Keep It Moving!
January 11, 2018
Staying active at home allows your children to see you being active, which sets a good example. You can combine exercise with other activities, such as watching TV. If you buy exercise equipment, it's a one-time expense and other family members can use it. Here are a few simple tips for increasing your physical activity at home. Try these tips:
- Do housework yourself instead of hiring someone else to do it.
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- Work in the garden or mow the grass. Using a riding mower doesn't count! Rake leaves, prune, dig and pick up trash.
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- Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner or both! Start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 30 minutes.
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- Walk or bike to the corner store instead of driving.
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- When walking, pick up the pace from leisurely to brisk. Choose a hilly route. When watching TV, sit up instead of lying on the sofa. Or stretch. Better yet, spend a few minutes pedaling on your stationary bicycle while watching TV. Throw away your video remote control. Instead of asking someone to bring you a drink, get up off the couch and get it yourself.
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- Stand up while talking on the telephone.
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- Walk the dog.
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- Park farther away at the shopping mall and walk the extra distance. Wear your walking shoes and sneak in an extra lap or two around the mall.
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- Stretch to reach items in high places and squat or bend to look at items at floor level.
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- Keep exercise equipment repaired and use it!
