Let’s Get Physical

Are you like me and get thought so much junk mail through the post. Most of it either for the even expanding take away business that seem to be taking over the neighborhood or else its Business telemarketing lists trying to get me sign up for the latest fancy gadgets. Or else its the phone constantly ringing asking more questions than my morage adviser would do!!!

However on this occasion the marketing junk mail actually proved well worth reading. Usually I get so annoyed when you here that mail box flap rattle I get all excited at the prospect of mail but no its just some rubbish but I was about to be proved wrong. I don’t know that but it was a marketing survey questionnaire all about the local services in the area and what you thought the local community would benefit from. For ages I have been moaning on about the local council run gym saying how small and poky it is, it is fantastically cheap for but I actually wouldn’t mind paying a bit more if they invested in new equipment or more of it.
Also as it’s a council run the aerobics classed are not covered in the monthly subscription as the gym rents out the rooms to privately held classes. This class for which are so expensed and for a limited number
Anyway getting back to the point the survey that landed on my door mat must have caught me at the right moment as I poured my heart out about what I wanted from the local services in particular the gym got it. Posted it back and forgot all about it
Well 6 months later what a surprise the gym is now expanding and I have a 3 month free pass for when completed. I think there was a lot of factors and I am not saying that my voice was the leading light to change but some times if we do take the time to fill a simple survey in, you can make a slight difference.

I must say after doing the Manchester run last Sunday I think I have now got the running bug back. I must explain that I did use to run a lot but over the last year I have got out of the habit. There is always an excuse particular over winter why run in the freezing cold. After a hard day at work all you want to do is swap your executive office furniture and collapse in your favourite chair rather than tying up the laces on your trainers than go for a run.

However I must admit I so enjoyed the run last Sunday I have now re thought and decided this was the push I needed to get my running shoes back on again

Nothing bores me more than to pace endlessly at the gym on the tread mill wishing every second of the clock would fly by but instead love the freedom of being outdoors

I must admit I am very fortunate to live on the edge of the country side so it is not difficult to be two minutes from my front door to the great outdoors

The one thing I haven’t forgotten however is just how hard it is to get back the stride I once had. Its seems too go the moment you stop the routine of regularly running and it is so hard to get back again. Every step hoping the next 5 minutes will be easier. But I am determined with the bikini calling me that I am going to be running fit for summer. London marathon may be a tad out of my reach but everyone has to have a goal

With it being half term I thought I would consider the options of outdoor activities to get the kids activite and most importantly from under your feet.

Look not everything means having to rush out and buy the latest outdoor equipment, what with the current economic climate not everything has to cost a fortune the main thing is to got get children interested in the outdoors being fit and getting fresh air!

So what is a typical outdoor activity it doesn’t have to be climbing Everest or scaling and 1000 foot high mountain ridge.

Outdoor activities usually means enjoying pastimes away from civilization, like hill walking, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, running, or cycling, kayaking - basically just spending time with family.

As long as you are taking pleasure in the out doors enjoying scenery and nature, and making sure EVERYONE is free of stress from work either the office or housework enjoying nature. As mentioned there are more expensive alternative which you can find down the tourist board but hey when you have 3 kids with friends it can be a tad on the expensive side

Trekking

Why not try Trekking – no this has anything to do with dressing up in some dodgy space film outfit, but outdoor walking in the country side. There are so many options and route that can be taken to suite all levels of fitness. Why not make it a full day out with a picnic. Get the kids to document the route buy finding things of nature to make a scrapbook of the day event at the end of the day

Making sure that you keep fit is important, and if you have a family you will know that keeping the little ones fit is just as important. Children are generally not that interested in exercise, PE lessons at school and playing out with their friends is enough for them, so how can you make keeping fit fun?

Bean Bags are great for adding into any training program. Incorporating them can also provide a number of advantages:

• They are fairly cheap to buy and you can easily make your own (Get some sturdy material and fill it with rice or beans),
• They are only small so don’t take up much space and can be stored away easily,
• Bean Bags are not threatening and can be used by children and adults of all ages and ability,
• They are safe and easy to use,
• They can help teach children co-ordination, self control and direction,
• They can help in teaching children how to throw and can help them with direction.

If you are stuck for ideas on how to use the bean bags, then start off with a little free play; let the children make up their own games. Once they get to grips with throwing and catching you can incorporate some exercise and increase this as and when you feel comfortable.