You’ve heard the expression many times – every little bit helps. It’s true with savings goals, and it’s very true with fitness goals. Check out these ideas you can easily – and inexpensively - incorporate into your everyday routine.
1.Take the stairs instead of an elevator. You get a two-fer with this decision. Not only are you boosting your heart rate, but you’re also working your quads, calves, and glutes.
2.Park far away from any entrance. So many of us derive great pleasure in scoring the coveted “club spot” parking space that’s closest to the store, restaurant, or office building. Your heart, though, will thank you for parking further away so you get in some extra steps.
3.Turn TV time to fitness time. You don’t have to choose between your favorite show and working out. You can do simple things like march in place or do a set or two of bicep curls during a commercial break. Or take this fun approach of pairing your favorite show with specific exercises. For example, if you’re watching Parks and Recreation, do ten pushups every time Ron does a manly act. Here are more ideas - Watch and Work Out: How To Incorporate Exercise Into Your TV Time | Apartment Therapy
4. Strength train with household items. Working your muscles builds muscle mass, increases bone density, and contributes to joint flexibility. To get these benefits, you can skip the gym membership and just grab items you have around the house. Water jugs, cans of vegetables, a weighted backpack, sack of potatoes or apples…as long as the item is providing some weight, you can use it for common exercises like bicep curls, overhead shoulder presses, and lunges.
5. Throw your weight around. Bodyweight exercises pit the weight of your body against gravity. And the winner is your muscle tone. Pushups, squats, and planks have their rightful place in the pantheon of bodyweight workouts. In this post from Livestrong.com, you’re sure to find the exercises that fit where you are right now and set you up for future challenges.
Start your physical fitness journey today. To get fiscally fit, strengthen your money-management muscles with our free online financial wellness resources. You don’t need to be a PSECU member to access these great tools. To get in on the money-saving benefits our members enjoy, though, become a member and you’ll receive excellent member service, security and peace of mind, exclusive access to great rates, and a focus on YOU.