The Mediterranean Exercise Plan is simply a way of living. It's all about leading an active lifestyle which means they burn more calories during the day. It's very similar to their diet plan of snacking and eating more throughout the day. Exercise is very similar. Find ways to incorporate more activity into your daily lifestyle. Now, we absolutely recommend cardiovascular activities like running, biking, walking and any machine based activities for 30 minutes sessions 4-5 times a week. However, it's pretty ironic to pound out the time on the treadmill and then drive around for 10 minutes trying to find the absolute closest parking spot to the store. Below, please find ways to increase activity simply buy making small changes to your lifestyle:

 

ALWAYS EXERCISING
Easy Parking - there's no reason to park close to the store, work (unless it's raining or incredibly hot). Go ahead and park in the back row. It'll reduce the stress of finding a parking spot and give you a little bit of activity
Dance Night - If you're going out at night, spend more time dancing and less time drinking and eating. Dancing is a very common exercise activity. If you like dancing, it's a great night out.
Take the stairs - Stairs are great exercise. If you have the opportunity to walk a few flights of stairs rather than taking the elevator or escalator, do it!
Playing w/ the Kids - Children have an incredible about of energy. Hang out with them, throw the ball, play a little tag or hide-n-seek, you'll burn some extra calories.
Alternative Transportation - Get a bicycle. If it's not a formal occasion, ride it when it's reasonable. Riding your bicycle to the gym or the park is a perfect way to burn a few extra calories.
Family Walks - Get outside and walk after dinner. Make a point to stop and smell the roses along the way.
Little Workouts - many people have the idea that a workout has to be a long grueling ordeal. Drop and do some push-ups, sit-ups or pull-ups when you wake-up or before hopping in the shower.
Don't pass up the pull-up Bar - Install one on the way to the garage or on the way into the bathroom. Do a flexed arm hang or a few pull-ups on your way by
Furniture Exchange - Replace the lazy boy with an exercise bike. Use it while your watching the big game or favorite show, shower at half or take advantage of that DVR so you can hop in the shower and rinse off
Mow the lawn with a push mower - Yes, it takes longer but you're getting in some exercise while you're doing it!
Ab Crunches while sitting - flex those abs several times until they are tired while watching TV, sitting at work or even driving. It's like mini crunches. It doesn't replace a full ab workout but it's just a little more activity
Lunge your way - why walk when you can get in a few lunges on the way to get dressed, cook dinner, take a shower. Lunges burn more calories than walking!
Walk the Golf Course - Yes, this is how the game is supposed to be played anyway!
Walk and Talk - If you have a job where your on the phone all of the time, get a headset and do some pacing while you're talking. With the advance of cell phones, take headset and a Sunday stroll when you call home.
Helpful Equipment - their are ab belts, under the desk "cycles" and other equipment options that help you get that blood circulating
Small Weights - tuck away some light weights by the couch, do some curls, triceps extensions, shoulder raises or presses before you sit down

 

The concept is a little bit opposite of what we've worked hard to achieve over the centuries. We've worked hard to make things easier and making things easier is great for efficiency and production. However, the concept behind the "Mediterranean exercise method" is to take the hard road especially when it's the same amount of time. How many times have you wasted 10-15 minutes waiting for a close parking spot. How many times have you waited for an elevator to go to the second floor. The point here is to take the harder road but get in a little exercise. You'll be a happier and healthier person. Many of the above techniques reduce stress, save money, promote green living and improve quality of life in more ways than one. Just think about little changes, less stress and healthier lifestyle. Please share your ideas with us!