By: Stephanie A. Catchings, Health & Beauty Editor

5 Ways to Boost Your Activity Level without Working Out

1. 1. Turn baby sitting into play time with the kids.
   Instead of talking on the phone or watching TV with your younger siblings or babysitting clients, go outside and play. Some fun active games are “Red Light, Green Light” or “Freeze Tag.” Not only will you and the kids get some good exercise and a few laughs, but you can also get them tired enough to take a nap and give you some free time later.

1. 2. Take the stairs in public places rather than using the elevator or escalator.
   Taking the stairs helps to burn calories and tone leg muscles. Taking those few extra steps can make the difference in changing those chicken legs or dimpled thighs into show-stopping limbs.

1. 3. Park farther away from the entrance to buildings and stores where you intend to shop.
   Rather than scouring the parking lot for the spot nearest the door, park in the rear of the lot and walk briskly to the entry door. Be careful to do this only when the area is well lit and populated by others who can help you in case of an emergency.

1. 4. Use canned vegetables for more than eating.
   The vitamins found in vegetables can boost energy levels when part of a balanced diet. However, using canned vegetables as hand weights can also help shape your muscles and strength your grip. While watching television or lounging around the house, hold the canned good in one hand and do short controlled bicep curls for a period of about 15 minutes per arm. Catching a rerun of CSI or Gossip Girl never made you look this good!

1. 5. Spruce up the garden in the yard once a week.
   Gardening may seem like a pastime for the elderly but in actuality, it truly is a wonderful way to burn calories, get sunlight and do something that you will eventually be proud of. With spring quickly approaching, pulling weeds, spreading mulch and planting new flowers can become a relaxing way for anyone to stretch their muscles and work up a light sweat. Scan a few horticulture books to see which plants would work well in your area to maximize your gardening efforts.

*As with any health care regimen, speak with a physician before beginning any vigorous activity, especially in the presence of a pre-existing medical condition.*

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 at 8:19 am and is filed under Me. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.