There is no time like the present to get up and start moving to improve your health. You don’t need to wait until a Monday or the beginning of the month. Combatting a sedentary lifestyle starts easy enough, but sticking to a routine is the key.
Here are 5 tips and tricks to combat a sedentary lifestyle:
1. Start by Standing up
You may live on your couch and watch a lot of television, but the easiest way to start reversing your sedentary lifestyle is to simply stand up and move. You don’t have to run a marathon, or even walk miles at the beginning.
You can start by walking around your living room or the entire house. Walking or marching during television commercials is another way to begin moving.
2. Invest in a Treadmill
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a brand-new treadmill. You can pick up a slightly used one from a Goodwill Store or other thrift market type place.
With a treadmill in your home, preferably in the room, you spend the most time in; you will be more likely to use it. Again, start slowly, maybe walk on it when there is a break in your television program, or set the timer for five minutes at a time.
3. Walk Outside
Walking outside is the best way to regain your health. Many studies have shown that walking outdoors is the best way to improve your overall health. The fresh air and different scenery, especially nature, will also improve your mental health.
Walking outdoors gives you freedom that walking in place or around the inside of your home does not. You can change up your route, so you do not become bored, however, there is always going to be something new when you walk outdoors.
4. Volunteer to Walk Shelter Dogs
If you are tired of walking alone, or can’t find a friend to walk when you have the time, call your local animal shelter. Shelters are always in need of volunteers to walk the many dogs waiting for new homes.
Walking a shelter dog gives the dog an opportunity to get outside and away from the noise and stress of the shelter. Walking a dog will also give your walk meaning and purpose. It’s a win-win situation. And you just might find a permanent new walking buddy!
5. Count Your Steps
There are many telephone apps available to use on your cell phone to help you count your daily steps. There are also a number of fitness trackers that will not only count your steps but help you track more of your health.
Tracking your steps can become a game and sometimes a healthy obsession. You can try to beat your previous day’s steps or perhaps make a competition out of steps with a co-worker or relative. The one who has the most steps at the end of the week will owe the person with the fewest steps something like a healthy snack.
It doesn’t matter how you begin to move and combat your sedentary lifestyle, just be sure to get up and move.
