5 ways to get a cardio workout during your day

Ever have one of ‘those days’, where it’s not enough that you had a chaotic morning at home, heavy demands at work, you spilled coffee on your shirt, then you found out your bank account somehow got overdrawn? Sure, we all have, but did you know that its days like this where fitting some cardio activity into your day can be particularly beneficial? While a day like this may make you FEEL like you’ve already run a marathon by lunchtime, take a step back and make an effort to work off some pent-up steam.
Whenever presented with the choice, no matter where you are, opt to take the stairs! If stairs aren’t ‘your thing’ and you find yourself becoming winded, take your time but keep going at a steady pace. Over time, this will become a much easier task, give your quads a great workout, get your heartbeat right into your target zone, and you may even see the added benefit of some lift in your derriere. When I first started taking the stairs in lieu of the elevator at work, I’ll admit it wasn’t easy but within just a few short weeks, I could engage in a normal conversation going up multiple flights, didn’t have to rest on a landing any longer, and even found myself taking it to the next level and taking two steps at a time as I jogged up to my office. As with any other exercise, it’s all about conditioning; the more you do it, the easier it will get.

Another way to sneak in a bit of additional cardio time in your day is to resist the urge to pull into a ‘prime’ parking spot at the mall or your local supermarket. As a culture, it seems we are conditioned to seek out the best place to park our cars, allowing it to become a game that I’ve even seen turn into road rage as two drivers battle it out for the same spot! Whether you have the newest sports sedan (seems those are the only ones that prefer to park out in ‘no man’s land’ where their car is less apt to be damaged) or a 20 yr old beater, go ahead and park out in a spot that is furthest away from the entrance. You will rack up some additional steps on the pedometer for the day (you ARE wearing a pedometer, aren’t you??) and if you run your errands ‘briskly’, you’ll get your heart pumping in no time.
Use your lunchtime to take a walk, even if just around your office building or the surrounding area outside. Keep a pair of extra sneakers at your workplace to make it easier and have no excuses for not taking your daily walk; it will get your heart pumping, burn some calories from all those office treats that are always being dangled in front of you (that you are hopefully politely declining on a majority of the occasions) but an afternoon mid-day walk allows you to clear your head and return to your job feeling refreshed with a lower stress level. Try it once and you’ll see exactly what I mean; it’s amazing the benefits you feel from taking just a 15-30 min ‘timeout’ to do something good for yourself.

Take your dog for a walk! There isn’t a dog on the planet that ever gets sick of being walked and the benefits to you are obvious. What’s better than bonding with Man’s Best Friend while getting some exercise for both of you?
Join an exercise class, whether it is a formal class at your local gym, or a runner’s club, a biking group… anything that will help keep you accountable for getting some cardiovascular exercise in your day. Working out with others is motivating and keeps you honest, providing opportunities to make new friends that may be in the same boat you are. It’s good to hear someone else say the dog threw up as they were headed out the door on the way to work and they spilled coffee on their shirt before they even arrived at the office.