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Fit Factor: Chanelling your younger self, Part 2
Posted on Jun 1st 2007 6:00AM by Martha EdwardsLast Fit Factor, I wrote on doing all sorts of things you haven't done since you were a kid, both for fun and fitness. Then I went and wrote this post based on an article from Gabby Reece that really inspired me. She talks about all the ways in which we should take inspiration from kids--from their honesty and candidness to their enthusiasm for life and their simple outlook on everything. In so many ways, it makes sense and I feel almost like us grown-ups have it backwards and should be taking lessons from children.
Anyway, I decided to continue my post on stuff you haven't done since you were a kid and give you some more ideas on how to get out there and have some fun, old-school style.
The trampoline: Jumping on the trampoline was one of the most exciting enjoyable activities of my younger years. Maybe it's because my mother wouldn't let us have a trampoline because of safety concerns and so my anticipation was at an all-time high when I got to jump on a friend's trampoline, but regardless, it was so fun. You know what? It still is. I went to a relative's house where she was storing her granddaughter's trampoline and I spent a good hour jumping on the thing. It was totally exhausting but wickedly fun. And if you don't have a big one, go small.
Go fly a kite: According to Fitsugar, flying a kite can burn about 100 calories in 20 minutes. And really, who flies a kite for 20 minutes? It takes 15 minutes just to get the darn thing up in the air. Kite-flying is fun, especially if you have someone young with you who will be totally blown away by their ability to make this thing fly. And even if you don't, what the hey. It's a great way to spend some time outside, with family or by yourself.
Biking: I've written about biking before but I thought it was worth mentioning again. Remember those days when you were practically attached to your bike? It was your vehicle of independence, your way to get around the neighborhood without having to ask mom or worse yet, having to walk which is just plain boring. I spent so many summer evenings on my bike and now that I'm bikeless (temporarily,) I'm getting pretty nostalgic. Sure, I have a car but it's nothing like the warm summer breeze in your hair as you ride around in your shorts and sandals at dusk. This summer, I'm going to take my bike anywhere I can. It's good for the environment and good for me too. I love these cute bikes that Fit Sugar recommends (don't you just love that site? I do)
Pogo stick: Ok, this was never my favourite. But I owned on of those pogo balls (remember those?) and I loved it. There's something about jumping around, being airborne, if only for a moment, that always excited me. Interestingly enough, pogo-ing is one of the newest fitness trends, and apparently, it can burn up to 2000 calories and hour ... holy mother.
Other ideas? Hopscotch, jumping rope (either solo or you could try out your old moves with some skipping buddies,) underwater handstands ... Yeah, you might look a bit silly, but that's the point, isn't it? To have fun, regardless of what everyone else seems to be doing. Do whatever comes to mind at the time, however foolish it may seem. Live in the moment and don't think twice about it.
Anyway, I decided to continue my post on stuff you haven't done since you were a kid and give you some more ideas on how to get out there and have some fun, old-school style.
The trampoline: Jumping on the trampoline was one of the most exciting enjoyable activities of my younger years. Maybe it's because my mother wouldn't let us have a trampoline because of safety concerns and so my anticipation was at an all-time high when I got to jump on a friend's trampoline, but regardless, it was so fun. You know what? It still is. I went to a relative's house where she was storing her granddaughter's trampoline and I spent a good hour jumping on the thing. It was totally exhausting but wickedly fun. And if you don't have a big one, go small.
Go fly a kite: According to Fitsugar, flying a kite can burn about 100 calories in 20 minutes. And really, who flies a kite for 20 minutes? It takes 15 minutes just to get the darn thing up in the air. Kite-flying is fun, especially if you have someone young with you who will be totally blown away by their ability to make this thing fly. And even if you don't, what the hey. It's a great way to spend some time outside, with family or by yourself.
Biking: I've written about biking before but I thought it was worth mentioning again. Remember those days when you were practically attached to your bike? It was your vehicle of independence, your way to get around the neighborhood without having to ask mom or worse yet, having to walk which is just plain boring. I spent so many summer evenings on my bike and now that I'm bikeless (temporarily,) I'm getting pretty nostalgic. Sure, I have a car but it's nothing like the warm summer breeze in your hair as you ride around in your shorts and sandals at dusk. This summer, I'm going to take my bike anywhere I can. It's good for the environment and good for me too. I love these cute bikes that Fit Sugar recommends (don't you just love that site? I do)
Pogo stick: Ok, this was never my favourite. But I owned on of those pogo balls (remember those?) and I loved it. There's something about jumping around, being airborne, if only for a moment, that always excited me. Interestingly enough, pogo-ing is one of the newest fitness trends, and apparently, it can burn up to 2000 calories and hour ... holy mother.
Other ideas? Hopscotch, jumping rope (either solo or you could try out your old moves with some skipping buddies,) underwater handstands ... Yeah, you might look a bit silly, but that's the point, isn't it? To have fun, regardless of what everyone else seems to be doing. Do whatever comes to mind at the time, however foolish it may seem. Live in the moment and don't think twice about it.
