Everyday exercise

We all know the ups of getting fit – it makes you feel good, helps get over the blues, puts more fizz in your confidence cocktail and gives your energy levels a big fat helping hand. Putting aside time to go to the gym or join a sporting team are obvious routes to gaining more exercise, but there is also a smorgasbord of ‘incidental' ways to work out.

Your car

Give it a little rest. You might, for instance, walk to the shops rather than drive, cycle to work rather than drive, or even walk to a bus stop and opt for public transport. On your way home, why not get off a stop early and spend a few extra minutes pounding the pavement?

At work

You could duck out for a coffee when in need of a break, but a much healthier idea is to take a stroll. If you work in an area that allows for it, walk to the nearest park and back, or if working in a busy CBD, walk around the block. Need to talk to a colleague? Get up and walk over rather than jump on the phone. Stretches at your desk also help to make sure your neck and back muscles don't knot up.

Your home

Live large – if you've finished a good bout of housework, cooked a meal or filed some bills, you deserve to break out: put on your favourite up-beat music and dance around your living room (if you have flatmates, time this carefully). For another ‘homey' option, try creating a garden, or clean up your existing one with some hearty mowing or raking.