By
analyzing your personal habits and your own fitness goals, you can program your
daily activities at home, in the office, and in between so that they become
exercises or sports. Of course, vacations are golden opportunities for fitness
activities. Make good use of swimming, hiking and other sport facilities in
resorts and wilderness areas. Sightseeing in cities can be done through walking
and cycling, instead of viewing everything from a tour bus. The key is to think
movement, as Dr. Joseph S. Reshtschaffen advises: “Don’t sit when you can stand.
Don’t stand when you can walk. Don’t walk if you can run. Move.”
Here
are some sample suggestions for turning routine activities into fitness
exercises:
Bathing. Stretch,
reach, and towel with exaggerated, vigorous movements.
Dressing. Use shoulder
stretch to button or zip up at the back. Practice balance and coordination
while putting on trouser and shoes.
Putting articles away.
Climb and reach, or do knee bends while storing articles in cupboards.
Dusting, waxing, and
polishing. Use rapid, sweeping movement to rhythmic music. Cluster aerobics
chores to keep heart rate up longer.
Shopping. Carry bags
in from the car or upstairs individually.
Laundry. Try scrubbing
and wringing by hand. Hang clothes on the line outside with stretching and
bending movements.
Climbing stairs.
Do two steps at time to heighten aerobic benefits.
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MARCH 10
