Top Ten Easy Ways to Stay Fit

You don't have to starve yourself, or kill yourself on that dusty old treadmill in order to stay in shape and keep the pounds off. Even if you are slender and don't need to lose any weight, exercise is still good for your body. It strengthens your heart, lungs, and keeps your muscles toned. One thing to remember is that muscle weighs more than fat, so the number on the scale may be going up, but your clothing sizes will be going down. That number on the scale is just a general guideline, don't let it rule your life. Here is a list of ten helpful tips that have helped me stay fit, which is a requirement for my job.

Perhaps the most important tip I can give you is to drink water. Drinking water keeps you hydrated and healthy. Keeping hydrated curbs the urge to eat. If you aren't getting the proper liquids through water, your body will try to get that fluid in other ways, which causes hunger. Drinking more water also speeds up your body's metabolism, which in turn increases the amount of fat that you are burning.

You'll also shed pounds by simply cutting your bad habits and eating better. I used to drink a 12-ounce Mountain Dew in the morning, and one in the evening. I wasn't fat by any means, but I had a few extra pounds on me. I spent several months overseas, and soda wasn't available at my location. By not having those two sodas a day, I shed any extra weight that I was carrying, and returned the the willowy thin figure I enjoyed when I was a teen. Add plenty of fruits and veggies to your diet, in place of fats and carbs, and the pounds will melt away.

Sitting up straight and keeping your abdominal muscles lightly flexed will do wonders for your shape. By having your ab muscles tight and toned, this can slim the look of your entire midsection. This also keeps your back from becoming sore after you sit for a period of time.

You should also exercise at least three times a week, for at least 30 minutes per session. Make sure that you break into a full sweat, and exercise at a quick pace. This helps to burn fat, and keeps your heart and lungs healthy. I personally exercise five times a week, and take a break on the weekends. And you don't have to buy a gym membership to get the proper amount of exercise. Consider riding a bicycle, playing tennis or basketball with a friend, or jogging around the neighborhood. You might also want to check out Denise Austin's show in the morning on Lifetime Television. Thanks to Denise, I lost all my baby weight within a month of giving birth to my children. Her shows are simple and motivational, and the most you'll need to complete the exercises is a towel or pillow. You can also enlist your friends to exercise with you, and motivate each other.

By walking when you can, instead of taking the car, you'll increase the amount of fat that your body burns. If you don't live close enough to walk to the store or work, it's okay to drive, but you might consider parking at the far end of the parking lot, and walking to the building. Also consider walking to the post office, to church, or down the street to visit with your neighbor. You can take long walks in the evening as well. This helps get you in shape, and releases the stress of the day. You might even meet your neighbors, or make a few friends along the way!

Use commercials on television to your advantage. I know, a lot of us have DVRs or satellite dishes, and we can skip the commercials. Consider letting the commercials play, and do sit-ups, push-ups, or run up and down the steps in your home for that three minutes. Get your family involved, and help motivate each other!

I recently read in a magazine that you can burn an extra 150 calories a day, just by standing up when you are on the phone. I have put this into practice in every-day life. My co-workers thought I was weird at first, but after I explained why I was standing up, they understood, and several of them are now trying it with me. When I am at home, I stand up while checking email (but sit down to type replies, since I am so tall).

You can steal bits of exercise while you do other things. Consider doing leg lifts, squats and side bends while you prepare dinner, talk on the phone, or sort laundry. This can increase your weight loss.

Walking during your lunch breaks can also burn fat and contribute to better cardiovascular health. After eating, grab a bottle of water, and walk around the block a few times. Or, take your lunch with you, and walk to a nearby park where you can eat, before walking back. I like to take an apple, a container of veggies or a sandwich, and a bottle of water, and walk while I eat.

Think of excuses to move your body. While at work, get up from your desk and go speak to your co-worker, instead of sending an email. Deliver mail to the company mailroom, instead of waiting for it to be picked up. Go to the restroom, even if you don't need to use it, just to get up from your desk. I personally walk to our unit mailroom, two buildings away, twice a day, even though the mail is only put out once. When time and work loads permit, I visit other offices in this building and another building, to say hello and see how friends are doing. This strengthens relationships, and keeps me in shape all at once.