We are evolving the concept of snacking - moving away from food snacks and towards the idea of exercise snacks, which are short bursts of movement you can do anywhere - whether it be at home, in the office, or outdoors. Exercise snacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can be done while talking on the phone or simply taking a quick break from sitting in your chair. You don’t even have to change your clothes!
Research has shown that exercise snacking three or more times per day can lead to meaningful gains in fitness and overall health. A recent study concluded that even 4-second bursts of exercise can do the trick. The more exercise snacks you do throughout the day the better, however one or two is still better than nothing!
Below are a few examples of short bursts of activity or “exercise snacks” that we recommend incorporating throughout your day:
- Jumping jacks
- Push-ups
- Jog on the spot
- Lunges
- Squats
- Wall sits
- Walk around while talking on the phone
- Turn on a favourite song and dance
- Climb up and down your stairs
Next time you need a break from work or boredom leads you to snacking, think about taking an exercise snack instead. Now go and get snacking!
Author: Dr. Nadine Kexel ND, CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre Resident