FITNESS FRIDAY 9/20/19 -(75 EASY WAYS TO FIT IN FITNESS!)
HEY EVERYONE!
WELCOME TO "FITNESS FRIDAY"!....
**Whether you are a "beginner" or a "Vet"... theres always a way to make it "easy" to get "Moving"!!.....Today we will talk about 75 WAYS TO FIT IN FITNESS!
A few steps here, a squat there. They add up!!....... And possibly to even greater health benefits than youd get from a full-fledged workout. People who move continually doing things like walking, fidgeting, standing, laughing, cleaning, or climbing stairs at work could burn up to 2,000 calories per day, no moderate or vigorous exercise required!!..., according to a 2015 review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Check out these 75 creative ways to fit fitness into your day, wherever you are (and whatever youre wearing). Its all about the movement!
1. Get a dog People who own dogs are more likely to hit the daily recommended amount of physical activity than people without pooches, reports a review in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health.
2. Brace at red lights When youre sitting at a stoplight, squeeze your abs. Hold it until the light turns green. (This works just as well when youre not the driver!)
3. Wear technology When women wore FitBits, they took 782 extra steps per day, according to a small 2015 American Journal of Preventive Medicine study. Each morning, set a reminder to strap on your wearable.
4. Throw your own flash dance party You know you love rocking out in the living room! And you should—it burns major calories. So blast your favorite tune, use your brush as a microphone, and in three minutes, done!
5. Become a stealth squatter Whenever you have a little private time—like when youre drying your hands in your bathroom—do some squats.
6. Do a supermarket victory lap Once youve finished your grocery shopping, take one last walk around the perimeter of the store. Bonus: Thats where youll find the fruits and veggies, so impulse buys are OK!
7. Find a spot for your smartphone Pick a designated location in your home to stash your cell, so when you need it, you have to move for it!
8. Spring clean Need more incentive than a sparkling house? It burns up to 400 calories per hour. Really get into it, any time of year!
9. Go to the store Limit online shopping to one day a year—Cyber Monday—and visit your favorite retailers in person the rest of the time. Youll hit 10,000
steps without even trying.
10. Grab some granite While youre in the kitchen waiting for your coffee to perk, do some incline push-ups using the countertop.
11. Wash the car A 155-pound person could burn 167 calories, sudsing the Subaru, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
12. Hold walking meetings Youll burn calories and get innovative! People may be 60 percent more creative strolling than sitting, according to preliminary research from Stanford University.
13 Take a computer time-out Download Time Out, a desktop app that will lock you out of your computer for 10 seconds every 10 minutes, and 10 minutes every hour. Stretch, walk—get your blood flowing.
14. Stop sitting still A 2015 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that if you constantly fidget while you sit—bounce your legs, keep your arms moving—you may help counteract negative health effects of being sedentary like poor posture and high BMI.
15. Break up your binge watching Are you still watching? Every time Netflix asks—usually after each half-hour episode ends—do 10 jumping jacks.
16. Wear sneakers more often If your feet are comfy, you wont mind making more trips on foot.
17. Go dancing on date night Its way more active (and romantic) than the
typical dinner and a movie.
18. Sit down when youre brushing your teeth But dont take a seat. Try performing a wall sit (stay in sitting position with your back against the wall). Hold the pose as long as you can, working up to the full two minutes.
19. Stroll after meals Let the dishes soak! Walking for just 15 minutes after you eat may help control your blood sugar, according to limited research from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
20. Cycle at work Put a DeskCycle under your workstation so you can pedal throughout the day. A 35-year old, 150-pound woman could burn 90 calories per hour. $159, amazon.com.
21. Get off the bus one stop early Youll lose a few minutes and gain a lot of extra steps.
22. Start getting handy around the house Learn to hang that shelf and fix that doorjamb. Home repair projects can burn 112 to 223 calories per hour (for a 155-pound person), according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
23. Get apocalypse-fit (before its too late!) Swap out Candy Crush for Zombies, Run! Every time you walk, run, or jog in real life, the app will track your steps and move your virtual character that much farther from the zombies. Free for iOS and Android.
