Think you don't have time to work out? Try taking ten minutes to walk around or stretch to increase your daily movement
WHEN we talk about exercise, most people think about going to the gym, going for a run or doing a workout class.
But exercise is only one part of staying active.
What you do throughout the rest of the day matters too.
READ MORE: 'Why you don't need to exercise every day to stay fit and healthy'
You might do a 30 minute workout in the morning, but if you then sit down for the rest of the day, you are still spending a lot of time being inactive.
The good news is that staying active does not always mean doing a workout.
Walking around the house, doing the shopping, gardening, cleaning, taking the stairs and even getting up from your chair regularly all count as movement.
These little bits of activity might not feel like much, but they soon add up.
One of the simplest things you can do is avoid sitting for too long. If you have been watching television, reading or sitting at the computer for a while, get up and walk around for a few minutes.
You could make a cup of tea, walk around the garden or simply walk around the house.
If you are on the phone, try standing up or walking around while you talk.
Gardening is another great example. Digging, planting, mowing the lawn and carrying things around the garden all get your body moving without feeling like exercise.
Shopping can count too. Park a little further away from the shops, walk around the supermarket instead of rushing through it and carry your own bags if you are able to.
The stairs are another easy way to add more movement to your day. You do not have to climb ten flights of stairs. Just choosing the stairs when you can instead of the lift can help keep your legs working.
Walking is still one of my favourite forms of exercise. A short walk after breakfast, lunch or dinner can be an easy way to get outside and add more movement to your day.
You do not have to hit a certain number of steps either. If you normally walk 3,000 steps a day, try adding another 500. Once that becomes normal, add a little more.
The same goes for exercise.
You do not need to spend an hour in the gym every day. Ten minutes of movement is better than sitting on the sofa.
The key is to look for opportunities to move. Think about your normal day and ask yourself where you could add a little more activity.
Could you walk instead of taking the car? Could you stand up during the adverts? Could you take the stairs?
Small changes like these can make a big difference over time.
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