Busy Fitness

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Forget The Gym - Just Move More Often

When it comes to the time to burn off some calories, most people think of heading to the gym. But do you know that the so called "free" (meaning no need to pay for a fee) exercises such as doing houseworks can also help to burn off that FAT?

Many fitness experts now believe that the simplest and most sustainable way to keep fit is what known as an "integrative exercise" - it simply means just "move around more often". A Britain's chief medical officer advises that one should exercise to raise the heart rate for 30 minutes five times a week.

Here are three ways to achieve the necessary exercises without heading to the gym:

  • Break it down. You don't have to do 30 minutes all in one go. Studies show that several five to ten minute bursts of activity throughout a day will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory health, lower the risk of diabetes and other diseases.

  • Doing your houseworks more often. Vigorous housework or gardening or brisk walking all count when it comes to integrative exercise. Activity breeds activity, the more you move, the more you will want to move everyday. Make this a habit.

  • Take your dog for a walk. As mentioned all activities such as housework, running for a bus, gardening can help raise your heart rate and improve health. But, overall the single most valuable free exercise you can do is "brisk walking with your dog". So go and get a dog :-)