Lazy man's way of keeping fit

Author: Cami Hughes
Published: Jul 16 2011

"Lazy" isn't usually a word that goes along with "fitness," but it actually can. You don't have to hit the gym for three or four hours a day to stay fit and healthy. Although you may not be able to get a six pack without working out pretty hard, you can stay in good physical and mental shape while still having time to kick back on the weekends with a beer in one hand. Here are some strategies to use for staying fit even if you aren't feeling up to six-days-a-week gym workouts:

Eat Right

Most studies show that our diet has more effect on our overall health than our exercise. If you're not into working out, don't worry about it too much. Instead, focus on cutting back on calories where you can if you need to lose weight and on maintaining an all-around well-balanced diet even if you don't need to lose weight. We're not guaranteeing any amazingly fast results, but over time, your body will find its proper weight, and you'll be much healthier for eating a healthy, well-balanced diet than you would be if you worked out constantly but ate nothing but junk.

Play Golf

Golf used to be the lazy man's sport, and it's still not a huge fitness craze. However, some of the world's fittest athletes are golfers because you have to be in decent shape to get a decent swing. The best way, though, that you can improve fitness through a leisurely game of golf on a Saturday afternoon is to walk all eighteen holes. At most golf courses, that's a four or five mile walk that you'll barely even notice, especially if you actually enjoy playing golf. So, if you don't want to run a 5K next weekend, just get some buddies together for a weekly game of golf, and you'll find that your fitness level automatically improves.

Get a Dog or a Kid

One study from the University of Victoria in British Columbia found that people who have dogs walk, on average, about twice as much as people who don't. Even when you're feeling lazy, you know your dog still needs exercise, so you'll take her for a long, leisurely walk. It helps keep you in shape, and it helps keep your overly-energetic dog from tearing up the living room furniture!

While it's hard to study just what sort of effect kids have on your fitness level, ask any dad, and he'll tell you that they can certainly help. Of course, you have to be intentional about it. It's way too easy for a lazy guy to let his kids watch TV all day while he dozes on the couch. But as a parent, you know that's not good for your kids. Instead of letting the whole family be lazy, take it outside. Throw a ball in the backyard. Head to a local water park or regular playground. Hook up the Wii on days when it's not so nice out, and beat your kids over and over again in Wii Sports. Playing with your kids is healthy for your family relationships, and it will also keep you fit even if you're too lazy to go to the gym!

Do Interval Training

Interval training is one of the most effective forms of cardiovascular exercise for weight loss. It does require getting up off the couch ??? but not for long. Studies show that when you kick your body into high gear over and over again throughout a workout, you can work out for about half as much time as if you'd just maintained a steady pace. Pick your favorite gym equipment, and work out for just twenty minutes two or three times a week. When you use intervals, you'll find that your fitness dramatically increases even when you are only working out for a short period of time.

So, if you're feeling lazy or just don't have time to spend an hour a day in the gym, these simple steps will keep you fit. Staying active doesn't mean running a marathon every three months. It just means finding ways to make yourself move even when you don't really feel like it.

Cami Hughes is a social media advocate with the no annual fee credit cards website, CreditDonkey - the lazy man's way to finding credit cards.

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