Is exercise everything?

You’ve probably heard it all when it comes to exercise. Hit 10,000 steps a day, go to soul cycle, try out CrossFit. But let’s be honest, most of us just don’t have the time for it. So, what are we supposed to do?

Well, I have good news. All of the over-the-top workout trends that have been thrown around the last few years might not be necessary at all. In fact, research shows that making tweaks to have a more active lifestyle could be all that you need, no matter what form that comes in.

What is a sedentary lifestyle?

So, what exactly does that mean? Plain and simple, being sedentary is dangerous. Most people have no choice but to be sedentary based on their occupation, like an office job, or a lack of space available to get active. However, there are some other factors that people can control, like hours spent sitting on the couch watching television.

Why is a sedentary lifestyle dangerous?

And what makes being sedentary so dangerous, you might ask? Well, sedentary lifestyles can lead to a multitude of health problems. Among these problems are poor metabolism and increased body fat. With a less than metabolism and higher body fat, people often have high levels of triglycerides (fats) in their body, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. So again, why is that dangerous? Much of these problems caused by an insufficient amount of physical activity can increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney disease, and pancreas inflammation.

How to have an active lifestyle

Well now that we got that down, what exactly can we do to get more active, even with limited time in the day? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need hours available during the day to get some exercise in. In fact, many people with busy schedules find a few short increments during their day to get moving. So, below are some tips and tricks to implement on a busy workday, a day with the kids, or even when you simply don’t want to join a gym.

One – break up with elevators and say hello to the stairs. Taking the stairs will not only burn some calories, but also lower cholesterol levels, keep the heart healthy, and build up muscular strength.

Two – find the farthest spot away from the doors and park in it. This will get your step count up more than before, and if you’re carrying bags, the same goes for your heart rate!

Three – don’t want to break up with Monday night Bachelorette episodes? No problem, you don’t have to. You can walk in place, or even invest in a walking pad for at home.

With all that in mind, getting active might not be so complicated after all. We don’t need all of these expensive memberships and equipment that we see all over social media. All you need is a few extra minutes and a pair of supportive shoes!