10 Simple Changes to Move More Every Day

Have you ever been visiting a city for the first time, and though you’re indulging in all of the local fare, noticed that you’re feeling lighter due to all the walking you’re doing as you explore an exciting new place?

I have — in Seattle. I think I actually lost weight because we walked everywhere all day even though we were eating like kings at every meal!

One of the simplest ways to have a BIG impact on your health and fitness is to move more — not exercise more — but rather add more movement into your daily life.

The human body isn’t designed to sit scrunched up in a chair all day, day after day — it’s designed to move.

Adding some simple shifts to your routine can add up to make a major impact on your health and fitness over time. This is great news if you struggle to follow a structured exercise program. Here are some of the many benefits of moving more throughout the day:

• Manage your weight with less effort
• Improve your mental health and mood
• Combat disease and increase longevity
• Improve your sleep
• Boost energy
• Reduce stress
• Improved brain function

Here are my top 10 Simple Changes that can make a big impact on your life:

1. Take the stairs whenever possible – this alone can change your fitness if you’re climbing stairs several times per week.
2. Park farther away everywhere where you go. And, at the grocery store walk your cart all the way back to the cart corral (c’mon, most cart corrals are not that far away!)
3. Take a walk when talking on the phone – even if you’re just walking in circles in the driveway, pacing in the kitchen, or walking the halls at the office this is a great opportunity to get up and move!
4. At work use the bathroom, copy machine, or water dispenser that is farthest from your desk so you get in a few extra steps with each trip. Bonus points if you take the stairs to use the bathroom on another floor.
5. Use TV commercials as a time to do some exercises, march in place, or work on your perfect plank!
6. Stand up at your desk or better yet do some desk stretches every few hours to avoid stiffness, pain, and dysfunction.
7. Dance Yep, just flip on your favorite tunes and dance around. You’ll get the dual benefit of boosting your mood while getting your blood pumping.
8. Go on ‘active’ dates – take your sweetie on a hike, go paddleboarding, play golf and walk the course or challenge them to a fun game of tennis, basketball or Frisbee in the park.
9. Maximize time with friends – catch up during a power walk at the park, make memories while bowling, visit the latest museum exhibit, or just explore your own city together.
10. Volunteer in ways that allow you to be active – participate in a community clean up project or dig your hands into the community garden. Even helping out at a local walk/run event can be a great way to add more movement while contributing to your community.

The human body is designed to move – and once we get going, it feels better to be active.

Many of us are so overwhelmed by having to get in an intense bout of exercise several times per week that we’ve forgotten how beneficial it is to our health, fitness, and happiness to simply move more throughout the day.

You can improve your health and fitness by becoming more active, not just exercising or playing sports, but also adding more movement to your everyday life.

In Love & Gratitude,

Missi Holt