Stay in shape for free!

As I am faced with an upcoming wedding, and will need to be able to wear this week's golden egg comfortably (I'll explain on Friday), I'm reminded of the importance of becoming a little more toned! I don't belong to a gym, and am often faced with the challenge of being motivated to exercise, so here are a few tips that I've found to be helpful:

• Use a pedometer-these often are less than $5 at your local big box store.
• Get DVDs from the library or download free workouts from Netflix
• If you can, walk. You’ll save gas and burn calories.
• Squeeze in exercise by doing squats or lunges while watching tv, brushing teeth, etc.
• Research trails/walking paths in your area and try them out
• Have an accountability/workout partner
• Check out healthy cookbooks from the library
• Check your insurance company’s policy for exercise rewards (My sister's insurance company offers tons of cool freebies as rewards for exercise!)
• Reward yourself with non-food goodies. I like to get a new piece of exercise clothing when a goal has been reached.

• Join an online support group
• Sign up for a race to give you a concrete goal.
• Become involved in community events. Check your city or county’s website for inexpensive or free exercise classes or programs.
• Walk the dog- he’ll thank you for it!


Here's the calorie-burn count for 30 minutes of these everyday tasks:
Housecleaning: 60cal
Rearranging your furniture: 225cal
Raking the yard: 65cal
General gardening: 70cal
Mowing the yard with a push mower: 90cal

Now to avoid hypocrisy, I will go do some crunches...