Walk! Yes, But When?

Make exercising easier by tapping into your personal preferences and rhythms. Take walking, for example: what time of day makes it an ideal walk? Roll out of bed and walk. Walk and roll into bed. Walk after meals, walk before meals. Take mini-walks all day. Then explore different intensities at different times. Do you like a crisp brisk walk in the morning and an easy saunter after dinner? The same idea can expand to include other forms of exercise. For instance, you may find, like I do, that I have to make a commitment to get around to my strength workout. Knowing my time of day for being most willing to exercise  gives me ideas for when it would be easiest to do that determined workout. Getting to know yourself better lets you honor your quirky preferences. Walk? Now you know when!

Suggestion from Mariah Kaye, Senior Fitness Specialist, offering more fitness choices through MoveAnyWayFitness.com.

Ankle Alphabet

Ankles are at a critical location when it comes to movement. In order to stay upright, to navigate all the variations in the surfaces you walk on, and to handle surprises in those surfaces, you need ankles that are both strong and flexible. And flexible means flexible in all directions! To give your ankle practice and build it for all that flexibility, practice drawing the alphabet with your toes while your foot is in the air. You have a choice of block capital letters, cursive lower case writing and everything in between. There are also creative options for additional fitness benefits. For example, spell gratitude-inspired words to fill your mind with positivity. Spell your alphabet with one foot while standing in line, thus strengthening your standing leg at the same time. What else can you create for your twinkle toes to do? Whatever it is, have fun with this one! 

Suggestion from Mariah Kaye, Senior Fitness Specialist, offering more fitness choices through MoveAnyWayFitness.com.

Exercise Your Eyes

Your eyes have habits too. Their “computer posture” includes looking at objects on a screen, and that screen usually stays the same distance from your face. Give your eyes a break by picking two objects in your environment, one up close (even closer than your screen) and one as far away as your space allows (maybe down the hall or out the window). Then do visual gymnastics, focusing on the details of the close object for about five seconds, then shifting to the far object and noticing its details for five seconds. Continue back and forth for a minute or two, noticing more details with each shift. For a variation, choose objects to the left and right and equally far away. Try shifting focus with and without moving your face. Then, hold your face still and move your eyes left and right, up and down, and in circles. If you’re feeling adventurous, try moving your eyes in figure eights and enjoy that dizzying view. Your eyes will love it!

Suggestion from Mariah Kaye, Senior Fitness Specialist, offering more fitness choices through MoveAnyWayFitness.com.