In this month’s ‘Break the Habit’ blog, we discuss how the best way to stop a bad habit is to replace it with a better one. It takes an average of 66 days to pick up a new habit, although some habits will be much easier to pick up than others! The same goes with exercise; a great way to get fit and stay fit is to create healthy habits that fit in with your daily routine.
So, we’ve compiled a few easy changes you can make throughout your day which will make a big difference to your health. For example, if you simply switch taking the lift or escalators and opt for the stairs a few times a day, you can burn over 100 calories! And if you’re heading up too many floors to walk up all the stairs, why not get out the lift a couple of floors early and walk the rest? Hopefully, one of these tips will inspire you to make a small change that will have a big impact:
At work:
– Are you on the phone a lot? Walk and move around as you talk, and why not even add in some small exercises, like calf raises?
– Swap your desk chair for an exercise ball. This works your core, your balance, and is good for your back!
– Don’t eat lunch sat down – take your sandwich for a little walk!
– Work at a desk all day? Switch up your routine and try standing for periods of time. If there is nowhere you can stand and work, try out some desk exercises.
– Emailing a colleague who works in the same building? Go and speak to them in person instead – improve your relationships, as well as your health!
At home:
– During TV adverts, or whilst dinner is in the oven, get up and do some short bursts of exercise.
– Motivate yourself with the right music. Seriously, if you don’t feel like exercising, whack on some Beyonce!
– Jot down in your diary good bits of exercise you have done. Looking back through the days may encourage you to do more.
Going places:
– Why not ditch the car or public transport and cycle or walk to work instead?
– Make a new rule for yourself: if your destination is under a mile away, walk there!
– When you get a bus, always get off two stops early to give yourself a short walk.
– Park one street away from your front door to make yourself do a short walk each day.
– Buy a pedometer. You can get them very cheaply, and seeing how many steps you do per day will encourage you to take a walk in the evening, or motivate you to take those stairs!
We’re sure you can think of loads more easy changes which suit your lifestyle. The key is to pledge to yourself small, new daily habits and stick to them! We want people to drop the “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to exercise. If you struggle to get 30mins of exercise per day, then start out with the mentality of “anything beats nothing”! Whether it’s swapping your desk chair for an exercise ball, or taking the stairs at work, small daily changes will add up to make a big difference.
Our #HaveAWord campaign focuses on how the smallest of changes can have a big impact. If you haven’t already checked it out, head over to #HaveAWord and meet many inspirational people who have transformed their lives by making a few small, positive changes.
