5 exercise hacks for lazy people

April 29, 2016

exercise-hacks
Have you ever felt like this dog? That was a rhetorical question. Of course you have. I mean, who really loves exercise? Ok, maybe a few people do. But I’m not one of them. When I see a treadmill, I want to curl up on it and go to sleep, just like this dog.

Unfortunately, I can’t, not at this age. I have to hit it.  And I hit it hard. So hard that left to my own devices I usually get injured in some way. Not too long ago, my back went out for cigarettes and didn’t come home for more than three weeks. I was forced to go to Physical Therapy. So, don’t be like me. Hit it, but not too hard. Ok, wait, where was I? Oh yes. Exercise hacks for lazy people.

We’re a sedentary cohort, for the most part. That’s why we’ve got such things as heart disease, diabetes and much worse. What we need to do is MOVE more. And we don’t need to join a gym as there are so many opportunities for us to move more just in every day life.

Take the stairs.

I see a staircase and I immediately look for an elevator. Ok, not really. Well, yes, really. That’s how it used to be. But now? I take the stairs. Because stairs are good exercise. I know this because every gym has a stair-climbing machine. Hot Trainer does stairs for an hour at the gym. Makes you feel like a schlump, right? Well, don’t. If you saw the size of his legs, you wouldn’t feel so badly. Still, it’s great cardio. So every time you see a staircase? Take it. Every little bit counts.

Park far away.

Besides providing an opportunity for a little exercise, there’s an additional bonus: you can always find a parking spot because everyone else is circling for 10  minutes trying to find a space near the door.  It’s just not a big deal to park far away and get some steps in.

Mall walk.

People I know seem to shun this but the fact is that a big mall provides a climate-controlled place to walk. Often, they open early for walkers.  Your reward for walking can be a little shopping spree and all the better if you have errands there.

Whenever I suggest this to Gay Husband he cringes. He has become a gym rat and while I am at a gym six days a week, sometimes I want a different view. Sometimes I get sick of looking at super-fit body builders. Ok, maybe not. Maybe I don’t get sick of that at all. But still, a change of scenery is always nice. Which is why we take a hike with our neighbor every so often. Not to the mall, but to a cool neighborhood about 15 miles away. Change of scenery.

Walk around the block every two hours.

We sit on our asses working, writing, playing games, whatever. Set an alarm and get up every two hours for a walk around the block. It helps prevent that middle-aged spread, burns calories and is so good for us. It’s easy, too: no special equipment or attire needed.

Put on some music and dance.

In the kitchen. In the BR. Maybe not in the shower.  So, I thought I’d improved my cardio fitness significantly this year. Until I was on the dance floor at a conference this month and, after shaking my booty to Lady Marmalade, was more out of breath than I expected. So I decided to dance at home more. Sometimes with my husband and sometimes with my dog. Oh yes, Riley loves to dance. I’m pretty sure if I weren’t so lazy I could teach him steps to do with me.

So there you have it. Now, Hot Trainer would tell you that I am not at all lazy, that I kill it in the gym etc etc etc.  The truth is that I am inherently lazy and have honed it to a fine point over the years. It’s just that I can’t afford to be lazy at this age. Which is why I look for every opportunity to get exercise and why you should, too.

Got some exercise hacks to share? Love to hear them!

 

 

76 comments on “5 exercise hacks for lazy people
  1. Jennifer says:

    I have to try to get back to dancing around the house more. I’m still in PT for a back injury and standing and walking cause pain, but maybe if I could just ease into my groove thang, it would work.

  2. ryder Ziebarth says:

    Clip the tiny fitbit device to your bra in the morning. You’ll be amazed at the end of a day how many steps, including some of Carols “tips” you’ve taken. On a busy errand day at the mall, I’ve clocked several miles and burned more than a 1000 calories.

  3. PatU says:

    I have one of those bodies that requires a lot os exercise and still wind up gaining weight. I have a big appetite and probably drink a little too much wine, but I exercise more than most people I know.

