By: John Griffin, MSc
Many of us struggle to be physically active on a regular basis. Exercise—particularly starting an exercise program—challenges people to change their behavior, and that’s hard. More than half the attempts to begin exercise programs lapse within a few months.
One approach to this problem is to structure exercise right into our lifestyle. When we think about exercise as an integrated part of daily life, it stops being an add-on. Instead, it complements what we do every day.
Most days, people complete a series of routine tasks. Some of these we may enjoy, like reading the paper. Others are routine jobs, like sweeping a floor or brushing our teeth.
Daily active living simply enhances simple activities in a daily routine. Here are some examples:
This kind of active living can complement a daily exercise program or replace it from time to time. It’s about making active choices that become a way of life.
Here are five lower body ‘daily-dose’ routines. You can do these routines whenever you brush your teeth. Eventually, just going into the bathroom will cue you to do the exercises.
Note: Use the edge of the sink for balance and support while you do these routines.
About the Author
John C. Griffin, MSc,is a professor in the Fitness and Health Promotion Program at George Brown College in Toronto, as well as a consultant, speaker, coach, and writer. This article is adapted with permission from “Boost lifestyle activities to support clients in aging well,” in The Journal on Active Aging, March/April 2013: www.icaa.cc.