Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Lazy Person's Guide to Exercise

We've all heard the same excuses, the same mantras: I'll get to exercising more...next week! Eat less, move more!...It's my New Year's Resolution!....I'd go out more if I didn't work so much :(....

We all know the same crap reasons why we aren't more active. According to a 2002 study, only 30% of Americans regularly exercise.

Not only is exercise key to overall physical health - and avoiding problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, and Type II diabetes later in life - it also makes you happier, more productive, more energetic, and sexier, too.

I now present a slideshow of the many shortcuts to your on-again, off-again exercise regimen.

http://www.good.is/post/the-lazy-person-s-guide-to-exercise-seven-ways-to-get-moving/page:2#slideshow_51495

Among the recommendations:


  1. Stand while you work. Standing up requires two times the energy as sitting down, but calories are not the only reason to consider this unusual method of working. Standing desks are gaining in popularity for other reasons too. Being upright may help you get ideas out, help alleviate back problems associated with long hours at the computer, and burn fat.
  2. Pace while you talk. High-strung people tend to this anyways—have you ever noticed how thin they are despite what they may eat? Every time your cell rings, pop up from your desk (or couch) like you have somewhere important to go and take that conversation on the road. Not only is that less annoying for co-workers, it’s a mindless way to get activity in. Pace up and down the halls of your office, or up and down your front street. Pacing burns about 90 calories an hour, which adds up if you spend half your day on conference calls.
  3. Have more sex. This is tired but true advice, folks: Sex is the most fun anyone will have burning calories. It’s a total get-out-of-jail free card from the gods: Even the laziest people on earth tend to enjoy a good romp. And aside from the myriad other benefits it offers—like happy hormones, glowing skin, and less stress—it’s a great way to get your heart rate going.
  4. Play music while you clean. You may have already heard that doing housework can burn all sorts of calories, but we’re going to bet that adding music to the mix will put even more bounce in your scrub. Listening to upbeat tunes can also boost your mood and distract you from unpleasant thoughts—just like your cleaner home can—making chore time pass more easily.


Via: GOOD

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