How to Sneak Exercise into Your Day

Can’t find a half an hour a day to exercise? Just take short exercise breaks whenever you can. It all adds up. Here are some suggestions from health experts:

• Strengthen your thigh muscles the next time you’re in the kitchen. Put your hands on the counter and squat repeatedly.
• Leave your free weights near the TV and do some lifting while you watch your favorite shows.
• To improve your balance, stand on one foot then the other while talking on the phone. Try not to hold on to anything for support.
• To boost balance and strength, lean slightly forward and rise from your chair without using your hands.

Try to walk a few extra steps every day. Not sure how many steps you usually take? Walk to the store and buy a pedometer, an inexpensive tool that counts your steps. A recent study found that overweight middle-aged women who wore pedometers and tried to clock 10,000 steps most days of the week met or exceeded this goal, a few steps at a time. In fact, they walked more than other women wearing pedometers who were instructed to walk for 30 minutes at a stretch on most or all days of the week.