What do most people need, don’t get enough of, yet overcomplicate? Movement.
You need movement in your life. Moving today keeps us moving tomorrow and next month, next year, and for years to come. Everyone should fight against succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle.
Benefits to moving:
- keeps our weight in check
- fat burner
- decreases stress
- improves circulation
- it’s a great form of recovery from more intense workouts
- improves performance
- enhances our mood
- improves cognition
- allows us to live a better quality of life at any age.
How do we overcomplicate the need to move?
I can’t count the number of times I’ve had someone tell me they wanted to workout but didn’t have time. Or they couldn’t get to the gym. Or the weather prevented them, so nothing happened. As a fitness professional, I’ve fallen into this trap as well. It happens to everyone. Maybe you did 3 structured workouts at the gym this week, but nothing the other 4 days. It’s easy to think that because a minimum number of workouts were achieved, that nothing else needs to be done in the week. We have it set in our heads that we must do a formal planned workout because it’s best for us. If we can’t find the required time, then we opt to do nothing. Or we do nothing in between our structured workouts because, well, we didn’t have a workout scheduled on that day. ‘Nothing’ is the worst option. Nothing gets us nowhere…it doesn’t help us reach our goals, it only pushes us further from them. Don’t do nothing.
Do anything but nothing.
Movement, such a simple word, but encompasses so many things. Examples include, but are not limited to, walking, running, jumping, skiing, golfing, biking, swimming, yoga, strength training, tennis, playing basketball with your kids, tai chi, etc.
Increase the amount of time in your day that requires movement and enhance your life. Aim to involve some sort of movement (at least 20-30 minutes) daily if possible. You should still strive to get in 2-4 structured workouts per week such as strength training, but if a workout randomly gets hijacked or you need something to do on those alternate days…..utilize these tips to increase your overall weekly movement. Whether you are someone who doesn’t have a consistent workout plan or are an avid gym goer, the benefits of getting daily movement are bountiful.
Tips to increase overall movement:
- Wake up earlier to dedicate some time to movement
- Walk to the store down the road versus taking uber or the streetcar.
- If you’re a dog owner, take Fido on a walk. Your body will thank you and so will Fido. Movement is good for him too.
- Use workout trackers and count your steps. Steps = movement
- Schedule workouts and additional movement activities into your calendar for the upcoming week. Activity must become a priority.
- Take the stairs and ramps opposed to elevators and escalators.
- Park your car further away and walk a little further to your destination. This also may help avoid door dings.
- Utilize hotel fitness rooms while travelling.
- If no hotel fitness center, do bodyweight exercises in your room.
- If you have a desk job, try standing more often.
- Use lunch breaks to get active.
- Take the time spent talking on the phone to multi-task and have that convo while riding a bike, elliptical, or walking.
- Put reminders in your phone to get up and move around.
- Utilize friends with similar goals to help keep each other accountable. Schedule bike rides, fitness classes, walks, and workouts together.
- Use your evening downtime to do some mobility work, foam rolling, and/or stretching. This will help you sleep better also.
