Exercising at a gym just isn’t for everyone. If you don’t enjoy going to a health club to get your fit on, but are looking to improve your fitness, consider some alternatives:
Walk.
Having a pet is a great excuse to get out and move. Pups that live indoors require at least a 30 minute stroll to get their energy out and stay healthy. Try to maximize your dog’s requirements and your own at the same time. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a good pace. If you do not have a dog, still walk, apart from it helping you to stay fit, it also helps you clear your head.
Maximize Television time.
You may have heard that you can exercise while watching TV. Most commercial breaks last 60 seconds to 2 ½ minutes. Don’t fast forward your DVR or get up and go to the refrigerator. Use these breaks in your show to maximize your fitness. Some things you can try are: crunches or planks (try to get as many in or stay as long as you can in the pose until your show returns); lunges, push-ups, squat-jumps, frog-jumps, calf raises or jumping jacks (do as many as you can without stopping), and; yoga poses or stretches (hold each pose or stretch for 30 seconds). Every little bit counts, so challenge yourself to increase your repetitions or time as you progress.
Try a video.
If you are not sure if you’d like zumba, boot camp, cardio boxing or another gym class you may have heard of, try it at home. Videos are available everywhere,you can even borrow so try one out before doing it en mass.
Make the playground your playground.
When you bring your kids to the park, enjoy a more grown-up version of play. And the fun thing is playground can also be in your house.
Climb. Chase. Swing. Throw and catch. Small children are often fit because they never stop moving, and they don’t need to do conventional movements to be their most healthful selves. Imitate them (including the laughing and silliness) – it feels great and you will look great! See those monkey bars? Go try a pull up!
Video Games.
Not just for kids, Video games have several games that will really get your heart beating! There is tennis, golf, baseball, dancing, bowling and several fitness games to stave off boredom and fit into your preferences and lifestyle.
Weekend with friends.
Saturday morning hang-out with friends will do good especially as it is not over some bottles of beer.Try a team sport such as volley ball, soccer, basketball or even sparring with each other in a boxing contest. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t even know you are exercising. Get one activity into each weekend as much as possible and your body will reap huge benefits.
Stretch.
As you age, your muscles tighten and range of motion in the joints can be minimized. This can put a damper on active lifestyles and even hinder day-to-day, normal motions. Tasks that used to be simple, such as zipping up a dress or reaching for a can off of the top shelf, now become extremely difficult. A regular stretching program can help lengthen your muscles and make daily living activities easier. It does not have to involve a huge time commitment, but stretching can end up giving you huge results! So while you are on the phone or chatting with your friends online, a little stretch here and there can do alot
Stand up.
You burn 33% more calories standing up than you do sitting down, so decide to stand whenever the phone rings during the day. Make an effort to fold laundry standing. Stand at the computer or when waiting for the bus. Remember your posture. Shoulders back, tummy in, stand straight.
Get cleaning.
Join a community clean-up program if you find one or you can just create one., de-clutter your garage/attic/basement, wash the windows, scrub the tub, find the grass in your yard by removing leaves and debris, re-organize your closet and drawers . . . this work is endless yet rewarding. It keeps you movin’ and groovin’.
Positive thinking.
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that people who have an optimistic view of the ageing process live an average of 7.5 years longer than those who don't. Worrying about getting older only appears to accelerate the ageing process. Positive thinking can also help relieve pain - as effectively as a shot of morphine. The way you see yourself also helps your improve your fitness level. Keep your thoughts in the light.
References:
Squidoo
Nutriouslife
Sparkpeople
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