When Daylight’s Saving Time hits is usually about the time I realize I am going to be escorting my children to the pool on a regular basis in a mere two month’s time. Therefore, I must shed the extra pounds not-so-discretely hidden under my winter sweaters.
Spring has sprung, and these warm, sunny days make it the perfect season to take your exercise to the great outdoors. Whether you walk, run, swim, play tennis or join your children in a game of tag at the playground, getting fit outside makes it seem more like fun than a regimented indoor workout!
With Earth Day just a week away, now is a great time to think about changes you can make to help the environment. Seemingly little steps, like bringing reusable bags to the supermarket or turning off lights when you leave a room, can have a big impact when many people take them together! If exercise is a part of your everyday life, here are some things you might do differently to conserve resources and help protect the planet.
Exercise has its obvious perks — helping to improve cardiovascular strength, build and maintain a lean, mean body and provide natural energy. But did you know exercise can also cause damage to the body, inside and out? It’s true…but only if you let it be.
I know your to-do list is a mile long (mine is too!). So when you do make it to the gym, it’s probably before or after work, or in between your son’s parent-teacher conference and your daughter’s softball practice. That’s where a well-stocked gym bag comes in handy. Just keep it in the car and you’re always ready to go!
But what exactly should you pack? Here are my top six gym bag essentials:
While there’s no magic gizmo that will completely erase your wrinkles or help you lose 10 pounds overnight, there are many convenient contraptions that can make your life a little healthier – and maybe a little easier, too! Check them out:
1. Pedometer: So you want to exercise more, but you’re not sure where to start. How about with a single step – or two, three, maybe a few thousand? A pedometer is a great way to keep track of your movement. Set a goal to reach 10,000 steps per day – it’s not as hard as it sounds!
2. Water bottle: All that walking will definitely leave you thirsty, so be prepared with your very own water bottle. Water is essential to life, but it’s also a great way to keep your tummy feeling full when you’re tempted to snack, and it’s also a good, healthy alternative to a sugary soda (just add cucumber slices for a refreshing zing). No matter where you’re headed, bring along a BPA-free water bottle to keep your body hydrated.
3. Air purifier: Thought you were safe from pollution once you shut the front door? The truth is, the air inside your home may be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outdoors! An air purifier can help eliminate allergens, odors, pollutants and other icky particles floating around your home – now that’s a breath of fresh air! (wink)
4. Diffuser: After a long day at the office, turn to your essential oil diffuser for the perfect way to tame tension. Breathe in a burst of lavender, chamomile, basil, bergamot, ylang ylang, peppermint or geranium — these are all scents that can curb stress and help you unwind.
5. Nasal irrigator: It sounds… well, gross… but it’s actually quite helpful, especially for those whose sinuses are less than cooperative. Nasal irrigators are easy to use — just fill up your container (typically a small pot or squeeze bottle) with warm water and special non-iodized salt, tilt your head down and slightly to one side, filling one nasal cavity with solution and allowing it to drain out the other nostril. Ahhh, now you can breathe easy!
