by Monique Swyer

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Adding exercise to your day can be easy if you just keep it simple. If you make exercise into a tedious chore, you are less likely to do it, and you probably won't enjoy it. Exercise is really just movement. So to keep it simple, whenever you move, just add more movement.

When you park your car, choose a parking spot out at the end of the lot so that you have to walk further. Walk your shopping cart back to the cart parking area at the front of the lot, and then walk back to your car.

If you don't have too many groceries to buy, carry them in a basket - for weight-bearing exercise!

Walk up the escalator instead of standing still.

Pull in your abdominal muscles while driving. Try to pull your belly button in toward your lower back and hold for a count of five. Repeat every time a new song comes on the radio.

While standing in line, raise up on your toes and then lower back down - working your calf muscles. Stand up straight.

Do knee bends while you brush your teeth.

Pace, shrug your shoulders and wave your arms while talking on the phone - in private, of course.

Clean your house more often and with more vigor. Dust, mop, scrub and polish.

Dance while you vacuum - you might even find yourself enjoying vacuuming!

Garden - rake, pull weeds, carry bags of dirt, dig holes - not only will you get more exercise, but your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Stand when you could sit. Read standing up.

March in place while watching t.v. - you won't even notice the time go by.

Before getting up out of your chair, try a little triceps dip - but only if your chair doesn't have casters!

Run when you could walk, if only for a moment.

Put a little wiggle in your walk and a little groove in your move - swing your arms harder, bring your knees up higher, hold your stomach in.

Play tag with a child, or frisbee, or catch - just don't forget to laugh when you miss.

Take the dog for a walk. A dog can be your best walking buddy. Dogs are always so happy to walk. Follow their lead!

Cook dinner instead of going out - turn, reach and bend to get the ingredients, stir briskly, chop and dice with force (watch your fingers) and don't forget to do the dishes - washing and drying!

Take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if you only walk up to the next floor and then take the elevator from there.

Walk past the mailbox and on around the block - get the mail on the way back past the mailbox.

Lots of little movements add up to become exercise. You won't even notice that you exercised. Simply move more and keep moving!

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