It can be difficult to stay active and exercise when you’re busy or stuck at work. We have some simple ideas to help you add some physical activity into your normal day without trips to the gym.
While at work…
Force yourself to take a five-minute movement break several times throughout the day. Get up and walk around the office. Take a few minutes to try a few push ups, jumping jacks, or squats. Other ideas include walking or cycling to work, leaving your lunch in a cooler in your car so need to walk to get lunch, or use the stairs instead of the elevator.
While at home…
Take the stairs up to your apartment whenever possible and set reminders to move while at home. While watching TV, take a movement break to walk around the house, go up and down the building stairs, or do some full body stretches. While cooking, move around the kitchen to gather ingredients. Instead of bending over to access a lower shelf, do a squat and hold it for a bit. Cleaning is an excellent form of exercise. The act of vacuuming, scrubbing, and washing helps to elevate your heartrate. Folding laundry standing up and walking to put each item away will also increase your movement.
During your leisure time…
Leisure activities offer excellent movement and are fun to do. Head to the park for frisbee, ice skating, or a sports game with friends. Clergue Park has a free outdoor fitness centre available for everyone 12 and up. Go fishing along the St. Marys Rapids, under the international bridge, or along the Sault Ste. Marie boardwalk. Bowling can be a friendly game or competition, but most of all, it’s an aerobic activity that doesn’t feel like exercise. North Crest Lanes Bowling Alley is a short walk from our Sault Ste. Marie apartments. Golfing is another way to stay fit, Crimson Ridge has 9 and 18 holes along with a driving range.
When you feel ready for a workout, start with this low-impact ab workout you can do right from your bed before going to sleep and when you wake up in the morning. Doing yoga on your own or at MVMT Yoga Studio, will increase your flexibility, posture, and form for all types of physical activity.