Use the Television As Your Workout Buddy

Have you ever noticed how many commercials are on during your favorite television shows.  Most of us sit through those commercials being annoyed at how many there are and how long they last.  Geez, some of them feel like mini-shows in themselves.

In the 1960s, the average 60-minute television show had about nine minutes of commercials. Today, that number has doubled to 17 minutes. Some half hour shows can have as much as 12 minutes of commercials each. I like watching television.  It is relaxing, it is entertaining and also, depending on the show, time to spend with your family.  Television used to be considered a couch potato activity but it doesn’t have to be.  After I had surgery I lifted hand weights to build and protect my muscle as I lost weight.  So, I’m not suggesting that you need to give up your favorite shows, but just think of how using that time more productively.  Rather than your aerobic activity be using the remote to flip back and forth between other shows, use this time to help you fit more fitness into your day. If you exercised during commercials while watching TV for about 2 hours, it would add up to over 30 minutes a day! Poof!  You’d combine your favorite shows and exercise.  Now, that’s multi-tasking!

Whether you choose cardio, flexibility, or strength exercises, you’re getting a lot accomplished! Here are some ideas to get your started:

• Cardio: Walk/run, march or jog in place; jumping jacks or jump rope; try simple kickboxing moves like squats with front kicks, forward jabs or other combinations fit for a small space; step up and down your stairs or aerobics step; march with high knees in front and to the sides.
• Strength: Try body weight exercises like lunges, squats, pushups, and plank. Keep some dumbbells or resistance bands in the room to do additional upper body exercises–including ones that you can do while watching your show.
• Flexibility: After your heart rate is up from strength or cardio exercises, your muscles are warm and primed for stretching. While sitting, try upper body stretches for the shoulders, biceps, and triceps. From a standing position, stretch side to side, bend over to stretch your hamstrings. Sit on the floor with your legs apart and stretch over each leg and to the center.

No longer do you have to find something to do to occupy yourself during those annoying commercials, you can incorporate your exercise into your television time.  I regularly do this to the point that when I sit during a commercial, fold laundry or something else, my kids remind me that it is a commercial exercise break.  I’ve ingrained this practice so much into my life that my kids now do it with me.  Now we look forward to the commercials as to who will do what exercise.

Welcome those commercial breaks as your time to spend with your exercise buddy – your television!!

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator