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The main reasons why people don’t like to exercise are that they don’t have the time and they don’t like to exercise. Let’s face it, if we really think about it, it mostly boils down to the fact that they don’t like to exercise. Because if you like to do something (and if you know that it’s good for you), then you’ll make time for it. Even just fifteen minutes a day of getting your heart rate up would be beneficial.
Well, what if I told you that you can get the benefits of exercising without actually hitting the gym (or track)? The health benefits of exercising without actually working out?
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7 Excellent Ways To Workout Without Actually Exercising
#1) Go On A Hike With Your Friends
Any physical activity is more fun when you are with friends.
Now remember that this doesn’t have to be a daily (or even a weekly) hike. Mix this activity up with your others to have a fun, well-rounded non-exercise routine. Although, if you do make it a weekly endeavor, you can graduate to different, more difficult landscapes after a while.
If you want to add a little bit more fun, do a bit of geocaching as well. Plan out a route, bring your geocaching kit and find some buried treasure. If you want, you can dress up like Lara Croft too (complete with balloon boobs – I’m not serious, by the way). You can also bring a picnic along with you. Don’t forget your cameras.
#2) Take Your Dog Out For A Walk
Even a fifteen minute walk with your dog will help you. Don’t have a dog? There are other benefits to having a pet: stress relief, companionship, unconditional love and affection, etc.
#3) Take A Dance Class
If you don’t want to go to a dance class by yourself, take your man or a friend (or a group of friends – the more the merrier). Dance classes are held in various locations. Look in your local community college catalog. You can even find some in clubs and bars in your area. Keep an eye out for flyers.
There are always different classes to choose from as well: flamenco, salsa, ballroom (foxtrot, waltz, etc), and swing just to name a few.
#4) Meeting Your Friends
Okay, so when we want to catch up with friends, what do we say? Let’s meet up for coffee!” or “Let’s have lunch together!”
Well, how about this: when you want to catch up with a friend, do something productive, creative, or recreational. Instead of going to Applebee’s for lunch, go to a pottery painting studio. This might not be a way to exercise but it is a way for you to eat less.
When we socialize, we have a tendency of eating which leads to unnecessary pounds. So instead of meeting for coffee, meet to go indoor rock climbing or talk a walk in the park.
#5) Join A League
A recreational league will help you keep in shape. There are different kinds depending on what you like to do. If you’re a traditionalist, try to join a bowling or soccer league. There is also flag football if you’re looking for a little more action.
For those who are looking for something more interesting and unique, there are more sports that are truly one in a million: dodgeball (like when we were in elementary school), disc golf (which is a combination of Frisbee and golf), kendo (which is a fantastic and disciplined sport based out of Japan), and kickball.
#6) Clean Or Garden
These two activities burn calories and help tone your muscles. They require (generally) low impact movements and moderate weight lifting. These are things that we do on a regular basis (or at least things we should be doing on a regular basis). Even doing chores like shopping for groceries helps keep you active.
#7) Have Sex
Didn’t go to the gym today? Why not enjoy a romp in the sac with your man then. Having sex for a half an hour burns over 144 calories and that’s not including all of that foreplay business like kissing and taking each other’s clothes off. Heck, making-out will burn around 240 calories per half an hour.
Why does making out burn more calories than having sex? Maybe the folks who did the survey weren’t doing it right… Well, that and the anticipation really gets your heart rate up.
So create a non-exercise routine out of these activities. If you are staying active, and eating healthy, you might not even have to go to a gym often at all. How do you create a routine out of these activities? Well, it depends on your schedule but doing at least two of these activities every day should help keep you healthy.
Taking a dance class is actually a really good idea. The main reason I hate exercising is because it it boring. But I took a few dance classes in college and loved them. I’m not good at it, but it is fun. And it really is great exercise.
I love these ideas! Dance is fun and it doesn’t feel like exercise. The more things that are fun the more you will do them. I take a Zumba dance class and it is great. I also love the sex comment too.
I get what you mean about it being boring. That is why I try to do stuff with friends, when possible, like the suggestion here, about hiking. Even having a friend next to you on the stair stepping machine makes it more fun.
You make a really good point about finding activities to do with friends that does not involve eating. It’s such a simple change that would make a difference. And I don’t know about others, but when I meet friends at a restaurant, I am more likely to indulge myself and I know I eat more calories than usual.
I just don’t like exercise classes! Swimming at the local pool for a half hour is also great for you. You use so many muscles swimming and it causes less stress to your bones and joints.
Anytime you move you are doing something and something is better than nothing. On the days when we work out in the yard we are there working landscaper hours. It is a full day’s workout and we are always sore after but it never really feels like “work”.
I have not had good experiences with exercise classes. A lot of the instructors are very harsh. I know some people find that motivating, but I prefer encouragement to yelling.
Hiking is a lovely exercise and even better in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. We have hiking trails near the ski hills that have breathtaking views at this time of year. Pack a light lunch and water and away you go!
I love Zumba too! I also take a high impact dance class. It’s totally cardio and it kicks my tail. I also love to just walk! I walk with three of my friends every other day. It doesn’t feel like exercise because we chat the whole time. In the end we usually walk 7-8 miles.
So true! Hiking in the fall is the best. I love looking at the colorful leaves. I also love hearing the leaves crunch under my feet. My friends and I walk all over the place. I never thought about hiking though.