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Keeping fit is definitely part of the KEWL lifestyle. Check back soon for our Fitness Tips which will keep everyone chasing YOU! For now, here's one that was in the mag... |
Two Good Deeds in One!
Do you like to walk in nature? (The correct answer is "Yes"!) Even if you live in the city, there are usually some parks you can walk in, or lakes, rivers or oceans you can walk along the edge of. How about a nieghborhood tree you can stare at and hug?
Getting out and getting moving as we move towards spring is really important! Not only is it good for your body, but your mind will improve too! Movement gets you breathing, and breathing brings oxygen to the blood, the muscles get the blood moving around, and pretty soon you've got lot's of oxygen going to your brain, and Viola! You feel refreshed and smarter! And who doesn't feel like they've let the pressure out of a cola can once they've had a good trek outside after a day of being cooped up at school or at home?
So find your favorite place for a good long walk, and add this: a big trash bag and rubber gloves... and maybe one of those trash picker uppper things if you can find one! You guessed it! Now, you can clean up your favorite outdoor area, and make it an even better place to hang out in!
It's best to take a grown-up along on these kinds of expeditions, as they can decide what you should not attempt to touch, and what's fine to pick up and trash with rubber gloves on!
Gotta love nature!
Opposing Muscle Workouts
Did you just spend a whole bunch of time doing sit-ups, or calf-raises, or push ups, and now you’re wondering how come your body hurts so much?!? Exercising isn’t something that can be done once a week, or once a month, but should be a habit that you keep up with at least three or four times a week! Keeping moving will keep those “new movement” muscle aches down to a minimum… but there are other things you can do to keep your body more balanced as well! Exercise your opposing muscle groups!
Did you just spend most of an afternoon playing tennis on your friends Wii? And now you’re wondering why your arm, shoulder, and maybe even neck, back and waist hurt? You’ve got ‘repetitive motion strain’! Doing the same movement over and over again, without taking the time to stretch or to balance your body by working the opposite side! Getting the idea now?
Think of every part of your body as having a top and a bottom, or a back and a front if you like. Let’s take your lower leg for an example. The front is the shin, and you flex the muscles there by raising the top of your foot towards it. The back would be your calf, and you flex the muscles there by pointing your toe down in the opposite direction. Two sets of muscles, two opposite movements. So if you do a lot of calf-raises (like in ballet), you’ll want to try and work the front of the leg too, to even things out. You’ll also want to stretch the calf muscles, but did you know that by working the opposing muscle, your body automatically triggers a relaxation of the first muscle? It’s true! It’s like a safety mechanism in our bodies so we don’t tear an opposing muscle just because we’re working the other one! Back to the lower leg: when you flex your calf muscle (point your toe), the muscles on your shin have to stretch, or they’d break, so the body takes care of it with an automatic nerve impulse. Pretty kewl, huh?
So, if you’re feeling sore, don’t just stretch the muscles that are hurting, but also find a way to work the opposing muscles to balance things out! It may take a little brain work, and actually trying out the moves, but you’ll figure it out soon enough!
And just remember, for real injuries, there’s nothing that replaces a doctor and a physical therapist to put you on the right path back to health!
Replacement Foods
Just because you want to eat healthier, doesn’t mean you have to starve to death! And it doesn’t even mean you’ll never have something tasty to eat ever again either! Relax! And learn to substitute healthier, calorie lighter options for the ones you’re currently binging on! It will require some shopping, and that you prepare the foods yourself instead of just eating whenever and wherever you like! Hey! There’s something that made you read this article, and I’m betting it’s a sneaking feeling that you could be eating better than you are!
So here are some indulgence replacement tips to get you off the bad stuff and into better eating habits! So enjoy!
- Ice cream
Try some low-fat vanilla yogurt mixed with fat-free Cool Whip for some sweet and creamy fun!
- Cookies
Low calorie, high protein granola bars
- Pizza
A whole grain pita covered in spicy marinara sauce and low-fat mozzarella – just toast it in your toaster oven, and you’re back in the pizza business!
4. Chips
A large handful (not two) of salted mixed nuts should take care of those salt cravings – and you get some healthy fats and protein in the mix as well!
5. Pasta
Use whole wheat pasta, add fresh tomatoes, some spices, and some feta cheese! Makin’ me hungry!
6. Chocolate
If you gotta, then go with dark chocolate! It should be at least 60% cocoa, and then you’ve got some heart healthy food! It’s pretty intense, so approach the bar with caution!
Now see if there are any other ideas you can come up with at home to replace your ‘less than perfect’ food choices with ones that are healthy! One step on the way to a happier you!
