If you think exercise is synonymous with barbells, sweat and the cha-ching!
of another months gym payment being snatched from your wallet, think again.
Heres a roundup of 25 great ways to get moving without breaking the bank.
Change your mindset
Are you avoiding exercise because you fear (another) injury?
Or cant stop comparing yourself to the younger, fitter you?
Or dont want to commit to hourlong sweat sessions every day, so why bother?
And so youve got to recognize it and not blame yourself.
If the answer is yes, then its time to rethink how we think about exercise.
Try marching in place during commercial breaks or doing laps around the office between tasks.
People think, I have to go to the gym and sweat, DiPietro says.
But theres now enough evidence to suggest that replacing sitting time with light-intensity activity is extremely beneficial.
Even better if it’s possible for you to add inshort bouts of more intense exercise.
Check out1-Minute Exercises to Make You Stronger After Age 50.
Walk
Experts agree that the best exercise is the one you enjoy and will stick with.
So decide on your aim.
To help control blood sugar, walk after meals.
Even walking on your own can boost brainpower, though.
Walking 9,800 steps daily, meanwhile, may reduce the risk by 50 percent.
Go birding
Birdwatchingis another way to reap the rewards of the great outdoors.
Many communities have free birding walks or clubs; check out anAudubon Center or Sanctuarynear you.
Learn more inA Beginners Guide to Birding.
Want to listen on your own?
Check out our4 Apps to Help You Identify Bird Calls.
Are you a librarian or teacher whos frequently standing, kneeling and carrying books?
Are you the family chef who hauls groceries, reaches for pots and stirs sauces?
Do you live in a city and walk to and from a bus stop daily?
That counts, too.
Then they say, What else can I do?
In some instances, the benefits including reductions in the stress hormone cortisol and blood pressure lasted a month.
Thats partly because trees release phytoncides, chemicals that can boost the immune system.
Optimizing your immune system is important not only to fight infection but also to reduce inflammation.
So moving our bodies in green spaces, we get that benefit.
Take advantage of one of thefree national park daysthroughout the year.
