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Incorporate exercise into your everyday life. Transform your housework into a fitness workout. Even the most routine chores can become an opportunity for movement and exercise.

Think of your list of household chores as an exercise circuit that you can complete in 30-40 minutes.You may want to begin with a 20 minute workout. Each task is an exercise "station." You'll need to keep moving to be sure to reach your aerobic threshold. Increase your workout to thirty minutes by including some stairs or a lap of walking or jogging around the block.

Dress comfortably for your workout. Wear exercise shoes. Select some upbeat, motivating music and turn up the volume so that you can hear it wherever you will be working in your house.The key is to keep moving so vary the ways you move from place to place. Sidesteps, marching, skipping, and dancing are all ways to move around the house or apartment.

Ready? Let's begin! Let's get those muscles warmed up by unloading the dishwasher. Put a few glasses or dishes away and then march in place. Put some more away, stretching to reach that top shelf. Repeat. Pick up the pace now. Reach for the silverware. Over to the drawer, putting each item away, quickly, but carefully.

Good, Good. Keep it up! Over to the washing machine now. Time to move some clothes.

Dryer clear? Good job! Reach into the washer, PULL up on the clothes. REACH over and put them in the dryer. Again. Another armload. Out of the washer, into the dryer.

5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1.You've got it!

Turn on the dryer and back away. Turning now, over to the bookshelves for some aerobic dusting. Clear off the top shelf. Dust vigorously, reaching, reaching, don't miss that spot in the back. Heels up off the floor, reaching, reaching. Good job!

Next shelf, same as before. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Shake it out!
Dust rags down. Over to the vacuum cleaner. Turn it on! You're off and running.
Keep up the pace, watch your form. Keep your body in alignment!

Whew! Should we check your heart rate?

You want to increase your heart rate to a level in which you know you are working, putting forth physical effort, but you could still carry on a conversation.

Your home is full of aerobic stations. Don't forget to warm-up and cool down.Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Include full ranges of movement whenever possible, avoiding any jerking, bouncing movements.

Setting a realistic goal makes the workout more satisfying. Before starting your workout, set the timer on your microwave for 30 minutes. Have a plan for which tasks you should be able to do in the 30 minutes. Make it challenging for yourself in increments.

Do you have stairs? An upstairs chore can be added when you are ready. Another option is to head out the door for a lap around the block. The fresh air and change of scenery will invigorate you for what chores you may still have when you return.

When you are finished, give yourself credit for getting in a workout. Each time you workout, add a new chore, change the order, or create some way to add variety. Improving your personal fitness will change your view of housework and provide a creative way to get your work done efficiently. This plan for daily exercise will change your view of housework and will change your view or thinking that you must go to a gym or other facility to get the regular exercise you need.

As you go about your day, at home, at work, or running errands, see how you can add movement or stretches as you go about getting the most from your day.

Learn more about this author, E.M.Robinson.
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