How To Fit Exercise In A Sedentary Lifestyle

A major problem for many over weight people is a sedentary lifestyle. Even children are becoming sedentary and couch potatoes. Sometimes we are forced to be sedentary. If you have a job where you have to sit all day at a computer, you don?t have much of a choice, unless you want to quit your job and get a job as a waitress, and you probably don?t want to do that.

You sit and drive to work, sit at work for eight hours, sit to drive come, sit down and eat dinner and then sit down and watch TV. If this is your lifestyle, you can?t really wonder why you are overweight. You aren?t getting any exercise and burning off calories.

A sedentary lifestyle both reduces physical activity and increases sedentary behaviors, thereby decreasing maximal exercise capacity (fitness).

You have to make a conscious decision to fit physical activity into your everyday routine. You can make a promise to yourself that you will fit in 30 minutes of exercise a day, which is doable even for people with busy, hectic schedules.

First, take easy, small baby steps that add up when done on a regular basis. Instead of trying to get the closest parking place you can find, park way in the back of the parking lot and walk to the store. It?s a lot easier to park in the back of a parking lot instead of trying to be the lucky person who can find one right in front of the store. Also take the stairs instead of the elevator. Going up and down stairs is good exercise.

Now, try to go on a walk at least once a week. You don?t have to run or jog, just walk. Walking is great exercise and it?s so basic. People in poor shape won?t be able to run or jog, but most people are able to go on walks. Some people get up at the crack of dawn and jog 3 miles. You don?t have to do that! Baby steps, now. Make a goal to go on two walks a week and walk for 10-15 minutes. You can walk up and down the street you live on or on a walking trail at a local park as long as the weather is good. Rain, snow, and bitterly cold weather can ruin your walking plans and that?s where malls come in handy. Malls are large, indoor buildings and you can make a few circles around the mall. This way even if it?s raining or bitterly cold outside, you can still get your walk on. Then, some people live in areas where there are no malls. They would have to get in the car and drive an hour just to walk 15 minutes, which is not worth it. In that case, there?s always the shopping mall, baby. Go to your nearest shopping mall, open 24 hours and circle the store about 5 times. You can also see what?s on sale while you?re there or do your shopping after your walk.

Now, if you go to a mall regularly and just walk in circles, some employees might think you?re crazy, but that?s all right because you are losing weight. Make conversation with them and tell them what you are doing. They?ve probably seen it before and you might even make some friends while you?re at it. Actually, it?s not uncommon for people to go to the shopping mall just to walk around the store and get exercise.

Your goal is to get 30 minutes of exercise every day and it doesn?t have to all be at one time. You can exercise for 10 minutes three times a day or for 15 minutes 2 times a day.

You can do certain chores to count as physical activity such as sweeping and mopping. You can also get in the habit of taking 5 minutes after you get up just for exercise. Do some stretches, sit ups, jumping jacks, aerobics, or any other physical activity you can fit it.

The more you exercise, the more calories your body will burn off and regular exercise leads to a higher metabolic rate. The more calories you burn off, the more weight you will lose. Getting in 30 minutes of exercise a day will really pay off and give you lots of health benefits. You just have to make a choice to do it.