24 Earn your online procrastination Each time you go on Facebook or Instagram, do a plank.
25. Start gardening According to a 2014 HortTechnology study, weeding burns the same number of calories as working out on the elliptical, mulching melts off more than yoga, and digging torches as many as weightlifting or rowing.
26. Act like a kid Theres a reason your children are so fit: They play! Dont just watch: Join in their games of tag, set up a scavenger hunt, or hop on the Wii together.
27. Go camping Get outside with a weekend camping trip. Hiking to a campsite, pitching a tent, and kindling a fire will all burn calories.
28. Ditch the stroller Carry your baby in a MobyWrap or a BabyBjörn to give your abs, back, and legs some much-needed love.
29. Reverse crunch your way out of bed Before you get up, perform 10 reverse crunches on your cushy mattress (itll work your abs even more). Lying on your back, raise your knees and feet until your shins are parallel to the bed. Squeeze your abs and slowly lift your hips off of the bed and your feet toward the ceiling. Pause; lower yourself to the blankets.
30 Stand on one foot Whenever you can—whether youre in line or washing dishes—lift one foot. Youll improve your balance and coordination, and strengthen the muscles in your feet, ankles, and legs (give each foot equal time). Tip: In public? Lift your foot only about an inch off the ground and no one will notice.
31. Sit down twice Every time you sit, pause when youre about an inch above the seat and then spring back up.
32. Ride the bus standing Give up your seat and hold the handrails. Youll burn more calories than if you made the journey sitting on your bottom!
33. Download an audiobook Instead of curling up with a good read, walk around while you listen to it.
34. Skip! Did you have (or just really want) a SkipIt when you were a kid? Then you may want to try SkipFit, a grown-up, calorie-torching spin on the classic. Slip it on your ankle and start skipping. SkipFit, $20, empowerfitness.com.
35. Challenge your friends Research consistently shows that we exercise harder and better when were pitted against others. Try to out-fitness your pals with Fitbit Challenges. You can compete against up to nine Fitbit friends to get the most steps.
36. Make more laundry trips Fold and put away your clean clothes and linens one item at a time. Youll get in steps going back and forth.
37. Say @$#& it Replace your swear jar with a burpee penalty, or a squat, or any other activity that gets you up and moving!.
38. Walk and talk Use phone conversations as opportunities to walk around and move while you chat. You can even get a headset to make it easier.
39. Hop off the bar stool Youll burn more calories playing pool, darts, or foosball than you will planted with a drink in your hand. Youll probably have more fun, too.
40. Lunge the hall Every time you have to walk down a hallway at home, make the journey one walking lunge at a time. Youll get bonus points if youre carrying something while you do it.
41. Hide the remote Youll never realize how often you change the channel until you do.
42. Switch to a backpack Besides making it feasible to walk or bike on almost any errand that comes your way, a loaded backpack strengthens the muscles in your core, back, and even legs.
43. Take the scenic route When Google Maps gives you different options for walking somewhere, dont pick the first route (its usually the shortest!). And even
when you need to get somewhere at the office, forgo the shortcut through marketing and go see whats up in the mailroom to burn a few more calories.
44. Choose pickup over delivery If youre going to eat takeout, always opt to go out and get it yourself. Walking to and from the restaurant—or even just your car—burns more calories than waiting for the food to arrive at your door.
45. Play at the playground The next time you take your kids for some outdoor fun, take advantage of the equipment yourself. Try to master the monkey bars, perform TRX-style push-ups using a swing, or hop back and forth over a bench.
46. Raise while you rinse When youre standing at the sink washing dishes, do calf raises. While keeping your abs tight, lift your heels until youre standing on your toes. Hold for two seconds, then slowly lower your heels. Tip: Keep the movement nice and slow to really feel the burn.
