8 Ways to Work Exercise Into Your Day

Because fitness is a key contributor to happiness.

Get Some Exercise - Our internal clock reaches its peak around mid-morning. This is why it’s beneficial to exercise when the sun comes up. It helps boosts your body’s energy levels, producing an adrenaline rush lasting for hours, and even helps increase mental focus. (Photo: Neustockimages/Getty Images)

1 / 9

Get Moving - Have a hard time finding a block of time to work out every day? You’re in luck — experts say that those who split their exercise into 10-minute chunks are actually more likely to consistently work out and lose more weight than those who strive for longer sessions. Here, easy ways to get short, effective bursts of movement in your day. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Neustockimages/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2014/01/Health/011514-health-yoga-class-exercise-fitness-outside-group.jpg

2 / 9

Make It a Date - Happy hour is fun, but why not meet your next date at the gym? Or instead of a three-hour dinner, take a Zumba class with your girls.  (Photo: GlobalStock/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2014/03/National-03-01-03-15/030614-February-2014-Black-Unemployment-Report.jpg

3 / 9

Don’t Stand Still - Do calf raises while washing your face, use your (too heavy) bag to do shoulder raises while waiting in line at the grocery store, or bust out a tree pose in line at the DMV — you need the moment of calm anyway.  (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Change Up Your Commute - Get off the train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. The same goes for when you go out; instead of circling for 10 minutes looking for a spot, park 10 minutes away and get to walking.  (Photo: Wonwoo Lee/Image Source/Corbis)

4 / 9

Change Up Your Commute - Get off the train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. The same goes for when you go out; instead of circling for 10 minutes looking for a spot, park 10 minutes away and get to walking.  (Photo: Wonwoo Lee/Image Source/Corbis)

Engage Your Abs Whenever You Can - Crunches are not the only time for you to work on your abs. You can tighten your abs when walking down the street, sitting on the subway or at your desk. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

5 / 9

Multitask - Swap out your chair for a stability ball and you’ll force your core to engage and strengthen. And experts suggest you take five minutes away from your desk and your computer for every 30 minutes that you work. So use that time to move your body; head to a stairwell and climb, or use the Office Yoga app and do a few quick poses at your desk.   (Photo: Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Protect Your Eyes - You may wear your sunnies because they look fabulous, but they are protecting you from the signs of aging, too. Those little lines folks get around their eyes as they get older? They’re in part from squinting into the sun. So wear your sunglasses any time the sun makes an appearance. (Photo: LWA/Larry Williams/Getty Images)

6 / 9

Don’t Order In - Want lunch from that great Indian spot four blocks away? Call in your order, and then walk to get it instead of waiting for delivery. (Photo: LWA/Larry Williams/Getty Images)

Stop Fast Forwarding - You probably watch most of your shows via DVR at this point. Instead of forwarding through the commercials, use the time to work out. Jog in place, or better yet, do jumping jacks — they make for an amazing cardio workout. (Photo: DragonImages/Getty Images)

7 / 9

Stop Fast Forwarding - You probably watch most of your shows via DVR at this point. Instead of forwarding through the commercials, use the time to work out. Jog in place, or better yet, do jumping jacks — they make for an amazing cardio workout. (Photo: DragonImages/Getty Images)

Hide the Remote - Wanna change the channel? Get up and do it. Do lunges from the couch to the cable box for extra points.   (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

8 / 9

Hide the Remote - Wanna change the channel? Get up and do it. Do lunges from the couch to the cable box for extra points.   (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

Go Play - The next time the kids want to go out and play, join them. Play tag, blow and chase bubbles, run through the sprinkler, play catch — just get moving.   (Photo:  KidStock/Blend Images/Corbis)

9 / 9

Go Play - The next time the kids want to go out and play, join them. Play tag, blow and chase bubbles, run through the sprinkler, play catch — just get moving.   (Photo:  KidStock/Blend Images/Corbis)