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Finding the time to exercise can be challenging—even for those who are motivated to work out. Family commitments, work deadlines and poor sleep can all conspire to thwart your fitness goals. And when you’re tired in the morning and just want to put your feet up at the end of a long day, making time for a workout somewhere in between may seem like a long shot, particularly when you’re allergic to signing up for a gym—let alone setting foot inside one.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Only 27 percent of American men, on average, are getting the recommended amount of exercise, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports. But being inactive could increase your risk for obesity and other chronic health issues, including cardiovascular disease and depression. On the flipside, regular exercise can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension, and can also ease stress and help you sleep better, along with a slew of other health benefits.
Sure, taking the stairs and parking farther away from your destination count as exercise. But there are other, more creative ways to sneak in some exercise during the day, according to Steven Jackson, PhD, OCS, a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation services at Orange Park Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Here are six easy ways to sit less and move more.
