Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Multitasking

This is today's newsletter from Denise Austin. My contribution is at the bottom.

Can You Work Out on the Phone?

Who doesn't love a long chat on the phone with an old friend or a family member who lives far away? If you're blessed with the gift of gab — as I am! — you can use that time to your fitness advantage.

Turn your next phone call into a workout by pretending to sit down in a chair! How? Instead of sitting on the couch or in a chair, lean your back lightly against a wall, making sure to press your spine flat. Then, as if you are sitting down in a chair, slowly lower your body along the wall until your knees are bent to at least a 45-degree angle (but don't go lower than 90 degrees). Hold the position for as long as you can: Start with 20 seconds and work your way up to 60-second intervals. Repeat the exercise every few minutes during a phone call and you'll really give those thighs a workout!

Makes you wonder what else you can do to get those workouts in. I've heard of people that also do exercises while talking on a cordless phone - walking around the room, plies', dancing while you're dusting, and so forth. Just another reminder that getting your 30 minutes of exercise in doesn't always have to be a set routine at a set time. It doesn't have to be a disruption in you're everyday life. Look for new and creative ways to work your body and pretty soon, like everything else we're doing, these things will become habits and you won't even realize that you're doing it!

Now, go have a great day!