5 Simple Ways to Get Fit and Stay Active
1. Take the Stairs
Climbing stairs revs up your heart rate and helps you burn calories. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator when you are out running errands. Making an effort to take the stairs at home and at the office is an easy way to get those extra few minutes of activity.
2. Park Your Car Far Away
When you are heading out for an appointment or shopping, try to park your car as far away from your destination as possible. This way, you can get a few extra minutes of walking in. Even if it’s just a short distance, it will help you get and stay active.
3. Take a Walk During Your Lunch Break
If your workday allows, take a break by going for a brisk walk during your lunch hour. This can be a great way to take a mental break from your job and get some physical activity at the same time.
4. Do Household Chores
Housework may not seem like much fun, but it can be an easy way to fit in some exercise. Vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting and washing dishes are all chores that increase your physical activity in subtle ways. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with a clean, tidy home.
5. Play with Your Kids
Playing with your kids- whether it’s turning a simple game into an obstacle course or having a dance-off- is a great way to stay active and have fun. And, who knows, you may even learn a few new games in the process.
By working these simple activities into your lifestyle, you can increase your physical activity and improve your fitness levels. Get started today and see the difference!
What are the benefits of getting fit and staying active?
1. Improved Physical Health: Getting active and staying fit can reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer by up to 50%.
2. Improved Mental Health: Exercising can improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression.
3. Increased Energy Levels: When you become more physically active, your body becomes more efficient at producing and using energy, which leads to increased energy levels throughout the day.
4. Improved Quality of Life: Regular physical activity and staying fit can reduce the risk of physical impairments and can lead to better overall quality of life.
5. Weight Management: Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent or reduce weight gain due to an unhealthy diet.
6. Better Sleep: Exercising causes your body to release endorphins, which can help you feel more energized during the day and help you sleep better at night.
7. Improved Cognitive Function: Studies have shown that regular physical activity such as walking can improve cognitive function by improving blood flow to the brain. This can result in improved memory, concentration, and focus.
“What are the risks of not getting fit and staying active?”
1. Obesity and Health Issues: Not getting fit and staying active increases the risk of obesity which can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues. Obesity can increase the risk of heart problems, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure.
2. Low Energy and Lethargy: Not getting fit and staying active leads to decreased energy levels and frequently feeling lethargic. This can make day to day activities more difficult and can cause concentration to suffer.
3. Reduced Strength and Mobility: Not staying fit and active can lead to reduced strength and mobility over time. This can cause a person to experience pain with daily activities that were previously easy and make it difficult to perform tasks that may require strength or flexibility.
4. Unhappiness and Depressive Symptoms: Not staying fit and active can lead to increased levels of unhappiness and possibly depressive symptoms due to lack of endorphins and physical activity. This can result in decreased self-esteem and self-confidence.
What are the benefits of exercise?
1. Improved heart health: Regular exercise strengthens your heart and improves its overall functioning. It can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure as well as reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
2. Increased energy levels: Exercise gives you more energy overall. You’ll be able to work, play, and enjoy life better with a body that is primed with the chemicals released during physical activity.
3. Improved mental health: Regular exercise can reduce depression and help to manage stress. It also increases endorphins which can help to beat the blues.
4. Weight management: Exercise helps you maintain and control your weight. It also improves muscle strength which can make all of your everyday activities easier.
5. Better sleep: Exercise can help you sleep better as it promotes healthy sleeping patterns.
6. Increased flexibility: Exercise makes your muscles, ligaments, and tendons move better, making it easier to be flexible.
7. Improved posture: Exercise makes the muscles in the spine stronger, which can result in better posture.
8. Improved balance: Exercise improves balance and coordination which helps prevent falls.
9. Boosted immunity: Regular exercise can help the body stay healthier overall. It helps boost immunity by increasing white blood cells which fight off infection.
