Working out at the gym or going for a long run on the weekend is great, but did you know that there are simple ways to move more in your everyday life and stay fit? Not only will getting up and moving more every day help you burn more calories and reduce that muffin top, but it’ll also make you happier, and less stressed and improve your overall well-being.
Working out doesn’t have to be confined to the gym or your living room. Getting up and moving more can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to lunch instead of driving or dancing like nobody’s watching whenever you get the opportunity. Working out doesn’t need to feel like a chore; with these tips, you can move more in your everyday life and stay fit in no time.
Walk everywhere you can.
Walking is a simple and effective way to boost your overall health and fitness. It doesn’t require any special equipment, it can be done anywhere, it’s low impact and can be done by people of all fitness levels. If you frequently walk to work or to do errands, you’ll save money on gas, reduce your carbon footprint and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time.
If you need extra motivation to start walking more, try downloading a fitness walking app like Life sum and challenge yourself to hit certain fitness goals throughout the week like walking a certain number of miles or burning a certain number of calories.
Go for a hike on the weekend.
If you want to move more but working out indoors or walking just isn’t for you, consider taking a hike on the weekend. Hiking is a great way to move more, get outside and enjoy the great outdoors all at once. Hike somewhere close to home or drive a bit further to go on a longer hike and enjoy the views and scenery.
If you’re new to hiking, don’t be discouraged if you’re not super fit or experienced. You can go at your own pace and enjoy the hike at your level. Hikes are great for burning calories, strengthening muscles and improving your overall health.
Lift weights.
When it comes to working out and strength training, it can be easy to focus on cardio and forget that weightlifting can help you get more fit and boost your metabolism. Lifting weights is a great way to burn calories and strengthen muscles, which can help prevent injury as you age. To get the most out of your workout and hit your muscles in different ways, try alternating between upper and lower body workouts on different days. You don’t need to go to a gym to lift weights either. There are plenty of exercises you can do at home with little or no equipment.
Take HIIT cardio classes.
If you want to work out more but are not sure where to start, consider taking HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) cardio classes at your local gym. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting started with fitness, HIIT workouts can help you burn more calories and get fit faster. Hitting the treadmill for hours on end can be boring, whereas a high-intensity cardio class will keep you engaged, and motivated and help you stay focused on your fitness goal. And when the class ends, you can go home feeling accomplished and motivated to keep up your newfound fitness routine.
Jump on a rebounder.
Rebounding is a low-impact cardio exercise that can be done indoors or outdoors and can help you get fit faster. To get the most out of your rebounder workout, try to do a variety of high-intensity jumps for about 10 minutes and you’ll see results in no time. Rebounding is a great way to help you get fit faster because it works both your upper and lower body at the same time. It’s a low-impact exercise that helps strengthen your muscles and burns calories at the same time.
Don’t sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Sitting is the new smoking and can lead to a variety of health issues, so try to avoid it as much as possible. Studies have shown that spending too much time sitting increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even certain cancers. To sit less, try to make a conscious effort to stand up and move around at least once every 20 minutes. This can be as simple as standing while you talk on the phone or standing while you read an article online. If you work from home, try to stand up and walk around every hour or two.
Try walking meetings.
If you regularly meet with clients and colleagues, consider scheduling walking meetings instead of sitting ones. While walking you can talk about business, discuss projects, exchange ideas and even be more creative. And you can also fit in some extra steps to help you stay fit. If your work or city doesn’t allow for walking meetings, try trading walking for driving to and from work with your coworkers.
For example, if two coworkers live close to each other, they could walk or drive to work together one day. Then the next day they could drive to work and walk home.
Add movement to your work day.
When you work a desk job, it can be easy to sit all day long and forget that you need to move more. But getting up and moving every 30 minutes can help you avoid sitting disease and increase your overall well-being.
For example, if you sit at a desk, try standing up and taking a stretch break every 30 minutes or so. You can also try to incorporate more walking into your day. If you have to walk somewhere, walk and don’t drive. If you have to drive somewhere, find ways to walk more like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Commit to eating healthier, not just working out.
While working out and moving more is great, you also want to make sure you’re eating healthier too. Food can either help you or hinder your progress, so try to eat better. This means eating a balanced diet full of healthy foods like fruits, veggies and whole grains. You can also try to eat fewer processed foods and drink fewer sugary beverages.
Try to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This can help to keep your metabolism up and help you avoid overstuffing yourself at meal time. And if you need some extra motivation to start eating healthier, remember that eating better can help you get fit faster and move more.
Conclusion
Working out and moving more is great, but it’s important to remember that you also need to eat healthily and focus on eating better so you can truly reach your fitness goals. If you regularly walk, lift weights and take HIIT cardio classes, you should make sure you’re eating right too.
Eating better will help you get fit faster and improve your overall health. Keep these 10 tips in mind and remember to move more. You don’t have to hit the gym every day to stay fit and boost your health. Simply getting up and moving more in your everyday life can help you reach your fitness goals faster.
