7 Steps to getting fit the easy way
BY READERS DIGEST
1st Jan 2015 Wellbeing
Are you feeling a bit physically inactive after the summer? Follow our easy tips to get moving—you won’t even need a pair of trainers.
Easy Activities to help you get fit
Easy fitness need not be difficult. You probably have more opportunities to get fit than you realise and you can find more advice in our online ultimate weight loss guide, but for now let's get active!
Take the stairs
Making several trips up and down a few flights every day makes your heart beat faster, improving cardiovascular fitness. Plus, you’ll strengthen the gluteal muscles in your bottom.
Stay upright
Don’t automatically head for a seat on the bus or train, or sit down at a party. Studies are showing that being too sedentary is bad for long-term health—it may up your risk of some cancers and diabetes. Stand when you can.
Play with the kids
Hide and seek, football and Wii Fit games will benefit both older and younger generations. Active computer games have even been shown to lower blood glucose in people with diabetes.
Be mobile on the phone
Use a phone call as an excuse to get up and chat while you’re on the go.
Go shopping
Walking around the shops can burn about 200 calories an hour, much more than you’ll shed surfing for bargains on the net.
Have an activity break every hour
If you spend hours at a time sitting down, get up regularly and walk around for one to three minutes.
Buy a pedometer
It’s easy to overestimate how much activity you engage in, but this will show you how close you are to 10,000 steps a day—the number recommended for good health.
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