FUN EXERCISE ACTIVITIES... part 2

DANCING:

Like with ball games there are many different types of dancing all of which are a great source of fun and exercise. If you're not good at dancing then you can take classes. I've outlined a few types of dancing below.

JAZZ DANCE:

To excel in jazz dance, the dancer must excel in ballet because it consists of slower movements that strengthen the body and improve balance. Jazz dancers' strong, sharp movements can be assisted by ballet techniques.

MODERN DANCE:

Modern dance is not as popular as other dance styles. It is usually identified as a style of theatrical dance seen in the period between the 1970s and 1980s.

BALLET DANCE:

Ballet is a very specific academic dance technique taught in specialist ballet schools. Unlike some of the other forms of dance ballet is fully choreographed.

HIP HOP DANCE:

Hip hop refers to street dance styles that are danced to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of hip hop culture. Break dance is a popular form of hip hop dance.

SALSA DANCE:

Salsa dance has roots in the Caribbean, Latin America and Northern America and there is a strong African influence in both the music and the dance.

TANGO DANCE:

Tango originated in Argentina and Uruguay. Music and elements of tango are popular in activities related to dancing such as figure skating, synchronized swimming etc, because of its dramatic feeling.

JUMP ON A TRAMPOLINE:

To make it safe, make sure you get a net around the trampoline. If you are doing it with more than one person make sure you are being careful and do not land on each other.

PLAY CROCHET:

This outdoor family game will get you up and moving around. To make it more difficult, you can make the game field bigger than normal or increase the amount of time you play.

WALK:

Walking is a great exercise because it gives you some alone time to think, to exercise or to listen to music. Alternatively, you can walk with a friend, date or partner and get some quality conversation. To lose weight you want to walk 12000 steps a day on a pedometer.

DECORATE:

If your house needs decorating, doing it yourself is a great opportunity to do it yourself and burn some calories. Alternatively, you can use special occasions as an opportunity to decorate your house. If you are throwing a party, or if it's Christmas, Easter etc, get the decorations out and spruce the place up. The moving about will help you burn some calories.

GO SURFING:

This one depends on where you live. If you live near enough the beach then surfing will get your blood pumping and strengthen your muscles as well.

GO SCUBA DIVING:

Scuba diving is a unique exercise. Swimming with the fish will keep you interested for a lot longer and as I mentioned above the resistance that water provides can burn a lot of calories.

PLAY WITH A GIANT EXERCISE BALL:

You can use an exercise ball to bounce around, perform sit ups, sit at your computer and more. In particular an exercise ball gives you great core stability.

USE A PUNCHING BAG:

This is a particularly good exercise to work off aggression. Think of something that irritates you or a person that you are not especially fond of. Direct your anger towards the bag and let rip. You will build up quite a sweat and hopefully be a lot calmer after you've finished.

RIDE A BIKE:

This is another great exercise which can be done alone or with others. Again you have plenty of options. You can go on a cycle path, visit a state park or go cycling in the countryside.

GO ROLLERBLADING:

Rollerblading is really great for your calf muscles. It can also be quite enjoyable when you get good and start throwing in a few tricks.

GO TO A THEME PARK:

Going on all the rides at a theme park is great fun whilst walking around for a full day will burn lots of calories.

GO TO THE ZOO:

Like with visiting a theme park, going to a zoo provides you with a fun day out and lots of walking to get some exercise.

GARDENING:

Gardening is a lot more physical than you might first consider. Mowing the lawn, pulling up weeds, pruning your plants and more, is a great way to burn calories. Plus, it allows you to enjoy the outdoor weather.

CONSTRUCTION:

Putting together buildings and bridges is a great form of exercise. If you choose the right project it can also be great fun too.

VISITING GARAGE SALES:

Have a look in your local newspapers and find out where the local car boot sales are being held. Then take a walk down on foot and have a look around. You might find something you like and you'll get some exercise.

TAKE THE DOG FOR A WALK:

Taking the dog for a walk is another great way to burn calories. Depending on the size and strength of your dog will dictate how many calories are burnt.

HOST A GET TOGETHER:

When you host a get together all the cooking, shopping and making phone calls keeps you busy. This leads to an increased number of burnt calories.

ROCK CLIMBING / WALL CLIMBING:

Climbing provides you with a great full body workout. Plus, lifting your own body weight is really difficult and burns those calories away. When performing this exercise make sure you take all the necessary safety precautions.

HIKING WITH KIDS:

Hiking gives you another great opportunity to spend time with your kids. While hiking you can sing songs and play guessing games (such as 20 questions). Kids will also pick out things you may never notice whilst walking on your own.

KICKBOXING / TAE BO:

Not only will you learn how to defend yourself, but you will also have fun and improve your fitness. You can either take classes to meet new people or buy DVDs/videos to learn in the comfort of your own home.

YOGA:

Yoga is a great exercise for your mind and body. You can perform it on your own, with a friend or as part of a group.

PILATES:

Pilates strengthens the muscles all over your body starting with your abdominals. The exercises are difficult but it's a good challenge to see how strong you are and try to improve.

VOLUNTEERING:

Volunteering very rarely involves sitting down doing desk work. It is usually quite a physical task such as walking a dog, moving boxes etc. It's therefore another opportunity to exercise and can also allow you to meet new friends.

BABY SIT:

Young children are usually hard work. If you baby sit and play games with them you will burn some additional calories.

GYMNASTICS:

Gymnastics offers you plenty of opportunities to exercise the full body. Swinging around on poles, walking the balance beam, jumping over the horse are all fun exercises which work the body in different ways.

USE A POWERBALL:

This is a great wrist exercise to do in the home. A Powerball can be purchased from a number of merchants on the Internet and becomes really addictive. It builds up your grip and wrist strength which is useful for a number of sports. Plus, you can use your Powerball whilst sitting in front of the TV.

http://www.freefitnesstips.co.uk/

9 Health Tips

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.