| I think the longest I ever had a gym | | | | warned, this is not a job for the faint |
| membership was for 6 months, and that was | | | | hearted. You will need to make sure that you |
| only because I did the aerobics classes, I | | | | have fuelled up plenty before tackling |
| never actually did any weights! | | | | this job! |
| | | | |
| So, you don't like going to the gym, but you | | | | 5. Play with your dog - this is great |
| want to exercise, but what do you do? What | | | | exercise. Aside from taking the dog for |
| can you do that will give you the same, | | | | a walk, you can run around your backyard |
| consistent results you get from the gym? | | | | chasing the dog, the dog will take a long |
| Great question and one I asked myself when I | | | | time to tire, so a fantastic workout and |
| stopped going to the gym! | | | | some good quality time spent with your |
| | | | favorite pet! You could also take your |
| Here is a list of the top 7 things you can do | | | | dog down to the local park for some |
| to exercise that doesn't involve putting on | | | | games of "fetch" or take the dog hiking... |
| tight clothing and strutting your stuff in | | | | there are so many things you can do with |
| front of everyone else! | | | | your dog and not only will you be |
| | | | increasing your fitness, but you will also be |
| | | | keeping your dog fit and healthy, |
| | | | ensuring he/she lives a long time! |
| 1. Enroll in a dance class - any sort of | | | | |
| dancing will get the blood pumping and your | | | | 6. Pilate's - there are some fantastic |
| heart racing. Plus, you get to meet | | | | videos and DVD's on Pilate's and I would |
| new people! This is my top exercise | | | | recommend Marie Windsor's videos, they are |
| choice, I dance competitively as well, so on | | | | fantastic. Pilate's is excellent if you have |
| top of "social" dancing, and I also | | | | any condition that stops you from doing |
| train 3-4 times a week. It is a great way to | | | | cardio exercises as the majority of |
| keep fit and lots of fun. Check your local | | | | Pilate's is completed lying on your back! |
| newspaper for upcoming classes. | | | | Using your "powerhouse" you build up your |
| | | | resistance and use your muscles to move |
| 2. Walking - this one is often | | | | parts of your body in a series of moves. You |
| overlooked. You pretty much walk | | | | can do this for just 20 minutes a day |
| somewhere everyday, why not make a more | | | | 4-5 times a week and notice some fantastic |
| concerted effort and get your arms | | | | results within 2-3 weeks. I do this |
| pumping. I try to walk at least twice a | | | | twice a week just to keep my tummy |
| week in between my dancing just so I can get | | | | muscles nice and strong, which I need for my |
| outside and enjoy the sun! If you | | | | dancing also. |
| can walk at least 4-5km's 3-4 times a week, | | | | |
| you will feel much better for it, and | | | | 7. Use an exercise ball - this is great, |
| best of all, it's free! You can wear | | | | especially if you sit at a computer all |
| whatever clothing you like, take your ipod | | | | day. Try replacing your normal chair |
| with you or walk with a friend, either | | | | with the exercise ball and you will find that |
| way, walking is right up there on my list! | | | | by the end of the day, your muscles will |
| | | | be aching from keeping yourself balanced on |
| 3. Mow the lawn - this is not my | | | | the ball while working! What a great |
| favorite exercise to do, but I know that | | | | way to multi-task! Aside from this, you |
| there are lots of people that get a | | | | can use the exercise ball at home and do |
| great sense of satisfaction from mowing the | | | | various exercises like sit ups, push ups |
| lawns and what you may not know is that | | | | and squats to name a few. These are |
| when you are pushing the lawn mower, you are | | | | also pretty cheap and most come with an |
| giving your biceps and triceps a great | | | | instructional video for use at home. |
| work out, plus all the walking you do | | | | So, there you have it, my top 7 non-gym |
| burns up those calories. Obviously, if | | | | exercises that you can do. The majority of |
| you have a ride-on mower, you are defeating | | | | which are free! So, no more excuses. There |
| the purpose, but if you use a hand held | | | | are so many more things you can do, but these |
| mower, you are well on your way to | | | | are the ones that I find I consistently stick |
| improving your muscles and cardio fitness. | | | | with and see results from. |
| | | | |
| 4. Shovel snow - great one for cardio | | | | Possibly another one that could be put in |
| and for your biceps and triceps and also a | | | | with walking is running... but that is pretty |
| great way to keep warm! Look at these | | | | hard on your knees and I prefer to preserve |
| figures: Loading a shovel with 16 pounds | | | | my body then injure it, but if you want to |
| of snow, 12 times per minute, converts | | | | see fast results, running is definitely right |
| to lifting almost 2,000 pounds in a 10 minute | | | | up there, just make sure you invest in some |
| period. Do you think that you might just | | | | very good shoes! |
| feel the burn doing this?! Most | | | | |
| definitely! It is also a great workout | | | | Happy exercising! |
| for your back, buttocks and thighs. But be | | | | |