Any of you that read this blog know that I’m a pretty active person. Even when I’m forced to take exercise breaks, I try to be as active as I can. I find that exercise gives me energy, and I’ve also noticed that since I started working out regularly, I don’t get as many colds as I used to. I’m fitter, healthier, happier and more energetic!
This post was created in conjunction with The Prevent Cancer Foundation for National Physical Fitness & Sports month. I was not compensated for this post but wanted to get involved as it’s something I strongly believe in.
The main reason I workout is for physical health, and I’m not just talking about having a good BMI. There are a few diseases that run in my family, cancer being one of them, so I want to do everything I can to prevent those diseases from coming my way.
Unfortunately, we don’t know what causes cancer, so it’s tough to say what could prevent it. However, according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation:
Research has shown that physical activity reduces risk of colon cancer by 50 percent, and it plays a role in lowering risk of other cancers.
That statistic, along with the thousands of others about why exercise is good for you, is why I make it my mission to move daily. NASM recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. That’s only half an hour 5 days a week!
I know what most people are thinking, “I just don’t have half an hour to exercise.” That’s the #1 excuse people give for not working out. Let me tell you. You do have time! It’s easy! Help stop cancer before it starts by following these Couch to Cancer-Free Tips. You’ll be logging those 30 minutes before you know it.
- Park further away.
Heading to work? Running errands? Find a spot furthest from the door and walk a bit more. You’re already at your destination. You’ll just get in 1-2 more minutes of exercise!
- Take the stairs.
I have a general rule that if I’m going up 3 flights or less, I’ll take the stairs vs. the elevator or escalator. Make this a go-to rule and you’ll be logging a few more minutes of movement each day!
- Lunch hour walks.
Most offices give their employees a lunch break. Instead of eating at your desk, go walk around. Steal 10 minutes from your break to make a lap around the parking lot or city blocks. The sunshine will be good for your soul and your legs will appreciate the stretch. If you work from home, get out into your neighborhood for a little break. Then come back and enjoy your lunch.
- Commercial breaks.
At the end of a long day, all you want to do is come home, eat dinner and watch your favorite show. To get in a little extra movement, why not get moving during commercial breaks? Get up and do a different move for each commercial. Try butt kicks, high knees, push-ups, sit ups, or even just jog or walk in place. You’ll only do each move for 15-30 seconds and then you’ll get a break when your show comes back on. It’s an easy way to get in a few extra minutes of activity.
- Wake up 10 minutes earlier.
10 minutes. That’s all I ask. Wake up and squeeze in a quick, no equipment needed workout like this one. You don’t have to drive to the gym. You don’t have to buy anything. Just get up and get sweating. 10 minutes later, you’re 1/3 of the way toward your daily exercise requirement!
I hope you’re convinced that you do have time to make physical fitness a part of your life. Cancer is a horrible epidemic, and I hope that by being healthy, we can do our part to keep it at bay.
Help stop cancer before it starts by following these Couch to Cancer-Free Tips! @fitapproach…
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How else can you help prevent cancer? Sign up for a charity walk or run! You’ll get in exercise and your entry fee will go toward cancer research! Below are a number of places you can search to find an event near you.
- http://tofightcancer.com/events/
- http://www.avon39.org
- http://www.cancer.org/involved/participate/index
- http://apps.komen.org/raceforthecure/
Let’s Chat:
Have you seen/felt the benefits of exercise?
Do you get in the daily recommended exercise requirement?
How do you squeeze exercise in?
This post is linked up with Wild Workout Wednesdays.
