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Question:

>WORK OUT WHILE YOU WORK >The Deccan Chronicle >Wednesday, December 16, 1998 >Modern fitness is about slotting as much physical activity into >everyday life as you can whether you are digging the garden or >walking the dog, you are probably doing more exercise than you >realise.

Your suggestions are an old and good idea, but many people like to get out of the house for a while. hch

Response:

WORK OUT WHILE YOU WORK The Deccan Chronicle Wednesday, December 16, 1998 Modern fitness is about slotting as much physical activity into everyday life as you can whether you are digging the garden or walking the dog, you are probably doing more exercise than you realise. According to a recent study,a group of about 100 men and women performed 20-60 minutes of aerobic exercise at a fitness centre three to five times a week; a similar group built 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as walking and stair climbing, into their daily lives. Both groups succeeded equally well in improving fitness, health and physical-activity habits. "Your body doesn’t know the difference between working out in a gym or doing the vacuuming," say nutritionists and fitness experts. "Your metabolism will provide the same energy for a vigorous session of housework as for an aerobics class."Susie Dinan, an exercise specialist at London’s Royal Free Hospital, stresses that every little bit counts: "It’s body age that matters. Some 35-year-old have a body age way beyond their years, and some 85-year-old old look 20 years younger."Even simple, everyday actions can give the body a good workout, such as getting in and out of a chair. Keep the chest lifted and the abdominal tight, extending the arms in front as you get up and behind as you sit. By lifting and pushing on the thighs, it’s as good as using a leg- press machine. Even better is just 15 minutes of walking plus 15 minutes of fast housework a day will give you a moderate workout.We have become lasier by the day. Whenever we enter a department store, the first thing we look for is the escalator or elevator. Even doors open on their own. It’s time to hide the remote control and get into a few good habits Stair-climbing Apart from burning 8.5 calories a minute, this cardiovascular workout also does a great job of toning calves, thighs and buttocks. Climb up and down the stairs five times when you have to use them, remembering that it is the uphill climb that provides the real workout. Fidgeting Even restless foot-tapping can raise your metabolic rate and burn more calories. When on the cordless phone, for instance, make a point of pacing around instead of sitting; when brushing your teeth, practise heel raises to work the calves. Cooking If you’re waiting for the vegetables to cook, try putting your hands out on the counter top and practising squats to strengthen and tone buttocks, hamstring and quadriceps (front of thighs). Cooking itself burns up 150 to 204 calories an hour. So the next time you are in the kitchen don’t forget to do your workout. Walking There has been an 80 per cent increase in distances travelled by car and taxi since 1971, with 66 per cent of people driving to work and only 13 per cent walking. Simply getting off the bus or train a couple of stops earlier or walking rather than driving to the shops can make all the difference. Remember, it’s better to walk two miles a day, burning off 122 to 180 calories per hour, than play the occasional game of squash. Don’t stroll walk to fitness