Yesterday I discussed how many calories could be burned by common outdoor chores. Today I wanted to look into how many calories one burns doing common housework. No one has to tell me that housework burns calories. I feel the burn carrying laundry baskets from my upstairs to my basement and back up again. Sometimes the only thing that gets me through it is thinking of the calories I am burning. In fact, many household duties turned into calorie burning exercises make it more manageable. I am never sure how many calories I am burning but it feels like a … Continue reading →

You may not have time to get to the gym every day. You may not be insane enough to try Insanity. You have a busy schedule and cannot even think of adding in one more thing. Yet, there are still ways you can burn calories during your everyday life. Life can be active and we can find ways to stay moving even if there is not a treadmill under our feet. Consider the following ways we burn calories doing every day things. Shoveling snow: Get your workout at 400-600 calories burned per hour. At this rate you may want to … Continue reading →

What is Pilates? Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, Pilates is a physical fitness routine that focuses on the mind controlling the muscles. Joseph Pilates believed the mind and body were connected and developed a system he believed would strengthen both. The routine is designed to improve flexibility, endurance, and strengthen the core. Pilates is adaptable to any physical level through modifications of the exercise movements. The modifications help prevent injury for those on different physical levels. Pilates is a popular method of exercise with many claiming they feel stronger, leaner and more graceful in their movements. … Continue reading →

When I was growing up my family used to go on bike rides together. It was always so much fun to ride even around the neighborhood on a summer evening. Such fond memories cannot be kept hidden away but shared and relived with the next generation. So, I have brought the fun and hopefully future memories to cherish to my family. With a family of children with such vast age differences finding a family activity can be a challenge. However, bicycling is one activity we all can enjoy despite age differences. I have discovered a way to make this family … Continue reading →

You should always consult a doctor before beginning any physical exercise program, especially while pregnant. Pregnancy is not the time to start a new intense physical activity. However, staying in shape and including some exercise can help you feel your best which is important during the hard days of pregnancy. You may decrease your feelings of fatigue, back pain, or stress. You may be able to decrease your chance of gestational diabetes and improve your labor and delivery. If you never worked out before pregnancy you will benefit from stretching, walking and low impact swimming but do not start anything … Continue reading →

We all want a toned bottom. To get there we need to work that bottom even when it hurts. Here are three exercises to add into your routine today. Plie How to do it: Stand with your feet just slightly wider than shoulder-width and your toes pointing out. Bring your arms out straight in front of you and lower into a squat. Come back up and repeat. Do not let your knees go past your toes yet go as low as you can. Tuck your tailbone under and contract your glutes. (It is important to tuck your tailbone so make … Continue reading →

Here are three exercises that really work the legs. Start off slowly if you are new to working out. Keep it up and soon you will have the legs you dream of! Lateral Raises Outer thighs: When you begin have your weight on your left food and point out your right foot at an angle. Holding onto a chair to balance yourself slowly raise and lower your right leg out to the side. The height you lift your leg is not as important as lifting it in good form. If you cannot lift it high, do not worry the exercise … Continue reading →

Continuing with doing arm exercises I will introduce pullovers and alternative hammers. Remember to start out at a weight that is comfortable for you. Starting out with five pound weights is recommended. Pullovers As if you are holding hammers, grab two weights about five pounds each. You will lie on the floor with your knees up toward the ceiling to protect your lower back. Bring the weights together toward the ceiling, and then bring them back, over your head, to the floor above your head. Next, pull them down over your body so your weights are separated, and on each … Continue reading →

No one wants flabby arms. Sadly flabby arms are a reality and often you get flabby arms before you realize it if you stop working out. My arms have always been my weakest feature but I have tried harder to improve their look and strength. Below are my favorite arm exercises. Hydraulics I love this exercise! You can really feel you muscles working. First, grab two five pound weights in each hand. Then, lie down with your back flat on the floor and your knees up in a v-shape. This will protect your back. It is very important to keep … Continue reading →

A strong core will increase energy, improve our posture, increases your balance and reduces your risk of injury. As I have mentioned, you can work your core daily but three to five times a week is sufficient. Below are three basic core exercises which require a medicine or exercise ball. Medicine balls and exercise balls can be easy to store and keep at your home. Take it slow and build up as you gain strength and stability. Let me know how you are doing! Medicine Ball Crunches Starting Position Hold a medicine ball (or dumbbell) and lie flat on your … Continue reading →