Carrying a spare tyre (excess fat) around your middle is a burden on one of our most important internal organs - the heart. So, if you get rid of the bulge, you’ll be happy and your ticker will be over the moon too!
Here are some strategies to deflate the spare tyre.
- Clock up some ‘incidental activity’ time. This includes things like walking around the office, taking the stairs instead of the lift and getting off the couch to change the TV channels instead of using the remote. The more incidental activity you do, the more kilojoules you will burn during the day. Remember – every little bit counts!
- Block out some ‘me’ time. Make a one hour appointment with yourself, three to four times a week. And consider this appointment as important as any other work-related appointment or meeting. It’s important not to let other things override your exercise time.
- Think beyond the gym. Throwing a frisbee to your kids in the park or taking the dog for a walk or jog counts as physical activity. So if the gym is not your scene, try and think of what you really like doing and just do it. The most important thing is to move your body, get the heart pumping and have fun while doing it.
- Find an exercise buddy. An exercise buddy can help you get motivated and keep motivated. You will both benefit from the partnership.