It can be tough to get in the amount of exercise we would like to on a daily basis, but if your busy life is getting in the way of reaching your fitness goals, why not kill two birds with one stone? Exercise while getting things done throughout your busy day!
Hope Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at four ways to exercise while performing everyday tasks.
- Biceps Curl With Grocery Store Bags
Using plastic grocery store bags or reusable tote bags, turn those into dumbbells and get to curling! There could be anywhere from five to even 15 pounds in each bag, so they are solid substitutes for the real thing. To get started, hold a bag in each hand with your elbows by your sides and palms facing up. Then bend your elbows to slowly lift the bags up toward your shoulders before returning to the original position. Do this for five to 10 reps, depending on the weight of the bags.
- Leg Lifts While Brushing Teeth
But those two minutes of brushing your teeth to good use! Standing with your feet just under shoulder-width apart, place your left hand on your left hip and lift the leg until its around two feet off the ground. Repeat 10 times then switch sides.
- Bridge While Watching TV
Slide off the couch or bed and get onto the floor to perform this while watching TV. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Then lift your hips off the ground and try to form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Lower back to the starting position and repeat 10 times.
- Phone Yoga
Center yourself while talking on the phone by performing a tree pose during your chat. From a standing position, life your right leg and rest your foot on your inner left thigh (or below the knee if above it is too difficult to start). Then extend your right arm to the side and hold the pose for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side, and you can gradually try to extend the length of the pose as your balance and strength improves.
To learn more about Hope Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://hope-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
