Video: 9 ways you can sneak exercise into your day

9 ways you can sneak exercise into your day

Fitness doesn't have to happen in the gym, or even in gym clothes, to count.

1. Program a buzz to get up and move. Set your activity tracker, computer, smartphone or watch to remind you to move.
2. Arrive 5 minutes early. Park at the far end of the lot to score extra steps and reduce your last-minute stress.
3. Take the stairs (and save time!). One study of office workers found that waiting for elevators takes an extra 15 minutes a day.
4. Dress to move. Office workers in one study took 491 more steps when they wore comfy pants vs. business dressy.
5. Choose comfort. Can't dress down? Express your style with shoes that won't make you hesitate to take the long way.
6. Do errands on foot. Going to two stores on opposite ends of one shopping spot? Park once and walk.
7. Get more face time. Trade email for an in-person chat. At home, forget yelling between rooms.
8. Turn tasks into exercise. Wash your car or push the lawn mower to burn up to 400 calories an hour.
9. Make plans to be active. Forget dinner or the movies. When was the last time you went bowling?

Guidance from the wellness physical therapists at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.