Let’s Talk “Exercise Snacks”!

What are Exercise Snacks?

You may be thinking, “snacks to eat while I exercise…that’s pretty cool”. Sorry to burst your bubble but, that’s not what an exercise snack means at all. Exercise snacks refer to short bursts of physical activity that you can easily fit into your daily life. An example being, standing on one leg whilst brushing your teeth or simply choosing the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise snacks aren’t meant to be difficult, tedious or time consuming. It is a simple way of keeping your body moving and incorporating healthy living and fitness into your everyday life.

Do Exercise Snacks keep you healthy?

Yes they do. Exercise snacks help improve your cardiorespiratory fitness and supports a healthy metabolism. Regular movement can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by counteracting sedentary behaviour, increasing activity levels and breaking up long periods of sitting. The best part about this is that you are probably less likely to experience post exertional fatigue and flare-ups from these bite sized exercise snacks.

Let’s start creating healthier habits with these 10 easy and basic Exercise Snacks

1. Marching on the spot while waiting for the water in the kettle to boil

2. Squat down every time you need to pick up something that has fallen to the floor

3. Heel raises before you take a seat again

4. Balance on one leg when you need to put on your socks and shoes

5. Always try to take the stairs when you can

6. A few neck and back movements/stretches before you begin your next task at the desk

7. Do wall push ups whilst waiting for the food to cook

8. Do glut bridges before you get up from bed in the morning

9. Do a child’s pose stretch before you get into bed at night

10. Go barefoot outside on safe and natural surface

Remember, you don’t have to fit all these exercise snacks into your day every day. Even just a few of these simple movements can go a long way in improving your health and fitness. Also, just have fun!