Exercise snacking

I’m a big fan of exercise snacking.

It’s easy to see exercise as a big thing – something we need to commit precious hours to. And of course for some goals you do need to put the hours in. But it’s also easy to fall into the trap of starting too big, and setting ourselves unrealistic goals that we can’t stick to.

Making small changes can be really powerful. An exercise snack is a bit of movement so small that you can squeeze it into the cracks of an overcrowded day – you barely notice it, but it all adds up!

It’s not just about convenience. Short, intense bursts of activity provide the best stimulus for bone growth. Doing a minute worth of hopping in different directions (or whatever exercise is right for your level) provides varied stimulus for your bones. And if you do that every time you make a hot drink, you’ve sent your bones a really clear message that they need to get strong. Make that a habit you’re laying a really solid foundation for lasting change.

Attaching a new habit to something you do is very powerful, particularly if this is time which might otherwise not be particularly productive. I have started doing my shoulder rehab exercises while I brush my teeth. Other people like to use the time to practice balancing on one foot. I had a spot where I used to wait for my son coming home from school, with a handy flat-topped rock perfect for a bit of jumping.

Another way to remind yourself is to keep a bit of small equipment in a space where you’ll see it – perhaps a resistance band, or a backpack of books that you can use to make squats a bit more challenging.

Making a small change that you stick to is better than buying a gym membership you’ll only use for a month.

Where could you fit in a little exercise snack?