You know you should be doing some type of exercise. You know all the health benefits that come with a more active lifestyle. You’ve tried the whole gym thing, but it simply wasn’t for you.
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The temptation to just sit in front of the TV, to snuggle up with a nice book, or to spend a little extra time on your computer is just too overwhelming. Who wants to head to the gym right now anyway?
10 fun ways to become more active
There are numerous alternative strategies to
get more active that don’t entail running, weight lifting, or other
"traditional" ways to get out. Here are a few ideas to get you
rolling.
1) Run around the yard with your children.
You’d be shocked at how much of a workout you’ll get from playing catch with
your kids. Time will fly while you are having fun, and your children will love
the additional time with you. Just get out there and play.
2) Play loud music and spin around the living room.
While you’re dusting, putting up dishes, clearing up the kids’ rooms, or if
you’ve been sitting around for too long, just play some of your favorite
live music and dance around the home. Not only will you get your heart rate
up, but you’ll also have more fun completing some of those duties.
3) Grow some flowers.
When the weather is beautiful, simply get out there and plant some flowers. Or
you might create a modest vegetable garden, trim some bushes, mow the lawn, or
plant a tree. You get the idea. Just get out there, enjoy the sunshine and
fresh air, and play in the mud. Yes, this truly qualifies as an exercise in our
book.
4) Take a walk with a friend.
Take a stroll and invite a friend to join you. I’ve had some of the finest
talks while on a stroll. Getting to converse with a buddy helps the time fly
by, and before you know it, you’ve been walking for 30 minutes.
Listen to some music or an audiobook as you walk. Again, putting your mind on anything else will help the time fly by, and you’ll get some additional enjoyment out of your stroll.
You may even want to consider
obtaining an MP3 player. You can easily add whatever music you want to listen
to and go for a walk.
6) Enroll in a Yoga or Pilates class.
Consider starting a yoga or Pilates class. Both of these workouts are
relatively low-impact and won’t leave you sweating and hurting mostly. You may also like to meet some new folks in the class.
7) Learn how to dance with your partner.
OK, here comes the hardest part: Convince your companion to take some dancing
lessons. Dancing will give you quite the exercise and it’s just plain enjoyable
and, of course, romantic.
Think about all your possibilities here. You can
choose from ballroom dancing, line dancing, Latin, and so on. Pick something
that seems exciting to you and go for it. You’ll love the extra one-on-one time
with your spouse as well.
8) Go swimming at your local YMCA or Aquatic Center.
Swimming makes for some terrific exercise. It has minimal impact and is gentle
on your joints. Start by swimming a few laps, or playing in the pool with your
kids.
9) Take a Bike Ride
Take the entire family on a bike trip. You may bike through your neighborhood
in the evenings or plan a longer vacation for the weekend. Pack a lunch for
added fun and start pedaling.
10) Go Hiking
Look for hiking trails in your
area and go for a hike. This might be a great activity for you and a friend, or
invite the entire family along. Start with some basic routes and build yourself
up to some longer or steeper tracks.
Fun ways to become more active: conclusion
Go ahead, select one or two of the activities
and begin going. I’m sure you’ll come up with lots of variants of your own. The
most essential thing is to discover something you like, so you’ll continue with
it. Get out there and get moving today.