Sure, workouts are great and surely sorely needed. Physical activity makes your body feel better and makes you healthier. All of these things are 100% true and also 100% unattainable if you are on an exhausting 9 to 5 that is actually a 9 to 7, at least if you are a parent or have other responsibilities that simply do not make space for a leisurely 2K run or a fabulous but super time-consuming gym session.
It would be nice to make your overbearing routine useful just a little bit and speckle pieces of exercise here and there to keep yourself from falling apart, right? It’s actually easier than you think to include cardio in your everyday business.
Adding Cardio To Your Routine Won’t Be Like Another Chore
I know it sounds daunting, but it won’t be just another tedious task for you to try and squeeze in without breaking or burning out completely. What we suggest is a more fun and sporty take on things you already do and will be doing. It’s efficient, and it’s effective—not to mention the magical mental health effects of exercise.
14 Ways To Weave Cardio In Your Daily Routine
Here’s how you make your everyday chores and to-do’s sporty without going out of your way but actually getting active throughout your mostly sitting-down and working day.
- Jumpstart Your Morning
Start your day with 5-10 minutes of jumping jacks or high knees. It’s a quick way to get your heart pumping before you even leave the house.
- Walk Yourself When You Walk Your Dog
Taking your dog for a walk not only benefits your pet but also adds physical activity to your day.
- Quality Time = Family Walks
Engage your family by going for walks together. This can be a fun way to bond while staying active.
- Move In The Kitchen
If someone says that you are not doing cardio while you cook, that person doesn’t cook for sure. Popping from one end of the counter to another, being, chopping, holding heavy and hot things – cooking is our favorite kind of workout, with a delicious reward in the end.
- Pace Your Calls
During phone calls, make it a habit to walk instead of sitting at your desk. If you don’t have to have access to your computer during the call, get up.
- Binge-Watch As You Binge-Jog
Put the “Breaking Bad” or yet another rewatch of “The Office” to good use and move while you watch, like jogging in place, doing jumping jacks, or doing yoga.
- Do Sexy Cardio
You know what we mean, right – all the sexy activities are excellent workouts, too. Do it with your partner or engage male sex toys to do it up and down, front and back, as hard as you want.
- Commute Actively
If possible, walk or bike to work or park further away to increase your daily activity.
- Duh, Take The Stairs
Opt for stairs instead of elevators or escalators whenever possible to take your heart rate up-up-up.
- Do A Dance-a-thon
Dancing is a fun way to get your cardio in without feeling like a workout – do it with your significant other or, better yet, alone, like no one is watching you.
- Playing With Kids
TIring out a toddler is insanely hard – and an insanely good whole-body workout. Your kid needs the time to vent their unending energy anyway, and as you struggle or run around the yard together, you’re getting the quality time in, too.
- Utilize Bodyweight Exercises
Incorporate exercises like jumping jacks, burpees, or squats into your routine, which can be done anywhere.
- Set Up Quick HIIT Sessions
Squeeze in a 10-minute HIIT workout in the morning or before bed. It’s short but effective.
These strategies can help integrate cardio into daily life without requiring extensive time commitments, making it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Do A Serious Grocery Run
Sprinting through a parking lot with four or more bags of groceries and then trying to take them all back to the house in one go is not simply a workout – it has to be an Olympic event.
Give Yourself A Chance To Do Cardio Workouts Every Day Even You Don’t Have Time
Making time in your schedule for a full-on workout might be the most challenging thing you’ve ever done – and you really don’t have to do it to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Because complete and fancy workouts are not the only way to stay healthy and in shape.
Every “chore” that you have to do throughout your day has the potential to become a cardio workout – just make it a little bit harder, a little bit faster, and a little bit more fun.