47. Do it on the double When youre doing chores at home, run—dont walk—from place to place.
48. Press that milk Every time you pull a gallon jug out of the fridge, quickly press it over your head (using both hands!) before pouring a glass.
49. Bend better Instead of just hinging at the waist when you pick something up off the floor, do a full squat. Youll work your entire legs to build more muscle and burn more calories.
50. Master bed stretching Dont feel like stretching? Good news: You dont even need to get out of bed to do so.
51. Do a spinal twist Lie on your back in the middle of your bed. Bend both knees into your chest, and then let them fall to the right side of your
body. Extend your arms in a T position, and twist your torso to the left side. Hold for 30 seconds, then lift your knees back to center and repeat on the opposite side.
52. Be a happy baby Lie on your back in the middle of your bed. Bend both knees and grab the outside edges of both feet. Use your arms to gently pull your knees toward the mattress on each side of your chest. Hold for 30 seconds.
53. Do a lying side quad stretch Lie on your right side and support your head with your right hand. Bend your left knee and pull your foot with your left hand to your butt. Press your hips forward, making sure you dont let your left knee move in front of your right knee. Hold for 30 seconds, then roll over and repeat on the opposite side.
54. Lug some laundry Instead of filling a basket with several loads and making one trip, haul laundry upstairs one load at a time.
55. Visit your colleagues cube Email and call less in the office. Have a conversation in person.
56. While away the wait When waiting—at the doctors office, train station, or the DMV—move around the space, or grab a magazine and stand while you read it.
57. Swap drinks for fitness Plan happy hour walks or bike rides with friends instead of cocktails.
58. Hop out of the car On a road trip? The next time you stop for gas or a driving break, get outside and do some jumping jacks or squats. Youll be able to snag a much-needed break from sitting and get your blood flowing.
59. Step while you wait If youre waiting for a train or bus and some stairs are handy. get some flights in until its time to leave.
60. Race to the mailbox When you get home, run to get your mail from the mailbox, and then sprint to the front door.
61. Reassess your routes How far are you from the pharmacy? Do you really have to drive your kids to school? Start thinking about where you can swap your car for your legs.
62. Dont just sit there If youre waiting for your flight to board, take laps through the terminal —itll be very interesting people-watching!
63. Explore the building Go to the farther bathroom in the office to get in some extra steps throughout the day.
64. Ditch the vanity Stand in front of the mirror while youre applying your makeup and styling your hair.
65. Stop pushing, start lifting Instead of a shopping cart, grab a basket at the grocery story. As you lift it, youll do a bicep curl and youll get a shoulder workout—without even knowing it.
66. Use a small glass The smaller the glass, the more trips to the fridge for some water.
67. Replace your garbage bags with plastic grocery bags Your garbage will fill up much more quickly, and youll have to take more trips outside!
68. Bring portable fun The next time youre outdoors with friends, pack a simple little gadget in your bag: Its called a Frisbee.
69. Connect over coffee Meeting a potential mate? Grab a latte and stroll.
70. Have more sex. Youll be full of energy after that latte.
71. Join the team Looking to meet new people? Try a recreational adult sports league and play sports like volleyball, dodge ball, basketball, or flag football—to name a few.
72. Take more pictures Grab your smartphone and see what you can find on your walk. Set a goal for yourself—to spot 10 different types of flowers—and create your own scavenger hunt.
73. Rearrange your furniture Itching to change the feng shui in your home? Thats a good excuse to add in some movement.
74. Go salsa dancing with friends Research restaurants and clubs near your home where you can sip on sangria....and dance the night away.
75. Search for yard sales Looking for a steal? Line up some yard sales around your town and walk the route on Saturday morning.
WHAT IS AN EASY WAY THAT "YOU" ADD "FIT TO FITNESS"?!! WHAT DO YOU ALREADY DO FROM THE LIST ABOUT?! WHAT CAN YOU ADD OR SHARE?!
