When there’s a Will there’s a Way
There are a myriad of excuses for why an individual doesn’t workout. Generally, the excuse most often given is a lack of time. As a society, we’re working long hours, taking the kids to soccer practice, running errands; anything but working out. We’re just far too busy. Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
You can workout anywhere, with practically anything. You most certainly don’t need a gym membership to get in shape. You don’t even need a complete weight set, heavy cardio equipment or an exercise room taking over the guest bedroom in your house. The best way to maximize your time is to multi-task. Turn everyday experiences into workout opportunities!
Grocery Shopping
We all know that by parking at the farthest end of the parking lot, you’re going to get a little more exercise. This is an easy one. But did you know that grocery shopping can be a great way to get in a little strength training too? Using the hand baskets rather than the shopping cart will work your biceps and shoulders, giving you a great burn. Getting a half gallon of milk? When you get home to unload the goods, turn that milk carton into a triceps exercise. This works great for weighted squats and shoulder presses too.
Yard Work
This is a very labor intensive chore. If you have a lawn service, save yourself some cash and get out there to do it yourself. Pushing the lawn mower is a complete body workout. Pulling weeds can turn into an isolated squat, or even a lunge. Trimming the hedge will be a comparable substitute for a few shoulder exercises. You’ll start looking as great as your yard in no time.
House Work
If you have enough time to clean your house, you have enough time to workout. Vacuuming the carpet is just like moving the lawn with a whole lot more emphasis on your core muscles, especially your obliques. You can do push-up’s and crunches in any room that your cleaning, even the edge of the bathtub makes for a great push-up bench. Picking up the laundry basket can turn into bent over rows and deadlifts. Scrubbing the shower tiles? Wiping the windows and mirrors? Those make for some great upper body movements that produce noticeable results.
Watching TV
This is a prime opportunity for fitness. TV programming is inundated with commercials. As far as I know, nobody’s paying attention to them. Maximize this break from your favorite sitcom by doing something active. Again, it’s a great time for crunches and push-ups. It’s an even better time to get a few minutes of cardio. Try jump roping, calisthenics, or even running in place for the entire commercial break. With as much TV as Americans watch, if everyone did this we would make great strides in overcoming the obesity epidemic.
There really are no excuses. Fitness and exercise opportunities present themselves many times throughout the day. Even brushing your teeth can turn into a balance and stabilization exercise. You just have to do it. Time is something that all of want (or need) more of, but you just have to work with what you’ve got.
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