By: Maggie Tung
Are you constantly repeating “I need to go to the gym” but never make it out of your bed? Maybe you’ve given up exercising altogether? Well, don’t fret, because there are so many ways to get the benefits of exercising but not actually having to go to the gym!
Here are 7 ways to exercise without realizing it!
1. Take the long route
Little steps add up! Take the longer path to your class. If you’re going anywhere off campus, get off the bus one stop early before your destination and walk there instead. Take the stairs up to your room instead of the elevator.
You can also spice it up by speed walking… leave one or two minutes later than what you would usually for class so it forces you to walk faster!
2. Cleaning your room
Go all out, put your sneakers, listen to your music, and give your room a thorough clean! Vacuum while doing butt kickers, wipe down your table and do squats at the same time, fold your clothes while doing v-sits… make it into a game. This will make BOTH seemingly tedious tasks fun!
3. Stand and flex
Are you waiting in line for food or for the printer in Irving? Instead of just standing there, flex your muscles! An easy way of doing it is flexing your abs for 10 seconds and repeat that 10 times…and that’s your abs workout! (It doesn’t hurt that it makes time go faster, and it won’t draw any unnecessary attention!)
Sitting and flexing in class works too! Do you sit with your back straight during class? It may seem simple but it actually requires muscles to be tense for an extended period of time! (I can personally attest to this!)
4. Dancing
Dancing is a great way to move and it passes the time very quickly. Drop into a dance class or even just jam out in your room to your favourite song! There are plenty of dances to try, from hip-hop, street jazz, contemporary, ballet, or even the salsa and waltz! Take lessons just for fun and learn some new moves!
Check out the many AMS dance clubs available on campus, such as UBC Dance Horizons (http://www.dancehorizons.org/wordpress/), UBC Dance Club (http://www.ubcdanceclub.com/), and Unlimited Dance Club (http://ubcudc.wordpress.com/).
5. Join a team
This may seem obvious, but joining a recreational sports team will get you moving! You’ll definitely be more motivated when you have team counting on you, and it is going to be fun once you start playing.
Try some of the UBC Recreation teams (http://www.recreation.ubc.ca/) or your Vanier Ultimate Frisbee team! (https://www.facebook.com/pages/VUL-Vanier-Ultimate-League/436056299780462)
6. Get to know your city
Take a walking tour around the city, go on one of the many hikes that British Columbia has to offer, or even just go shopping! These are fun ways to not only get to know your city, but to make you work for it!
It boils down to this:
1. Exercising does not mean that you have to use an elliptical machine for an hour… it is just something that will raise your heartbeat and move your body in ways that it is not used to!
2. Diet is the most important aspect if you want to become healthier! Exercising is important, but watching what you eat and when you eat is going to give you your results.
3. Little things add up! Every single decision to exercise (or not to), as well as everything else in life, can lead you CLOSER or FURTHER away from your goal. Don’t complain if you have not committed to staying on track!
4. Just do it! The first step is always the hardest; it is so easy to think of doing it rather than putting the thought into action! Say yes before you say no, and do it before you talk yourself out of it!
Have fun and live healthy!
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