Tips for On-the-go Exercising

It is a proven fact that the fitter you are the more effective you are likely to be in whatever you do. This is not only applicable to athletes. This is also true for the workaholic or the most successful businessperson in the world.

Sometimes it is tragic to hear people who are successful in their work complaining that they do not have time to exercise; it is all about money, money and money!

Wrong! Exercising or keeping fit should be your first priority. The improved blood supply that results from regular exercise, irrespective what exercise stimulates your brain to be more creative and to work at a faster paste for longer.

So, forget about the lame excuse that there is no time to go jogging, cycling or even walking for long periods. There is no need for formal exercising if you genuinely cannot break away for some exercising.

When it is difficult to bring yourself to exercise in the interest of fitness or health and wellbeing, then at least try to make some time in your hectic 24/7 schedule for toning and stretching exercises. Informal, on-the-go toning or stretching will help to reduce stress and stiffness that settle in with constant repetitive tasks or chores, keeping you on the edge and releasing tension. Such exercises can even be done at your desk or in the conference room whilst busy with the deal of the century.

Fortunately airlines the world over have introduced in-seat exercising for long-haul passengers. The following tips are based on such informal or relaxed exercising and more or less ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the afternoon will suffice:

1 Grimace, then relax and combine it with closing your eyes very tight and then open them again. Do this about ten times.

2 Turn your head gently to both sides as far as it will go (do not strain yourself!) and then move your head back to the centre position lift your head up and down. This sequence should be repeated about 5 times.

3 Pull your shoulders up to your ears whilst breathing in and out fully and drop your shoulders again. Do this also about 5 times.

4 Take a heavy object, for instance a book or even a door weight in one hand, keep your arm straight to your body and lift it sideways until it is in a 90⁰ angle with your body and back. Do it 5 times with each arm.

5 Take a tennis ball and squeeze it in the palm of your hand and keep a tight fist for five seconds and relax the hand again. Repeat 5 times for each hand. You can also use the so-called stress-balls for this purpose.

6 Lie face down on the carpet and do 5-10 push-ups.

Daniel