Some ideas to try:
Jump Rope
Simple, all you need is a jump rope, maybe some fun music, and a pair of sneakers.
Jump Rope Routine:
- 2 minutes of single step jumps (warm up)
- 2 minutes of single hop jumps
- 1 minute of slalom jumps
- 1 minute of jumping jack jumps
- 2 minutes of figure eights jumps
Repeat Steps 2 to 5 (4 to 6 times): start slow – repeats steps 1 time and gradually increase every week until you get to 6 times.
- 2 minutes of single step jumps (cool down)
Musical Tag
Play some fun music, put stickers or tape pieces of colorful strips of paper on your body. The goal is to pull off as many stickers/strips off the other kids while the music plays.
Musical Mats
Place mats/towels outside all over the yard. Play some fun music, run around the yard, when the music stops run to a mat and stand on it.
Obstacle Course
Use rocks, sticks, cones, balls, chairs anything that you can use to create a fun course for the whole family. Challenge the family – winner gets to pick the radio station in the car next week, choose the family movie that weekend, get a day off chores, etc.
Hopscotch
Make the Ultimate Hop Scotch board outside. Space the boxes apart and in different shapes, see how creative you can be. Number the boxes up to the number 20 or 30.
Example:
DANCE!!!
It’s a reat form of cardiovascular exercise. If you’re watching American Idol or So You Can Think You Can Dance, get up and dance along with your favorites. Make a CD of music that motivates you, the songs that when you hear them you can’t help but sing along and bounce in your seat and just DANCE! Have fun.
The 5 Rules of Exercise
Commit to taking care of yourself by exercising and being healthy.
Schedule time in your day for exercise. It should not be part of your “To Do” list.
Make it fun! Be Creative!
Use the 5-minute Rule. The hardest part of starting an exercise program and putting on your sneakers and starting. Tell yourself that you will put your sneakers on and do the activity for at least 5 minutes – most times you will continue and feel great afterwards.
Give yourself a day off. I know, I know, everyone says you should exercise everyday, but when starting a new lifestyle gradually work yourself into it. This also helps prevent burn out.
