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The month of June has some really interesting obscure holidays. Yesterday was Go Skate Day as well as International Yoga Day. Tomorrow is Swim a Lap Day! Since yesterday was also the true beginning of summer, which means nothing in Phoenix because we have been in the middle of ridiculously high temperatures for quite some time now, I know which of those 3 activities is my favorite way to exercise, and that is swimming! I think that even when the temperatures aren't so high, I prefer swimming to any other form of exercise, except it would have to be in a heated pool. For Friday Faves today my question is,
What is your favorite form of exercise?
If I am being completely honest, one other exercise that I enjoy is taking walks with my husband. We used to go walking a couple of miles together each morning. We would go to a park and walk briskly and talk about everything under the sun. When it was hot out, we would walk inside a mall. But, his work schedule changed and our walks now come few and far between. We are hoping to get back to them soon. Swimming and walking are such good cardio and all muscle type exercises that are low impact on your joints. I think the best exercise would be to take a walk, get hot and sweaty and then jump into the pool for a swim! Ideal!
Of course, when you go swimming with grandkids, you don't get as much exercise, but it sure is fun!
Swimming was a favorite of almost all of us. Another favorite was hiking. I guess that the difference between hiking and walking may be that in hiking the terrain might be more rugged and there may be more sight seeing involved. I don't mind hiking, as long as there isn't too much climbing! Hiking is a great thing to do as a family because kids have so much fun out in nature and it is an inexpensive way to spend time as a family while doing something really healthy!
Bicycling was another popular choice! And, it is another great thing to do together as a family!
Looks like a 4th of July Parade on cruisers! Look at this cute one I found on Amazon! It is an over-boxed item, so it is a really good price!
Of course, there are times when exercising outdoors just won't work. Maddy likes going to the gym and using the elliptical machine. Stationary bikes and treadmills are also viable options. To me, driving to the gym is just a little more time out of my day. I like doing things that I can do at home. If you have a place for a home gym, then an elliptical machine could have a place there. Do you belong to a gym? Do you feel like it is worth the price? Are you good about going often?
Because of social media, there are opportunities to have trainers to help and encourage us in our exercise and health endeavors! We happen to know someone who does just that! Her name is Ashton, (or Coach Lyddy), and she is a Fitness Coach! She is so motivational and has so much perseverance that you can't help be impressed with her. If you struggle, she is empathetic to your story because she has gone through her own struggles. If you click this link, you can find out more about what she offers and how she can help you! Coach Lyddy will typically answer your messages within a day. She is on Instagram all of the time giving pep talks and tips about loving ourselves and not being too hard on ourselves when we fail, but encouraging us to get up and go again! You should follow her! (Sometimes her language can be a little rough, but I love her anyway,) Trainers like Ashton are out there to help us be able to get control of exercise regimens right in the comfort of our own homes and to educate us in nutrition and good health habits. This is one of the benefits of social media that we can take advantage of to help ourselves be fit.
Believe it or not, I have had some success using our Wii to help me exercise! If you have the original version of the Wii, the Wii Fit program is a good way to get moving. There are yoga, cardio and strengthening exercises included, and the way they are presented makes exercising more fun. Plus it keeps track of your weight and improvement. I lost the game disc to mine and had to buy a used one to replace it. It was only a few dollars. It is much less expensive to go to a place like GameStop for it than to order it on Amazon. You will also need the Balance Board. There is also a program like it for the Wii U, which you can probably also get at GameStop. But, here they are on Amazon in case you can't find them there.
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Another way we get moving with the Wii, is to play Just Dance! That game really gets your heart pumping and it is fun to get the entire family involved in it! One year at Christmas, Alicia and her husband, Adrian, gave our family Just Dance for Christmas. We had so much fun all together that year dancing like maniacs! I don't feel guilty about having kids on an electronic game when it gets them up and moving! I hear a new version is coming out soon! It is available for Xbox and for the New Nintendo Switch.
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Since Summer is here and school is out, how do you fit in your exercise and get your kids involved in it? One thing I have learned is it is good to get them started young! Lindsey already has her 5 month old in swimming lessons, and she loves it! That is so important since Lindsey has a pool. She has found a place where she can take her to lessons all year round so that Emily won't forget what she learns. I love that LIndsey is taking these steps to keep her daughter safe and to help her be active. What are your tips and ideas? Is anyone out there a runner?
On a final note, have you heard about our newest endeavor? We have started a podcast called Cover to Reel! Don't miss our first episode about Jurassic Park. The new movie opens today!
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