1. Make it a Date
One of the best ways to bond with your significant other is to workout together! Most women at this point will say, “But he doesn’t want to..” or “How will I ever get him to do that with me?” We can come up with all kinds of excuses in our heads, but just take the time to actually ask that person. Start small, maybe just going for a short walk together, and build up to more intense workouts. It gives you some great bonding time, and you will be gaining health along the way.
2. Fitness on TV/Internet
Recently, my husband and I cancelled our cable subscription. Trust me, I can hear the gasp on the other end while writing this. Even though we have missed some of our favorite shows, and I have missed doing some of my favorite at-home workouts on the tv, I can still find all of those things online! Hulu actually has some of my favorite workouts. Checkout the Yoga Works Body Slim episode, it will definitely get you to work up a healthy sweat!
3. Invest in a Good DVD
If you don’t find anything you like on TV or online, it’s always good to have a DVD at home that you know will motivate you and give you the exact workout you need for that day. P90x is a great tool, although it can take up a good 2 hours of your day! Another one I recommend is any of the Jillian Michael’s DVD’s. They have great concentration and focus, meaning if you want abs that day, you’ll get abs!!!
3. Walking is Now a Habit
Are any of us guilty of circling the parking lot 20 times to find a good spot?? I know at least half of you are, because I do the exact same thing! If you are craving more activity and exercise in your day, one of the best ways to do that is to simply choose to walk more. Whether it’s parking far away from a shopping center, taking the stairs on your way up to your office, or getting to your kid’s school a little early to walk around the parking lot a few times, get your walk in for the day! Don’t waste time or energy when you could be using it for exercise.
4. Spend More Outdoor Time with Your Kids
This also goes for older kids. Some of us can get into a funk where all we do as a family is sit around on our computers or watching the tv. Take some time today or this week to get your kids outside. Have a family picnic in the park and play their favorite sport. You’ll be surprised at how “into-it” you will get, and this can be MUCH more effective than trying to do a workout DVD on your own!
5. Organize Your Home
What? Exercise? Trust me, it works! Get your brain going, and see how you can more effectively organize your home. Sort through old boxes, papers, closets and shelves. Whenever I do this, I end up moving furniture around, and you know what this means don’t you…HEAVY LIFTING!
6. Find a Workout Buddy
One of the most motivating reasons for me to workout every day is knowing I have some great girlfriends who would love to spend time with me and get a good workout in! You know what ends up happening? We talk the entire time and before we know it, we’ve done an hour and a half of yoga! It’s a great feeling to know you have someone there who is just as motivated as you, and who wants to spend time with you all the same. Who says we have to catch up with our friends over coffee and doughnuts anyways?
7. Ab Rollers/Exercise Bands/Bouncy Balls
It would be hard to list all of the things that are out there these days, but hey, why not utilize all of these resources to workout at home? Chances are, if you purchase one these items, they will come with an instructional DVD on how to better use them. Start by doing the exercises they lay out for you, and before you know it, you will have them memorized and can spend 15 to 20 minutes every day doing them! Don’t forget to switch it up once in a while though, muscles can get tired and stagnant if they are always doing the same thing.
8. Lunges Anyone?
One of the greatest exercises ever known to man is LUNGES. Talk about an all-over lower body workout, and not to mention, if you incorporate weights into the equation, can be a complete all-over body workout. And I’m not talking doing just 5 or 10, but make sure you are doing enough to feel your legs burning. Alternate to go fast and slow, and trust me, you WILL feel it!
9. Dance When You Get the Chance!
I always love to turn music on when I’m cleaning or doing something around the house that doesn’t require much attention to detail. If I’m alone, I always end up singing and dancing. Kind of embarrassing I know, but all the same, dancing can burn up to 400 calories per hour! That’s not bad for having fun at the same time 🙂
10. Record Your Exercise Daily
One of the best websites to use is FatSecret, because you can see exactly what you are burning and what exercises are effective based on your calorie intake every day. Studies have shown that the more you write down your goals, the more likely you are to truly accomplish them, and often times, exceed your expectations. Get into the habit of updating your daily exercise regimens, and soon, you will start to see some real results!
Have anything to add? Please share with our readers!!
By: Erika Pizzo