by Megan As Well

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 08, 2009

It is entirely possible for even the busiest of people to squeeze plenty of exercise into their schedule. Exercising does not always mean spending an hour at the gym on an elliptical machine or on your back on a weight bench. Physical activity is what matters especially for those of us who sit at a desk with our eyes glued to a screen for several hours a day; those of us who are constantly in the car, moving only our eyes, arms, and ankles; and those of us who watch entirely too much TV. Here are some tips on how to pump a little more physical activity into your primarily stationary days:

1. Park farther away. Most of us hunt for the closest available parking place to the door. However, parking on the opposite side of the parking lot will not only force you to walk the length of the parking lot, but if you are shopping, you will also have to carry your newly purchased goodies across the lot. Plus, you will reduce the odds of having to search for a spot.

2. Take the stairs. Never take the elevator or escalator if there is a staircase nearby. Stairs are a fantastic way to get exercise. If no one is around and you are not in a hurry, go up and down a set of stairs a few times. If you plan to move anytime soon, aim for either a top-floor apartment or an upstairs bedroom. This way, you will have to climb the stairs each time you leave or return to your place, or get in or out of bed.

3. Instead of pushing a shopping cart, carry a basket when shopping for only a few items.

4. When you first get up in the morning, stretch. Unless you have seriously overslept, take five minutes or so to do a few crunches or push-ups. This will get your blood pumping and help you start your day right.

5. Mowing the lawn is great exercise, so never pass up an opportunity to do so. For exercise's sake, avoid buying a riding mower.

6. If you have a dog, take him for long walks or runs. Ask a friend or co-worker to go for a walk or a jog instead of a coffee.

7. If you have children, play with them! Go out in the yard and throw a ball around, play tag, jump rope, or go for a bike ride.

8. Instead of ordering take-out or having food delivered, cook for yourself. Even easy-to-make meals like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese will have you on your feet in front of the stove. Though standing is not exercise, you will be burning more calories than by sitting around and waiting for the doorbell to ring.

9. Dance (a lot) when no one is looking.

10. Invest in a NintendoWii console. Even if you are not into video games, NintendoWii is a fun way to truly break a sweat. For a more intense workout, look into Wii Fit. If you have children who are begging for a Wii (or who just love video games), a Wii is a great way to get them exercising as well. Plus, it is something that you can do together.

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