Secrets of Success

Moving and Grooving instead of standing an waiting

Your filling your car up with gas, don't just stand there walk in place. Standing in line at the Grocery get those feet moving. For that matter standing in line anywhere - those feet can be adding steps.

Take Advantage of School

My kids' preschool closes at 6 and I usually finish work around 5, so I squeeze in a workout after work, but before picking up my kids. I can fit in a couple of miles run, or a Spark People video.

Take the stairs

I live on the fourth floor of my building. Whenever I go out, I take the stairs instead of the elevator, both ways. If I need the car, I get the elevator on the ground floor to get to the garage, and get off on the ground floor when I leave my car.

Strength Training Trick

How many times do you find yourself starting to hold your breath while lifting weights? Try to count off your reps out loud (even just in a soft whisper to yourself if you are around others) to force an exhalation during the contraction phase.

DO the 28 day bootcamp videos to learn form!

I love the bootcamp videos! less then 10 minutes but most importantly they explain slowly and simple the best way to do the exercise! I am new to freely lifting weights (dumbells are all they use) at home and this has helped immensely! I think all new to strength training should do this challenge first!

15 minute exercise video at computer

I admit I like to be at the computer, but every day I will do 1 15 minute video of walking exercise at my computer, ususally Leslie Sansone, Biggest loser, or for a different pace, a Spark people video. Sometimes I will also look on youtube for a Zumba video. It helps to try something different everyday and is kind of a treasure hunt to find something new and different. Then I log it in on my Sparkpage. I get my exercise out of the way everyday, then if I do more, it's a bonus!

Stairs one flight at a time

Every hour (as many as I can remember) I get up from my desk and walk 3 flights of stairs outside my door for a quick perk me up. It helps to get my heart rate up and adds to steps for the day. If I'm really motivated, I do it 2-3 times.

Exercise at the park

Since the weather is nice, I take my three year old to the park often. While pushing him on the swing I do some kind of exercise, lunges, hip flexors, squats, calf raises and things like that, while, at the same time I am getting arm exercise by pushing. Great mini workout.

Park Further Away

When going shopping park in the furthest lot. This will help you get in an extra few minutes of walking every day.

two goals are better than one

I often got frustrated that I did not reach my exercise goals. Recently I have been setting a time goal and an alternate distance goal. Like I want to run 5k at my average speed, or run 7k at any speed. Then if I am going slow I have motivation to finish early. And if I don't stay at pace it is okay too. I know that I am building strength for future runs.