“What you talking about Nancy, it’s mid summer already, past the longest day and all and you’re talking getting into shape for Summer?” ” Well ya, ‘cause the best of summer is yet to come.”
So here goes:
1. Put your walking shoes on, slip into cool comfortable clothes, grab your ipod, the dog, friend or lover and hit the pavement, park, or walking trail and MOVE. 10 minutes is all you need to get cracking, work it up to 45 minutes to an hour over time! Once you’ve worked up to the hour and whenever you have no time, say to yourself - haven’t got the full hour today, but I can squeeze in ten minutes. Go back to the longer workout as soon as you can. If you and your body are up for it quicken the pace and jog or run for extra cardio benefit.
2. If it’s wet or too windy outside you can find a pair of indoor stairs can’t you. Walk the stairs. Problem knees?
3. No sweat, hop on the treadmill at the local gym. Can’t afford a membership? Offer the owners a skill you have that they might need.
4. Too hot outside? Find a cool pool and do enough laps to get you puffing.
5. Any recreational sport you can do with friends or family on a fine day all count as cardio building exercise, so grab a ball, a Frisbee, or those roller blades that are gathering dust in the attic and get out there.
6. Give the kids a run for their money on the monkey bars, the climbing wall, the rope ladder, have a push up contest with the teenagers while you’re waiting your turn and round it off with a three legged race for a bit of fun, conditioning your heart, lungs and muscles while you’re at it
7. Speaking of things gathering dust in the attic, what about those hand held weights, or the 10 tier dumbbell set from your girlfriend last Xmas that’s now become a substitute rag rack in the garage. Uncover it, start with lighter weights, yup not the ones you were lifting last winter when you put your back out, the light ones, much lighter. And start lifting. Remember not only will you gain more muscle, relax ladies you won’t end up looking like Arnold, you will gain shapely definition and although the scales may read heavier, since muscle weighs more than fat, you will get leaner and fit you clothes better, because muscle burns fat!
8. Dig your exercise ball out if you have one, if not, why not? And start strengthening that core musculature or abs and find the six pack hiding under the beer pack. Your back will thank you for it.
9. Relax your body and sharpen your mind with a bit of dawn or dusk Tai Chi in the park , go on grab your friends and take turns leading
10. Finally increase your balance, poise and flexibility with some good stretching sessions, alone or with a partner
For ideas on how to put together a super, cost and time effective routine incorporating all these concepts see our products on www.flexibilityplus.com
If you get on the move and in the groove you’ll be lookin and feelin great this summer and all year round!
Cheers,
Nancy
