quick clicks

iparenting fitness articles

iparenting fitness q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Time to Get Fit

Exercises for the Home, Office
and Car

By Charlene Torkelson

Posture

Pretend that you have a string moving up your spine through your neck and up through the top of your head. Let that string pull you up into a straight position, growing about 3 inches taller than you have been during your other exercises. Relax, then repeat five times.

Always be very careful and slow when doing neck exercises. Slowly bring your chin down to your chest. Now nod your head up and down in a "yes" motion. Do this 10 times, then do "no." Turning your head to the right, rotate "no, no" from right to left 10 times.

For the third exercise, lay your right ear as close to your right shoulder as possible. There is no need to lift your right shoulder up to meet your ear – it won't actually lie down on the shoulder. Now lie down on the left side. Repeat this 10 times.

These exercises are easy to do any place, any time with no need for equipment or a gym. When combined with walking, you have exercises for all parts of the body. If you remain consistent with your exercises and walking, you will soon feel more flexible, less achy and more energetic. When you feel comfortable with these, add more repetitions and more variety. You will be surprised at the results.