The lazy person's guide to losing weight

Lazy? Who me? Sure, we'd all like to think we have as much get-up-and-go as Superman, but the reality is that with the work, family, study and social demands these days, no-one would blame you if you wanted to veg for a while, or even take a nap! The ironic thing, though, is that exercise actually boosts your energy and serotonin levels, which in turn brighten your mood and make you an all round better person. So the trick to a slimmer and nicer you is to fit a little fitness into your life when you can. That way you can still have your cat nap, but you'll have done your exercise as well. Ready to get started? Here's how.
Get motivated
A lazy person's worst enemy is themselves. We all know what it's like to place going for a run a distant second to sitting on the couch and indulging in some television time. So how can you inject a little helium into that will power of yours and get your body into gear?

Experts agree that the number one motivational trick is to have clear goals. When's the last time you set off in your car without a destination in mind? Probably never. So don't start a fitness regime without knowing where you want to end up. Online trainer Dean Piazza suggests writing down your goals, telling friends and tracking your progress in a diary to make you more accountable. Reward yourself after you achieve each goal and make sure your goals are realistic, so you'll actually get there and feel good about yourself.

On days when even getting started seems like an effort, there's still something you can do to jumpstart your enthusiasm. Take your workout five minutes at a time. Start a treadmill run or weights workout and aim to stick with it for only five minutes. At the end of that period, give yourself a tick on a notepad and then do another five minutes. By taking on a little bit at a time the workout won't look so daunting and momentum will carry you through.

Making fitness fun will also boost your motivation. Try these sneaky tricks:


Workout while watching TV: use hand weights, stretch, or do sit-ups during your favourite shows. Also, get off the couch to change the channel or volume.
Get a pet dog: having to take your new pooch for daily walks is the perfect reason to pull on your sneakers.
Join a fitness club or team: group exercises or sports teams are not only great for motivation but also for meeting new people.
Involve loved ones: go for a walk with friends, take your kids to the park for some running games, go rollerblading with your partner, or take a dance class with your sister.
Be smart: use your life to your advantage by walking to work instead of taking the bus and by planning active outings, like trips to the zoo. You won't have to change much about your current routine and you'll still see results.
Stick to super-easy workouts
The good news for the lazier ones amongst us is that you don't have to set out for a marathon 60-minute jog every day to lose weight. Just 10-20 minutes of exercise three times a week should do it. Try these easy activities:


Running (try tackling a hill)
Walking (hit the stairs)
Skipping
Boxing
Jumping jacks
Lunges and squats
Sit-ups and push-ups
Swimming
Bike riding
Utilise your workday
Where do most of us spend the majority of our time? Either sleeping or at work, right? Well, it's a bit hard to burn calories when you're dozing, so that leaves us with squeezing some sneaky fitness into our nine-to-five grind. And how do we achieve that? By being creative. Any movement is better than none, so add short bouts of exercise throughout your day and you'll notice a difference in your energy levels, concentration, mood, skin and weight!

Try these handy hints:


Get up and talk to a co-worker in person rather than by e-mail or phone.
Sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair. This will strengthen your abs and back and help your posture.
Use the bathroom on another floor and take the stairs.
Stretch every hour and remember to take deep breaths.
Find a cafe you like at least two blocks from your office so you have to walk to lunch and back every day.
Get a headset for your phone so you can move around while you talk.
If you have your own office, keep a few dumbbells in your desk drawer so you can fit in a quick upper body workout while you're on the phone.
Start today
The hardest part of any fitness regime is getting started, but once you do you'll feel so much better for it. Just because you enjoy your down time doesn't mean you're lazy, so don't feel guilty for hanging around on the couch for a while. Just fit a little fitness into your life when you can and reap the rewards!