by Michelle Tuesday

Created on: March 07, 2009

Let's face it: you don't need to be told that exercise is healthy. You know you should exercise regularly, but you just can't seem to make it happen consistently. Maybe you're juggling children, multiple jobs, and chores. Maybe tightened purse strings are making it hard to afford that gym membership any longer. Or maybe the very thought of exercise would make you run screaming if it wasn't for the "run" part. Whatever the reason, don't give up! You can squeeze it in and start working toward a healthier you with these easy and fun ways to incorporate exercise throughout your day.

1. Use the stairs whenever possible. This is an effective calorie-burning technique, because climbing stairs is a high-intensity workout, sure to increase your heart rate in just one flight.

2. Park farther away from the doors. This has the added benefit of helping avoid door dings! For an extra boost, try walking briskly across the parking lot to elevate your heart rate.

3. Perform isometric exercises while driving, doing dishes, or waiting in line. Isometric exercises are muscle contractions, which are held for a period of time. You can accomplish them by pushing against or pulling on a stationary surface or object, or simply flexing and holding your muscles.

4. Perform abdominal exercises first thing in the morning. Many abdominal routines can be performed in just five minutes, such as this Yahoo!Health workout by SELF Editor-in-Chief, Lucy Danziger.

5. Work outdoors. Depending on the time of year, this might entail hauling mulch, mowing, gardening, raking leaves, or shoveling snow. These tasks have the added benefit of beautifying your home, making you the envy of all your neighbors. Enjoy the sunshine while burning calories.

6. Dance! Rocking out to your favorite tunes while performing household chores is sure to put a swing in your step. And since family members are so good at vanishing when it's time to clean the house, you can wiggle your hips without feeling self-conscious about it.

7. Play! You know the saying: "A family that plays together stays together." Play can range from a romp in the snow with the kids to a romp in the sack with your partner. Don't forget walks in the park and bike rides around the neighborhood. These are great opportunities to communicate on a regular basis with loved ones, too.

8. Combine stationary equipment with routine tasks. Move the exercise bike in front of the television, talk on the phone while cranking out an elliptical routine, or try securing a two-by-four across the handlebars of your treadmill with bungee cords, which makes a great shelf for a book, magazine, or your laptop computer.

By incorporating these strategies into your day, you can increase your daily calorie burn with ease. As an added bonus, exercise is more effective when varied, and these tricks will help keep your routine from stagnating. You can incorporate exercise into everyday life, it can be fun, and it does not have to cost anything. Here's to a healthier you!

Learn more about this author, Michelle Tuesday.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.