Hi friends, how was your weekend? We had gorgeous weather again….I am not sure what is going on in the pacific northwest, but I’ll take it! Sunny, blue skies and in the upper 50s called for a lot of outdoor time- bike rides, playing at the park and just lounging out in that wonderful weather. It’s amazing how uplifting a pretty day can be.
The kids and I were pretty active and and it got me wondering what my total daily steps were averaging. I haven’t tracked my steps in forever. I used to wear an old school pedometer and I loved making it a personal goal to get past the recommend 10,000 steps. These days the trackers are a bit fancier and I still haven’t made the purchase. I am really curious as to how many steps I get with daily exercise and chasing my 4 kids around.
As we were playing games at the park, I started thinking of how great it feels to move your body. Even when it’s not planned exercise, the rush from sprinting away from kids during a game of tag….or hanging from the monkey bars. We take that for granted don’t you think?
So today I just wanted to remind you to get out there and move….those little things definitely add up!
25 Ways To Be More Active In Your Day
1. Walk to check the mail instead of driving around to your box (especially for those who don’t have a mailbox in front of their house).
2. Put away laundry in small batches. Yes, it seems like a waste of time, but you’ll be getting more steps in.
3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Elevators are for wheelchairs, the elderly or sick and strollers. Everyone else, stay off.
4. Dance to music in your house. Or anywhere for that matter.
5. Get off the subway or bus one stop early.
6. Play tag with your kids. If they are like mine, you will be running in circles for quite some time.
7. Go for a walk anytime you have a work break. Even if you can only squeeze in 5 minutes throughout the hallways of the building, do it.
8. Play with your kids for 30 minutes a day. Kick the soccer ball, lift and swing them, play chase.
9. Bring in your groceries one bag at a time. Put food away, repeat steps.
10. Walk your dog.
11. Walk during your lunch hour.
12. Schedule breaks throughout the day to get up and move. Set an alarm if you have to!
13. Walk or jog while you’re waiting at your child’s sport/activity practice.
14. Do squats at your computer desk while things are screens are loading or you are perusing Facebook.
15. Walk to your coworkers desk to talk instead of emailing or calling.
16. If you have a baby, do leg raises or baby push ups with him/her.
17. Wash the car by hand.
18. Mow the grass, rake, pull weeds, garden.
19. Use a shopping basket instead of a cart when possible.
20. Park further away. Nobody wants to do this, but just do it.
21. Pace while on the phone.
22. Tap your foot while you are at your desk. Fidgeting burns more calories!
23. Exercise while watching TV….or at least during commercials.
24. Walk instead of drive from store to store when running errands in an outdoor shopping mall.
25. Clean the house.
[Tweet “25 Ways to Be More Active In Your Day via @nutritiouseats #fitfluential #move”]
Hope you all have a wonderful and active week!
Question: What are some of the ways you are active throughout the day? Do you do these things? Which one do you not liking doing? Cleaning the house is my answer!
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These are so great Melanie. I’ve been struggling the last couple of days with being active. Today, I literally walked back and forth in the apartment as I folded one piece of laundry, put it away and went back to the pile for another piece! Not much but at least it’s something!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Ask a Yogini: How to Create a Yoga Sequence From Scratch
Ha, I do that. Sometimes I feel like I haven’t moved enough and I just pace around the house picking up and putting away one toy at a time.
It seems like I can not climb the stairs in my house at least 10000 x a day. So even on my least active days, I still get a little in with the stairs. Great tips!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Boston Marathon Training {Week 7 & 8}
Seriously! I love having stairs!
LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE.
right now I dont belong to a gym and these 25 are my workout.
always.
carla recently posted..I’ve chosen quantity over quality.
I have only gotten to the gym once or twice in the last year, but that doesn’t mean I am less active! Thanks Carla!
i walk and/or do lunges while on the phone!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..snowy weekend snapshots
Ha, love it!
NOT cleaning house… that is for sure. Does going to Lowe’s multiple times a day count?? 😉
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Destructive Weekend
Yes it counts, lol. Seriously those big stores like Costco, Lowe’s….you get a lot of extra steps in for sure!
Love this! I wrote about it as well, such easy ways to increase activity
Rebecca @BeTrulyNourished recently posted..March Challenge: Be More NEAT
Thanks Rebecca! It really adds up, right?
Pleaseee send some warmer weather over to NY 🙂 I love the dancing tip – a great reminder to dance more throughout the day! I always take the stairs and sometimes park further away when at the store. Loved these!
Alanna recently posted..Recent Eats
I know, I feel bad for the rest of the country! Stay warm…and thanks Alanna!
DANCE AROUND… ANYWHERE – that’s me!! 😉 I don’t care AT ALL what others think! I am that weirdo dancing on the side walk, in the grocery store, at the gas station, YOU NAME IT! 😉
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Jumping around. I have a six year old, so it doesn’t look that weird when I jump, right? When we have impromptu dance parties, I do a few jumps. When we are running around the block (or scooting/scootering) I start skipping then jump. I wish my son was old enough to jump rope because I would love that.
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