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Exercising is one of those things that we all know we need to do, and yet find it so hard to be consistent. I have found something that works for me and my lifestyle, and it’s important that you find something that works for you too. 😉
There are all sorts of ideas to having regular exercise, depending on the weather and time of year:
*Taking brisk walks
*A fitness class
*Walking instead of driving if possible
*Instead of spending 20 minutes trying to find a parking space right by a store entrance, how about parking as far out as possible for some exercise? 🙂
*Working in the garden, raking leaves
*Swimming is great in the summer
*Do brisk housework everyday 🙂
*Ride a bike
*If you work, take steps instead of an elevator
A few things that I have found for my lifestyle to keep me on a regular, healthy exercise routine is:
1. Exercise videos
I have found that as a busy homeschooling mom, doing workouts in my living room are a way that I can consistently get good exercise. I workout 3 days a week for 20-30 minutes. I prefer to do my videos in the mornings before my shower. With some videos, you may not be comfortable doing the workout with children around. You can purchase a good work out video for only $5 and some change.
2. A rebounder
A rebounder is the same as a mini trampoline. My goal is to jump at least 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Bouncing on a rebounder stresses every cell of the body approximately 100 times a minute. Every cell is strengthened by this stress, which helps them become firm and strong and stimulates healthy cell growth. Jumping just 10 minutes a day does your body very good.
Other specific benefits of a rebounder are:
*Get oxygen circulating through every cell in your body.
*Fights fatigue
*Strengthens and nourishes the heart
*Improves circulation
*Reduces blood pressure
*Lowers cholesterol
*Boosts red blood cells
*Circulates lymph fluids which acts as an internal vacuum cleaner
*Stimulates metabolism
and according to Urban Rebounding.com, a rebounder –
“STOPS PREMATURE AGING:
rebounding can actually reverse, prevent, or diminish the hardening of the arteries. By conquering the ultimate pathology, you will keep your mind alert, skin smooth, skeleton flexible, libido intact, kidneys functioning, blood circulation, liver detoxifying, enzyme systems alive, hold memory intact, and avoid all systems of the aging process.”
I love fitness! I always think I want to get into distance running, but my body has other thoughts! Instead, I use the treadmill and my exercise videos. My kids got a trampoline for Christmas, though. I never really considered going out there regularly to get some exercise!
Okay, you nailed me on this one, Jill! Much to my sister’s chagrin, I am horrible at keeping up with an exercise routine. I FEEL SO GREAT when I exercise, but, for the life of me, I can’t stick with it!!
Thanks for the reminder to keep working on this “goal”!!
Kasey – as long as its a mini trampoline, you would greatly benefit from it! 🙂
Kristy – It is hard to stick with it, I know!!!
If you have Netflix, the instant streaming option has some great workout vids on it.
This is what I use when I exercise.
Great tip, Holly! Thanks!
Okay, why a mini-trampoline? They got a full-sized one from grandparents and somehow I am afraid you are gonna tell it is a bad thing! 🙂
Kasey – you can use a large trampoline for exercise, but for me it is harder on my joints and can bring on a headache. 🙂 With a mini-trampoline, the jumps are not high and seem to do more for overall good health, but if you only have a large one – I would take advantage of it. 🙂
We used to have a rebounder when I was a kid. We had it for help memorizing things in school. There was a study done (somewhere) that while jumping on the rebounder you could retain more. I remember jumping on it while learning my times tables and monthly scripture portions. The rebounder doesn’t take up a whole lot of space if I remember right. Would love it if I had one now…even to exercise! 🙂
How interesting, Niki!!!
I’ll have to give it a try and see. I have only jumped on it a few times. Mostly I just watch the kids do their “tricks”! 🙂