Tips to squeeze in exercise during the weekends

Many of us find ourselves running errands instead of enjoying the outdoors or doing exercise over the weekend. The following tips will help you squeeze in some physical activities and get healthier.

• Choose one activity from the list every week.
• The more varied your weekend fitness routine, the more likely you'll be to stay active on the weekend.
• On your list, you might write hiking, canoeing, walking, cycling, birdwatching and other activities.

• Stock your car with a bat and ball, soccer ball, Frisbee or other favourite gear.
• Be sure to include a pair of sneakers.
• You never know when you'll find yourself away from home with a little free time.
• If your fitness kit is stocked and ready, you'll have everything you need for fun.

• Whether you walk, run, cycle or do some other sport, signing up for a race will give you the incentive to train on the weekend.
• Suddenly fitness becomes the top priority in your life.
• Plus, this is what serious athletes do – complete their longer workout sessions on the weekend, when they have time away from work.

• If you find yourself working at the office (or at home) over the weekend, take a 10-minute break every hour and do star jumps, lunges, push-ups and crunches.
• Over the course of the day, you'll have exercised for more than 60 minutes.

• For instance, chop some logs or gather firewood as the physically active part of your day, then sit in front of the fire with someone special for the pure indulgence part.
• Or work in your backyard by day, then have a barbecue that evening.
• Or take a long walk, knowing you have a well-stocked picnic basket waiting for you in the car.

• Many people have become addicted to watching sports on television. So take up this challenge: for every hour that you watch sport on TV, commit to 30 minutes of doing a sport or some other exercise.
• Gradually increase the ratio to one-to-one; that is, an hour watching, an hour doing.
• The fact is, nothing compares to taking part yourself.