Disease Proof

No time to join a gym. Don’t fret, there’s plenty of ways to exercise at home. Madeline Vann of HealthDay News offers up a list. Here are a few points:

• Check with your doctor to find out if you are able to start a new fitness routine and schedule a visit with a physical trainer to get a baseline measure of your strength, flexibility and endurance.
• Buy the correct equipment to meet the goals you set once you know what your baseline health and fitness levels are. Buy hand weights to build tone and strength. On the other hand, a treadmill will help with heart health and endurance, said Colleen Greene, wellness coordinator with MFit, the University of Michigan Health System's health promotion division.
• Creative use of household items may cut costs. A can of soup can be used as a weight for repetition. Certain fitness programs focus on using your own body to provide resistance.
• Get outside. Many outdoor activities, from cross-country skiing to playing with children, are great ways to increase physical activity.
• Get support from friends and family. According to Greene, it is helpful to have a friend to work out with -- and just as welcome to have a family member who is willing to watch the baby or wash the dishes while you take a walk.

Growing up, my mom used to do aerobics while holding cans of corn, at the time I just figured she was a nut, turns out she was cutting edge—who knew?