I don’t know about you, but I spend a L.O.T. of time feeling lethargic. I have a mile long list of things I just wish I had the energy to be getting done. I want to walk more. I want to garden more. I want to play with my kids more.
Since my weight loss journey began (this time) in July 2009, I’ve lost 26.2 pounds following the Weight Watchers plan. That’s a large toddler that I’m no longer carrying around! I do have more energy than when I started, but I still don’t feel like I want to. I have a LONG way to go on this journey and I know I’m going to need to boost my 
energy even more to get there.
I’ve rounded up a few great lists of things you can do (from the very frugal to the extravagant) to get yourself energized.
I found a few things on these lists that I can’t wait to try. Let me know what you do to find your energy when you’re dragging. Now, let’s get out in that sunshine and MOVE.
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For every type of dance out there, I found a great number of articles, DVDs, classes, and YouTube instructional videos to help us learn to have a lot of fun while getting those activity points in. The health benefits, as always, will be directly related to how much energy and effort you put into it. But what’s more fun than dancing?
Here are a couple of articles that outline the basic health benefits of dancing. They’re full of good information and hopefully some great ideas to get you started moving and grooving.
The thing about dancing is that there are so many different types, so that everyone can find something they like. A couple of my favorites are ZUMBA (dance exercise classes set to a hot Latin beat) and belly dance.
ZUMBA - There are a half dozen of my old high school friends who attend Zumba classes together, and they are ALL raving about how much fun they have every time they go. Maybe I’ll trade in my gym membership for a Zumba class!
“The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!”
BELLY DANCE – Follow this link to find belly dance lessons in your area.
Belly Dance has long been touted as an excellent form of exercise for over weight people. The dance moves are excellent for toning and strengthening of your core muscles and improvement of posture. It’s low impact, so it’s friendly for people who need to move more but have physical problems that prevent them from doing other forms of exercise.
No size or age limits!
Here are a few articles about belly dance and health:
Want to know how many other types of dance there are out there, waiting for you to jump in and have some fun and burn those calories? Here is a list of a few other options for you:
- Salsa
- Waltz
- FoxTrot
- Swing Dance
- Rhumba
- Ballroom
- Line dance
- Square dance
- Hip hop dance
- Tango
What are your favorites?
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If you work in an office, you probably spend the bulk of your time sitting behind a desk. It’s really easy to work in a little more movement if you’re creative. Here are 5 ways to burn calories at your desk.
- Do Calf Exercises: While sitting at your desk, push into the floor with your toes and push your heels as high off the floor as possible, then lower your heels to the floor again. Do these throughout the day to burn calories and tone your calves. To add resistance, cross your legs and do one foot at a time, alternating crossed legs to work both calves.
- Flex your forearm muscles: While you’re on the phone, clench and unclench a stress ball to build up your forearm muscles. Switch hands to ensure both forearms get the same great toning.
- Stand Up: Standing burns more calories than sitting, so stand up when a coworker stops by to talk, or while you’re chatting on the phone (maybe even while you’re clenching that stress ball). While you’re standing, stretch a bit too.
- Drink ice water: According to an article by Charles Stuart Platkin “Your body temperature is incredibly hot at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and ice water is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to maintain homeostasis (a constant internal temperature), your body has to bring that ice water up by about 60 degrees, and, by definition, it takes 1 calorie to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water by approximately 2 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that to raise the temperature of 1 liter of ice water by 60 degrees Fahrenheit, your body would burn about 30 calories. Two liters, which is about eight glasses of water, would burn 60 calories.”
- Tone your tummy: While you’re sitting at your desk, pull your abdominal muscles in. Imagine your belly button is being pulled toward your spine. Hold it for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat often throughout the day.
What’s your favorite workday calorie burner?
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