You’ve been exercising for a while now but you still haven’t seen the results you expected? You probably assume the problem is you don’t exercise hard enough or you don’t have enough variety. Maybe the problem isn’t what exercises you choose to do maybe the problem is you don’t exercise enough!

What are the benefits of daily exercise?

We all know the benefits that exercise brings increased: energy, less lethargic, improved skin and a better mood. Daily exercise provides even more benefits. With daily exercise you can prevent or better manage the affects of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Beyond the physical benefits daily exercise comes with a number of mental benefits including less stress and anxiety. Over time daily exercise will lead to better muscle strength, weight lost and an increased metabolism.

Daily exercise dose not mean you do hours of strenuous physical labor, only 30 minutes a day is sufficient. In fact you can break that down into 10 minute segments. It’s already starting to sound a little bit more doable now isn’t it? Daily exercise can be fitted into any schedule with a little creativity.

What are activities that can double as daily exercise?

There are tons of ways to ensure that daily exercise is part of your normal routine without having to schedule it into your day or take away from other activities and events you have going on. Realize that any activity that gets your heart pumping and keeps you moving can be considered exercise. The best way to ensure you get the optimal amount of exercise is to try and do several activities throughout the day.

House chores: Mowing the lawn, raking the leaves and even pruning in your garden are all tasks that get you moving and can be considered aerobic in nature. Turn some of your more hated household chores like vacuuming and moping into exercise. To ensure that the activities are aerobic in nature remember to keep moving as you do them. Look for other household chores that can be used to meet your daily exercise needs.

Activities with the kids and pets: Looking to find a daily exercise that you can do when with your kids. Just look around and see what’s there! The park can be a place for a walk with the family, or a quick game of kickball. The next time you take your children to the mall walk around a couple of times and get a quick workout in. When choosing planned family outings incorporate in outdoor activities such as going camping or hiking and you can turn a family activity into exercise for everyone. Simple play time with your kids can count as daily exercise and even walking the dog.

Use your work: If you work in an office daily exercise can be done while on break or even on your lunch hour. Try doing jumping jacks and walking around the office in a ten minute stretch. When looking to get a more intense workout take sneakers with you to the office and go power walking on your lunch break. If you work from home you can follow these same suggestions, in fact you can even schedule in exercise times.

Learn a new skill: You’ve always wanted to learn to dance, take a martial art, or even break dance. Why not sign up for a class or order an instructional DVD? Daily exercise doesn’t have to be unpleasant. By trying out a new activity that you are already interested in you increase the chances that you will stick with it, plus you’ve learned a valuable new talent!