Park it

It’s easy to sneak a little exercise into your everyday routine. Here are four places to get fit that you may not have considered before.

The mall

Cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and never slippery like a sidewalk — take advantage of your local mall. You can speed-walk with your stroller, take the stairs and get a little fresh air by parking at the far end of the lot and hustling between your car and the front doors.

The grocery store

Pick up the pace while you pull items off the shelves and, once your bags are full, use them as weights — bicep curls, front and side raises, or just hold them out at your sides for a good, simple core exercise.

The park

Play with your kids and your pets — tag and Frisbee always get the heart rate up. And rather than just sitting while you keep an eye on your little one, use your seat as a workout tool: step-ups, squats, mountain climbers and a number of other exercises can be done using your average park bench. (See our Mommy Workout in Mintutes for a great park bench move!)

Community events

Charity walks or, if you’re feeling really energetic, dragon boat races and 5K runs, are a great way to improve your own fitness while contributing to the health of those around you by raising money for a great cause, whether it be fighting breast cancer, AIDS or juvenile diabetes. Plus, you’ll be providing a positive message about helping others to your kids.

Illustration by Jackie Besteman