Walk it out on a Wednesday

Walking is healthy way to exercise and is great for those who don't enjoy running or are not in the condition to run. There are many benefits to walking such as, it helps maintain weight, keeps blood pressure level down, reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers stress levels. A person of any age can walk and the chance of injury is quite lower than running since it's not as intense. You can always speed up to burn more calories.


Pedometer: Clip it to your pants and it will count the number of steps you take. It detects the motion of hips.


Ways to increase your daily steps:
Take a walk with your spouse, child, friend, or family member
Walk the dog
Use the stairs instead of the elevator
Park farther from the store, better yet, walk to the store
Get up to change the channel
Walk to your co-workers desk
Walk over to visit a neighbor
Go outside to walk around the garden or do a little weeding
Go on a mild hike
Walk on the treadmill

MAP MY RUN!!!

http://www.mapmyrun.com/create_new

It may be called "Map my run" but hey there's nothing wrong with mapping a walk or jog as well. Before heading out, map where you are going and find out how many miles it is. Keeping track of how long your exercise is will not only make you feel you accomplished something and are sucessful but it may motivate you to continue as well. It brings some fun into your exercise.

You don't need to make an account. I never do.

Summer Activity!

Hiking is a good way to get your exercise in for the day and you can bring your kids or dog along too! Get out there and explore what's around you. Hiking trails range from easy to difficult. So for those of you that don't consider yourself an outdoor kind of person, you can choose a shorter hike. You can purchase a local trail guide book and read how many miles, the approximate time it takes to hike, and what scenery you will see. Below is also a website that list hikes through out the U.S.

GET YOUR HIKE ON!

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/hik_guid.htm

p.s. Remember to bring a buddy for safety.

Get up and get going!

We have been told over and over to exercise regularly yet a small percentage of adults in America listen to this advise. Is it simply because we are too lazy, busy, or don't understand the importance? If you are too busy...set a certain time for every day! You will concentrate better at work, if you're in school, your study time will be worth while and if you're a parent you'll be happier towards your children. Many think they must have a gym membership to exercise, which is simply not true. There are many creative and fun ways to exercise! If you find a form of exercise that you enjoy, you are more likely to stick with it Always remember the "moderation rule". Almost everything in your life should be in moderation. Too much exercise, T.V. , food at one meal, ect. is not a healthy lifestyle. Stay healthy and you'll be happy!

IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE:
1. Helps prevent diseases
2. Strong metabolism = strong immune system
3. Regulates amount of insulin(Fat-making hormone) realeased into the bloodstream
4. Help control sleep apnea, moodiness, stress, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, ect.
5. Improves Stamina
6. Develops muscles, bones, and ligaments
7. Posture is improved
8. Weight control
9. Stretching improves flexibility- circulates lubricants in the joints
10. You feel happier overall

FRUGAL IDEAS FOR EXERCISE:
1. Walking
2. Running
3. Heavy cans for weights
4. Swimming in free public pools
5. Do stair steps in the house
6. Deep clean the house
7. Yard work (mow the lawn, pull weeds)
8. Wash your car by hand
9. Play sports outside with friends or your kids
10. Jump rope
11. Turn up the tunes and dance in the family room
12. Chair dips, push-ups, crunches, lunges, squats

GET UP AND GET GOING!!

A short but great article:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002