How to Easily Incorporate Movement into your Day with Katy Lush – Episode # 47

Today we’re talking easy ways to add movement into our day. Having a regular exercise routine is fantastic for our bodies.  In our modern lives, it’s easy to be sedentary for most of the day (even if we do exercise.) Our bodies are made to move! We feel fit and fabulous when we use our muscles. So let's find out how we can create more movement as we go around our daily lives.

Katy Lush Movement Specialist

Today’s guest Katy Lush is a passionate movement professional who lives in downtown Chicago. She’s owned a Pilates and gyrotonic studio called Chicago River North Pilates for 15 years and just last year she launched an online studio called Lush Living.

What we’re talking about

-Incorporating exercise and movement into your day

Stacking your Life to Move More

You’ve got a laundry list of everything you need to accomplish throughout the day. You have to take your kids to school,feed them, feed yourself, go to grocery shop and run errands….

There are so many tasks you have to accomplish to get through your day.

Think about how you can layer them in a way that can kill multiple birds with one stone. Think about how you can incorporate more movement into those tasks.

Easy Ways to Incorporate Movement into your Day

1. Do leg lifts while brushing your teeth.
2. Walk on natural terrain instead of on a sidewalk.
3. Intersperse some movement in your commute i.e. if you’re taking the bus, get off 2 blocks earlier and walk home.
4. If you are doing the school drop off, park a block away from school and walk instead of sitting in a carpool line.
5. Carry a basket instead of using a shopping trolley.
6. Instead of using a stroller, carry your baby in your arms.

Carrying Heavy Objects to Strengthen Your Muscles

People worry about carrying heavy objects. Don’t jump in with something super heavy. Build up. (Kids getting bigger is a great example! They start small and get bigger. Your arm muscles get stronger as they grow!)

Re think carrying heavier objects. Instead of seeing it as unpleasant, think of it as weight training during your day!

Use both Sides of Your Body to Strengthen Your Weaker Side

If you are right-handed, you will instinctively carry things in your right arm. If you can deliberately carry things on your left arm this is part of the cross-training aspect. Also, if you are repetitively carrying things on your right arm you are setting yourself up for a repetitive motion injury. Keep changing it up and alternate the way you carry heavy items so that you are not putting bulk of the load on one side of your body or back.

Tips to Add Movement to Your Day When Working at a Desk

1. Use an anti-fatigue mat.
2. Use a standing desk (but not all the time!)
3. Put toys and props under your desk to stretch your feet.
4. Kick off your shoes if you are wearing heels.
5. Sit on the floor from time to time.

Thanks for listening today! Remember to sign up for the free handout and scroll below for the links to find out more about Katy! Talk to you next week!

Links Mentioned

• 3 Easy Steps to Weight Loss for Busy Mums
• Work with me
• My Kitchen Miracles
• Katy Lush’s Website
• Katy Lush on Instagram
• Katy Lush on Facebook

Author Bio

Dr Orlena is a health coach. She helps busy mums go from "I can't lose weight" to feeling fit and fabulous. Find out more about her here.