2012 Goal: Play Everyday!

I once had a physical trainer that had a phrase she liked to repeat: "Play Everyday!"

This was a motivational phrase to help people learn that exercising and training your body can be fun, but it's completely in the way you look at it.  It's a mind game, essentially.

But physical activity is good for LOTS of reasons.
-Stress relief
-Toxin release
-Creates serotonin
-Strengthens heart
-Strengthens lungs
-Prolongs mobility
-Helps circulation
-Can aid in sleep
-Energy builder
-Can help achieve and maintain a healthy weight


The list can go on and on.  Most people do not deny how beneficial exercise is.  More-so, we find it hard to keep our motivation elevated.

Let's try to remember this phrase when we're deciding whether or not to do something for the day, and let's decide, you and I, to do something now - while we can. You never know when your body will not be able to function in one way or another.  Take advantage of the opportunities you have now to have fun while taking care of yourself.

PLAY EVERYDAY!!!

One last note - here are some ideas for your "play" time.  Don't make too big a deal of it - just do something!

-Walk the dog
-Jog the dog
-Sprint to the end of your street
-Take a bike ride to the closest store
-Play tag with your kids
-Have a jumping-jack contest
-Do situps or crunches
-Lift the laundry soap bucket/box in reps of 10
-Do squats or lunges while you're brushing your teeth or drying your hair
-Dance to music while you're folding clothes
-Leg lifts
-Go out to a community dance for the fun of it
-Do a Pilates routine from t.v.
-Go throw a football, play catch, shoot some hoops, or kick a soccer ball with the neighbor kids
-Carry a baby around!
-Pushups
-Punch a pillow or a mattress
-Skip to the end of your street
-Take a hike if you have trails nearby
-Speed-walk the local park
-Swim
-Walk to a coworker's office instead of calling them on the intercom

Do you have any fun ideas you can add to this list?

Image from Cute Little Factory here.