Keeping fit doesn’t always involve spending hours at the gym or exercising strenuously. You can still improve your health, stoke your metabolism, stretch your muscles, and burn calories throughout your day without paying for a gym membership or spending your free time working out. Here are three simple adjustments to your daily routine that can help you get fit on a busy schedule.
Make walking a regular habit
Incorporating walking into your daily routine is an excellent way to stay fit without feeling like you’re working out. Walking for just 20 minutes can burn 100 calories and helps to strengthen your legs, boost your metabolism, and keep your hip flexors supple. To maximize these benefits, consider walking at a brisk pace and be sure to swing your arms.
If you find it challenging to set aside time specifically for walking, try incorporating walking into your normal activities:
- Park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to your office.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk to nearby stores and shops instead of driving.
Burn calories through housework
Even daily chores and housework can help you stay in shape. Engaging in household activities like vacuuming and doing laundry offer an instant metabolic boost. Pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting while doing chores can also improve your flexibility and strengthen your muscles.
You can burn 100 calories by engaging in the following household activities for just 20 minutes:
- Vacuum the entire house, room by room.
- Iron your wrinkled clothes once per week.
- Clean the windows, mirrors, sinks, and tubs.
Find fun ways to stay active
Staying fit doesn’t always have to feel like work. In fact, incorporating enjoyable activities into your daily life can help you maintain your fitness routine more easily. Whether inside or outside, try to find ways to stay active and have fun:
- Run to get your mail from the mailbox instead of walking.
- Walk your dog or a neighbor’s dog at a quick pace.
- Arrange for a lunchtime or after-work power walk, run, or game of tennis with a friend.
- Turn on the radio and dance to a song or two for a fun stress buster.
- Play fast-paced video games or use a Wii Fit for a fun, indoor calorie-burning activity.
Incorporating these simple activities into your daily routine can help you stay active throughout the day, reduce muscle stiffness, increase your weight loss capacity, and maintain an overall healthier and more flexible body. By adopting a more active lifestyle, overcoming inertia becomes easier, and you’ll soon find that even without spending hours at the gym, you can enjoy the benefits of a fit and refreshed body.