Spring has arrived and our bodies are sending us signals that it’s time to get back into action! As we shed our clothing layers for the warming weather, we also want to shed those extra winter pounds that nature tells us we need to get through those chilly winter months. So how do you balance work, family, and getting back into shape?
Sprint Training
Many of us are inclined to start a jogging regimen when the weather warms back up. Before you dust off those running shoes, take this into account: Research has shown that sprint training has better calorie burning impact for that stubborn fat that plagues many of us. A slow jog or power walk combined with short bursts of sprints will give you the cardio punch needed to help boost your metabolism and shed those extra pounds faster. Low-intensity intervals mixed with high-action sprints will not only do your body good, but it also requires less time from your busy schedule! Sounds like a win-win to us!
Try Biking instead of Driving
Bike riding is not only good for you, it’s fun! For the errands you’re running close to home, why not try riding your bike instead of driving? And when it’s time to take the kids to school, try to get everyone moving 10 minutes earlier and ride your bike with them to school. Research shows that exercising before studying boosts concentration and may reduce ADHD symptoms for some of our kids. You’ll not only get a little extra exercise in before you start your day, but your kids’ education will also benefit from the attention boost!
Yoga
Namaste – just saying it makes you think of a calming yoga moment. As we age, we begin to experience muscle loss and our tendons begin to shrink. Yikes! Yoga is a great way to counter the effects of aging by improving our flexibility and building our strength. Regular yoga can improve our balance, tighten our core, and will help with your posture. And the focused breathing patterns have been shown to reduce stress levels and to slow the heart rate which can benefit people with high blood pressure or heart disease. For such a calming exercise, Yoga packs a lot of power for your health.
House Chores for Exercise?
We never seem to have enough time to get everything done. Laundry, yard work, mopping, scrubbing the shower, doing the dishes… As much as we’d rather be sitting in a café with a friend drinking a latte, the reality is that housework is always stacking up. But it can also help get your heart rate up and it can become a cardio workout! Turn up the volume and put on the dance music because cleaning can burn that fat just as well as walking and jogging. The key is getting your heart rate up to the optimal level and maintaining it for short periods of time. So when you’re scrubbing that shower, make a point of really digging into it for a few minutes so you get the exercise benefits. When you’re carrying the laundry basket up the stairs, try taking the steps in 2’s to get some extra stretches in and to build that muscle. Carpets looking a little dirty? Who says a vacuum can’t be a great dance partner? A little housework can go a long ways toward getting fit and burning off some extra calories. Make it fun and your body will learn to love it! If being outside poses some challenges in the spring time, our Seasonal Nasal Support may help!