For those days you just don’t want to go to the gym or can’t find the inspiration to tie up your running shoes, turn to the television for help. Turn on a favorite show or plan to watch a program that has commercial breaks (which means no binge-watching on Netflix). Every commercial break, rotate between sit-ups, push-ups, jump roping, lunges, squats, and wall sits, and if you have free weights, incorporate some bicep-curls and trice-extensions. The variety is endless and the incremental workout you’ll get by the end of your program will make staying home worth it.
The proven benefits of exercise are endless. Most people already know that mountains of research show that regular physical activity improves every aspect of our health: it decreases cardiovascular risk, manages stress, improves mood, delays dementia, eases chronic pain, and on and on.
Some people are committed to fitness and get more than enough exercise. But, most are not. One of the biggest barriers to regular physical activity is that it can be difficult to figure out how to “make” exercise happen.
Make it fun! My kids love it when we do things together, and if it can be something active, we all get exercise as well. Win-win. We’ll walk or hike in the town park or nearby nature reserve; dance around the living room to poppy kids’ faves; jump on the trampoline; or I’ll run with them while they practice bike riding. I don’t care if I look silly (especially when we’re on the trampoline) because I know that all activity is good for me and for them.
If you think about exercise this way, none of us is too busy. And we all need to keep moving☺️
