6 Shockingly Simple Ways to Be More Active

After guest-poster Mindy Hadar shared with y’all the real cost (benefit) of fitness, I’m pleased to share another piece in my New Year, New You series – this one is from Deanne, who has been faithfully and kindly kicking my derriere in to shape for a few years now over at the JCC here in Atlanta.  She.  Rocks.  🙂

6 Shockingly Simple Ways to Be More Active

None of the tips I’m suggesting is earth shattering. In fact, most of them are things you could start doing immediately, and cost absolutely nothing at all.  Try out the tips that seem most realistic for you at this point in your life. Once you’ve mastered them, consider trying a couple others. And please share with me your tips for making physical activity a part of your day!

1. Park further away.  Build in extra walking by parking further away from your destination. With how crammed many parking lots become, you’ll not only burn calories but save a lot of time (and potential accidents) waiting for a closer spot to free up.

2. Take the stairs.  I know this one’s obvious but how often do you still take the escalator instead? Five minutes climbing stairs burns up to 150 calories!

3. Drink plenty of water.  This sounds odd, but I’ve been using this trick for years. Constantly sipping water through the day makes me have to pee at least once/ hour. Every time I pee, I get up and move around. To crank it up a notch, choose a restroom in a different part of your house, and use the stairs if possible.  Drinking more water is also a great way to ditch that nasty soda habit, too!

**Added bonus – staying well hydrated may also reduce feelings of hunger, and can often reduce chronic back pain. So this is really a win-win.

4. Set An Alarm.  Get an app or set an alarm for every hour, so you remember to get up for a minimum of two minutes for stretching or walking around. Or try Break Pal, a program that pops up on your monitor every half hour with a three-minute routine.

5. Pace/clean while on the phone.  Phone calls between me and my friends/ family can go for 30-60 mins. I now vigorously pace around while we chat, or I throw on my headset to keep my hands free for a tidy session.

6. Go for a family walk after dinner.  We did this almost every night when I was a kid in my family. My sister and I would hop on our bikes, my parents would walk behind us, and the four of us would go for a half hour trip around the neighborhood. It’s another chance to spend some time together, get outside, and get some exercise all at the same time.

To Your Dwellness!

DeAnne Jacobson is a fitness professional and blogger from Atlanta. She is the founder of DwellnessProject.com, a movement of people committed to building a happier life, which in turn creates a healthier society.

Enjoyed this story? Here’s more from DwellnessProject.com:

1. Get Healthy and Fit, Part 1

2. Challenge of the Week: NO SODA!

3. Monitor Your Impulse Spending Urges

Disclaimer: While the activities suggested are all low to moderate intensity, speak to your physician if you have any health concerns before increasing your physical activity levels. The information here should be used as a general guide only, and should not be construed as specific medical advice.

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