Articles - Lazy Exercise Guide for Busy People
Oh dear, most people promise themselves to get fit and to take more exercise – but that promise is all too easily broken. One of the problems is that we all get so busy with the other things going on in our lives, and work and family commitments tend to take over.
Elaine Atkins Physiotherapy Associates understand the pressures of busy lives and recommend reading a leaflet ‘Lazy Exercise Guide for Busy People’.
The leaflet has been produced by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and is ideal for anyone who needs a bit of inspiration towards achieving a more physically active lifestyle. It is designed to help people snatch a few moments from their hectic schedules and make easy exercises part of a daily routine.
Says Karen Fergus, Physiotherapist at Elaine Atkins Associates, ‘Getting in shape takes time, so it’s important that people set themselves realistic goals. Resolutions, at any time of the year, are hard to keep and it helps to have reassurance that you can introduce exercise to your life with much less effort than you may think’.
The guide gives quirky tips on how to incorporate simple exercise into everyday activities, and includes exercises that can be performed whilst sitting down.
Tips such as:
- Whenever you are sitting at your desk, squeeze your buttocks,
pull in your tummy muscles, stretch out your arms and legs and
loosen your shoulders regularly to prevent stiffening up.
- If you are lucky enough to find a seat on the tube or bus,
sit tall and hold in your tummy muscles for 10-seconds then
release. Try to repeat this as often as you can during your
journey. If you are standing, straighten your posture by standing
tall, clench your buttock muscles and hold in your abdomen.
- Get off a stop earlier and walk briskly for the remainder of your journey – approximately 10-15 minutes. Do the reverse for your journey back home. You’ll be able to clock up 20-30 minutes of physical activity each day and will soon feel the benefit.
‘Going to the gym isn’t for everyone and membership can be costly’ says Karen. ‘Introducing activity into daily routines can make a world of difference, without breaking the bank, and without having to embark on a whole new lifestyle.’ She adds 'The leaflet offers general advice for people who want to take more exercise but don't know where to start. It helps you to make subtle lifestyle changes that could improve your health, wellbeing, posture and confidence.'
You can get a copy of the leaflet by phoning our Woodford Physiotherapy practice on 020 8504 0478. The leaflet is also available from the CSP online at www.csp.org.uk/leaflets.
Physiotherapist Karen Fergus (left) encourages Receptionist Wendy
Brooks to exercise at her desk