How To Get Fit Without Breaking A Sweat

My family and I were on vacation in a small town on the 2nd largest island in Fiji (pre-pandemic!).  My brother went out for a run on a dirt road past the tiny airport that consisted of a small shed and 2 employees.  A car drove past him, and the driver yelled out, "Do you need a ride?" Because really, what other reason would you have to run on a remote tropical island than being in a hurry to get somewhere???
 
As a runner myself, this story had me rolling on the floor laughing!
 
In so many parts of the world, exercise as we know it, doesn't exist. People don't go for runs just for fun. Or, hit the gym for strength training.  It's not
something they make an extra effort to do.

Movement is part of their lifestyle. Their day to day. They walk to their neighbor's house for a cup of tea. Or, down to the village market to get groceries. Or, they sit on the floor to eat, and so they go from a seated to standing position throughout the day.

Then why do we, in the West, put so much pressure on ourselves to "exercise?"

Keep reading below, or watch here....

Movement is important. You need to engage your muscles to build strength and prevent atrophy. Movement keeps your heart healthy and your circulation strong. It increases endorphins and makes you feel good.
 
So, yes, you need movement.
 
But, you don't need to stress yourself out over going to the gym or running for an hour a day.
 
All you need to do is move.
 
Here's something I want you to try this week:
When you're working from home, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is your time to work. When the timer goes off, stand up and reset your timer for 5 minutes. During those 5 minutes, move. Walk to the kitchen and make a cup of tea. Or, do a set of squats or lunges. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you get up and move.
 
This is the Pomodoro Method and it's something I've been doing for the past year. It's a great way to add movement to your day. These breaks also help you stay focused and more attentive during the times that you’re working.
 
I've found its even helped me keep my house clean! I often use those 5-minute breaks to wash dishes or fold laundry. Win-Win!!
 
Here's a quote from an article I read recently:
 "Just getting up every once in a while, every 10 minutes or so — just to go to the bathroom or pet your dog or make yourself a cup of tea — even though you're not spending a lot of energy, you're turning on your muscles."

So, stop making yourself feel guilty for not hitting the gym, or taking that spin class. All you need to do is move!
 
Now, you might be saying, "That's great for you, Sheetal, but you don't understand how crazy my schedule is!"
 
I get it. I'm a doctor and solopreneur. I know the challenges of fitting it all in and finding joy and happiness somewhere in the middle of all that!
 
If I can do it, I know you can too.
 
Let's hop on a call and figure this out. I'll help you come up with small, consistent actions that fit your schedule. We'll shed light on habits and routines that'll give you more energy, radiance, and joy.

Schedule your free Illumination Call HERE