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Be a Fit Family! | Take Your Fitness on the Road | Jump for Your Health


Be a Fit Family:

Long before you ever sit down and talk to your child about the importance of being active, he or she will have already picked up many of the messages from just watching you. So make sure they're positive messages!

One of the easiest ways to do this is to make family time active time! Need some ideas to get your family moving in a fun way? The experts at the National Association for Sport and Physical Education suggest the following:

1. Walk to visit friends or family whenever possible. The same goes for shopping and dining out!

2. Try something new! Let your kids teach you to dance to "their" music, or take a fitness class as a family.

3. Plant a family garden, with each member taking care of a different section.

4. Visit a u-pick farm and enjoy getting in touch with the food you eat!

5. Plan a family "treasure hunt" that takes a route through the yard or park.

6. Enter a family-friendly walk, bike-a-thon, or other event. Help others and yourself!

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Take Your Fitness on the Road:

Just when you've found a comfortable at-home exercise routine, duty (or pleasure) requires you to hit the road. Whether you travel for a living, or you're just worried that an upcoming vacation will dismantle your exercise schedule, take heart. These tips for working out while on the road, can help keep you on track and in shape.

Know Your Itinerary

Road Warrior: If you travel frequently (for days or weeks at a time), then a travel "workout itinerary" is essential. Without it you won't get the benefits of a true fitness program. To create an on-the-road routine, you need:

1. To schedule a regular time for exercise.
2. Knowledge of the facilities at your destination.
3. A checklist of equipment to carry with you.

Day Tripper: For the occasional traveler it may not be worth the time and effort to schedule an out-of-town workout. For instance, if you will be on the road extremely early, in meetings all day, have a dinner meeting, get to bed late, and then travel home early the next day, you hardly have a chance to develop a regular routine. For you it's essential to evaluate each trip and use your time wisely. The factors you need to consider:

1. Are there opportunities to work out?
2. Can you fit in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
3. Is it more efficient...

Michael Scholtz is certified by the American Council on Exercise and National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is a regular contributor to Celebrity Fit Club. Copyright Rodale 2007.

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Looking for a change of pace? Why not add these hopping good exercise moves to your routine this week? They're not only aerobic � they also pack plenty of calorie-burning punch! Remember to start slowly, working up to a 15-minute set.


Jump for your Health:

  • Jumping rope: Minute per minute, this grade-school standby burns more energy than any aerobic activity other than running! You'll burn 200 calories in just 15 minutes. Start by slowly swinging the rope to your side to get into the rhythm, and then jump in with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. There you go!
  • Mini-Trampoline: This compact piece of home gym equipment packs a powerful punch. You'll burn 75 calories in just 15 minutes of bouncing. You can also use the trampoline to jog in place during those rainy days!
  • Jumping Jacks: This gym-class classic burns 150 calories in 15 minutes flat! Start in a 45-degree stance, jump to the center with feet together, and then jump back out to 45 degrees. Snappy!

-Courtesy of Denise Austin's Morning Stretch morningstretch@deniseaustin.com

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