By Gabrielle Brackett, MS, MPH
Sometimes, the most difficult part of exercising is motivating yourself to get moving. Avoid the couch and potato chips by integrating exercise into your busy schedule and making exercise fun – and even social! Share these Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, tips with your loved ones and friends and get moving today!
1. Integrate exercise into your busy schedule
• If you can’t set aside one block of time, do short activities throughout the day, such as three 10-minute walks.
• Create opportunities for activity. Try parking your car farther away from where you are headed. If you ride the bus or train, get off one or two stops early and walk.
• Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Take breaks at work to stretch, or take quick walks.
• Doing yard work or household chores counts as physical activity. Turn on some upbeat music to help you do chores faster and speed up your heart rate.
2. Make exercise fun
• Choose activities that you enjoy, and vary your activities so you don’t get bored. For example, use different jogging, walking or biking paths, or bike one day and jog the next.
• Reward yourself when you achieve your weekly goals.
• Plan active vacations that will keep you moving, such as taking tours and sightseeing on foot.
3. Socialize
• Join a hiking or running club.
• Go dancing with your partner or friends.
• Turn activities into social occasions – for example, go to a movie after you and a friend work out.
4. Overcome challenges
• Don’t let rainy or cold weather keep you on the couch – try activities such as indoor fitness classes or at-home workout videos. You can also do push-ups or lift hand weights. If you don’t have hand weights, use canned foods or bottles filled with water or sand.
• Contact your local recreational center or church to see if they have indoor activity programs that you can join.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside
SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside is the name you can trust in Corona, Norco, Riverside, Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more.
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