Ways To Exercise Without Working Out

 I am getting ready to head home.  I have been in a town near Seattle and the temperatures have risen early in the day and by 10 AM it was too hot to do anything.  They say today will set a record for the area and it is predicted to get up to 100 or higher.  Who wants to exercise right now with temperatures so high.  

Fortunately, there are ways to work out without exercising in traditional ways.  Many of the following suggestions can be worked into your everyday routine and you don't get sweaty.  Others can be done in comfortable places.

Many shopping malls open early for walkers.  Just plan to go in an hour early and walk around the mall as many laps as you can at a good pace.  The nice thing about most malls is that they have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter so you can get out.  I love to walk but right now the heat is rather dangerous so the mall offers me the perfect alternative so I can stay cool.  It is also great, if I can't get out early enough to take advantage of the early morning temperatures.

Another way to add in exercise is during your morning routine as you get ready for work or to go out.  When you are brushing your hair or putting on make up, try standing first on one leg and then the other leg.  When you are brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes, do squats otherwise you end up just standing around.

If you take the bus or train to work everyday, get off one stop early or if you drive, look to park at a lot that is two or three blocks further away from work so you can incorporate a nice brisk walk both in the morning and evening.  Then when lunch hits, do not order lunch delivered to your desk.  Instead, head out and walk somewhere to get lunch.  If you bring your lunch, head out to eat at the park, or other place. 

If you receive a call on your cellphone, enjoy a short walk while talking to someone instead of sitting down.  You can walk around your house, check out your yard, or head around the block at a moderate pace to burn calories.

When you go shopping, choose the basket rather than the shopping cart because the basket becomes heavy as you add groceries.  This makes you burn more calories and you can get a bit of strength training as you lift the basket up or let it go down.  In addition, if you choose the longest checkout line, you can burn calories just holding a heavy basket while you stand straight.  You could also raise yourself so you stand on the balls of your feet with your heels off the ground.  It is easy to perform multiple repititions while in line.

By incorporating movement into your daily routine, you could easily add another 30 to 40 minutes throughout the day.  One does not have to perform exercise all in one go, it can be spread  throughout  the day.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.