Some Tips On Adding More Healthy Activity To Your Day-To-Day Life

If your not one of those people who enjoy specific workout routines, or you just want to switch things up a little, try adding some “play” into your day-to day routine. What I mean by “play” isn’t necessarily an organized game (although it could be) or even something you would consider fun. Play is  simple movements and activities that will get you moving and break the monotony on a regimented routine.

I was thinking of some examples of play, and I realized that everything I thought of fell into two main categories: 1. Things people did “back in the day”, or 2. Things I did when I was a kid. Here are some examples I came up with.

• Shoveling the driveway – I understand that not everyone has to deal with snow, but being from Buffalo, snow is something that is never far from our minds. Shoveling snow can burn over 400 calories per hour . So put away the snow blower and dust off the snow shovel this winter. Just don’t lick that metal flag pole! I’d say this falls into both of the categories I mentioned above.
• Raking leaves – Before the snow flys in winter, there is the flying leaves in autumn. Why would anyone use a leaf blower/sucker/mulcher to clean up their yard on a crisp fall day? Putting away that power equipment will  get you some exercise, and you’ll have a better chance to enjoy Fall will all of your senses.
• Walk The Dog – This is beneficial in so many ways. Not only is it good exercise for Rufus,  you get a wholesome low impact workout in the process. You’re also likely to meet your neighbors, get to know the neighborhood, and have a closer bond with your dog. No dog? No problem, get out and walk anyway. Trust me, for something that seems so mundane; walking for the sake of walking has a tremendously positive effect on you psyche and your physical health.
• Wash Your Car - Why are you paying those crazy car wash fees when you can do it all yourself? You can go as simple or elaborate as you’d like with your car wash supplies. Either way, you’ll get  a sparkling car while you work up a sweat. You get bonus points if you do a hand wax afterwords!
• Get a Rotary Lawn Mower- You know those old school manual lawn mowers that your grandparents used? The ones where the blade spins when the mower is pushed? Well believe it or not, they’re making a come back. Lawn enthusiasts use them because they aren’t as tough on the grass as modern gas mowers are. They’re also a great workout. They don’t take any longer to use than a powered mower, but you’ll work up a sweat doing it. If your going to spend the time, you may as well get something out of it.

The list of possibilities goes on and on. Are these a magic bullet for weight loss, and incredible fitness? Of course not. But, adding activities like this to your everyday life and eating right will make a noticeable difference. Not to mention the potential economic benefits. Stop doing things the easy way all the time and get back to basics. Put a little sweat equity into your life, and it is bound to pay dividends.