    I had a major major surgery almost 6 months ago and I have been struggling mentally with my inability to do what I have to do to shed a few pounds and regain my muscle tone.

    It’s sad. I try to cut myself some slack, but then I try to get in my clothes!!!

  4. I know, you are so hard on yourself…

  5. Andrea Bates says:

    Love these tips, Carol. We try to park far from the entrance all the time – and then my 9-yo is like, whyyyy? There’s a spot right there. 😉

    But these are important reminders to MOVE our bodies! That’s what we’re made for.

  6. Sara Broers says:

    My hubby ALWAYS parks the farthest away from the front doors of anywhere~ drives me nuts! But, I do agree, it’s a great exercise hack that I do appreciate.

  7. tara pittman says:

    I need to start the walk around the block thing. My but sits too much and it needs to move.

  8. Your joke about your back made me laugh and wince. Nothing worse than that! It’s been a rough year recovering from a torn ACL and the subsequent weight gain from lack of exercise. I’ve tried to wear my Fitbit but I resent the little bugger. If only our fingers on the keyboard counted as aerobic.

  9. Carol, exercise has been apart of my life since I was 2l. I used to work out 6 days a week 2 hours a day. Not anymore, I am older and smarter! Great advice about parking, walking, and doing stairs. I always think about how I can get my steps in and use all of your ideas. great post!

  10. Elizabeth O. says:

    I found that being physically active does wonders even if you don’t exercise, these are good tips, really! Normally, when I’m headed somewhere near and I have the option to just walk, I walk. I take the stairs too when given the chance. Basically, I just make sure that I more all the time.

  11. T.O. Weller says:

    Since our move to cottage country, this has been my greatest challenge … much to my complete shock. I thought it would be the other way around.
    Here’s the trouble: I no longer have a block to walk and the closest gym is 40 minutes away. My little dog is not a big walker, so coaxing him to walk in places where he senses being watched by big, scary creatures in the shadows doesn’t work. I love to walk and long for it, but the mid-winter darkness (no street lights), spring mud (dirt road), and spring/summer/fall insect clouds amidst the trees have all conspired to keep me indoors. Honestly, while we were in Vegas, I reveled in the chance to walk freely outdoors again.
    This first year has been an eye-opener. I’ll solve it, eventually, and when I do I’m sure there’ll be at least a post, if not an e-book, coming out of the whole thing.
    For now? We have stairs and an open first floor with great acoustics for playing a little “Night Fever”. 🙂

  12. Robin Herman says:

    Wear comfortable shoes so you can walk as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
    I practice balancing on one leg while brushing teeth!
    Housecleaning is also good exercise so don’t resent it.
    Thank you for the reminders and tips Carol. l’m going to try to incorporate the around the block walk. Siri remind me in 2 hours to get off my butt!

  13. Great, practical reminders, Carol. My home office is on the second floor, so I’m up and down at least 8 – 10 times a day, plus have a treadmill in the basement for when it’s too cold or wet to walk outside. We’re moving to one-level living in a few weeks, however, so I’ll need to ramp things up (literally and figuratively). It’s a constant challenge because I’m naturally inclined to be slug-like.

  14. Great list. I hate exercise, but I hate taxes to and you can’t avoid that either. Have fun in Portugal!

  15. Donnate says:

    Perfect ideas!! I like the idea of walking around the block every 2 hours….I love that one the best, I never thought of it. I am starting a protocol tomorrow that will be taking me from this weight to one I can handle better.

  16. estelle says:

    I love to dance with my seven-year-old daughter. We especially enjoy taping and then dancing to Dancing with the Stars.

  17. I think walking around the block every two hours is a great idea! As bloggers, we sit too much!

  18. First of all, I want you to post a picture of Hot Trainer! Great reminder about getting up every 2 hours. Worked on the blog all day and only got 1800 steps on my FitBit! Not good. The walk would have probably helped my mental state as well!

