Goodbye all or nothing.

I don't know how or why we are programmed to self destruct. It seems we adopt an "all or nothing" attitude when it comes to eating healthy and being active.  The moment we slip...have some chips, miss a workout, we doom ourselves to failure. But wait...why!?  So you had a chocolate bar?..next best action is to eat better the rest of the day and not repeat it in ten minutes. You missed your workout. It can throw your day off.  You have no time in your schedule to make it up....ahhhhh...but you can! 

To make it easier, below are ways to sneak in a workout while you are busy with life:

1. Wall sits while you brush your teeth.  Depending on your oral hygiene, this gives you two opportunities to work on your legs, core and endurance.  As you scrub those pearly whites, put your back against the wall and lower yourself into a sitting position.  

2.  Bathroom squats. You won't likely see this on a fitness video, but it will give you buns of steel. Every time you visit the bathroom, do 10 squats over the toilet.  Depending on your bladder, you will get your butt and leg workout completed with only adding seconds onto your bathroom breaks.  (Best to do BEFORE or AFTER your reason for attending the washroom).

3.  Refreshments and calf raises.  While getting your coffee/water, in one place move yourself from flat footed to standing on your toes.  Repeat.  Modification: For the mother on the stair case, (while beckoning yor children to come up/down for breakfast/dinner), calf raise on the stairs: with the balls of your feet firmly planted on the stairs, lower your heels off of the stairs, then raise yourself to your toes...repeat until the troop makes it to the table.

4.  Park in the farthest spot. Parking closer saves you time....so does walking quickly.  By parking farther away you will get in extra steps (& if you are carrying items, consider it cardio with weights)!

5. Counter push-ups.  In the office lunch room while your leftovers are warming in the oven (yes I said oven...the evils of microwaves will have its own blog..but I digress), do counter push ups.  If you are comfortable with the real deal, drop to the floor and push up until your meal is ready. (This is not solely reserved for the office...oh, no, no, no...you can actually do this in the comfort of your own home while waiting on your toaster, coffee maker, dish water to fill, bathtub, ...limited only by your imagination).

6.   Favourite tv show? If you cannot miss your nightly show, or your favourite team, workout during the commercial breaks (if applicable).  If you live for excitement, make yourself a list of exercises to complete when your 'show' characters behave a certain way or say a line. Eg: Modern Family: Gloria says "Jaaaaay" = 10 crunches.  Claire yells at the kids = 15 jumping jacks...

Toronto Maple leafs: Every penalty = plank. Every win = marathon (sorry Dad...one day). 

7.  Shower time/bath.  Stretch and meditate. A great chance to refocus. A time to positive self talk and lengthen muscles. Take advantage of the time alone to be at one with your thoughts. Use the warm water to warm up your muscles and stretch them out when you towel off. (Huge fitness benefits to both, a future blog will expand).  

Goodbye all or nothing. Hello something. 

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