Here are some suggestions to shake up your fitness resolves and keep the pounds off:
1. Shake it out, every single morning. After you get out of bed (and you may have to set the alarm for five minutes earlier if necessary) stretch. Stand tall and slowly reach for the ceiling as if you can really touch it. Hold that for a count of five, release and allow your shoulders to relax. Wiggle your shoulders, your arms, middle and legs. Pretend you’re a wet dog and shake all over. Repeat five times. For overachievers: Go for a half hour walk or use that treadmill or exercise bike. Think of morning exercise like putting money in the bank. You’ve boosted your metabolism for the whole first half of the day.
2. Walk it off at lunch. Lunch time can be used for overeating and selecting fatty foods or it can turn you into a lean and clean healthy machine. Do this: Walk for half of your lunch hour. To do so, you’ll need to be a smart time manager in order to get back to work on time, but in three weeks, while your slacks or suits are loose, you’ll be kicking up your heels with joy. Can’t get out of the building? No problem. Walk around inside, up and down flights of stairs, or do a few laps around the parking structure. Or if you’re based at home drive to the mall and walk or walk around your neighborhood. Obviously you’ll want to wear shoes appropriate for walking, but if you cannot, choose shoes that are flat and support your foot.
3. Trim it off in the evening. As fall and winter arrive it’s tempting to come home, turn on the TV, zap dinner in the microwave and shut down your mind and metabolism. Rather, take this precious time to activate. Change clothes, jump on your treadmill, walk around the block, cycle or use a workout video. Whatever you do after work, spend a minimum of thirty minutes doing it. No, this will not burn oodles of calories, but it will give you more energy to get through dinner, helping the kids with homework and putting time in to complete your own evening chores.
4. Take it off with a moisturizing home spa-style facial and beauty treatment. Indulge even if you have kids and family demands with spa-style complexion program including moisturizers for your hands and feet. As a mother and now a grandmother, I have always been a working mom, and the time I’ve taken to refresh my complexion, hair and nails had made me happier. Try this and see if you really do feel better when you spend even five precious minutes on yourself.
5. Blow it out of the water to energize your weekend. During the weekend spent one hour each day of the weekend to an activity that increases your heartbeat, makes you perspire and lets you become a bit breathless. Get the family involved, especially if others are concerned about good health. One mom coaches soccer and another has joined a basketball team. Even if the kids are involved in karate or piano lessons making your fitness time seemingly less available, you can get creative, but mall walking as you’re waiting.
6. Check out the pluses of a family membership at your fitness center or the "Y." Look into sports classes at the community college. Plan a family cycling trip or hiking. Seek out active vacations or sports camps for you and the family. Go away for a spa vacation, such as at the Oaks at Ojai where you can get information on getting and staying in better health and participate in exercise classes.
7. Feed your body. If you do not make wise food choices as you’re using this busy exercise system, you WILL NOT lose weight. But don’t diet. Simply reduce the amount of fat, processed snack foods and sugary treats in your diet. Switch to water rather than soda. Eat fruit instead of cookies. Choose lean meat and chicken rather than fried foods.
Shake up your ideas of health and fitness. Use these tips to motivate you and your family to stay fit for life.
Copyright 2007 Sheila Cluff All Rihts Reserved
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Sheila Cluff, fitness expert, television celebrity and owner of The Oaks at Ojai, is the author of” Take 5: How You Can Benefit from Just Five Minutes of Daily Exercise” and “The Ultimate Recipe for Fitness” by Sheila and Eleanor Brown. Visit Sheila’s Spa on the Internet and see all that’s happening at the resort: The Oaks at Ojai www.oaksspa.com.
