When I spent the weekend at an absolutely stunning cottage, I had no choice but to take advantage of the sunny weather and jump on the boat to go tubing. I played around a bit on the paddle board, tossed around a volleyball and overall was pretty active, which is rare for me, but awesome. Only struggle I’m facing now is how unbearably sore my shoulders are.
Today, I’m realizing that to feel strong and confident in my fitness capabilities, I’m going to have to find a way to schedule being active into my day-to-day. I’m setting some new fitness goals to build upper body muscle onto these spaghetti noodles I like to call my arms, and with a lifestyle as busy as mine, I’m going to have to to get creative. Here’s some of the hilarious, weird, and incredibly productive ways I’m managing to get exercise into my daily routine. For the gals on the go, there is new-found hope:
1. Take short breaks, often.
If your job will allow it, skip the hour lunch break and take mini breaks throughout the day. One of the worst things for your body is to sit in an office chair for 8 hours straight. My co-workers can often find me strolling around the office, leaving and getting some fresh air, and doing subtle but still “what is she doing” worthy yoga moves. The key to this technique is to take short breaks, often. It feels like most good things come in small packages, as I’m sure you’ve heard, small meals throughout the day will help get you on a healthy track faster than 3 big meals will! Respect your body and give it some time to freely drift, plus your day’s bound to go by faster.
2. Squeeze in some cardio in the sun.
Depending on whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, try slipping some cardio in during daylight. Running, biking to or from work, walking your dog, powering through an ab-blast YouTube video, or mellowing out with some vinyasa yoga are all great options to collect your mind and body before the day starts, or before you go to sleep. Extending your day that extra bit guarantees your body will reward you with feeling happier, healthier, and more productive.
3. Laundry throwdown.
You work hard all day, and when you come home, all you want to do is rest. Keep in mind that although your mind has been active all day, your body probably hasn’t been. You and I both know you have chores that you’ve been putting off equally as much as going to the gym. But the good news is there’s a way to get active AND accomplish some things off that dreaded to-do list.
A typical spin on a standard cycle laundry machine or dishwasher is about 45 minutes. This is the perfect amount of time for you to grab your detergent and do some bicep curls. Or face forward and reach your arms in front for some standing push ups, or see if you can hold a plank/wall-sit until the next rinse cycle. You have to switch the wet clothes into the drier and put away the dishes anyway, so you might as well make the most of the down time.
Whether you’re looking to lose 30 pounds, or just to maintain a healthy body, these simple daily routines are flexible when your schedule can’t be.
No matter how you choose to move, just be sure you do it.
If you’re ever feeling defeated, remember that your results are in your hands, no excuses. Grab your laptop and hit up us here at Unwritten, 15 minutes of laughing per day can burn anywhere between 10 and 40 calories. Challenge yourself to reach your fitness goals in a new way, a more reliable way; the happy way.
Featured Image via Tumblr.
