Get Physical

UW Health Services
 
woman lifting hand weightsKeep your numbers in check - get physical to get heart healthy. No time to exercise? That's OK. Don't think exercise - think action:
Standing is better than sitting.
Walking is better than standing.
Increase your physical activity to at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week, even if you do it 10 minutes at a time.
 
Try including some of these activities in your daily life:
  • Use the stairs, up and down, instead of the elevator. Start with one flight of stairs and gradually build up to more.
     
  • Sweep the floor, wash windows or vacuum the carpet briskly
     
  • Take your children to the park and play with them. Don't sit on the bench and watch.
     
  • Write physical activity "appointments" into your daily planner or computer schedule
     
  • Take a walk after dinner instead of watching TV
     
  • Park a few blocks from the office or store and walk the rest of the way
     
  • Take an activity break. Get up, stretch and walk around
     
  • Hide your remote control and get up to change channels on your TV