  19. Heather says:

    I love these and although I do go to the gym, you really don’t need to, to stay active. I love walks, bike rides and like you said, take the stairs any chance you get.

  20. My mom has problems with her hips, so we just walk in the mall for her exercise. These are great tips.

  21. I do get lazy at times, I tend to slack and take everything in slow pace. But when I do get the chance I make it up with lost time and work out double time

  22. sue says:

    I hear you Carol and these are all easy ways to incorporate exercise into our day. We can exercise without even realising we are doing it!

  23. Tracy Milam says:

    Had an injury last year and modifying simple things, like where I park or taking the stairs was the only way I could get any exercise in the mix. Thanks for sharing!

  24. Gina Valley says:

    Movement truly is the key to health. And, it is amazing how all the small efforts add up to big ones!
    Great reminder to look for opportunities to get moving.

  25. Liz mAYS says:

    I do park far away and take the stairs. I love the idea of walking around the block every couple hours too.

  26. Donna Parker says:

    I just put Falco ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ on and then I’m dancing…but I have to remember not to do this while climbing stairs and mall walking (I get funny looks). Great reminders. Thanks. 🙂

  27. Angie Scheie says:

    This post is made for people like me! I hate being lazy so I need all the hacks I can get:)

  28. So good Carol, you hit the spot. Very good hacks. I just ran down the stairs to take the garbage out and then up the two flights again. I know 15 flights of stairs would have been more impressive, two is better than none. I heard on TV that three quick bursts of energy a day can do wonders for sedentary people.

  29. Jenjen says:

    Seems “walking” is the key 🙂

  30. Rosey says:

    I love the exercise hacks. I’ve seen some things start getting saggy (or soggy as my youngest calls it) in the last few years and I don’t like it one bit. My arms…oh my arms, lol

  31. One thing I do is carpool into town but I arrange to be picked up at the gas station about 20 mins from my house so I can enjoy a nice walk before I start. I also bike to the same gas station to “Pick up” something I know they don’t have so I come back home. I’ve also been known to walk to the Post Office (across the lake) and then take a longer route home. If I know I’m not in a mood to go far, I take a camera so I can find beautiful scenes to snap. Gives me something to aim for.

  32. Using this post to tell friends I have been exercising ahahahaha … I’m one of those lazy people.

  33. aurora says:

    I do everything except the “walk around the block” part. Can you tell me more tips?

  34. Berlin says:

    I agree with everything except on parking far. Haha. I tend to forget where we parked our car thus we always park near mall entrances. This also reminds me to really work hard and do some walking if I will not take exercise seriously. I bought a new running shoes and its still inside that box. Perhaps I am like that dog. Too bad.

  35. I love the idea of putting on music and dancing…I do that when I’m cooking in the kitchen. Another lazy hack that I have (and don’t laugh) is doing ‘butt crunches’ while sitting in a chair – it makes me feel like I’m burning calories.

  36. These are some great tips. I have to keep the parking one in mind going forward 🙂

  37. This was literally written just for me 😉 I always try to take the stairs and park far away for extra steps!

  38. Kiwi says:

    I like the walka round the block idea. Also I do park further in parking lots so I can get an extra walk…I am a lazy exerciser!

  39. Sola says:

    Parking far away is the ultimate hack! I live in a city so when I want to exercise I go to the grocery store that’s further away from me.

  40. Amer says:

    I do 2, 3 and 4 because they’re easy especially going to the mall, which I can spend hours.

  41. Amy Jones says:

    I hate the gym hehe, but i gotta say i love walking and its a really healthy and fun workout.

  42. Yep! Im super lazy! That tip of park far away and take the stairs is something that i could do!

  43. Tonya C says:

    I’m all about work-out short cuts! I have tried the parking far away.

