10 Sneaky Ways To Get A Workout In

Life is busy, between work, family and social engagements it can be hard to always make it to the gym for a full work out.  Too many missed workouts and one could give up on the whole idea of exercise. But there are ways to sneak some exercise in throughout the days when you are too busy to get a full workout in.  Doing these small things through out the day, not only will you be burning calories, but you may just change your perspective on exercise or even life.

Here are 10 small ideas you can slip in your everyday to burn more calories and become more active.  Not all of these may fit your lifestyle, location, or personality but there has to be at least one that you can use if not every day at least on the days you know you will be to busy to get to the gym for a full work-out.

1. Stairs: Taking the stairs is a not a new way to encourage everyday activity, but sometimes we get stuck in the routine and we forget we have stairs as an options.  Doesn’t it seem silly to take the elevator to your office, but then head to the gym and use the Stairmaster? You can always just start with going up or down once a day, or walking up a few floors and then taking the elevator the rest of the way.
2. Back of the Parking Lot: Stop fighting for that premier parking spot right by the door of the store. Cruise onto the back of the parking lot and walk.  You will have less stress trying to find a place to park your car, and will get a few extra steps in everyday.
3. Get off a Bus/Train Stop or Two Early. If you ride a bus or train to work and home every day why not get off one or two stops early (weather permitting) or even get on the bus/train a few stops up from your house/work.  You will get some quality outside time and increase your activity, double bonus.
4. Add 15 minutes to your dog’s walk. Every dog owner knows that no matter what the weather is, you must take the dog for a walk, otherwise you will have a messy house or a hyper active dog.  On those busy days when you can’t get in a full workout just add 15 extra minutes to the pup’s walk.  Your dog will thank you and you will get at least a tiny workout in
5. Fidget: It has been proven that those who fidget during the day are thinner than those are that do not.  Tapping out your favorite song while at your desk will help you burn calories throughout the day.  So next time tells you to stop fidgeting, tell them you can’t you are working out.
6. Stretch out Your Coffee Run That 3pm coffee run you make down the corner, stretch it out.  There seems to be a coffee shop on every block, if not two per block, why not just add a few more minutes to your coffee run and a few extra steps and walk past the closet coffee shop and to the next one on the other block. Who knows maybe they even have better coffee.
7. Workout during commercials. Who doesn’t love to wind down after a long stressful day with a bit of TV?  Instead of skipping through all those commercials you recorded with your favorite show. Why not do a few easy exercises till the show starts.  You could keep it simple: Jumping Jacks for the first set of commercials; Push ups for the second set, and sit ups for the third, etc.  If you are feeling really motivated you could just set up the treadmill and watch while your walk or run.  IF you choose this way kick it up a notch during commercials and resume normal pace when the show is back on.
8. Use the Bathroom on the floor above or below you. Maybe you work on the 32^nd floor of building and walking up the stairs is a scary idea. Why not just start using the restroom on the floor above or below you.  You can get in a quick flight of stairs and change your routine.
9. Pace/Squat while you are on the phone. Whether at work or at home if you spend anytime on the phone why not get a quick work out in? Pace, do squats, calf raises etc. Obviously you are not going to be trying to get in any good cardio, but you can do some small stuff while you are making big deals or just catching up with your relatives.
10. Exercise in Line We spend so much of our time in line why not get something out of  it other than getting through the line. You can do calf raises or even flex your abs while you stand in line.  If you are one to not care what people think you could even do a few squats or lunges while you wait. 
11. Sex: Bonus idea. Basically this a reminder that sex burns calories and so therefore can be considered exercise.  Plus it is one I am sure your partner will not mind helping you work into your day. Is there a more fun way to burn off a few calories or stress for that matter?

You will be amazed how many calories you can burn by just adding one of these to you daily activities.  The best part is you don’t have to add anything extra to your already busy schedule.