#2013alive: Make It a Priority to Move More - Every Day!

It’s month 3, week 1 of our 12 Months of Wellness, and this month we focus on fitness. While many of us resolved to get fit for 2013, chances are pretty fair that our best intentions have fallen flat, or at least deflated a bit. This month we dedicate ourselves to getting back on track, making fitness a priority for the year and throughout our lives.

Move it, move it!

To kick off month 3, we’re easing into fitness, making it a priority to move more each day. The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week. If 150 minutes sounds daunting, think about it in terms of 10-minute bouts, which is totally doable, even for busy folks.

Wondering how you can get more movement into your day? Try these simple activities, at home, work, on the go, and even while watching TV.

At home

• Clean house—with vigour. Washing floors, vacuuming carpets, washing walls, and scrubbing bathrooms are all ways to get ourselves moving—with purpose.
• Wash your car. Add a little elbow grease to achieve that extra sparkle.

At work

• Take the stairs.
• Hold “walking meetings.”
• Go to your co-workers’ desks to talk rather than sending emails.
• If you drive, park a distance from the office; if you take transit, get off a stop or two early—and walk the rest of the way.
• If you sit all day, stand up and stretch periodically.

On the go

• When you have to wait—at the airport, at the train station, or anywhere where keeping your spot in line isn’t an issue—walk around instead of sitting.
• Walk or bike for short trips instead of driving.
• Walk while talking on the phone when it’s safe to do so.
• Take a walk while waiting for your child at dance or hockey practice.

While watching TV

• Stretch periodically.
• Do curls, push-ups, or lift light weights during commercial breaks.
• Get your ironing done while watching.
• Take a walk instead!

How do you squeeze in your recommended 150 minutes of exercise? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #2013alive!