by Mac Stevenson

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: October 16, 2009

Good habits are hard to break

If you have 15-20 minutes to kill before your next project for the day, how should you use that free time? That depends on several things: (1) What the next task for the day involves. (2) Your age will play a factor in exercise routines. (3) The weather can limit outdoor activities.

For citizens of all ages, a brisk 20-minute walk is a great way to use a block of spare time; that, of course, requires that the weather outside is decent. This is particularly beneficial for those of us who are considered ultra mature.

For the younger generation, a 20-minute run might be just the thing. Running would require that your appointment...following the 20-minute run...doesn't require you to be well-dressed and unruffled.

Whether you run or walk, it has become common knowledge...backed by the medical establishment...that you will have a better mental outlook on life in general when you indulge in this type of exercise. It's almost like you're in a different world with no TV or telephone to distract your mental focus; pleasant thoughts are easier to come by.

Just some simple indoor stretching and flexing is beneficial for people of all ages. For golfers, stretching can be followed by swinging a weighted practice club indoors for several minutes. That will strengthen tendons and muscles used in the golf swing and give you a good workout in just a few minutes. These weighted warm-up aids for golfers are available at a reasonable price (about $10) at golf shops or discount stores. This is an excellent exercise for anyone, whether you're a golfer or not.

An indoor treadmill is a perfect way to kill a little extra time and you won't become too sweaty or disheveled to keep an important appointment after a 15-minute workout. Treadmills take up some room in your home and they cost several hundred dollars, but it's a worthwhile investment in your health.

Just working with dumbbells while sitting or standing for a few minutes will get the blood flowing and improve your muscle tone; dumbbells aren't expensive and are available at any sporting goods store.

The main point, when you have these 15-20 minutes to spare, is to do something beside sitting down and watching TV or thumbing through a magazine or heading for the refrigerator and a fattening snack. Exercising during spare moments gets to be an ingrained habit that has long-range benefits for your health.

With the hunting season approaching, this is a great way for outdoorsmen or women to break in

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