Advancing Your Health

Do you find yourself exhausted after a long day of work or taking care of the kids, and then you don’t feel like exercising? Well, read up for some creative ways to work fitness into your schedule that can be a lot of fun!

1. Schedule walks with friends instead of grabbing a happy hour drink or dinner! Enjoy the gorgeous outdoors and catch up with a friend at the same time! You will be shocked how quickly time will fly when you are catching up with an old friend.
2. Instead of sleeping in, take your kids or dogs to a National Park on a Saturday morning. Georgia has some incredible National Parks – visit http://usparks.about.com/od/travelitineraries/l/blGeorgia-National-Parks.htm. You will be amazed how being out in nature will improve your mood!
3. While watching TV, instead of lying on the couch, lie down on the ground and do some sit ups, planks or light weights while watching your favorite show for 10 minutes.
4. Add a little dancing to your cleaning routine! Turn on music and add a bob to your step as you clean around the house. This will burn extra calories while you are dancing.
5. Instead of driving to the park, local restaurant or neighbor’s house – walk there! You will be able to really take in all that your neighborhood has to offer. The kids also will learn at an early age to enjoy the outdoors and exercise.
6. Set your alarm for 15 – 20 minutes earlier than normal and go for a short walk/jog around the neighborhood. You not only will feel better, you will have gotten your metabolic system in action and don’t have to worry about trying to fit a workout in after a long, hard day! Try to make it a habit to exercise at least 10 minutes every morning! It will start your day off right.
7. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator if you are going four flights or less! Make it a contest at work and challenge your colleagues to go further!
8. Volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dog. Seeing a walk through a dog’s eyes makes the adventure that much fun!

Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008), the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine (2007) state that even short activities performed in 10 minute segments can improve your health. These organizations recommend getting about 2 and one-half hours of exercise over the course of a week!April 4 is National Start Walking Day. Grab a buddy and get your body in motion! Your heart will thank you for it! Emory University and Healthcare employees – get your walking shoes out and meet us for a 30-minute walk on Wednesday, April 4, at one of the following locations:

• Emory University Hospital Midtown, 2:00 pm – meet at the fountain between the Orr and Glenn Buildings
• Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital, 12:00 pm – meet near the entrance to the Medical Office Building
• Lullwater Preserve, 11:45 am and 12:30 pm – meet at the gates to Lullwater Park
• Grady, 11:45 am and 12:30 pm – meet in the Faculty Office Building lobby
• Saint Joseph’s Hospital, 10:00 am and 10:45 am – meet in the meditation garden between the Harrison Outpatient Building and the Florence Erb Hayes Specialty Center
• The Carter Center,12:25 pm – meet in the parking lot staff entrance

For more information, please contact Melissa Morgan, melissa.morgan@emory.edu or 404-727-4328.

If you are not an Emory employee and want to get your organization involved in National Start Walking Day, contact the American Heart Association by visiting www.startwalkingnow.org and request a toolkit.