A lucky few of you live in a climate where it’s summer all year long; where you can get out and enjoy the warm weather anytime you want. For the rest of us…these few months of summer are precious and as you may have noticed, they go by faster every year! So this summer, take advantage of the long days, warm nights, and sunny skies to get out and improve your physical and mental health.
How do you do this? It’s easier than you think. My advice to you is to take up (or at least try) two new sports this year. I guarantee you’ll be amazed at how good you feel, inside and out, after working hard and learning something new. Learning a new skill challenges and stimulates your brain, but learning a new physical skill will do this and be beneficial to your physical health and well-being.
Taking up a new sport in your me time will improve your confidence, increase your ability to push yourself mentally and physically, and is great way to relieve stress and take in the fresh air. Involving your entire family is also a positive choice for everyone. The Women’s Sports Foundation states that families who participate in sports report higher levels of family satisfaction. So after you complete that local kayak course you’ve wanted to try, why not spend some summer evenings teaching your family as well. Read on for examples of summer sports you can try and how they can keep you healthy.
Swimming
Summer is a great time to hit the outdoor pool or lake and get your body moving. Swimming uses almost all of the large muscle groups in your body without the pounding you’d get from running. You’ll also love the new toned arms and shoulders consistent swimming will give you. Regular swimming not only improves strength, but also increases your muscular endurance, cardiovascular ability, and burns plenty of calories each session as well.
Check with your local YWCA, recreational pool, or Red Cross to find adult swim lessons in your area. Whether you are a beginner or are someone who wants to improve their mile swim time, courses or teams are available to meet your needs. Red Cross www.redcross.org or USA Swimming www.usaswimming.org
Nordic Walking
Nordic walking is a type of fitness walking using specially designed walking poles that has become a new trend among all ages in the last few years. It provides a total body workout, is time efficient, and can be done by almost anyone. If you’ve been a walker for years, this is a great way to challenge yourself this summer. Recent studies by the Cooper Institute in Dallas, TX showed that Nordic walking can be up to 46% more efficient than regular walking. American Walking Association www.anwa.us
Paddling
Paddling can take many forms – canoe or kayak, white water or stream, lake or ocean. The choices are limitless. Just find what you like best and what is most convenient for where you live or vacation. Both canoeing and kayaking are great low impact activities that can improve your cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. Your back, arm, and shoulder muscles will be used the most while you’re moving the paddle and your core muscles work to keep you stable.
Both canoeing and kayaking are excellent choices to get outside, get fit, and enjoy the summer. The best way to learn is by joining a local club, participating in a one-day workshop, or by renting equipment and trying it out for a day. If you’re really up for a summer adventure, try looking for a week long excursion – you’ll be a pro in no time! American Canoe Association www.americancanoe.org
Triathlon Training
Are you someone who hits the pavement all summer on those morning runs? If so, try switching up your workouts this year by training for a triathlon. Combining running, swimming, and biking is a sure way to get your entire body fit and lean. Having a multi-sport event to train for will keep you motivated, and by cross training, you’ll be less likely to suffer from overuse injuries as well. To find a race near you www.active.com or USA Triathlon www.usatriathlong.org
Kickball
No kickball is NOT just for kids anymore. As of last summer the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) had over 49,000 members taking part in leagues all across the country. In kickball games players are able to burn calories, run around outside, and have fun in a stress-free social environment. Work on that leg strength to improve your ability to kick the ball and practice your sprints to make sure you make it home safe. To learn more: World Adult Kickball Association www.kickball.com or National Kickball Association www.nka-kc.com
With all of these sports, and more, to fill up your summer why not get outside this year? Summer sports are a great way to get fit, have fun, and get in shape before the cold weather sends us back inside this fall. Enjoy!
Laurie Smith, M.Ed., CSCS, CHES
Laurie is an exercise physiologist and health educator with a passion for being physically active and encouraging others to do the same. She is nationally certified as a Health Education Specialist, Personal Fitness Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Yoga instructor. She holds a Masters Degree in Health Education and a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. As an expert in health education and fitness, Laurie has spent time managing both corporate and college wellness programs, teaching middle school health education, coaching youth sport, and training individuals to reach their health and fitness goals. Laurie was a competitive gymnast for 15 years who currently spends her free time skiing, traveling, running half marathons, and learning to surf. Laurie believes that investing in your health is one of the best investments you can make. Whether you put in time, energy, or money, you are guaranteed to get positive results. http://www.healthyinvestments-inc.com/, www.momsinmotions.com
Are you one of those people that crams all their Christmas shopping into the last few days? The clock is ticking because you only have a few days left. The holidays can certainly be a time for stress and chaos… But with a little pre-planning you have the opportunity to save time, money and your sanity! With help from our organizational guru April Welch of simplyorganizedonline.com, I was able to take techniques I learned and apply them to the holidays. It helped me streamline my tasks and get through the holiday with much less stress. I hope April would be proud!
Here are a few quick tips that I learned and would like to pass along to you!
1) Take a deep breath!
