9 Everyday Activities to Boost Your Fitness

9 Everyday Activities to Boost Your Fitness

The benefits of staying fit are endless. From improved intellectual wellbeing to a boost in creativity, you not only gain physically but also mentally. Exercising also reduces stress, boosts happiness, and increases self-confidence.

The best part is – you don’t have to go to the gym to stay fit! Of course, you’re encouraged to do so if you can. However, even if you’re unable to exercise at the gym, there are many daily habits you can use to change your life and improve your fitness.

9 Everyday Activities to Boost Your Fitness

1. Sit less, move more

Sitting for long hours is bad for your health. It increases the risk of heart diseases as well as impedes proper blood flow. To remedy this problem, consider working while standing for at least a few hours each day. Also, stand up when on the phone, stand up and stretch for 1-2 minutes every hour, and take a short walk break a couple of times every day.

2. Track your calories

For people working through a weight loss program, especially tracking your calories is vital. Studies show that people who track the foods they eat lose 2X more weight than those who don’t. So, make sure that you’re aware of the calorie value of every piece of food that goes into your body. More importantly, don’t consume more calories than you need.

3. Exercise at your desk

There are more than a dozen highly-rewarding exercises you can perform without leaving your desk. These include seated leg raises, hovering leg raises, football fast feet, chair dips, shadow boxing, swiveling abs, and leaning planks. Many of these exercises burn calories as well as stretch often inactive muscles.

4. Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep comes with a ton of benefits. Among other things, enough sleep helps you maintain a healthy weight. It also lifts mood and reduces stress. People who get enough sleep also think clearly and are thus able to focus better on tasks. It’s recommended that you eat 2-3 hours before going to bed.

5. Make your home a fitter place

There are many options here. You can have dumbbells near the microwave or have a yoga mat next to your bed. You can also hang a resistance band on the bathroom doorknob or convert a stability ball into your desk chair. The idea is to have fitness equipment in as many places as possible. That way, you can engage in a range of exercises throughout the day.

6. Practice HIIT workouts

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts don’t require a gym or any other particular location. You also don’t need to allocate a specific time for the exercises. As long as you’re willing to spare a few minutes every day, you’re ready to get started. Primarily, the workouts include jumping, brisk walking, running, planking, and several other exercises performed in a coordinated manner for maximum gain.

7. Embrace the outdoors

Spending too much time indoors is bad for your health. That’s because as long as you’re indoors, the brain is less inclined to engage in physical activities. You’ll most likely find yourself watching movies and playing video games. To gain inspiration to do something more physically active, go outside; walk the dog. Just walking for 30 minutes burns 182 calories.

8. Consider fitness apps

If you’re ready to commit to a fitness regimen, fitness apps can be of immense value. Why? Because the apps tell you what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. These are services that were initially offered exclusively by personal trainers – at a hefty fee. But, with fitness apps, you get the advice for free! Better still, the apps can help you track your workout routines.

9. Drink a lot of water

A glass of water every few hours can do wonders for your body. First off, water helps maximize physical performance. Secondly, drinking lots of water helps with weight loss. Above all, water has a significant impact on energy levels and brain function. The recommended daily intake is eight or more glasses a day.