While looking at an article by a leading fitness guru, I was struck by her emphasis on making exercise a priority and finding a way
to fit in your gym time at any cost. Although she’s right in principle, I couldn’t help thinking that this woman cannot possibly be a
working mom with small children!
Those of us who are balancing multiple roles – as parent, worker, spouse, school volunteer, household manager, and
responsible citizen -- often find that 24 hours per day simply aren’t enough. Fitness gets put on the back burner.
conferences have a way of eating up these extra hours along with our best intentions.
You may not have time to go to the gym, but you can still be physically active and boost your metabolism by using a bit of
creativity in planning your day. During a recent week when my kids were side-lined by a nasty cold, I started thinking about ways
to be physically active when going to the gym was out of the question. I also asked some trainers for their advice. We came up
with the following ways to fit exercise into a packed-full day:
1. If you’ve got a young sports enthusiast in the family, play along. Shooting baskets and kicking a soccer ball around
the yard are great ways to get your heart pumping. Thirty minutes of cardio training are recommended, but even five
to ten minutes will elevate your energy and speed your metabolism.
2. Take the kids for a walk. If their pace is too slow, add some lunges, jumping jacks, or running in place every few
minutes to make yourself work harder.
3. Pull young children in a wagon through the neighborhood. Or give them a ride in a jogging stroller.
4. Let little children ride bicycles or tricycles while you jog behind.
5. Get into some vigorous sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming. These types of housekeeping chores can burn a
significant number of calories.
6. We’ve all heard the benefits of taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Everything you’ve heard is true.
7. Likewise, getting off the bus or subway a stop or two before your destination on a regular basis adds up to a lot of
heart-healthy walking.
8. Do yoga or Pilates while you, or the kids, unwind in front of a movie. While watching TV, do push-ups or sit-ups
during commercials. Even one per commercial during a two-hour movie can give you some good exercise.
9. In a sedentary job, take your breaks outdoors and have a brisk, short walk. You’ll also improve your concentration
and mood.
10. Dance or do aerobics at home. No one’s watching, anyway. If you like, include the little ones and turn it into a
game.
11. Practice stretching or light yoga moves while talking on the phone, listening to the news, or while dinner is cooking.
12. Find the high-energy items on your to-do list and tackle these when you need physical activity. Think about
washing the car, digging the garden, mowing the lawn, or reorganizing a closet.
13. Get up 15 to 30 minutes earlier than the rest of the family and use this time for a run, a walk, or some stretching
and yoga.
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