10 More Ways to Increase Your Physical Activity

Increasing your physical activity is vital to your health. Take these little steps instead of committing to an 'exercise' program you know you will drop after a few weeks. Be specific and list all the ways you can increase your physical activity just by simple movements.

1. Do laundry. Involves repetitive bending, sorting, leaning, and folding. If you have to travel to the basement all the better because it forces you to throw in some stairs. Keep on top of your laundry so you're not trying to do it all at once.

2. Clean the washing machine and dryer. When was the last time you cleaned these machines? Run the washer through a cycle of only bleach and water. While it's doing that use some disinfectant or your other household cleaner and scrub down the outside of the machines. Detach the vent and vacuum out the hose.

3. Disinfect the kitchen sinks. Learn from the Flylady how to clean a kitchen sink until it's sparkling clean and worthy of your mother-in-law's eyes. Scroll down to Shiny Sink 101 and follow her directions.

4. Mow the lawn. This is harder than a lot of people realize. If you have a huge lawn, break it up over a week giving yourself a week's worth of activity. There's no law saying it needs to be cut all in one shot.

5. Pull weeds for 10-15 minutes. What a good work out this is. Get one of those hand held poppers and stoop, bend or crouch for each weed you want to yank. You can overdo this quite easily so really limit yourself to 10-15 minute intervals or you'll be sorry the next day.

6. Empty the dishwasher. Some mild bending, leaning and lifting. I'd much rather empty than fill wouldn't you?

7. Get a soft hand ball for your desk and use it. Take many breaks throughout the day and use this little ball to strengthen and relax tense muscles by giving them a different motion to perform.

8. Do desk yoga. (scroll down to click on high or low band version). I love this little video. An excellent break while still at your computer. Once a day would be an excellent addition to your daily routine (but once a week is better than not at all). It focuses on breathing and upper body movements. If you're struggling with upper arms then take as many rests as you need to at first until you build up some endurance.

9. Iron your clothes. I really hate to iron but maybe you'll like it. It provides a side to side arm motion we're not likely to do within the day. Don't save up your ironing until you have a whole mess of stuff to do, try to iron a few things every few days.

10. You tell me. What things do you make a point of doing because it gets you moving? Stop by our forum and share with other Large & Lovely readers.