  44. Carol, this post was among the most clicked in The Bloggers Pit Stop. Look for a FEATURE on Friday. Congratulations

  45. Becca Wilson says:

    Oh yeah dancing to music while cleaning the house is my big workout of the week!

  46. DannyUK.com says:

    I love this article! Simple and effective. I always try to get off the bus one stop early or take the stairs when I can.

  47. Nicole Escat says:

    Thanks for this. I don’t usually having some exercise, i’m actually being lazy when it come to exercise.

  48. Stacy Kripas says:

    I will show this post to my bestfriend. This perfect for her since she’s really lazy at exercising.

  49. I’m basically a lazy person, so the only way you’re gonna get me to exercise is to dance. For this reason I joined a Zumba class, and I love it! Five days a week!

  50. Mhaan a says:

    This definitely brings back my motivation to shed some pounds. Thanks for sharing!

  51. larissa says:

    Hi! Thanks for the ultimate lazy girl exercise hack! Sticking to a routine is sometimes difficult. Well. For me the challenge is following up on my routine over the chilly weather. Or the hot weather. I have however joined a winter workout challenge which I hope to help me keep up to the schedule. Thanks for the share and keep up the good work.

  52. Really had fun reading this post. I was totally intrigued. Now, you’ve come up with great idea for lazy people to start lifting their buffs off the sofa. 🙂

  53. Joe ashton says:

    I love your list. Thanks for coming up with those ideas. I do the stairs exercise and keep my legs strong by walking up and down the stairs. I will try parking far away. I haven’t thought about this. This is really a great idea. And to think that sometimes, most parking in our country is crowded. I’ll try parking far away so I can also do some walking exercises. It feels like I’m hitting two birds with one stone.
    Sometimes I do exercise when lying down on my bed after waking up and do some leg exercise. I’m not sure if this can be considered as exercise routine for the lazy people. Have you tried doing this?

  54. Thats still ok than doing nothing.

  55. These are not only for lazy people. These are perfect for our elders.

  56. home care says:

    Great tips. Our elders can use this ideas too.

  57. home care says:

    Enjoyed reading your article. I’m not that very lazy but I surely can apply this.

  58. Well said. It will benefit our seniors too.

  59. lazy is the new hard workers. they tend to be lazy but in fact their brains works more than normal.

  60. These are good for me. I really need these steps.

  61. Haha, it’s so funny every time you say hax for the lazies. haha…

  62. Woww, great tips for lazies. One of my friend really needs this as he is so lazy for doing any type of workouts. Your blog can motivate him and inspire him to keep a healthy lifestyle. I will definitely share this with him. Thanks for this. Have a nice day ahead..

  63. Well Ive already done it and it’s easy. Thanks for the open up.

  64. You nailed it. How did you come up with that?

  65. It’s like on a famous quotation, You’ve got only one job. hahaha

  66. Billy Blanks says:

    Hi, Carol! This is a nice read. I admit, I am a lazy person too. Good thing, my friends are always with me whenever there’s a need to walk, run, or take the stairs. Cheers!

  67. These hacks are really effective! When I am too lazy to get out of the bed, I will put my earphones in my ear and get pumped out for the big day ahead. And then, I will dance around the house (imagine, I look funny every morning) and walk from home to school. I’ll take the stairs and jog in the room. Whenever I feel tired, I’ll just listen to the music once again and get motivated.

  68. Hi! Everything works best for me. Whenever I get tired of seating for long hours in front of the computer, I will put the music on and dance to its rhythm. We need exercises to stay fit and healthy even if the world seems busy. Thanks for this.

2 Pings/Trackbacks for "5 exercise hacks for lazy people"
  1. […] 5 Exercise Hacks for Lazy People by Carol […]

  2. […] 5 Exercise Hacks for Lazy People by Carol […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Follow Carol

Welcome!

Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.

 

I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?

Archives

Subscribe to my Blog

Receive notifications of my new blog posts directly to your email.