As we spring into the warmer months when we’re starting to un-rug from under a warm blanket, doing exercise and keeping in shape may be starting to itch at the back of our mind. And let’s be honest, even though it’s getting warmer it’s still only a small group of us who really enjoy going for a jog in the chills of the early morning.
However, despite our hesitations, it’s still important to keep our bodies moving! So, knowing this, if you desire to just keep your body moving, maintain your day-to-day fitness and simply do the “minimum” amount of exercise, you might be wondering; How much exercise do I really need to do? And does going for a light walk around the neighbourhood count?
Well, lucky for you we have some good news! It’s definitely possible to get fitness results without struggling for hours on end a day.
According to a study Australia’s National Exercise Guidelines referenced by ABC news, it’s suggested that for adults aged 18-64 years; totalling around 150-300 minutes of “moderate-intensity” or 75-150 minutes of “vigorous-intensity” physical activity each week is the optimal amount to stay healthy.
Of this amount, the guidelines also recommend doing muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week and minimising as much as possible, the amount of time spent sitting.
How can I make walking and other incidental activities count without realising it?
If you’ve been avoiding exercising because you don’t enjoy sports or the feeling of being sweaty, no worries! Because there’s still a range of activities that’ll work for you, and many of these can be incorporated into your daily life. Such activities can include: riding a bike to and from work, going for a brisk walk around the neighbourhood or along the beach, hiking, taking stairs instead of taking the lift, taking public transport and getting off a stop earlier and walking the rest of the way, walking the dog, using a treadmill or an elliptical trainer whilst watching TV. These are just some of the ways you could incur more incidental activities within your daily life, if only you’re aware of the actions you take. Just make sure you’re doing these activities at a brisk enough pace that requires at least a little bit of effort.
And remember, it doesn’t matter how, when or how hard you do it, as long as you keep trying; that’ll help motivate you to keep yourself going!
If you’d like more advice about what physical exercise could be best for you, feel free to book yourself in online for a consult with one of our chiros and massage therapists or call us on (02) 9588 7000.
