I know you may think I'm crazy, but hear me out on this one:
- Running:
Naturally, this is my favorite. But I'm actually not talking about long distance running. I'm talking about short sprints like when playing tag, Ultimate Frisbee, running away from the girls or boys who we all knew at a young age had cooties. Sprinting is a great exercise for working your anaerobic system and giving you a fat torching workout. Next time you're at the park with your kids or your significant other...play a game of tag, or race to the tree...it will be fun. - Swimming:
Have you ever seen a kid near a lake or ocean, who didn't want to swim? Swimming is a great way to get exercise with very little impact. It also works your entire body which is great too! - Climbing:
Kids are natural climbers. They want to climb trees, rocks, etc... Climbing causes you to use a variety of skills and senses. Looking for the place to grab or place your foot, feeling for grooves that will provide a grip, pushing off with your legs, pulling up with your arms, etc... It's an amazing way to use muscles that you may not use that often. Next time you're at a park, release your inner monkey and climb a tree. - Biking
Remember as kid when you got the new baseball card, or wanted to head to a friends house. Did you walk? Nah...You hopped on your bike so you could get there in record time. Biking is great exercise and in fact, there are tons of debates on Biking v.s. Running: Which is better? Personally, I think it's an individual's preference. Next time you have to go to the bank or the store down the street - go green and get some exercise by riding your bike. - Jumping
Jump rope, leap frog, hopscotch...all are very fun and very exhausting. If you watch late night infomercials, you will no doubt hear the word "Plyometrics" or "jump training". Guess what...you don't need to be a personal trainer to know this is a good workout. Kid's have known forever! - Team Sports
Do you love watching basketball, baseball, or some other sport on T.V.? Why not participate. There are so many ways to play team sports - even as an adult. Join a group at the Y, join an adult Soccer or softball league, or any of a dozen other sports. - Best Recovery Drink
As a kid, I hated milk, but absolutely loved chocolate milk. It's funny, because at my kid's elementary school, some teachers frown on the kids getting chocolate milk. I think they are just focusing on the word chocolate.
As a matter fact, 1% low fat chocolate milk is considered to be the best recovery drink after a tough workout (or recess...) because it has everything the body needs: It replaces liquids which the body has lost due to sweating, has carbs which an athlete needs for fuel, has protein which repairs muscles, and has electrolytes. Mooove over Gatorade - there's a new sports drink in town!
