A Little Exercise Goes A Long Way

Everyone knows that regular exercise is a major factor in improving your overall health. But what if you can't find the time to go to the gym or attend an exercise class? There are many ways to work exercise into your daily life and you're probably already doing some of them.

Forget about circling the parking lot at work or shopping to find the spot right up close. Try parking farther away, especially in nice weather, and walking instead. You'll burn calories and avoid the extra aggravation. When you're at the mall, use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Stair climbing is a good aerobic exercise at home, while shopping or at work.

While you're waiting for your morning coffee to brew, go for a walk around the block. Put on your headphones and catch up on the news or listen to a recorded book and exercise your mind as you exercise your body. A brisk walk will help wake you up and get you prepared to make the most of your day.

Instead of using all of your lunch hour or work breaks to snack and socialize, take a walk. Besides helping you exercise, it will also relax you for the rest of the day and give you some quiet time to think and reflect.

If you have a dog, you know that taking them out is a necessary part of the day. When you take your dog out, cover a little more territory. Instead of a one-block walk, go for two blocks. The extra exercise will help your dog as much as it benefits you.

Housework is a necessary part of life, so make it pay off. Mopping, cleaning and taking out the garbage all require you to get up and get moving. And that's what exercise is all about! Help yourself along with some energetic music.

If you can't get all your exercise at one time, don't worry-break it into smaller, more manageable segments. Instead of an hour-long walk, take a hike for 15 or 20 minutes. Instead of cleaning everything at once, fit it into your day when you can.

Don't feel that you have to skip exercising because you don't have enough time to regularly do it. With exercise, small steps can make a big difference in how you look and feel.