Chloe's Feel Good, Look Good Column // How to Sneak Exercise Into Your Daily Routine

Changing bad habits to become fit and healthy is not always an easy task! It requires effort, determination and patience. You must be able to make time for regular workouts to see drastic changes, but sometimes a girl’s just got too much to do! So if you are having a particularly busy day, week or even month, don’t give up your fitness habits all together. Follow these sneaky tips to incorporate exercise into your daily life and burn calories without putting on those gym clothes.

Take the stairs

Sounds obvious, but this really does work! If you work or study in a building with stairs, use them! According to research conducted by the European Society of Cardiology, swapping out the lift for the stairs led to better fitness, less body fat, trimmer waistlines and a drop in blood pressure! We’re sold. If you have some spare time in your lunch break, go up and down a few times to get that heart rate racing and burn off that morning latte.

Speed walk

Pack your heels in your bag and walk to work in your trainers, not only will you be in a better position to run for that train, you will also be able to fast-walk to work. Stand up straight and pull your navel towards your spine so you can feel the burn in your core muscles. Look ahead and be sure to keep an eye on your breathing. This exercise is free, enjoyable and will melt away the pounds — just be sure to wear some deodorant!

Socialize

Rather than going for a coffee with your girlfriend, why not do something active like a walk in the park or take a fun dance class? That way you can catch up while doing something beneficial for your health! If you and your boyfriend are planning a date, choose a romantic bike ride over a calorific meal. You will have great fun and feel so much better afterwards.

Quick Fixes

So you’ve managed to sneak in some cardio, now it’s time to tone! When you’re sitting on the bus, the sofa or at your desk, tighten and squeeze your buttocks. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times and say hello to buns of steel in a few weeks! For those pesky inner thighs, grab your bottle of water and place it between them, squeeze as hard as you can, again for 10 seconds.

By incorporating these activities into your busy schedule you are bound to feel better about yourself, helping you stay on track with your healthy eating. Simply keep your body moving and you’ll be burning calories without even feeling it! So stick with it through your busy period until you have the time to work out properly again. Good luck, girls!