Spring Fever - Walking among the Daffodils - Stop and smell the flowers

My favorite new hobby - walking - spring fever has hit hard and I am sure enjoying walking in the fresh air.  The crocus and daffodils are blooming and they are so beautiful this year.

Here are a few that are in my yard - they seem to be just the normal yellow variety, but I am not complaining.  I love the yellow clusters.

Checking out the flowers makes me walk further - when I see some in the distance I want to walk up and see them first hand - so that helps me go further.

I am looking forward to the additional exercise I will get when I am out in the garden planting. Here in St. Louis we have to wait until May 1st to be totally safe from frost.  But I am preparing the beds, getting loads of mulch from the park and spreading them.

My body feels tired in a good way from all the mulching, shoveling and raking.  Definitely prefer this type of exercise - working my body hard and getting something accomplished.

What about you - what is your favorite natural exercise?

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Spring Fever - Glad to be walking the dogs in the Park - Exercise outside

I am so glad to be able to walk outside - it has been such springlike weather.  I spent the afternoon in the park with one of my dogs.

The best part about spring, aside from the weather, is the greater opportunity for exercise.  Walking in the park or along the road, tennis, and  swimming to name a few.

Of course another benefit of spring is the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.  I have always planted a lot of plants, but this is my first full spring with the greenhouse.  I am starting my seeds next week (I will take pics and keep you updated on my progress).  It was a shame that the greenhouse boiler was so on again, off again throughout the winter - I wasn't able to utilize the greenhouse all winter long.

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Walking and Walking - vibraton exercise machine at the home and garden show

I went to the Home and Garden show this evening at the convention center and it was great fun.  We walked and we walked and we walked some more.   I guess that is one of the best things about it.  After 2 hours, when I was dead tired, I had to keep walking because I had to get through the rest of the displays and then walk the 4 blocks to the car.

One thing I saw, besides all the lovely plants and fancy patio setups, was an exercise machine that I had never heard of.  These machines use vibrations to tone muscle and claim to do it faster. Aggressive promoters also say the equipment improves flexibility and strength, reduces pain and stress, builds muscle and reverses osteoporosis. The type of exercise was actually generated for the Russian space program.

The person using the equipment merely gets onto a platform. They can stand, sit, lay down, or even focus the platform on certain body parts. This platform creates a vibration, which is sent through the body. In reflex the muscles contract. This causes tendons to stretch, and increases blood flow and improving blood oxygenation. This strengthens and tones them without effort on the person’s part. Since the vibrations get sent through the entire body, all the muscle groups are affected. Ultimately, the makers of the equipment claim that it will help increase range of motion, coordination, posture, bone density, and even decreases cortisol, the stress hormone. It is said to be relaxing, which lowers stress and can even eliminate tension related pain.

It reminds me of those old machines with the belts that giggled you all over.  I did not get on the machine at the home and garden show - but now I wish I had. One lady said that if felt like she was still moving after she got off.  And that it felt weird but good at the same time.

I just watched a few videos on you tube and saw people jiggling.  Interesting concept - wonder if it works.

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Want to get outdoors, improve your health and socialize with friends? It might be time to put on your walking shoes.

6 Quick and Easy Exercise and Health Tips

Move More, Eat Better, a national initiative of the Weight-control Information Network (WIN): Incorporate walking into your daily exercise and health plan to:

• Help control weight
• Lower your risk for certain diseases
• Build bone density

Get moving with these 6 exercise and health tips: Move More, Eat Better:
1. Make it fun. Find a partner. Your walking partner should be able to match your speed.
2. Find proper footgear. Wear shoes with proper arch support, a firm heel and thick, flexible soles.
3. Wear clothes that will keep you dry and comfortable. Look for synthetic fabrics that absorb sweat and remove it from your skin.
4. Divide your walk into sections. Warm up by walking slowly for five minutes. Then, increase your speed and do a fast walk. Finally, cool down by walking slowly again for five minutes. Do light stretching after your warm-up and cool-down.
5. Try to walk as often as possible. To avoid stiff or sore muscles and joints, start gradually. Over several weeks, begin walking faster, going farther, and walking for longer periods of time. Aim for 30 minutes of walking a day on most, if not all, days of the week.
6. Set goals and rewards. A goal might be participating in a fun walk or walking continuously for 30 minutes. Reward yourself when you meet a goal, but not with high-calorie foods.
Discover more weight control information and exercise and health tips.

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