It’s always easier to watch just one more episode of your favorite show than to get up and hit the gym. When you’re already busy and stressed, it can be almost impossibly hard to stay motivated when it comes to your fitness. Chances are, though, that you don’t actually mind being active when you have a goal other than exercise. Here are some great ways to get out and get moving without even noticing that you’re actually exercising! Adding a few basic changes to your usual activities can have a huge effect, and you’ll be on your way towards your fitness goals before you even realize it.
Ditch the Car
One of the best things you can do it start walking or biking to work. Pick a few of your most common destinations, like work or your favorite coffee shop, and simply make it part of your routine that you never drive there. It’ll become second nature very quickly, and you’ll always have a destination to keep you motivated. Besides, a daily dose of fresh air can truly do wonders for your mood.
Bring Your Friends
Next time you’re planning a day out with friends, suggest something fun and active. Get a group together a take a hike, or explore local parks, or visit a local rock climbing gym. Your friends will appreciate the fun new activities to switch up your usual go-tos, and you’ll be having so much fun you won’t notice that you just worked up a real sweat. Plus, if you make being active a default with your friends, they can help keep you accountable. Share your plan and goals with them and they can help remind you next time you’re tempted to take the easy way out.
Go Dancing
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Dancing is great exercise for your entire body! Whether you’re in your living room or out for a fun night with friends, this is a fantastic way to cheat the system and get fit while having a great time!
Enlist a Four Legged Work-Out Buddy
Dogs love being active, and it’s easy to catch their enthusiasm! If you don’t have a dog of your own, ask if you can take your friend’s pup out. Go on a long walk to head to the park to play. If you really want to get serious, you can even start up a side gig walking neighborhood dogs on the weekends! It’s fun, and you’ll be responsible to other people so you can’t skip a day. Plus a little extra spending money for doing something you want to do anyway is never a bad motivator. Use it to reward yourself with a smoothie!
Pumped up and looking for even more ideas to work exercise into your daily life? Here they are!