One thing I’ve been thinking about this week is how important it is to take care of yourself. It can be a daunting task, but it is so important to both current and long-term health (mentally and physically). Some of us love to exercise, but some of us dread it. For me, it depends on my mood, but I know what it feels like to be on both sides. I’m not a big fan of the elliptical or the gym, but I do enjoy quite a few other ways to be active. Here are a few exercise ideas that you can easily do at home or around the neighborhood.
1. Run around your neighborhood.
If you are a beginner, it’s best to start small. Try running one mile, then two, and so on and so forth. Don’t expect to run a marathon in one day. That’s crazy! A great way to keep track of your pace, mileage and such is the Nike Running App. It’s $2 on the App Store and I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth over the years. Running around the neighborhood is also great because it allows you to see some pretty sights too.
2. Pin exercise challenges on Pinterest and actually do them!
This is a great way to work on your abs, legs, arms, and other things. There are countless exercise routines people have created; so let’s not let them go to waste. The picture above is an ab workout I’ve been using for years and if done consistently, it produces great results!
3. Relax and do some yoga.
According to an article from the New York Times (http://time.com/4185626/yoga-exercise-workout/), yoga is really good for your heart and your mental health. However, it does not burn many calories and thus should not be a replacement for other activities. It is very relaxing though; I love to do yoga right before bed.
4. Use exercise videos!
OK, I’ll be the first to admit that these videos can be really cheesy or even annoying, but if you do them correctly, they work! I personally am a fan of Taebo (which can be found on Youtube) because of Billy Blanks -- he is an excellent leader. But videos like T5 or P90X are really great workouts too.
5. Mow the lawn.
According to Livestrong.com (http://www.livestrong.com/article/313383-how-many-...), mowing the lawn burns anywhere from 114 calories (for a 125 lb. person) to 141 calories (for a 175 lb. person). Using a manual mower rather than a power mower is more effective too. It may not be the most fun chore, but at least you’d be killing two birds with one stone. The lawn will look much nicer too!
6. Do some deep cleaning!
According to Livestrong.com, you can burn calories while cleaning the house too. The exact number of calories you will burn depends on a few factors though. The harder the chore is and the longer you do it, the more calories you burn. For instance, mopping will burn more calories than washing the dishes. Those with more weight will burn more calories as well. To get into the specifics, check out this article (http://www.livestrong.com/article/314390-how-many-...).
7. Make or buy some weights and do weight training at home.
8. Grab a bike and ride around town.
Not all of us have bikes, but if you do, take advantage of it! You can ride to class or work and get exercise at the same time. Again, the number of calories you can burn by riding the bicycle varies on a number of factors, like speed, duration, and weight. However, at a slow speed of 10 mph, a 150 lb. person can burn 90 calories in 20 minutes. For more details, read this article (http://www.livestrong.com/article/320784-how-many-...).
9. Run stairs at a nearby stadium.
10. Walk to the nearest park and run around the track.
11. Walk around the neighborhood on a consistent basis.
Hopefully, this article is a helpful resource and an encouragement. We come in different shapes and sizes, but there are many ways to be active. Good luck with your endeavors and enjoy your exercise!
