Top 10 EASY Ways to Exercise

I'm ashamed to admit it, since "health writer" has been my job description for many years, but I have a horrible time prioritizing workouts. It's rare that I can find the two hours required to put on special clothes, drive to the gym or yoga studio, park, work out, come home shower and change again. I suspect many of you face the same problem, since you're probably trying to work, take care of your home and look after a whole list of people, pets, etc. But after writing yesterday's post about how sitting can hurt your heart, I got to thinking about ways that busy people can squeeze more light exercise out of every day, without having to put on special clothes. Here are a few:

1. Park at the edge of the lot.  Fight the urge to look for the "best" parking space in the lot and head straight for the one that's farthest from the store. Even with the extra walking you might save time over jockeying for a prime spot.
2. Stand while you wait. Whether you're getting an Rx filled at the drugstore or waiting for a table at your favorite restaurant, resist the urge to plop down in the nearest seat. 
3. Clean the nooks and crannies. Do an extra-thorough house cleaning—you'll wind up stretching, working up a (okay mild) sweat and you'll have something to show for it when you're done.
4. Do yard work. You'll burn calories, stretch your muscles and get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
5. Go for a long stroll with a good friend. Instead of lingering at a coffee shop, wear sturdy shoes, take your caffeine to go, and talk while you walk.
6. Swim. Yes, it still requires a change of clothes and possibly a shower, but what feels better in July than a dip in the pool, lake or ocean?
7. Babysit. Offer to take care of tiny grandkids, nieces or nephews or your exhausted neighbor's baby for a few hours, and you won't be able to sit down for a second.
8. Play "beat the clock." Whatever it is you're doing, try to do it as quickly as possible.  The newest research shows that interval training, short bursts of intense exercise with rest in between (here one expert recommends four four-minute sessions with three minute rests in between) actually does more for you than long, low-intensity workouts.
9. Dance—any chance you can.
10. Stretch when you put on, and take off, your PJs. It can be hard to remember to stretch, so try to make it a habit to do a mini-stretch session every time before you get dressed in the morning and before you put on your sleepwear at night.  (But follow this surprising advice on how to stretch safely).