Couch Potato Challenge: 4 Interesting Ways to Force Yourself into Activity

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So, you’ve been putting on a few pounds recently and really aren’t eating any more than you always have? Perhaps you are eating foods which aren’t as healthy. Perhaps they are higher in saturated fats, carbs and, obviously, calories. But for most of us, that isn’t the real problem.

It seems as though we’ve become a nation of couch potatoes who simply enjoy taking the easy way out of everything we do. We no longer get the exercise we need to maintain optimum health and forget about activity. Why bother when we can push a button, and everything’s done for us? Why not take the couch potato challenge? Here are four interesting ways to ‘force’ yourself into action.

1. Park as Far Away as Possible

Do you know that most people waste more time looking for a parking spot close to the grocery store than they would if they’d just choose a spot further away? It takes longer to circle the parking lot looking for that prized spot close to the door than it does to park out farther, get out and walk into the store? Not only will you be increasing your activity, albeit just a little bit, but you’ll be saving time and fuel as well!

2. Walk to the Corner Store – Why Drive?

Also, you would be astounded at the number of people who get in their car to walk to the corner store to get a drink or quick snack? Many times, that corner store is less than 1,000 feet from their homes. Why would anyone get in their vehicle to drive a distance they can cover almost as quickly on foot? It makes no sense! Instead of driving the next time you realize you’re out of snacks and your favorite reality show is about to begin, get up and walk. You might burn off some of those calories you are about to consume!

3. Go Camping

When it comes to vacations, most people look for somewhere they can go just to relax. A week on the beach sounds nice where you can rent a lounge chair, sit back, soak up the sun and then return to your hotel for dinner and a night in front of the tube. This year, why not go camping? It’s a fun way to get a bit of activity and you can even go somewhere to hunt small game like squirrels and rabbits, which are open game all year long. You don’t need a fancy rifle either, you can simply visit airriflecenter.com, get a top-rated pellet gun, and walk around the woods to your heart’s content looking for those tasty little morsels to hunt.

4. Avoid Elevators – Take the Stairs!

Speaking of legs, the next time you simply need to go up a floor or two, why wait for an elevator? Unless your doctor has expressly forbidden you to take the stairs because of some health ailment, taking the stairs can improve your health, burn a few calories and strengthen your legs for that walk through the woods on your next camping trip!

Can you think of any other interesting ways to literally force yourself off the couch and into action?