How’d the stairs treat ya… better yet, how did you treat the stairs? Hopefully it got your heart rate up and your legs a little wobbly. More than anything, I would love to know that it kick started the fitness wheel for you and now it’s rolling!
This week I’m introducing one of my favorite tricks to sneak in a few extra moments that burns calories and maintains strength. Like any other activity, it only works if you do it!
I used pop-cycle sticks, you can find these in the art section of any store that has an art section. Note: I don’t suggest going to the freezer aisle and buying a jumbo pack of fudge-cycles to eat and save the sticks, it made me sick.
Feel free to change the number amount of each movement to better suit your fitness level.
There’s 2 ways I find this little dandy works best for me.
1. On a day off around the house or while you’re getting ready for work, set a timer for every 30 (or 15 or 45) minutes. Every time it sounds, grab a stick or 3 and have at it! This dilutes the overwhelming task and doesn’t consume your entire morning or evening.
2. Set a timer for 30 minutes (or 15 or an hour) and plow through as many sticks as you can!
Another idea (that I rarely do but love it when I do) is to partner up! Find a friend and take turns pulling sticks. A bit more entertaining when you’re either wishing for an easy one or watching your partner endure a hard one!
Write this down and prop it up next to your stick jar!
-“everyone works out when they want to, determined people do it even when they don’t want to“!
Last week we practiced portion control by being more aware of the nutrition facts and quantity suggested per serving. Continuing on that track, this week start by looking at the ingredients. If there are more than 6 ingredients or anything you can’t pronounce (properly) then don’t even waste your time with the serving size… just put it back and find something else.
Let’s try keeping our food intake as close to its natural state as possible. If you’re in a hurry and starving at a gas station, reach for the bag of nuts or fruit verses the yogurt covered pretzels, “baked” chips or trail mix. Sure those options sound healthier than a Butterfinger, but look at the ingredients, it can be so deceiving!
This weeks homework:
1. Create your collection of sticks with a variety of workouts and use them!
2. Read the ingredients before looking at the nutrition facts. Less is more!
Wrapping up our lifestyle changes so far:
1. Use the stairs every chance you get!
2. Stick to the single serving amount or less.
3. Play with pop-cycle sticks and actually use them!
4. Consume products that are closest to their original state!
Have you taken your original starting picture? I hope so because next week we take another one!
I’ll have to admit this past week has been a struggle for me with family in town and a thousand mile road trip to see more family! Here’s a sneak preview of the love Shanti has been surrounded with! Next post, family adventures!
Her Happy Trails 