Lose 10 pounds a year just by moving more!

This week our AAY! inspirational theme is to incorporate more healthy activities into our daily lives.

We've all heard suggestions such as, "Take the stairs instead of the elevator." It sounds too simple to really make a difference though, doesn't it?

Well, think of it this way: by burning just 100 extra calories per day, you can lose 10 pounds in the course of a year.

Don't believe us?

Here are the facts:

• One pound of fat is made up of 3,500 calories.
• So, to lose one pound of fat, you need to burn an extra 3,500 calories.
  
• If you burn 100 extra calories for 365 days in a row, you will burn a total of 36, 500 calories
• 36,500 calories equals 10.43 pounds! (36,500 divided 3,500 = 10.43)
  

So, are you motivated now to add more movement to your everyday life?

BURN MORE CALORIES:

AT WORK:
• Walk to your co-worker's office to ask a question instead of sending an email.
• Take the stairs from the parking garage to your office.
• Every hour, take a 2-3 minute break and walk up & down a hallway or a flight of stairs.
• Take a 20-minute walk at lunchtime.

AT HOME:
• Cook your own dinner instead of ordering or eating out. (Yes, cooking burns calories!)
• Go on a walk with your family after dinner instead of watching tv.
• Now that it is staying light later, play in the yard or at a park with your kids after work.
• Do housework on weeknights instead of watching tv or working on the computer. This will also give you more free time on the weekends to go out and play!

AT PLAY:
• Plan fun activities with friends and family: hiking, cycling, roller skating, bowling, frisbee, basketball, football, etc.
• Whenever possible, walk to your destination. If you're going to see a movie, walk to the theatre to make up for the 2 hours you'll be sitting.
• Whenever you're at a party or celebration, make sure you are out on that dance floor!

OK, so now it's your turn. What are you doing this week to add more movement into your daily life? Please post your comment.