7 Tips For Sneaking In Extra Exercise During The Busy Holiday Season
Traveling, parties, stress and busy holiday schedules can wreak havoc on your diet and exercise plan - and that's not even considering the never-ending supply of tempting holiday treats. For many people with diabetes, the holiday season presents a number of challenges for keeping blood sugar in check. But a little extra exercise can help you stay in control and offset the occasional splurge.
Instead of worrying about carving out an extra hour in your day, the trick is to embrace the season and begin to look for ways to sneak in exercise in smaller bursts. Here are some ideas to help:
1. Give new meaning to the term "power shopping" - Hitting the mall in search of gifts? Start your trip with a couple of brisk laps before you begin your "real" shopping. By spending an extra 10 or 15 minutes, you can take in the store windows, prioritize your shopping plan and tack on some valuable calorie burning.
2. Take the stairs whenever possible - At work, the mall or anywhere you can, always opt for the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. A similar trick is to make use of hills and inclines you come across and create a mini workout with them: Simply walk with a quick pace up the hill for a minute or two, then cool off by walking back down.
3. Take a quick walk before dinner - If you have 10 or 15 minutes before dinner, why not get that heart rate going? You can lower your blood sugar levels and work up an appetite at the same time by taking a short, brisk walk.
4. Play with the kids - Keep kids entertained and give yourself a short workout. Whether you play an organized sport or just make up a new game that requires physical activity, you can help teach kids good fitness habits and reap the benefits yourself.
5. Start a new holiday tradition - Play a family-friendly tag football game on Thanksgiving Day, or take the group on a walk to view holiday lights instead of driving.
6. Volunteer for chores - From raking leaves and mowing the grass, to shoveling snow and walking the dog, many daily activities have the potential to be valuable fat burning workouts. Look at it this way, every minute you spend shoveling snow, is one less minute you need to find time to workout in a gym.
7. Create a 10 minute power workout -- During this busy time of year, it's more about making the most of the time you have. Take a few minutes right now to put together a 10-minute routine that you can pull out of your back pocket whenever you have the opportunity. Include exercises suitable for your level of activity. Options may include lower impact exercises such as windmills and side kicks, or more intense exercises, such as jumping jacks, crunches and push ups. Your routine should focus on a variety of muscle groups and strike a balance between cardio and strength training. Change your outlook Looking for opportunities to burn extra calories everyday can go a long way toward maintaining a balanced blood glucose level. But the secret is in your outlook. Any 10 minutes of down time becomes a new opportunity. Now's the time to put down the remote (or the computer mouse) and get active. Can you find 10 minutes to exercise today?
Instead of worrying about carving out an extra hour in your day, the trick is to embrace the season and begin to look for ways to sneak in exercise in smaller bursts. Here are some ideas to help:
1. Give new meaning to the term "power shopping" - Hitting the mall in search of gifts? Start your trip with a couple of brisk laps before you begin your "real" shopping. By spending an extra 10 or 15 minutes, you can take in the store windows, prioritize your shopping plan and tack on some valuable calorie burning.
2. Take the stairs whenever possible - At work, the mall or anywhere you can, always opt for the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. A similar trick is to make use of hills and inclines you come across and create a mini workout with them: Simply walk with a quick pace up the hill for a minute or two, then cool off by walking back down.
3. Take a quick walk before dinner - If you have 10 or 15 minutes before dinner, why not get that heart rate going? You can lower your blood sugar levels and work up an appetite at the same time by taking a short, brisk walk.
4. Play with the kids - Keep kids entertained and give yourself a short workout. Whether you play an organized sport or just make up a new game that requires physical activity, you can help teach kids good fitness habits and reap the benefits yourself.
5. Start a new holiday tradition - Play a family-friendly tag football game on Thanksgiving Day, or take the group on a walk to view holiday lights instead of driving.
6. Volunteer for chores - From raking leaves and mowing the grass, to shoveling snow and walking the dog, many daily activities have the potential to be valuable fat burning workouts. Look at it this way, every minute you spend shoveling snow, is one less minute you need to find time to workout in a gym.
7. Create a 10 minute power workout -- During this busy time of year, it's more about making the most of the time you have. Take a few minutes right now to put together a 10-minute routine that you can pull out of your back pocket whenever you have the opportunity. Include exercises suitable for your level of activity. Options may include lower impact exercises such as windmills and side kicks, or more intense exercises, such as jumping jacks, crunches and push ups. Your routine should focus on a variety of muscle groups and strike a balance between cardio and strength training. Change your outlook Looking for opportunities to burn extra calories everyday can go a long way toward maintaining a balanced blood glucose level. But the secret is in your outlook. Any 10 minutes of down time becomes a new opportunity. Now's the time to put down the remote (or the computer mouse) and get active. Can you find 10 minutes to exercise today?
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