“THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU ABOUT EXERCISE IS TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE DOING AND DO IT.”

Marilu Henner

If you’re going to make a drastic change (such as join a gym, take up running etc.) you’ll want to visit your doctor.  But most of us could stand to use our common sense and just become more physically active.  When you were a kid it was called playing.  You don’t have to wait until you have a gym membership, buy a kayak, or lose 50 pounds. 

This is something you can incorporate in the next five minutes!  Take a walk.  Do some jumping jacks. Do some crunches.  Play tag with your kids. Play tag with your spouse.

Just get up. Get moving.  Break a sweat. 

NOW !

A healthy lifestyle can be simple AND affordable.  So should your gift giving.  This article suggests some great gifts for the health enthusiast on your list.   We aren’t endorsing all of these products ( two of them are food items so the responsibility falls on you to read labels and choose the healthiest versions of that type of product) but there are some great ideas for you to check out.

This list might spark ideas of your own so please visit us on the boards and share your thoughts.

One more item that isn’t on the list?  MEMBERSHIP AT MARILU.COM ! 

If you’re already a member we have a special offer for you.  Gift a new membership to a friend at the renewal rate. 

If you’re interested in membership for the first time contact us for special group rates.  You (and your friends) can join Marilu’s new class, beginning January 2nd, and get a strong start in the New Year !

Curious about classes here?  Beginning Monday we’re offering a free class on the message boards.  Join Marilu and Coach Jan for 5 days of keeping it simple and staying healthy through the hectic holiday season.

Saturday can take you out of your normal routine.  You might be driving to a friend’s house or a sporting event, fitting in extra chores around the house or catching up on paperwork left over from the work week.  You can still play it smart.  Find pockets of time and fill those pockets with healthy habits. 

- If you’re waiting for your kids in the school parking lot put down the book or the coffee, or whatever you use to pass the time, and get out of the car.  Take a walk on the track.  Marilu does this ALL THE TIME.  You don’t have to sit passively.  Get out and move.  You’ll also meet people and be a presence in your child’s world.

- Place some hand held weights in your office, near your television, and by your phone. 

- Resist the urge to delegate chores.  When the family is around it’s too easy to say “Take this to the mailbox for me” or have them run upstairs to find your reading glasses.  Make it a true “Do it yourself”. Get up from your chair and do it yourself.

- Involve others.  Suggest a walk after dinner if the weather is still mild in your area.  Instead of meeting for a lunch date, meet at a farmers market or a sporting event, someplace that will keep you on your feet.  Hiking with friends will not only save you the bar bill it can be very conducive to  cementing friendships when you’re being active together.

This list is meant as a jumping off point.  Visit us on the boards and add your own ideas.  Tell us what works for you in keeping up the momentum of your healthy lifestyle.

The Total Health Makeover recommends breaking a sweat for 10 minutes a day.  That’s ten minutes of sustained exercise.  If you spend an hour at the gym, or training for a race, or playing with your kids, that’s great !  Exercise should be fun!  But it doesn’t have to consume your day!  Don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t have time because you don’t have a lot of time.  Take a look at this list and see if you can’t carve out an extra 15 or 20 minutes in your day.

- Prioritize. Make a list of what needs to be accomplished and don’t stray from it for less important tasks.  (Put exercise on that list.)

- Log off.  We don’t want you to ignore Facebook completely and we really want you to check in here with us.  But we’re talking about the time suckers of “just one more cute panda video” before I push away from the desk.

- Be in the moment.  You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you give the task at hand your full attention. Just because you CAN multi task doesn’t mean you HAVE to.

- Eliminate clutter.  The time you spend looking for your shoes, your keys, that bill you meant to pay, can all be put to better use.  A few inexpensive containers, baskets, and post-its can buy you better health.

- Lay out your gear in advance. If you hate digging through your work out clothes in the morning have them prepared and waiting to step into.  This applies to your water bottle, outerwear and sneakers.  Even your towel and shower supplies for after your workout can be in place before you head to bed.  It all leads to a smoother ride in the morning.

- Shift your clock by 15 minutes.  You don’t have to get up a full hour earlier in order to exercise.  Try hitting the sack just 15 minutes earlier than usual and getting up 15 minutes earlier in the morning.  The feeling of not being pressed for time can contribute to carving out a little more time for a walk, some crunches or a bike ride.

We are fortunate to work with the very best coaches here at Marilu.com.  Not only do our coaches give of themselves in running classes, and providing our members and guests with ongoing support 365 days a year, but they walk the walk.  They’re able to impart valuable advice because they live with healthy intentions themselves. 

This past August Kathy and Amy, one of our fabulous mother/daughter coaching teams,  ran The Big Wild Life Half Marathon in Anchorage. 

Kathy has been running for 25 years, but this was Amy’s first big race so join us in congratulating her and encouraging her for their next big event;  The Disneyworld Marathon in Janurary 2012!

Kathy and her husband Jay divide their time between their home in Alaska and their beautiful B & B (Ho’oilo House) on Maui,  where Amy lives with her family.

While together on Maui Kathy and Amy run together, take yoga classes, golf and get out on their paddle boards. 

Here they are at the end of The Big Wild Life Marathon in August ! 

There are any number of articles out there about Fauja Singh who finished the Toronto Waterfront Marathon earlier this month.  Even though he finished last and came in six hours behind the winner Mr. Singh is the clear winner here, being healthy and active at 100 years of age.  More than that….we’re winners in this as well when he credits his healthy lifestyle, eating a plant based diet and exercising regularly. 

There are more extensive articles but we think you’ll enjoy this one succint piece, if for no other reason that the wonderful line, “He just enjoyed the run.”

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/10/100-year-old-

“AN EARLY MORNING WALK IS A BLESSING FOR THE WHOLE DAY”

Henry David Thoreau

Forgive the pun but at the “tail end” of the week it’s an appropriate time to share this article for tightening the lower body and building muscle.  These exercises are easy and take little time.  You can complete a set  while you catch up on the news, wait for your oatmeal to cook, or enjoy a little time before the rest of your household gets up.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/lower-body-workout-0

Now that we’re well into October it’s “marathon season”.  The Chicago marathon was earlier this month and New York is right around the corner.  It’s important to understand our needs for hydration and the science behind it.  Too much can be as harmful as too little. 

You might not be a marathon runner but with many people showing interest in running as part of their fitness regimen we’re certain this information, recently published in the New York Times, will be useful to many of our members. 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/how-much-to-drink-during-a-marathon/?ref=health

Everyone knows that a healthier you means a healthier sex life.  But did you know that mixing it up will work new muscle groups, move you closer to your fitness goals and keep your mind sharp in the process?  No one wants to fall into a rut in the gym OR the bedroom.  If you’ve never tried yoga as part of your workout you might want to read this article to see how a little “steam heat” can re-vamp your love life.  (I guess there’s something to that old line from Friends when Phoebe uses her most sultry voice to say “I’m very bendy.”)

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/yoga/have-good-sex