Walking is the easiest, cheapest exercise there is – and you can do it anytime, anywhere (almost). There’s almost no excuse not to walk.
We had a member who was physically challenged, and walking for her was very difficult. Rosemary wears leg braces and uses crutches. But she was determined to improve her health, so she started out walking to the end of her driveway and back for her exercise. She worked up to walking to the end of the block and back. She also used a mini-trampoline, and started going to the gym to lift weights. Rosemary became a recognized role model at her gym, because she was dedicated to her workout. She made great gains in her health and fitness with exercise and following Marilu’s Total Health Makeover® eating plan. You can, too.
Be sure to do both cardio (movement that gets your heart rate up) and strength (weights & resistance) training every week. You can do them on alternate days or do some of both every day.
And if you need some walking music, here’s a song to try * Walk by the Foo Fighters. Get up and DO IT.
You’re the only one who can make your dreams come true. It’s easy – and sometimes even fun – to put that responsibility on someone (or something) else, but you know in your heart that it’s up to you.
So whatever your dreams, take action to make them happen.
Do something today to make your dream a reality. If your dream is a hot bod, then get up from your computer and commit to some exercise. If your dream is a long life, then make choices to improve your health, no matter your age. If your dream is a smaller dress size, then check your portion sizes and take the stairs. We know it’s not always that simple, but you have to start somewhere.
While you think about your plan for today, get up and dance to this classic Hall & Oates song. We chose it because Marilu heard them in concert last night at the Hollywood Bowl – and it was played at a wedding we attended this weekend.
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
You’re gonna leave ‘em fallin’ down-own-own
Never sell yourself short. YOU are as beautiful and special and breathtaking and awe-inspiring as a firework. Take a few minutes today to think about or write about all the good you bring to the world.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
This version of the song Firework is performed by the college a capella groups Ithacapella and Premium Blend. Buy the song here to benefit The Trevor Project.
Turn off this song
Find someone to love
Turn off this song
You can listen to it later
Go outside
It’s not often we run across lyrics that say exactly what we’d like to say.
Don’t put off exercise.
Don’t put off going outside and enjoying the day.
Don’t put off spending time with people you love.
However you spend your day, you have a break at some point. Take a walk, even if it’s around the parking lot or the block. Invite a friend to dinner on your porch or patio or deck, or on a blanket in your yard or on your balcony or at a nearby park.
While you’re outside, be sure to raise your heartrate with some movement. You’ll go back to whatever you were doing refreshed and energized.
This may never start.
We could fall apart.
And I’d be your memory.
Lost your sense of fear.
Feelings insincere.
Can I be your memory?
It’s the weekend – get up and dust!
What? Are we the only ones who use music to get us through the weekend’s chores? Music provides the motivation and inspiration to keep moving, whether it’s during your walk or run, or during the dusting and laundry.
And this song might make you think about the memories you’re creating today, this week, this month.
You wanna make a memory? You wanna steal a piece of time?
Not every memory is about love, but maybe the ones that stick with us (if we don’t have Marilu’s memory) are the ones that include the people we love. Who is part of your memories? Who do you want to make memories with?
Move while you listen, mkay? Up out of your chair! You can walk in place while you think about your memories.
Something about summertime gives us happy feet. As in, dancing feet, not penguin feet.
Get moving outside today.
If that means walking to the bus or subway station with purpose and good posture, then do that. In fact, try walking to the next stop for a little extra exercise.
If that means taking laps around your office parking lot at noon, then do that. Pack your sneakers and a pair of good socks.
If that means putting your kids in a wagon or on their bikes or in a stroller and walking around the neighborhood, then do that.
If that means rollerblading or skateboarding or bicycling in your neighborhood (with or without kids), then do that.
If that means gardening and weeding and yardwork, then do that.
If that means basketball or jump rope or tag (with or without kids), then do that.
If that means a long walk with your dog after dinner, then do that.
If that means dancing under the stars with your sweetie, then do that.
This song expresses the urgency we all face to unite together as a planet and offers us wisdom with the words, “War, children, it’s just a shot away… Love, sister, it’s just a kiss away”. It really is that simple. We dedicate this song to all the lost, homeless and forgotten people in this world. It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.
The school calendar, which rules so much of our lives, is suspended. Even if no one in your house is in school, you probably feel the effects of no school in all kinds of other areas.
People come out of hibernation – neighborhoods come alive with socialization and activity. Walking paths and beaches are busy.
All those evening-only activities crowd into the daytime… and more hours of daylight means there’s more daytime for those activities.
Sit down with your family and plan your summer. Figure out what you want your summer to be about – is it all rest & relaxation? Or do you have goals for a garden? For learning something new? For connecting with friends and neighbors? Plan the vacations, and the ball games and performances, and the weddings and graduations, and the holidays. And then plan your daily exercise. Plan your play time. Plan your parties.
It’s been raining for what seems like ever, hasn’t it? It’s making us feel lazy on this particular day. Here’s a song for being lazy – not that we advocate it as a regular habit. Enjoy the humor, then get going and do something – anything – to get your day started.
Oh, and since we’ve mentioned rain – you can text REDCROSS to 90999 and $10 will be added to your phone bill and donated to the Red Cross for disaster relief efforts throughout the USA. If you want to target your giving go here to donate. (We’re glad to report that member Dana and her family in Joplin are all fine.) Consider making a monthly donation to your local Red Cross chapter, too. Or donate blood. Or become a disaster volunteer.
