Building exercise into one’s daily routines
Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 08:49AM
While I have long been a committed and active YMCA member and regular walker, I know I can get in better physical condition if I just make a few changes to my daily habits. I don’t know if they will really help much, but I’ve been trying to remember to:
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To go up from sitting to standing without using my arms to push me up. From low seating, this is more challenging than one might expect. It’s not just leg strength, but balance that gets a little practice. Oh, when I think about it, I go the opposite direction without the use of my arms as well - trying not to make a plopping sound.
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To climb stairs without the use of bannisters. Another chance to work my legs and core instead of my arms. It’s another chance to practice one’s balance as well, when descending. I also try never to place something on the stairs to be taken up later. I just make the full trip each time.
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To purposely park at some distance from the entrance of stores or other venues. Given our -0 temps lately here in Minnesota, I’ve sort of ignored this one. I find my own behavior ironic when I look for a parking spot as close to the Y’s entrance as possible. While the number of steps each time i park may not be many, I expect over the course of a week, they may add up.
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To walk up escalators. I do this perhaps not as much because I want the exercise, but because I lack the patience to simply stand. See “What escalators tell you about people.”
I suspect there are many more habits I could establish in my daily routine to increase my strength and stamina. Dear Readers, let me know what ones you might consciously perform!
Reader Comments (2)
I do squats. Instead of bending over to empty the dryer or load the dishwasher, I try to squat.
Hi Annette,
Great suggestion. I've been reading that if you only do one exercise, do squats. That's why I've been consciously not using my arms to push me up from sitting positions. Squats would be much easier had I a few helium balloons attached to me!
Doug