Lawyer in Motion: My Road to Marathon Fitness

I didn’t have time for a full workout today, so I did pliés and calf raises while my coffee brewed. That’s the magic of exercise snacks: tiny bursts of movement that fit into real life. As I work toward losing 10 pounds and rebuilding my running rhythm, these bite-sized workouts have become my secret weapon. They are quick, doable, and surprisingly energizing.

If you have not heard the term before, exercise snacks are short bursts of movement (usually 1 to 10 minutes) that you sprinkle throughout your day. Think: a brisk walk around the block, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or a quick plank before logging into Zoom. The Cleveland Clinic has a great article with more suggestions. For me, exercise snacks have become a surprisingly fun part of my path to lose 10 pounds.

Why I’m Snacking on Movement

I used to think fitness had to be all-or-nothing: a full workout or nothing at all. But life doesn’t always leave room for 45-minute runs or hour-long yoga sessions. These small movement breaks help me:

• Stay energized during long workdays
• Reduce stress and stiffness
• Feel more connected to my body
• Build momentum toward bigger goals

My Favorite Exercise Snacks This Week

• Stair Intervals: 2 minutes up and down between grading papers
• Wall Sit Challenge: 60 seconds while watching TV
• Walking Lunges: From the kitchen to the laundry room
• Dance Breaks: One song, full volume, no apologies
• Stretch & Breathe: 5 minutes of gentle movement before bed

If you are short on time, low on motivation, or just need a reset, try a snack.

Photo Credit: Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.