Working it out: Easy ways to exercise every day

Being active is just as important to a healthy weight as what we eat.
To stay in shape and improve your health, adults should do something physical at a moderate intensity for 30 to 60 minutes almost every day. “And that’s enough to get all the benefits of exercise,” says Nathalie Lambert, Olympic medalist and physical activity specialist.

But often we are loath to exercise, and forget how easy it is to squeak in 10 minutes of easy exercises a few times during the day.

Why bother with small bursts of easy exercise every day?
• Regular exercise helps reduce your risk for diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes

• Weight-bearing exercise such as power walking helps keep bones strong.

Lambert adds that exercise becomes a fun activity, especially when you do it with friends and family.

Easy ways to exercise every day
Exercising in shorter chunks of time throughout the day can be just as good for you as doing it all at once.

You can fit exercise in by walking, biking or gardening, for example, for 10 to 20 minutes each, says Nathalie. “What’s most important is that you make exercise an enjoyable daily activity...rather than going to the gym only once a week.”

Try also taking the stairs at work, walking to the store and back, playing tag with the kids, or a few stretches between commercials. It all adds up!

Learn more ways to be active every day at yourhealthyweight.ca >>