In week #1, you learned that energy expenditure can be increased through planned exercise as well as increasing what is known as ‘lifestyle activity.’This lesson focuses on identifying ways to increase your lifestyle activity.
There are many simple ways to become more active. To become aware of physical activity opportunities in your daily living, always look for more active options.
For example:
- Take a short walk at lunch.
- Walk your dog every day instead of a few times per week.
- Climb the stairs rather than take the elevator.
- Wash your car by hand instead of driving through a car wash.
- Instead of sitting on the couch while watching TV, sit on an exercise ball, ride a stationary bike, do stretching exercises. or walk in-place during commercials.
- Rather than sending an email with requests to a colleague, walk to their office and communicate with them face-to-face.
- Park in the back of the parking lot (or the most distance space) when visiting the mall, grocery store, movie theater, etc.
- Is there a convenience store near your house? If so, walk there to pick up milk or bread instead of driving to the market when you only need a few items.
- Instead of watching your kids at the park, play with them! If you have older children, take a soccerball or basketball to the park and practice with them.
- If your kids are playing sports, walk around the park during practice, rather than sitting on the sidelines.
- Do you pay someone to work on your yard? If so, identify some activities that you could do, like pulling weeds, raking leaves, installing a drip irrigation system, etc. Have the workers come only once a month instead of twice a month.Save money and burn more calories!
- Be active on your dates.Invite your significant other to sign up for dance classes at a community center or hike a new trail in your area. Dance, bike, or hike instead of going to dinner or movies.
