7 Simple ways to incorporate exercise into your day [infographic]

Posted on 3 January 2019

What are the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle? We take a look at some non-threatening ways that an inactive individual can start becoming active, as well as how much exercise is safe to aim for.

Being a couch potato is dangerous. While proper sleep and restful periods form a critical part of everyday life, a sedentary lifestyle and associated lack of movement is a long-term health risk.

“There is a direct correlation between obesity and a sedentary lifestyle,” says Ansoné Hugo, a biokineticist at Mediclinic Kimberley. “This applies to both children and adults. There is less and less natural play amongst kids and many busy adults are deskbound for much of the day. As a result, fewer calories are burnt leading to weight-gain and other structural problems due to excessive sitting.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom. And you don’t have to exercise excessively for optimal weight and health either. The key is your mindset.

“Exercise and training are not the same things,” explains Hugo. “Exercise is there to enhance and maintain health, and this should be foremost in your mind if you simply want to get (and remain) active. Many ‘would be’ exercisers are put off by fear of failing at popular endurance sports. So rather start off slowly, doing as much as your body allows.

“150 Minutes of weekly exercise at home or the gym spread over five days is a good rule of thumb,” says Hugo. “But exercise can form part of the working day (see infographic below); just don’t get overwhelmed by overly-stressful workout routines. Start slow, set small and realistic goals, and build up over time. Rome was not built in a day and neither is fitness.”

Does exercise remove the effects of an unhealthy diet?

Infographic: Seven super easy ways to incorporate movement into your lifestyle

 

Which workout burns the most calories?