Fun Ways To Be Active Every Day Without Going To a Gym

Staying Active Beyond the Gym and Sports

Working out in a gym or playing a sport is great, but being active is about so much more than that. Think of it as a way to use your muscles more in your everyday life. If you drive to work, sit at a desk all day, and use all the conveniences of modern life, you probably need to move more.

Finding Time for Movement

Making time to be active with our busy lives can be challenging. However, start with just 10 minutes and try to build up to at least half an hour of activity a day. Remember, some activity is better than none. If you spend a lot of time sitting, set reminders to stand up and stretch.

Make Movement Easy and Accessible

When you think of your day in these terms, it becomes easier to get active – it doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. Regular physical activity can help control weight, boost your mood, and improve sleep as well!

Creative Ways to Get Active

Try one of these ideas each week. You’ll find your favorites and might even think of new ways to be active too:

• Swap TV Time for Walking: Trade 30 minutes of television for a 30-minute walk each day.
• Sneak in Small Workouts: Add a bit of movement throughout the day, such as doing bicep curls with bags of groceries, lunges down the hallway, or calf raises while brushing your teeth. You can even do desk push-ups before sitting down and wall sits while on the phone or reading the paper.
• Make TV Time Active: Designate certain TV shows as exercise programs. While watching, lift weights, do sit-ups, walk on a treadmill, or ride a stationary bike. You can also jump rope or stretch.
• Try Seasonal Activities: Explore new activities for each season, like golf, tennis, cycling, hiking, mall-walking, dance, yoga, or swimming.
• Take the Stairs: Whenever possible, opt for the stairs instead of the elevator.