So, ladies, it’s that time of year again, the time of year when I eat a little more dinner than I should and then unbutton my jeans and lay on the couch like a slug. Granted, I’m a very happy slug. Still, at some point I know I have to get up and exercise.
The thing is, though, I’m really not a jogger. It’s early, it’s cold, and I have bad knees. So, I’ve given it a lot of thought and come up with some exercises for those of you who are like me. Go ahead, choose which exercise is right for you!
1) Power Walking
Power walking is fantastic! It is less than jogging, but it’s more than walking. Basically, power walking is walking very, very fast. When you power walk you’re getting your cardio and exercising all of your muscles, building your core as well.
Power walking takes a lot of practice. It looks easy enough, but to be honest, it takes a lot out of you the first few times you do it, so don’t get discouraged. Keep your head held high, chin up, take short strides and hold in your tummy. This is a great exercise for those who want to be outdoors, but aren’t runners.
2) Bike Riding
I used to be a biker. I would ride all over town on my bike, enjoying the sun and speed. To be honest, I think bike riding is one of the most underrated of all the exercises. All you need is a bike.
In fact, you don’t even need a bike, really. If you’re not an outdoors kind of person, then you can easily get an exercise bike to put in your living room and ride as you watch TV. This is a perfect plan, to be honest. Most people put the bike in their room, or somewhere in their basement to avoid watching television when exercising.
Personally, I think watching TV when exercising would actually help me. I’m obviously not going anywhere if a Modern Family marathon is on, so it would be much more beneficial for me to ride the exercise bike instead of delve into the chips. Plus, Television shows make great timers.
3) Pilates
I’ll be honest, I’m not a Pilates kind of girl. Pilates is a very controlled kind of exercise and I’m a chaotic type of person.
However, that being said, I can tell you that I very much appreciate Pilates. This is one tough form of workout! you have to be aware of your movements at all times, you have to concentrate and be precise. Pilates is intense, but it’s also healthy for your body and mind.
4) Yoga
Yoga is one of the most relaxing exercises around. I have given Yoga a try, and I can say that afterwards I always felt at peace and less stressed. Yoga is meant to exercise your mind and connect your mind and body on a higher level of consciousness.
Did I mention how relaxing it is? The movements are slow and precise and as a beginner, you aren’t expected to do anything you aren’t able to do. In other words, Yoga is a great exercise if you’re prone to giving up on exercising. After all, how can you argue with a tradition that’s been around since about 500 B.C.?
5) Kickboxing
Sometimes, you really just need to kick something. That’s where this exercise comes in. Kickboxing is the best way to build your leg muscles and your abdomen while relieving stress. Now, people will tell you that all exercise relieves stress, but that’s not really true. There are some exercises that stress me out.
For example, I can’t swim.
Kickboxing, however, makes me happy. When I’ve had a bad day, or I’m feeling a bit more tense than usual, this is the exercise I go to. Go on, give it a try the next time you need a tension release. This is the best to beat stress.
6) Skating
Skating is another great way to build up those legs. The best thing about skating is there are a few different forms of it!
If you’re new to skating, the first thing I recommend is roller skates. Get a pair of classic skates with four wheels and the little rubber tip on the toes for stopping. These are the easiest to stop in and they are better for learning balance.
If you’re good on basic skates, try roller blading. Roller blades are sleeker, faster, and the break is on the heel, so they require more coordination. They still give you the same workout in your legs, but you’ll feel the burn after you’ve been roller blading for a while.
If it’s winter and you can’t skate, then try ice-skating. It’s actually easier than it looks. The great thing about ice-skating is that even though you might be freezing, and nervous, you’re going to have a good time. I’ve fallen on the ice a few times, but it never gets old.
7) Zumba
Dancing is one of the absolute best ways to exercise that you can choose. Any kind of dancve is going to be good for you (muscle toning, cardio, the works!), but Zumba is the dance of all dances when it comes to giving your heart a jump start.
Zumba is intense Latin dancing and exercise all kind of jumbled into one. It requires you to be awake (unlike the bike), be very active, and have coordination. I am no good at this exercise, but it’s a lot of fun to try at home by myself with Youtube videos!
When it comes to exercise, we all have different levels. My level is more sedate. What is your favorite exercise, and how intense is it?
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