You don't have to sweat it out in
a gym in order to stay fit. Simple daily chores such as washing your undergarments
yourself or dusting your shelves can do the trick. In fact, women who stay
fit by working around the house not only lose as much weight as women in
aerobic classes, but are also better able to keep the weight off for a
longer period. All you need to do is try and accumulate at least 30 minutes
of physical activity through the day. And it's just as easy said as done!
1. Washing your undergarments yourself
is excellent for finger joints. You can kiss arthritis in your finger joints
goodbye. Make sure you use a mild soap though, and follow up by applying
a hand lotion, to avoid drying your hands.
2. Invest in a cordless phone and walk
around while chatting. Can you think of a more enjoyable way to burn calories?
3. Instead of asking the office peon to
fetch you a glass of water, get up and get it yourself. Refill your glass
of water every hour. This helps boost circulation, and will reduce the
risk of you developing varicose veins.
4. Don't just flick the channel during
commercial breaks. Get up and do something: change the bedcover, tidy up
your cupboard shelves or just walk around.
5. When you drive down somewhere, park
your car in a far-off spot so you walk more to reach your destination.
6. Stand up while riding the train or bus,
instead of sitting. An average person burns around 140 calories an hour
while standing, as opposed to 100 calories an hour while sitting. That
may not seem like a huge difference outright, but those additional calories
add up to quite a bit, over a period of time. So the next time you are
tempted to grab that empty seat in a bus or train, resist, especially if
you are in a sedentary job, and have been seated all day anyway.
7. Use the stairs instead of the elevator
or escalator, wherever possible. It makes a world of difference to your
fitness level. It strengthens the heart, and is a great workout for your
hips, legs and butt.
8. Get off the bus or train a few stops
early and walk the rest of the way to your destination. Try and get in
at least 20 minutes of walk time in a day. Two short 10-minute walks everyday
add up to 2 hours, 20 minutes of walking time in a week. And if you are
not getting any exercise at all, this is a great way to compensate. Short
periods of exercise can be just as effective as one long workout, for certain
basic health benefits.
9. It never fails to amaze me as to why
someone would spend big bucks for a gym membership, and then not do a spot
of work at home. Housework is the best exercise, and if you don't find
time for exercise, then you must try and do some work around the house.
Don't depend upon your household helper to make your bed everyday; do it
yourself.
10. The next time you're standing in line,
or waiting for someone, take this opportunity to work your butt. Tighten
your butt muscles, hold to the count of ten, and slowly release. Repeat
6 to 10 times. Make sure you're wearing a skirt, or that your butt is concealed.
You don't want people staring at your twitching butt!
11. Okay, here's a bonus 11th tip! What's
the best domestic exercise of then all? Sit down on your haunches and sweep
the floor. That's right! This excellent 'workout' will tighten and strengthen
your entire lower body, including pelvic muscles, with the result that
if you have been sweeping floors regularly, your labour will be a lot less
painful, and you will recover faster. So if you are planning a pregnancy
sometime soon, pick up the mop and start sweeping!
