If you are part of a gym or not, there are still plenty of opportunities to burn some extra calories and get some movement in your body! *Regular physical activity such as walking, helps build endurance and muscle strength. There is also evidence showing regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, depression along with breast and colon cancer. Not to mention moving your body will just make you feel better! Here are some ideas of some little things you can do or maybe you do already, to add some movement in your life.
Thirty minutes of physical activity a day can add up!
Take a walk for 20 minutes
I know it is February in Colorado, but we have some spring-like days,so take advantage by going on a walk, or even going into Old Town to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere, maybe do window shopping at some local businesses. If a 160 lb person takes a brisk 20 min walk they can burn roughly 97 calories. Of course this can be less or more depending on the terrain and speed.
Choose the stairs instead of the elevator
Stairs are everywhere! Just take a moment to give them a try. Not only is it usually quicker than waiting for the elevator but you also incidentally add some exercise in your day and get closer to that 30 min of physical activity a day! A 160 lb person burns 29 calories in 3 minutes of stair walking on average.
Take a bike ride-
The National Household Transportation Survey says that most people live with in 5 miles from their workplace. If you took the 20 min bike ride two times a week, you can burn up to 3,000 extra calories! That is close to losing one pound of fat a month. Don’t live close to work, no problem, just hop on the bike after work or even on the weekends to enjoy the community and your neighborhood. Fort Collins is full of great bike paths!
* American Heart Association, Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease. 2003