Do the little things add up?

[PaddleBoardingMomma]

Asking for some opinions from exercise lovers / buffs, dieting veterans!

Do you think that say, doing 20 squats whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, or holding a plank for 30 seconds before you go and grab the post, little things like that daily... do they make any difference do we think?

I'm really pushed for time most days, manage to get open water swimming once a week and walk 3 miles a day doing the school run, but that's about it. Just trying to think of ways to add some exercise into the day but not really sure if it makes any difference at all!

Yes, I think they do BUT not so as you'd notice if you see what I mean. You have to have some serious belief that they are worth doing because any progress will be so slow that you run the risk of giving it up as a bad job before you ever notice any benefits. I'd recommend you measure improvements (e.g. plank or wall sit to failure) maybe once a week and keep a note so you can see over time if you can hold for longer.

For weight loss... nope, for fitness, balance etc... I would think so. My doc says to work on my core as I get older, fewer falls etc, so it would definitely help that.

Not for weight loss but maybe for strength.
I lost all my weight by tracking on My Fitness Pal, when unable to exercise at all, and was sitting around fat and miserable post op.
‘Abs are made in the kitchen…..you can’t outrun a bad diet etc etc.’

All wonderful points well made! I'd like to lose a couple of stone but my focus has gone health and feeling fitter, I suppose the extra squats can't hurt!

The small little acts of losing weight , let's see :

• Every bite counts when it comes to calories.
• Those extra steps to the shops to buy milk, nope.
• Cleaning your pantry, one crap food at the time, and binning it , yep

You won't lose two stones by doing extra squats whilst the kettle boils.

If you are building up gradually to extra squats etc then yes

On their own I think it would be negligible

You have to do a lot of exercise very regularly to have an impact on your weight - so, I'm sorry, but the things you're talking about will have no effect.

They will, however, help towards your general fitness and wellbeing, so definitely carry on doing them!

I think they can make a difference depending on what your goals are. If your aim is muscle/tone then I'd recommend push-ups, tricep dips or lunges. If you're just aiming to get your heart rate up then mountain climbers/burpees/jumping jacks are good. Skipping is v time efficient cardio also.

The OP wants to lose "a couple of stones" .
The only movement that will make a difference is the hand moving towards the mouth, not the bending of the knees. Reduce the former instead on focusing on the latter.

Jesus lol, no need to be shitty! I've cut calories massively, I'm being treated for an underlying condition I didn't know I had, I open water swim, I walk miles a day, I'm running around after two kids! My question simply about the benefit of working in little ways to add a set of squats or lunges or lifts throughout the day and if anyone else did it, if they think it helps in any way.

But thanks for taking the time to reply, I guess?

I do 10 squats every time I go to the loo.

it’s definitely helped my mobility and strength at the gym.

I wasn't being shitty, but factual. You asked for opinion on the usefulness of small movements. Sorry if it wasn't the answer you wanted. Didn't mean to offend or hurt you.
You didn't mention diet or calories.

TBF @PaddleBoardingMomma you asked if it would make a difference.

Sadly the reality is that, no it won't - unless you change your diet as well if you're wanting to lose a couple of stones.