5 Ways To Get Moving

In yesterday’s post I encouraged everyone to do some simple walking as a way to add physical activity to their daily routines. Today, I’d like to suggest some ways to incorporate walking that aren’t just the accelerators from Chris Powell. Not that you shouldn’t do the daily Reshape the Nation accelerators Chris Powell encourages as a part of his fitness program. Just that it certainly doesn’t hurt to do more walking, especially if we can incorporate it in ways that seem natural.

1. Walk to the store
Running out for milk? Just need to grab some sugar for those cupcakes you have to make for little Suzy’s class tomorrow? Trying to get out of the house for a few minutes before your husband/wife/dog/parakeet drives you crazy? Instead of driving to the store, have you ever considered walking to the store? Mind you, I live in the middle of a city, so I walk just about everywhere I go. But in most cases, walking to the store might take you only a few minutes longer than driving, but could be a lot healthier. Of course, if it’s going to take you 45 minutes to walk to the store, the car might be a more reasonable option. But if the difference is driving five minutes versus walking 15 minutes, consider taking a walk. Just think of it as more time to relax.

2. Take the stairs
Yes, the elevator is always so tempting. But if you’re in the mall, your office, or your apartment building and you’re only going up three or four floors, why not take the stairs? It wont’ take much longer than the elevator, and you will have added a little more activity to your daily routine.

3. Don’t worry about getting the closest spot
This one always makes me laugh when I witness it. I’ll be riding in the car with someone else driving, we’ll be going to a crowded store, and the driver will spend five minutes driving circles around the parking spot just for a closer spot. Of course, if the driver had just parked in the first spot he saw, even if that spot was at the back of the lot, he’d already be in the store and shopping. So don’t always worry about getting the closest spot. In fact, never worry about getting the closest spot. Take a far spot and walk. Chances are you’ll save time and add a few extra steps into your daily routine.

4. Pace
No, I don’t meaning pacing in a nervous sense. I mean pacing as a way to add a few extra yards, or even miles to your day. For example, I tend to have long phone conversations. But whether I’m on a conference call for work, or talking with friends, I’ll pace around the house. Why not, right? I’m not doing anything else… so I might as well get a little exercise in.

5. Get a dog you have to walk
OK… this isn’t exactly a simple addition to your life, but maybe I’m trying to live vicariously through our Reshape readers because I really want a dog. Still, if a dog will help make you active, it’s not a bad option. And if you already have a dog you don’t regularly walk, why not? Just like it’s not good for us to sit around the house today, it’s not good for our little four-legged friends, either. So hook fluffy to a leash, and get moving. You’ll both be happier and healthier. And maybe fluffy won’t chew up as many shoes…

That’s my list for now. If you have other ideas we can better incorporate movement, post them int eh comments section, add them on our Facebook account, Tweet them @reshapenation, or just email them to me: aaron (at) reshapethenation.com. Mind you, each of these ways to incorporate extra movement into our daily lives won’t, by themselves, cause the pounds to fall off. But if we combine them, and if we do them regularly, they’ll add up to a lot of extra exercise and a lot of lost pounds without a lot of lifestyle change. Pretty cool, huh?

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