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Happy and Healthy Have fun and get fit? At the same time? It’s possible 
We’ve all heard it all before: Mix fun with fitness and the minutes will just fly by, and before you know it you’ll be 10 pounds lighter. The reality is a bit of a different story. Having fun while working out is more than simply mounting a TV in front of your treadmill and logging miles while watching “Dancing with the Stars” (though, let’s be honest, it does take the guilt out of the guilty pleasure). No, having fun with health and fitness means trying new things, doing things that appeal to you, and, most of all, sticking with it. Try some of the ideas below, and see if you can’t find one that fits: Funny and Fit They say that laughter is the best medicine, and according to Dr. Madan Kataria it’s more than just an expression. It’s no secret that stress has been linked to illness, nor is it news that relieving stress can improve health. That’s where Laughter Yoga comes in. Created by Dr. Kataria, Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises, or simulated laughter, and yoga breathing. Typical sessions last 20 to 30 minutes and can be found through Laughter Clubs or through an organization offering Laughter Yoga workshops. Visit laughteryoga.org to find a Laughter Club or workshop. Baby On Board For busy moms, finding the time, motivation and opportunity to work out can be tough, which is why Baby Boot Camp was created. The classes are both pre- and postnatal and combine cardiovascular exercise with strength training for a full-body workout that targets all major muscle groups. Kristen Horler, founder and CEO of Baby Boot Camp, says that children up to age 6 come to the classes and that one of the biggest things Baby Boot Camp (www.babybootcamp.com) does with its stroller-based fitness classes is eliminate the obstacle of having to hire a baby-sitter to get out and workout. It’s also a great social outlet for moms-to-be, moms and the kids. “There’s a lot of camaraderie in the classes, as the women share similar life experiences and have that element of relating to each other,” Horler says. “It’s also very entertaining for the kids.” Most of all, it’s guilt-free and good for you. Get In the Swing If working on your golf game doesn’t seem like a way to get fit, think again. Fitness actually has more to do with golf than people realize, according to Anthony Renna, a certified golf fitness instructor and strength-and-conditioning specialist, who founded golffitnessproducts.net and the Better Golf with Fitness blog and podcast (fitnessforbettergolf.typepad.com). Both sites feature an array of information – articles, products and experts – to improve fitness for better golf. “Golf can be rough on the body’s biomechanics, and you really want to be as mobile and stabile as you can,” Renna says. Therefore, the better the shape you’re in, the better mobility and stability you can achieve, the longer you can play, the better your game will be and the more fun you’ll have. Not to mention that “all the tour pros are taking fitness more seriously” notes Renna, so you’ll be following in Phil Mickelson’s golf spikes in no time. |
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