Meet Your Personal Trainer

Moving is easy

My goal is just to get everyone off their butt and moving.  You don’t have to be a big exercise enthusiasts, an athlete, or a gym rat to be active and healthy.

The 1996 Surgeon General’s report (1) recommended that persons of all ages obtain “a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity (e.g., brisk walking) on most, if not all, days of the week.”

As long as you are moving and burning more calories you will live longer, be happier, have a healthier heart and arteries, and live with less pain.  Being and staying active does not have to hurt and can even be fun.

The no pain no gain myth has been shot down a LONG time ago.  A more simple approach is to listen to your body.

If you are tired and haven’t done any activity for the day, ideally 30-60 minutes of moderate activity everyday, then your body wants you to move.  Moving will give you an energy boost as well as a boost in your mood and attitude too!

List of Examples to Get YOU Moving:

(Try to stay moving for at least 30 minutes when doing these.  If you finish the task/s before 30 minutes, go to the next daily task that you have on your list that will keep you moving.

• Carrying groceries up the stairs burns apporximately 281 calories for a 165lb person when done for 30 mins.

• Chopping Wood with an ax burns about 225 calories for person weighing 165lbs in 30 mins.

• Dancing

• Actively Playing with the kids (e.g. chasing each other around, not video games unless it is a Wii Fit

• Cleaning out the gutters

• Mowing the grass, push mower

• Outside sweeping (sidewalk or garage tends to be higher intensity than inside)

• Moving boxes from the attic and or garage (organizing)

• Painting

The easier or lower intensity the task, the longer you have to do them to get the same benefits of a higher intensity activity.  Folding clothes for 30 minutes will not be as beneficial as moving boxes for the same amount of time.

I am sure you can think of plenty more ways to get moving and be active.  Just “Do it NOW!”  Send me some more ideas and ways that you stay active.  What tasks keep you active around your house?