As little as a year ago, I was pretty obsessed with fitness and I would hit the gym at least 5 times a week, if not more. But somewhere along the way my interests changed and I wasn’t fired up to workout all day, errday.
I struggled with this shift in mentality for a while but I had an epiphany last month. I can still be healthy and fit even if I don’t work myself to exhaustion in the gym. It’s only been a month since I realised this, but my relationship with fitness has improved so much.
I still try to go to my local GoodLife Fitness about 2 – 3 times a week or get in a home workout but I’ve also started making a conscious effort to stay active throughout the day.
This is not something I did before because truthfully, I can be lazy AF. I’d much rather lounge around all day than do a tonne of activity. But now that I’m not going hard 5 days a week, moving everyday is pretty important.
So today I wanted to share a few little changes I’ve made in my life that stop me from becoming one with my furniture…out loud
3 tips to help you get active everyday
1. Stretch when you wake up
This is a habit I picked up over the summer when I would do yoga videos with my roommates every morning. I’m not as deep into my practice as I used to be but I still do a couple flows when I wake up to set myself up for the day. I find that when I start my day off this way, I’m more inclined to move around and stay active.
2. Walk whenever possible
When I was in university, I was able to take the bus for free so that’s what I did. But now that I actually have to pay for my own bus rides, I find myself walking a lot more. At first I wasn’t amused because like I said, I can be lazy.
But it turns out, even though I’m not a fan of running, I actually enjoy walking. Now, I walk to and from the grocery and most other places I need to go. And on the days that I don’t actually need to leave the house, I still try to get outside and walk around my neighbourhood.
3. Take active study/work breaks
This is a big one that I’m still working on but I think I’m getting better at it. Unless I’m in the kitchen, I spend most of my day sitting in front of the computer. I can go hours at a time without moving, especially if I’ve got snacks on hand. Great for productivity but not so much for my body.
So over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to take more breaks specifically to move around more. Even if it’s just walking down the stairs for some water or doing a couple lunges and squats. Because every little bit counts.
What about you?
Are you a naturally active person or do you have to remind yourself to move during the day? Favourite ways to stay active?
Liked this post? Read more on why staying active is important:
This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador Program; however all opinions expressed are my own.
its so weird how we have this mindset that we NEED to workout HARD every day. i used to workout like 6 days a week and it was the worst!! i cut that down to 4 days (maybe 5), and its made such a difference to my happiness and life. also my body looks the exact same regardless haha, so i’m glad i finally figured out the perfect combination of gym/rest days.
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Exactly! I’m not sure where I got that idea that I wasn’t healthy if I didn’t lift daily but I’m so glad I’m over that phase. Because that schedule was so gruelling and eventually working out felt like a chore instead of something I actually enjoyed doing!
YES! Love this. i had this same awakening thought earlier this summer when we were in Cali for a month. I decided to do Piyo and yoga and “take it easy” while we were gone and worked out 5 days a week, well my Piyo/yoga. Even with all the eating out and treats I came back slightly lighter, basically the same, but so much less stressed and feeling amazing! It dawned on me this was the same as when we spent the summer in Ireland a few years before. It was just being active, walking more, being more relaxed and less stressed and not beating myself up with hours of working out. It’s nice to find that balance of just living a happy healthy life!
I used to stretch when I first woke up have not idea why I stopped. Thanks for the reminder
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Spinach & Feta Mashed Potatoes Meatless Monday
I also try to work while standing up. I’ll do a lunge or two while I’m at it! 🙂
Chrissa – Physical KItchness recently posted…30 Paleo Pumpkin Recipes
Haha I’m such a naturally lazy person too! Especially in the winters when I haaaate spending even a millisecond outside. But I also love my tea, which forces me to get up and pee 293919 times per day, so that helps keep me from sitting on my butt all day. I also have to be on my feet teaching nutrition classes a few times per week. I notice such a difference in my energy levels on days where I teach classes versus days where I do desk work all day!
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I love adding more activity into my day! The biggest thing for me is taking the stairs/ walking everywhere I can. I like on the 9th floor in my apartment building and I definitely like to think that it adds up!
I try to go up the stairs at work whenever I can! Just little ways to sneak in extra steps at work 🙂
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When I was working a corporate job I requested a standing desk. And now that I’m home with my 3 little girls, I’m always on the move. Sometime I wish I could sit down more. But it’s important to be active where you can. You don’t need to kill yourself at the gym to have an active lifestyle. I would park my car far from entrance doors and take the stairs when possible, too.
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I love waking up and going for a good run, it gives me energy for the day.
Amazing how we can add more activity into our daily lives with just a few little changes!
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I love these quick & easy tips! It really does only take a little bit of time!
I really need to work on active study breaks! Not only would it help burn some calories instead of sitting on my bottom on all day long, but it would give my mind a little refresher too!
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i try to walk around throughout the day at work, but generally, my workouts and sports are my activity for the day.
I stretch every morning without fail. Even if it’s only 5 or 10 minutes.
Great post and I must say the couple years or so, my fitness really took a nosedive. I started working from home and I just didn’t get out as much as I wanted to and the weight just started to pile on. Walking more really helps and I just got my bike out this week (that’s what my post is about) so I am trying to alternate biking and running days and adding at least an hour of walking at night too.
It’s my first time on your blog and I look forward to reading more.
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A lot of people say they don’t have time for fitness, but you make time and can work little things in your day to help you achieve your goals. I park at the back of the parking lot so that I have a longer walk into work or stores. I walk on my breaks or lunch hour and sometimes I will do lunges or squats in my office on break too. Waking up a little earlier in the morning can be helpful, as it gives you extra time to get in a workout. Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Walking whenever possible is one of the easiest but most ignored ways to help stay active! Yes i run every day and so do many of my co-workers – but we need to be more active than just a daily run.
Especially in the corporate world where we sit at our desks all day, or in our car all morning/evening. I make a point of getting up and walking to other people’s desks as often as possible instead of just emailing them.
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I use to stretch when I first woke up in the morning, thanks for this tips its very useful for me, And the 3rd point I just love this tips and I use to do it daily.
I regard myself as a B-type personality and I tend to gravitate towards the things that require as little effort as possible. That’s partly why I have invested so much in exercise – if I didn’t I’d probably forget how to move!
I’v noticed that the more I move, the less resistance I feel about doing other highly active things. My dad used to say, ‘It takes energy to make energy’. I know this to be terribly true in my own life. I feel horrible when I sit in one place for too long.
I started exercising first thing in the morning for the same reason. It really helps to wake my mind up and get me ready for the rest of the day.
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