Adding Little Workouts Throughout the Day

While I consider my lifestyle somewhat active, I’m guilty of spending way too much time sitting, whether at work or at home. Sometimes it’s because I’m lazy; other times it’s because I’m trying to get work done.

I’m pretty good about sticking to my workout schedule, but way too often those short workouts are the only exercise I get – no bueno. Word on the street is too much sitting, even when you do exercise, is quite bad for you. This is something I definitely feel when I increase my running mileage. The extra miles ran and the excessive time sitting leaves my body confused and achy. I often feel it in my hips, and they don’t lie.

Since I tend to be pretty sedentary besides a short daily exercise session, I’ve decided to add little workouts throughout my day from now on. I’ve made a list of simple ways I think I could incorporate exercises into my day-to-day activities, and I hope you find them useful as well!

Don’t choose the easiest routes – aka choose the stairs, park farther away, etc.

Do calf raises while brushing your teeth.

Go for a walk on your lunch break — perhaps throw in some prancersizing.

Clean. It’s an easy way to burn some extra calories.

Take advantage of commercial breaks while watching TV by doing crunches, squats, or whatever your heart desires.

Practice good posture. It’s not necessarily an exercise, but it goes along with a healthy body!

Drop down into a plank while you’re waiting for food to cook or heat up.

Do some stationary cardio…like horizontal running.

Walk up and down the stairs an extra time.

Stretch or do range of motion exercises when you’re sitting at work or watching TV.

Use phone calls as a chance to walk around or do leg lifts.

Walk on a treadmill while reading or watching TV.

Add some impromptu dance parties into your day.

Do some chair dips when you have some extra time.

Use a basket instead of a cart.

Flex your abs anytime, anywhere.

Get an exercise ball to sit on at work. And bop around like you just don’t care.

Learn parkour. (Aka the coolest thing I have ever seen but definitely should not try because I will die.)

Throw on some ankle weights for an added challenge throughout your day.

Visit coworkers to talk, rather than emailing them.

Do a set of pushups whenever you have an extra minute.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got for now.

I feel like doing little actions like these can make a huge difference and set you up for a more fit lifestyle. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to keep it up!

Do you do any of these or other exercises throughout your normal routine?