2) Write a list and check it twice. I have attached a checklist that metime.com created for this purpose. The checklist helps you keep track of the people you need to buy for, list several gift
ideas, the amount budgeted for each person and the amount spent. Check the list twice to make sure you’ve included sizes for clothing etc. One thing I found helpful was also adding the location to purchase the next to the idea.
3) Attach coupons. Once you have gift ideas you can check your mail or email coupons and attach them to your shopping list. It’s amazing to add up all your savings at the end of your shopping excursion. All those “$10 off” and ”25% off” coupons can add up after a while.
4) Write a task lists for cards or gifts you are making… I’m famous for under-estimating my time. Write down the overall project and then break it down into smaller easy to accomplish tasks. You can knock-off some tasks as time permits and it helps you keep track of the overall progress of the project.
5) Delegate. Whether your are shopping for or making gifts, there are likely to be some tasks that you can delegate to your better half or even your kids! Take advantage of that. Your elementary school age child may be able to help put stuff envelopes or place stamps on greeting cards… or your middle school age child can address the envelopes. Your boyfriend or husband may be able to help pick up gifts, gift cards or stocking stuffers on the list.
6) Be Flexible. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a break… As your family grows and expands there are more traditions that you may want to incorporate into this busy time of year. Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate. Discuss the traditions with those most important to you. Maybe it’s time to change or let go of a few traditions. No need to stress yourself and everyone around you crazy as you try to work everything in… you really should try to enjoy the holiday!
7) Breath & enjoy your holiday!
In summary, when I have things more organized and create a plan then I feel more in control and less “stressed out”. Enjoy your holiday.
About April Welch, BCPO (NAPO)
April is a Certified Professional Organizer and is the proud owner of Simply Organized. She works hard to make sure her clients always have the most up to date industry information by continuing her education. Listed on her site are the many classes she has taken, certificates she has earned along with the accredidations she holds. Rest assure that April’s committment to an improved quality of life she helps her clients find is fed by her passion for education & her hands-on experience. www.simplyorganizedonline.com
For the past few weeks, I have been working with a wonderful time management and organization expert, April Welch (who just happens to be one of our metime.com contributors). Why you might ask? Well… I’m disorganized and I don’t want to be! This is my story.
In that past few years I’ve had an opportunity to review all the pieces and parts of my life that are working well. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful, supportive husband and 2 beautiful healthy kids. For that, I’m am so THANKFUL. I live 30 minutes from my family and in-laws and they are also very supportive. I’m grateful that they are so involved in our lives and love to spend time with us and our children.
But, (there is always a “but”) there were also things in my life that cause unnecessary stress and chaos. I wanted those parts of my life to be different! I’m approaching 40 in a few years and I really want to be “Fabulous at 40.” So I set a few goals for myself to eliminate some of the stress and make positive changes! I’m happy to report I have already accomplished several.
I have recently gone through a career change and my work environment has changed significantly. Instead of working in a hyper-structured/stressful environment, I have changed to a career that offered a flexible schedule that will allow me to “be there” for my kids and eliminate the stress that I often carried home with me. I have been given the opportunity to work from home several days a week and adjust my schedule/hours when there is a need – this was a HUGE and welcomed change. In addition, my husband has changed jobs. For the first time in 10 years we work the same shift and can do things as a family instead of one of us with the kids. We need to learn to work together in a different ways to accomplish every day tasks, chores and events. My husband is the tidy one and me… I’m well… NOT so tidy and organized! As for our kids… they have fallen into some of my bad habits.
So… time for a little time management and organization help! Stay tuned to metime.com for blog posts containing tips and tricks that I have learned from April to get you a little more organized and less stressed!
About April Welch, BCPO (NAPO)
April is a Certified Professional Organizer and is the proud owner of Simply Organized. She works hard to make sure her clients always have the most up to date industry information by continuing her education. Listed below are the many classes she has taken, certificates she has earned along with the accredidations she holds. Rest assure that April’s committment to an improved quality of life she helps her clients find is fed by her passion for education & her hands-on experience. www.simplyorganizedonline.com
Winter is here and so are the viruses and bacteria that can have you spending your me time at home in bed. This year, arm yourself with some tools to fight back. The average adult has 2 to 3 respiratory infections each year and children have even more than that! Hopefully you already follow the general guidelines for cold and flu prevention. If not, read the full story to learn how!
So often women feel overwhelmed or stressed and feel the need to relax and unwind. Can you relate? There are moments I find myself sputtering “Oy, I need a vacation” or “Calgon take me away” (maybe I’m just over the hill dating myself here!).
For many of us, this economy isn’t lending itself to jet-setting to white sandy beaches where the surf will wash your troubles away… So in my quest for “destressing” resources… I came across a video I’d like to share… The video points out some really quick and easy tips to relax. I tried it and was able to destress both physically and mentally! Try it out. Below are some other articles from our resource center that you might find helpful!
The Juice: Mini-Mental Vacation
Posted to BlogHer by danny@atomicguys.com on June 16, 2009
