Benefit of Exercise

How fit do you think you are compared to your great-grandparents? A few generations ago it was only the wealthy and the sick who were often unfit. Modern conveniences, while making our lives easier, have contributed to the decline in our general fitness levels. If you want to tone up and get fitter, you could adopt some practices that have long since gone out of fashion.

In times past people didn’t have the luxury of popping into a car to fetch groceries or take the kids to school. And you don’t have to either if it’s a short trip. If you need a few groceries from the local store or it’s time to collect the kids, ditch the car and walk instead. Walking will get you fit just as easily as regular gym workouts.

Staircases are great for giving you a general workout. It’s been shown that spending a few minutes a day walking up stairs is beneficial to your heart. And, as a bonus, if you stop taking the elevator you’ll end up with shapely, toned legs!

Here’s a real old-fashioned tip when it’s time to spring clean – beat your rugs instead of using a vacuum. Hang the rugs on a washing line, get yourself a carpet beater and whack away till all the dust is gone. If you get out of breath, it means you’re getting a cardiovascular workout.

Like gardening? Put the electric lawnmower into storage and get a push mower instead. Use it a couple of times a week in the summer and you’ll soon increase your fitness and stamina levels. Your upper arms will be getting a good workout too as the mower gets pushed to and fro.

In a nutshell, our ancestors were fitter because they were more active in their daily lives. If you apply that same principle to your life, you’ll quickly start to realise your goal of becoming fitter.