Increase your incidentals (exercise) not accidentals (weight gain) over Christmas

BY Kristy Prentice

Incidental exercise describes the physical activity you can fit into your day when you are not working hard in the gym. Modern-day living has become about convenience and completing tasks with as little effort as possible. With advances in technologies such as dryers, ROBO Vacs, elevators, escalators, and even dishwashers it is easy to see how this culture of inactive living has developed and easily been accepted. 
Time spent sitting has been linked to increased health risks for children and adults, even for those who are physically active. According to the Australian Heart Foundation the average Australian adult spends more than 15hours a day sitting. It’s possible to break free of these physically inactive habits and not become a victim of accidental weight gain. Here are some easy ways to increase your incidentals this Christmas period

1. Don’t dawdle; beat the crowds of Christmas shoppers: Walking with purpose will increase heart rate, engage your glutes, upper body and core. Not to mention you might just beat everyone to that last Christmas ham.  
2. Wash your car by hand; inside and out! It’s a mini workout.  
3. Park further away and walk; Sick of not finding a park close to kmart? Use it to your advantage. Park further away, get a park easily and increase your incidentals.  
4. Reduce your sitting time by standing; Think it sounds easy? It is! Try reading the family newsletters or watching your favourite TV show while standing.
5. Don’t use the clothes dryer; Utilize the sun in SUNshine Coast and hang out your washing to dry. Not only will you be increasing your incidentals, you’ll be saving the environment and your money on electricity 
6. Take advantage of ads; Love to watch Christmas movies but hate the ad breaks? Make the advertisements worth your time and pump out some squats and push ups during the movie break. No ads? How about repaying the sitting debt by pumping out a few squats or push ups after the movie?