Skip to main content

10 Ways to be Active Outside the Home

  1. Plant a garden. A garden requires a little physical labor to yield good results. Or plant flowers or herbs in window gardens or pots. Water, clip and dead-head them daily.
  2. Dig in the dirt or mulch your landscape. It's great exercise for the shoulder, leg and back muscles.
  3. Don't hire a lawn service. Mow the grass with a push lawnmower, and increase your walking pace while mowing. If you have a huge lawn that requires a riding lawnmower, trade off every 30 minutes with the person doing the trimming with the push mower.
  4. Practice good posture, and hold your stomach muscles taut when using the grass trimmer.
  5. Rake leaves with a leaf rake rather than using a blower. Rake the leaves into smaller piles.
  6. Take a walk up and down the street or road to pick up trash. "Adopt-a-Highway" in your neighborhood. (Be sure to wear bright or reflective clothing to be visible to on-coming traffic.)
  7. Start a compost pile. A compost pile requires upkeep. The more often you turn it, the faster it breaks down into great fertilizer.
  8. Wash your windows or clean out your gutters more often. Going up and down a ladder is good exercise.
  9. Sweep off the porch, sidewalks and driveway, and keep the garage floor clean with frequent sweeping. Have some fun and dance with the broom while you sweep!
  10. Shovel snow, even if it's just keeping the porch and sidewalks clear. Manhandling a snow-blower is also good physical activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Privacy  •  Integrity   •  Site Map

® Highmark is a registered mark of Highmark Inc. © 2010 Highmark Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Highmark is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blue Cross, Blue Shield and the shield symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.