by Katarzyna Radzka

Created on: December 01, 2010

Leading an active lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Still not enough people realize the need to increase their own physical activity and that flicking the remote control or getting out of bed doesn’t count as a workout. Laziness and lack of time are often to blame for sedentary lifestyles but even the busiest and laziest of us can find a few minutes throughout the day to get some exercise.

1 – Take the stairs, run for the bus, use public transport in general, run errands for your colleagues, take a walk at lunchtime and take the dog for a walk before and after work. These are just a few of the things that you can do throughout the day to increase your physical activity levels. Most of them will only take a few minutes, some are responsibilities you should fulfill, others are ones you should make time for; each one will help you improve your fitness, increase your energy levels and help you lead a more active lifestyle.

2 – Join a gym with a friend. When you join with someone you become more accountable to go. Not showing up is not just letting yourself down but also another person. Arrange to meet two or three times a week is enough to provide you with physical and mental benefits. If you can’t get a friend motivated enough to get moving you also have the option of hiring a personal trainer. PT’s cost money which means that you’re not going to make excuses not to workout if you’ve paid for your sessions up front.

3 – Instead of meeting your friends for another beer or coffee and cake why not be more adventurous and try something active instead. Go rollerblading on the Esplanade, take a walk in the park, organize a learn to ski lesson, or go rock climbing at the weekend. Finding ways to spend your free time in an active way will improve the quality of your life in many ways.

4 – Stop making excuses. It’s easy to say that you’re too tired or you don’t have time but the truth is that if you really want to get active you will make time and you will find that once you get started the energy appears within minutes. Make a plan with yourself by scheduling at least four thirty minute slots into your schedule that will involve some physical activity. Sooner or later you’ll find yourself looking forward to these workouts and end up doing them on a daily basis.

Learn more about this author, Katarzyna Radzka.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.