Easy Ways to Fit Exercise into your Daily Routine, part 1

Many women know that they would greatly benefit from a regular exercise routine, particularly those of us who want to feel healthier, lose a little weight or get back into shape after having a baby. For a lot of us, finding the time in our hectic schedules to exercise is a constant struggle. And for busy new moms or moms with more than one child, it can be even more of a battle. But it doesn't have to be, with a few simple tricks and low-tech pieces of fitness equipment. Without even realizing you’re “exercising,” you can sneak fitness into your everyday routine before the love handles sneak up on you. This two-part series will give you some ideas as to how to begin.

Exercise at Your Computer

You can exercise at your computer while searching online for parenting tips or working from home. Replacing your office chair with an exercise ball is an excellent way for getting some exercise without really trying. Unlike sitting in a chair, an exercise ball is relatively unstable and requires balance in order for you to remain seated upright. Attempting to maintain your balance forces your spine into proper alignment.

Since you are constantly shifting position, you’re burning more calories than you would in an office chair, even one with wheels, which essentially does the work of moving for you. Sitting on an exercise ball for a full work day can actually burn up to 350 calories. Even if you don’t burn that many calories or are not seated at the computer desk continuously for eight hours, it will still contribute to your overall fitness.

An exercise ball has other benefits as well. Not only will it improve your balance, but while you’re maintaining your balance on a regular basis, you are strengthening your abdominal muscles (abs in fitness-speak). Using an exercise ball instead of a regular desk chair promotes good circulation, allowing blood to flow freely to all parts of your body. And of course, the best part is the cost: an exercise ball is much (much) cheaper than a regular office chair, especially an ergonomic one.

If an exercise ball seems too bouncy for you, consider the Power Systems Ball Chair. It provides all of the advantages of a standard exercise ball, but it has a rolling base, giving you the mobility of an office chair with all the benefits of the fitness ball. Whichever one you choose, an exercise ball is just plain fun and can help you get your work done while keeping you fit and energized.

Run When You Walk


Taking baby for walks is important to the child’s development, not only in terms of fresh air but also introducing them to the world around them and stimulating their little minds. Since you will need a stroller anyway, select the Kolcraft Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller. Baby gets to sit safely in comfort while you jog down the street and around the block, getting into shape.

If jogging full out for any period of time seems a little intimidating, plan to alternate between jogging and walking. By choosing to walk and jog for specific intervals, for example two minutes of walking then switching to two minutes of jogging, you not only ease yourself into an exercise routine, you are also making it interesting. If it’s too hard, not fun or just plain boring, you won’t stick with it.

Come back Thursday when I'll be sharing more ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine in "Ways to Fit Exercise into your Daily Routine, part 2."

- E. L.