Little Things Can Add Up
Awesome post over at the Better Health blog. HEALTHY EATING: Little things can add up.
“I learned encouraging news that little bouts of exercise — as few as 10 minutes in duration — can add up to significant gains in fitness.
Unfortunately, it’s the little bites eaten here and there above our daily caloric needs that can add up to sizable weight gain over time.”
This has a strange, and fun analogy to a todo I got from my Tax preparer at our meeting the other day. He wanted me to get the mileage for when I use my car to support my wife’s professional art career. “At $0.58 per mile, it can really add up over a year.” True stuff!
It does not take much to make a significant impact on our health. The trick is to make it a habit. Including little bouts of exercise and caloric reduction in your day can go a long way toward reaching your fitness goals and maintaining a strong and healthy body. (Which is your birthright, BTW!)
Some tips from random sources:
- Drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning, before you go to the bathroom.
- Park a couple extra blocks from your destination.
- Kegel when waiting in line, driving or sitting. No one can see you do it, and it’s good for you!
- Put your shoes on standing up.
- Have some coleslaw with your burger instead of fries.
- Pause for a couple of minutes halfway through your lunch to see if you are satisfied. If so, save the rest for dinner.
Finding little ways to sneak in extra movement, and sneak out some calories can be an engaging and fun game to play against yourself.
What are your ideas? Let me know in the comment section.
Cheers!
3 Responses to “Little Things Can Add Up”
Comment from Amlitou
Time September 9, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Thanks for sharing your tips!! My top tip: To add flavor to your flavorless water; A squeeze of lemon. It’s fresh, and packed with Vit.C (Freeze lemon juice in an ice cube tray…makes it easier). Have a great day/evening..which ever comes first:)
Comment from Travis
Time September 11, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Kristen, that’s an awesome tip! I used to do Hindu squats, sets of 40, whenever I went into the kitchen. Worked a charm.
Amlitou, great tip. I am a sweet-water fan myself, and often mix whole juices in with my water, about a 3 parts water to 1 part juice mix. Helps fight chronic dehydration like nothing else.
Cheers guys!
Comment from Kristen
Time September 9, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I do sun salutations in the kitchen while I wait for my tea water to heat up. I don’t change my clothes or get out my sticky mat, so it’s not a perfect practice, but it gets the blood flowing and the limbs stretched while I’m away from my desk. (It helps that I work at home, so no co-workers to weird out. Only my cats.)