Do It the Hard Way

There are many easy and natural ways we can weave exercise into our busy lives.

A short piece I read many years ago "Do it the Hard Way", extolled the advantages of swimming against the tide of "energy-saving" conveniences, tools, and vehicles we take for granted. I don't recall the specifics, but they were along these lines:
- Take the stairs instead of using an escalator or elevator
- Walk or bicycle instead of driving. (especially walk with your children to school instead of driving them)
- Use a push lawn mower instead of a power lawn mower.
- Use a rake instead of a leaf blower.
- Incorporate exercise into recreation (think skates and skateboards instead of motor bikes; paddle a canoe instead of driving a power boat; active sports instead of a simulated virtual sport)
- Think active human powered sports instead of spectator sports.

The interesting thing about the above ideas is that they are also environmental choices. Each results in less air pollution by not using fuel or electrical energy generated mostly by burning coal; each is quieter.

The other is that these alternatives frequently do not take extra time or cost, unlike a trip to the gym. (For example, I bike to work; because I take a shortcut path, it takes about the same amount of time as driving.) Even just parking at the far end of a parking lot can save time compared to searching for the closest parking space.

Opportunities for exercise are everywhere; just do it the hard way.