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Can you jump as high as a kangaroo?
Kangaroos have been known to jump as far as 40', requiring a lot of leg muscle! Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and your arms straight at your sides - how far you can jump. Now, swing your arms as your jump and see what a difference it makes when you put your whole body into it! Do a few jumps everyday and see if you can increase the distance of your jumps.
Feel like all you do is stand in line?
Well, take advantage of this time to work on your balance. Balance on one leg by bending your knee and holding your ankle for five seconds, then switch to the other leg. Now try it on tip-toes! |
Ever thought of your muscles as rubber bands?
Well, in some ways they're quite similar. If you flex, stretch and relax your muscles frequently, they respond when you need them to…like when you need to jump up or reach high for something. But like a rubber band that's been left stretched in one position too long or not used for a long time, your muscles stiffen and won't work right. Every muscle gets stronger with age as long as it gets exercised…so, stretch it out. Anytime you can, give one or more parts of your body a good stretch. Like when you're sitting, arch your back and hold it for 10 seconds or raise both your legs and alternate between flexing and pointing your toes. When you stand up, take a second to stand as straight as you can, pulling yourself up to the sky.
Settling into a sedentary lifestyle?
Have you settled into a sedentary lifestyle because you haven't found an activity that stimulates you? Keep trying…there's a lot to choose from out there. Look into recreational activities offered by local park districts. Try a team sport or a group activity like soccer or aerobics. If you prefer to go "solo" why not take a dance class or learn to swim, take a martial arts class…find something you like and keep at it!
Fun Family Time
Looking to add more activity to your family life? Set aside 30 minutes every day doing a different family fun activity. You don't have 30 minutes to set aside? That's okay, just set aside three 10 minute blocks or two 15 minute blocks. You could go for a bike ride; play table tennis; play catch; toss a frisbee; take the dog for a walk; compete in races (3 legged race, wheel barrow race, crab walk, etc.); dance to each family member's favorite song; go to a park for "free time." Have everyone write their favorite activity on a slip of paper and put all the slips in a big jar then select an activity everyday to enjoy together.
Twice as nice
Here's a thought that will please nearly every Mom…combine family activity day with household chores. Include the entire family in washing windows, vacuuming, washing and waxing the family automobiles, gardening chores, etc. There's nothing like killing two birds with one stone!
TV Timeout
The next time your family is watching TV and a commercial break comes on, standup and announce, "Follow the leader!" Then spend the entire break time dancing in a conga line or marching, skipping, hopping, crawling, crab walking, chicken dancing, etc. around the house. Each time you play, the second person in line becomes the leader for the next commercial break. |
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