Free Exercise - Living Room

Here's a quick idea my 9 year old came up with. When folding the laundry, take it out to the living room. Sit in a straddle position and place a pile of laundry at each foot. Reach to a pile and grab something to fold. After it's folded, stretch out in front of you and place it on the floor. You will be stretching and folding at the same time. I think it feels great. Today, I kept my legs in front of me and placed a pile at my toes. I am happy to say I can still touch my toes. :) If you can't reach your feet, then place the laundry where you can reach it. Baby steps, right? :) Although, it should be a little tough in the beginning because your muscles will limber up shortly. Again, I love it when I get two things done at the same time!

Exercise Room of the Week: Living/TV Room

So, I have this desire to get in shape without joining a gym, and by just having fun with my kids. I feel like I should be able to exercise throughout my day. This is why I started the exercise room of the week. So far, we've done only the laundry room and the bathroom. I guess it's more like the exercise of the month or quarter. :)

Anyway, I was reminded this weekend of how easy it is to exercise with the Wii. I don't mean Wii fit, just the regular old Wii. I am sad to say that after one game of boxing and one game of bowling with my little guy, my entire backside is hurting. Yep, from the back of my thighs up to my buttocks, the back of my arms and my shoulders. One game of each...really? Holy cow, I may be thin, but I am NOT in shape. I should say, when I box, I box. Watch out! Don't get in front of me for goodness sakes! And, when I bowl, I alternate legs and go into a full lunge, making sure my knees don't go past my ankles of course.

So, if you have a Wii, play it with your kids! But, you have to really play it. No just moving your wrists around. Really, there is no excuse. I hate that I don't do this on a regular basis. There have been some days when I just can't get them to play with me, so I must improve my approach. But now that I am already hurting, I have no intention of letting it be in vain. Here's to fun with the kids and the Wii while building some muscle! I love a multi-task like this. :)

Exercise Room of the Week - Bathroom

This is my favorite place to exercise because it is so easy! If I don't have time to do this exercise, it is a sign that I need to get things more together. Here it is:

Calf Raises While Brushing Your Teeth
It's simple, while you are brushing your teeth, just raise yourself up onto the balls of your feet over and over. You should be able to accomplish 80 each time you brush your teeth. I feel it all the way up the back of my legs. Try it with your toes pointed in and pointed out. I was told this works different muscles.
When your done, why not throw in a few push-ups using the counter top? I haven't been doing that, but I think I will add that to my morning routine!

Exercising around the house: Laundry Room

I don't know about you, but I have no desire to go to a gym. I am busy enough during the day, and don't need more time away from my kids. However, I do need to exercise! So, what's a mom to do? I am finding ways to exercise all over the house. Each week I'll try to spotlight a room and the exercises that can be done there.

Room of the week: Laundry Room

I bet you didn't know that the laundry room is a great place to do squats! How do you empty the clothes out of your drier? I spread my legs apart and squat down to get those clothes out! I try to do it quickly and just pile them all on top of my drier in order to keep those muscles working. About 20 squats and I'm feeling it! Remember to keep your knees lined up with your ankles, and not your toes, and start shaping up those legs!