@PoliteOcean
Amazing and very exhaustive list, thank you for all the suggestions!
Something else I do when I drive and am stopped at a red light, is that I try to squeeze my shoulder blades together and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds (and repeat if the red light is really long) without moving my arms. It's a great exercise for strengthening your upper back!
You can also keep your abs contracted when walking or when sitting, for a few minutes. By engaging them, you'll be doing a small abs workout without even noticing it too much :)
@LinearWaves
Hey there!!.. Oh my gosh! Its been a long time!!.. How are you!
I love these ideas you share on "Fitting in some Fitness"!.. I tend to do the "Shoulder squeeze" as well, because I Find that it can also "release tension" in me and help relax me from stressors!....
And awesome on the Abs idea!..... So glad you found this list helpful
Thank you for adding to it!
@PoliteOcean
It's been long indeed, I'm back after a few breaks now :) I'm good thanks, how about you?
I agree for the pression, sometimes it helps you realise that your shoulders are very tensed!
@PoliteOcean
I walk my dog an hour each day, it keeps him calm, it keeps me physically fit, and it keeps me mentally fresh. I listen to my music and block out the world and technology an hour every day, bliss.
@Arora35
YESSS!!!..... I totally get it!...
I have a "fur-baby" as well, and I love walking him too for the exact reasons!... We like to go to the lake and then sit near the water afterwards.
What are some of your favorite places to walk yours?! So glad that you have yours to get you out and help you to "Fit in your Fitness"!.. .I like to think that our "Furbabies" like to "Walk Us" and help us to stay active for sure!
Thanks so much for sharing!
@PoliteOcean
I have a beagle, they are well know as sniffer hounds so he particularly loves walking in woodland areas and reservoir parks sniffing and picking up scents. Unfortunately, the crime rate has gone up where I live, leaving me as alone dog Walker vulnerable to attacks, so the time of day dictates where we walk, I tend to stay in public areas if I'm alone.
Our favourite time to walk is early morning, when the world is still sleeping 😁
@PoliteOcean What a great post! So for me to get more work out time in I like to walk everywhere! I like to take lots and lots of steps each day! When I'm at the grocery store, I always park far away so I can get the most exercise out of going shopping! I also decide to take the stairs instead of using the elevator or escalator!
@intelligentstar688
Thank you!! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the list and found it beneficial!...
That is awesome that you walk so much!.....One of the BEST and cheapest forms of "Fitting in your Fitness" for sure!...
Sounds like you get lots of steps in your day!.. Do you do this "every" day? Do you wear a tracker?!.. How many steps do you think you average each day?!... I hope you are keeping track somehow! Sounds like you're doing amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!
I had a basketball game yesterday. Haven't run that much in a long time, but it felt amazing!
@PoliteOcean
I do alot of dancing with my friends!! At home and when we go out.
@Zulegirl
Yes! I remember you telling me!...
To me, DANCING is my "SOUL" workout for sure! And my most favorite way to "Fit in Fitness"!... Its great that you love it so much too!...
Thanks so much for sharing!
@PoliteOcean
Thank You love anytime!! I dont know what i would do without dancing or music..if i could join your Zumba class I would. I think you would be a great instructor.
@PoliteOcean So I just recently adopted a dog from the shelter and I've been taking her on walks. Well she's a german shepherd and she is very very strong so I've been building up some muscle in my arms and my legs are toning up! I feel like I'm getting stronger and stronger! Also when I go to the grocery store, I park far away so I have to take more steps.
@baylinAnderson123
These are Totally awesome ways to 'Fit in some Fitness" for sure!!... I love having my "furry" friend as well to help me "workout" and squeeze in some fitness. Its great to have pets, they surely can be motivating!.. And A German Shepard?!.. I'm sure "HE" is walking "YOU" and not the other way around! lolol... 
@PoliteOcean You are completely right! My dog walks me hahahahaha!