Fit for Life: Incorporate Exercise into Daily Life for Cheap

To Be fit, you've got to think fit. Exercise should not be a huge chore that you need to get prepped up for. You do not need to but fancy track suits and equipment and passes to the most high-tech gym. To be fair, these things are all well and good, and for some people, having a lot of gear and appointments and classes helps them to exercise. But, for many people who want to keep mobile and enjoy the benefits of increased circulation and health, these things are not necessary. There are many opportunities to use your body right around you!

Think of your body as a machine. It really is an efficient marvel. So many functions are handled in the blink of an eye without you even knowing it. It is an honor and a privilege to have everything working properly, and regular exercise can help keep it that way.

The first and easiest thing that almost anybody can do is walking. Walking costs next to nothing, except maybe the cost of a comfortable pair of shoes. If you are close to a Nature Park, so much the better for you. Walking in Nature is a relaxing, almost meditative exercise that is well worth the time and effort. I guarantee you will feel better after a half-hour of brisk walking, and your joints and bones will gain flexibility.

Another very important activity is stretching. Especially good before or after a workout, stretching really helps get out the kinks and can be a super stress-buster after a long day. There are many good books available at the local library to advise on particular stretches, and it only takes minutes a day. Stretches can also be done at the workplace or office. Maybe get up and stretch every hour or so quickly, to get the circulation going, or on your coffee break.

Sit ups and crunches are another toning exercise that you can do at home for free. They really help to tone your waistline, and are a great addition to your stretching routine. Add 20 push ups, and you've got yourself a low-impact daily workout! If it seems daunting to spend a whole half hour or so daily on a regimen, break it up into small chunks! Even ten minutes of exercise is better than none at all. Hand weights are also a great investment. They only cost around $5.00-$10.00 a pair, but I used soup cans from my kitchen for several years, and found this no-cost option to be effective, as well.

I mentioned the library before; it really is a great resource for information. Check out their fitness section. There are a number of wonderful exercise videos out on the market, many of them under a half-hour. I find myself going back again and again to the short fitness videos, because, hey, everyone's got 10 or 20 minutes to spend on exercising, right? And it costs nothing to check out the videos, so there's a plus.

Remember, any activity is better than none, so small actions can count, too. No time to work out? Then maybe walk up a few flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator at work. Got a lot of errands to run? Park your car farther away from the grocery store and walk, or better yet, get a bicycle.

I've been trying to illustrate very affordable or free ways of exercising, but, if you can afford it, getting a bicycle is worth the investment. If you live in a relatively metropolitan area, a bicycle can almost be your primary mode of transportation. You'll save so much money on gas, and get fit while you get things done! What a win-win situation! Also, cycling can be a way to meet many new friends. There is a trend now going in most cities of cyclists banding together for safety and fun, and there are many group riding events. If you live in a more rural area, you can still enjoy riding in the warmer months with friends and family, and get to see a lot of countryside! A fun weekend activity could be packing a picnic lunch in a backpack, and taking a ride with the kids.

I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration. Exercise, no matter how small, is a rewarding activity. It reduces stress, and boosts the immune system. Several studies have shown it to have a positive effect on depression and anxiety, and you'll sleep better. And, most important of all, exercise will improve your quality of life and relationships, and it may even help you to live longer.