both ways at the wrist.
- Walk to a colleague’s office instead of picking up the phone or sending an e-mail.
- Set your clock or program your computer to remind you to take a brief walking and/or stretching breaks periodically. |
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Find a hobby. Did you always want to try horseback riding? Or perhaps in-line skating? Pick a sport and learn some new skills! |
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Take flights. Flights of stairs, that is. Go up and down the stairs as often as you can when you’re at home or in an office building. You can burn 18 calories per minute of climbing. |
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Practice aerobic shopping. Take a lap around the mall or supermarket
before you begin to shop. If you have to wait in line, practice good posture and stretch your back muscles. |
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Dig in the dirt. Gardening is a nice way to get in a little exercise.
Plus, you can enjoy the results of beautiful flowers or tasty vegetables afterward. Although gardening may not be as vigorous as aerobics or running, it helps many people enjoy a long, healthy life. Take a few minutes to stretch, warm up, and loosen your muscles before beginning work in your garden,
just as you would before any other workout. And be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing as needed.
Here are some gardening activities that will give you a great workout:
- Raking leaves
- Carrying brush
- Stacking wood
- Digging
- Laying stones or sod
- Mowing grass
- Planting trees or shrubs
- Trimming trees with power tools
- Weeding |
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Get your hair wet. If you have a medical problem that forces you to limit some activities, water workouts may be your answer
to losing weight. They are low impact, and let you work out at your own intensity. Swimming and water aerobics are especially beneficial if you have trouble with your knees. |
| Before exercising or doing any type of strenuous activity that is new to you, always consult with your physician first. |