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Adding in extra minutes of exercise is easy with these tips

In the A.M.

Mornings are often jampacked, but Carrie Swift, certified diabetes educator at Kadlec Medical Center in Washington, says it’s actually the perfect time to squeeze in physical activity. March in place, or do squats or a wall sit while brushing your teeth. Test your balance while drying your hair by rising up on your toes. Try supported push-ups against your kitchen bench or wall while your coffee brews. Before you know it, you’ll have fitted in 10 minutes of movement before leaving for work!

In Transit

Slip in yoga while travelling by plane, train or bus to boost circulation and squash the stress of a crowded commute, says Christine Chen, author of Happy-Go-Yoga. Stuck in a middle seat? Take both arms behind you and grasp opposite elbows to expand your chest and get more mental space while improving your posture. If you’re standing, revive your energy and increase your flexibility with a side stretch. Reach your left arm up and over to the right, grasping an overhead bar or handle. Bonus: standing during a bumpy ride challenges your core and coordination!

In the Store

Let your errands serve double duty. While grocery shopping, zigzag through the aisles for extra steps, or circle your

Grocery bags make great impromptu weights.

Try doing some bicep curls on your way out of the

store! ankles and stretch your legs every time you stop to grab an item. While in line, do calf raises or hamstring curls, where you bring one heel towards your buttocks, squeeze and repeat. Just make sure not to kick the shopper behind you!

In the Waiting Room

Use the downtime before any appointments to improve your strength – and make the minutes go faster. Tense the muscles in each leg, hold for 10-15 seconds, then release. While sitting, straighten one leg and trace each letter of the alphabet with your foot. Even standing up to get a magazine or a drink of water a few times will help keep you moving and boost your circulation, says Swift.