There’s a certain elegance to the foxtrot and the waltz, and there’s nothing sexier than a good tango!
Besides the social benefits, ballroom dancing is a great workout. Just look at the contestants on Dancing With The Stars – they all get more fit and more lean through the season. You may want to take lessons first. It’s a fun way to reconnect with your partner (just think – dinner and dance lessons every week!), as well as get some exercise.
Besides, when you go out, you get to dress up! And when you get home, you get the extra payoff from that tango!
Don’t overthink your exercise and fitness routine.
Just Do It.(thanks, Nike)
If you stop and think about it, you will find 10,000 reasons for NOT doing it. There’s always something that needs to be cleaned, or a project you haven’t finished, or a kid who needs your attention. It will still be there for you to clean or finish or attend to when you’re done exercising.
Don’t think about it – just start, and 30 minutes later, you can get back to the rest of your life.
No matter how small your living space is, you need an area solely for exercise.
Your exercise space doesn’t need to be large. It can be the space you need for a yoga mat next to, or at the end of, your bed. It can be the space in front of your television, where you have a few square yards to follow a fitness video. It can be in front of your couch, because your hand weights are stored nicely under your couch.
A sudden urge to exercise will be long gone by the time you clear enough space in which to break a sweat. So keep a little floor space clear! Keep your equipment ready to go!
The problem is that clutter is very crafty and eventually infiltrates everywhere, especially your personal gym space. There are millions of Stairmasters and treadmills out there buried under piles of clothing and old books. Put your clothes away, and find a shelf for your books.
Take pride, put things aside, and never let clutter inside.
Most of the US has experienced lots of winter weather so far this season. Extra cold in the south, extreme cold in the north, snow where it’s not normal, and lots of snow over and over again where it’s not unusual, just… a lot. But fitness is not just for nice days.
Foul weather is no excuse for not working out. Use the weather to help you mix up your routine. Walk on a treadmill, take a spin on a stationary bike, jog on a mini-trampoline, jump rope, do some basic calisthenics, or drive to your local mall for an indoor power-walk! The most important thing is to find an indoor option – or two or three – that you enjoy.
When the weather clears and the season changes, you want to emerge fit and fabulous, not flabby! Keep it up no matter what the weather report says. Become your best!
Hips – not usually our favorite body part, and yet they are so very necessary to standing and to moving well. And you know we like to move-it, move-it here at Marilu.com.
There are three main muscle groups in your hips, and they each have their own job to keep you upright and moving.
Gluteals * The gluteals, or buttocks, are located on the back of the hips. This is the largest and strongest muscle set in the body, and its function is hip extension, or driving the upper legs backward. There are layers of gluteal muscles, and it’s important to build the deeper muscles as well as the ones that make your jeans look good. Activities that require this muscle group include walking, running, jumping, and climbing.
Adductors * The adductors are the muscles located throughout the inner thigh and are used during hip adduction, which means bringing your legs together. You want to make sure you lengthen as well as strengthen the adductors.
Iliopsoas * The iliopsoas, or hip flexors, is a collective term for the primary muscles on the front of your hips. The main function of the iliopsoas is hip flexion, which means bringing your knees to your chest. The iliopsoas is sometimes considered to belong to the abdominal muscle group.
In the next few days, plan a big family outing – one that involves a lot of movement. Promote it as a big event, invite the whole extended family, and make it an annual holiday tradition.
Try…
Ice skating
Skiing
Sledding
Hockey
Swimming
Basketball
Roller skating
Tennis
Note * Indoors or outdoors is your choice. Just make sure it’s something active.
Warm up before exercising. Marching in place for a couple of minutes works fine.
Have a set time of day to exercise that fits into your schedule. Try early morning, but if late night or after work is better for you, then stick with what works.
Incorporate weight training into your exercise regimen.
Get an exercise partner. Accountability leads to success.
Do something you like to do.
Vary your exercise routine. You really do like more than one kind of exercise.
Stay hydrated. Sip water before, during, and after you exercise.
Wear proper exercise attire. That includes the right bra, shoes, and socks.
Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.
Walk whenever possible. Park in a far corner of the parking lot. Take the stairs.
Alright, it’s time for some Christmas music that you can move to. This song is pretty well known because it’s part of a popular Christmas movie.
Get up, dance around, and take a break from the stress of getting it all done in the next few days.Exercise is a stress reliever. If nothing else, you’ll at least get your blood circulating up to your brain again, and you’ll be able to think a little more clearly about what you need to do next.
