Vidula Chopra-Rastogi was born and raised in Mumbai, and after completing her graduation in Commerce, she shifted base to New Delhi. She has worked for various magazines and publishing houses like Femina, Bride & Home, IndiaParenting, has written numerous articles over the years, and has done endless research on a wide variety of health and other lifestyle issues. Vidula now lives in Bangalore, where she works remotely as editor of IndiaParenting and will henceforth, contribute to Koramangala.com.
Any comments or suggestions can be sent to vidulachopra@yahoo.co.uk |
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| Exercise Cheats
Have you been trying to lose weight or get toned, without much success? If you would love to exercise more, but just can't fit a workout into your busy schedules, read on. Here's how you can get exercise on the go!
| 1. | Don't rush to grab a seat in the train or bus. Standing for a few hours won't kill you, and you will burn more calories standing than you will when sitting. Although the difference is not much, it all adds up over a period of time. And if you have a sedentary job and have been sitting all day, don't even think of reaching for a seat. |
| 2. | Going up? If you can't climb a couple of flights of stairs without panting, you're definitely out of shape. Make it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Walking upstairs strengthens the heart, is a great workout for your hips and legs and it makes a world of difference to your fitness level. Avoid walking downstairs though, as it strains knees. |
| 3. | Walk the talk. Move around when talking on your cell phone, and invest in a cordless phone at home too so you can just keep moving. Can you think of a more enjoyable way to burn calories? |
| 4. | Do you spend hours everyday tapping away at your keyboard? Your fingers and wrist need help. Try washing your undergarments yourself. Not only will you be less likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, but you can also be sure your finger joints will be safe from arthritis. Be kind to your skin though by wearing gloves, or using as mild a detergent as possible. Follow through with hand lotion. |
| 5. | Although keeping a bottle of water next to you when working is a great idea as you end up drinking more water, what's even better is to fill up your own glass of water at regular intervals. Put an alarm or reminder on your phone that prompts you to get up every hour and get a refill. Although it may seem like too little a walk to bother, it's important to take the trouble since sitting in one place for a long period hampers circulation and increases the risk of you developing varicose veins. |
| 6. | During the next commercial break, instead of flipping channels, think of it as 'time out from TV viewing.' Do something constructive: change the printer cartridge, organise your papers or just walk around. |
| 7. | Going out for lunch? Instead of feeling guilty for all the extra calories you're going to consume, park in a far-off spot so you walk more to reach the restaurant, and are forced to take a walk after your meal. Similarly, get off the bus or train a few stops early and walk the rest of the way to your destination. |
| 8. | You don't have to do all your walking in one go. Try and get in at least 20 minutes of walk time in a day. Four short 5-minute walks everyday add up to 2 hours, 20 minutes of walking time in a week. And if you are not getting any exercise at all, this is a great way to compensate. Short periods of exercise provide plenty of basic health benefits. |
| 9. | People often fork out a large sum on a gym membership, and then refuse to do a spot of work at home. Housework is the best exercise, and if you don't find time for a scheduled workout, then you must try and do some work around the house. Don't depend upon your maid to make your bed everyday; do it yourself. |
| 10. | And finally, here's the best domestic exercise of them all. Sit down on your haunches and sweep the floor. This excellent 'workout' will tighten and strengthen your entire lower body, including pelvic muscles. Did you know that women who sweep floors regularly have shorter labours and recover faster? So if you are planning a pregnancy sometime soon, pick up the mop and start sweeping! |
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