Increase Your Activity Level
Updated on July 28, 2007
Most overweight people have sedentary lifestyles. Take a look at your own lifestyle and think about how you can increase your activity.
Change Your Position
The more horizontal you are, the less your body needs to work. Your heart doesn't need to work as hard to pump blood against gravity. Your muscles don't need to work harder to keep you upright. Improve your posture, and you'll burn more calories.
- Sit up instead of reclining or laying down (such as when you watch television)
- Work standing up when possible.
Do It Yourself
I know, it's easier to have most things done for you by gadgets. It's faster. It's less work. You'll have time for other things. Unfortunately, gadgets do so much for us today, that we've lost the ability to do most things ourselves.
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Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator
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Chop your wood instead of using a log splitter
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Paint with a brush and roller instead of a sprayer
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Walk or bike to work, school, the store, etc. instead of driving
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Mow your lawn (try a push mower for even more exercise)
Start Playing Again
The older we get, the less we play. It's time to learn from children.
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Take a class to learn dancing, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.
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Join a team sport
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Go kick a ball around the yard
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Play racquet ball with a friend or by yourself
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Go ride your bike
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Go skating (roller skating, ice skating, skate boarding, etc.)
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Crank up the music and dance yourself silly
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Play with your kids (or with your friend's kids)
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Go climb something (the jungle gym, rock climbing, trees, etc.)
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Spend the day at an amusement park
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Go play in the pool
Explore the World
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Go hiking
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Go kayaking, canoeing, rafting, etc.
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Climb to the top of a hill or mountain or even a big pile of rocks just to see the view
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Go for a walk around your neighborhood and admire their yards
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Go on a nature walk
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Go downtown and window shop
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Go walk around some museums
Have the Nicest House on the Block
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Do your own landscaping
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Fix up the outside your house
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Do home improvement projects
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Start a garden to grow foods you can't find at your local grocery store
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Clean your house thoroughly
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