Friday Favorites

Friday is here, which means it's time for me to post another one of my favorite things! It almost makes me want to burst into song, singing "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!" which was originally (and masterfully) sung by the one and only Julie Andrews. But I'll spare you that, because #1 - no one can sing it like Julie! and #2 - this post isn't about favorite musicals. :-)

So, I won't be posting about raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens. (Or bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens....lol) My favorite thing this week is simple exercises. Now I don't mean "easy" exercises, but simple ones. You know, the kind that everyone can do, anywhere they want. Simple exercises are great! You don't have to be in a gym, you don't have to hire your own personal trainer. They are s-i-m-p-l-e. All you need is a book or DVD to show you proper form (which is crucial!) and you're on your way to stronger muscles!

Some of my favorite simple exercises are lunges, squats, leg lifts, (which are really good for working your thighs, ladies!) bicep curls, hammer curls, rows, or anything using your arms and weights, crunches, situps, etc. The list could go on! I love the simplicity of exercise. I think sometimes we use the excuse of "Oh, I could never do that! It's looks too difficult." to keep us from exercising, when, in fact, we can do the exercises - we just don't want to. :-) There is no shame in starting as a "beginner" and working your way up! That's the way I did it. I remember when I could only do 10 jumping jacks at a time! Do lunges look too difficult? Then don't bend your knees and go so far down into the movement...Think push-ups are too hard? Then start by doing them on your knees...The point is - do them! Even if you have to make the movements a little easier as you begin.

And the beauty of this, is that you can perform these exercises anywhere! I've been known to do lunges in the kitchen while waiting for water to boil on the stove. I have a friend who told me that she does squats while brushing her teeth each night! Do you have little brothers and sisters? They love to be picked up and played with. I've actually performed tricep extensions by raising our 17 month old foster baby up above my head! (And no, I haven't ever dropped her....:-))

Again, simple doesn't mean easy. It just means that the playing field is level - you can do them! You just have to make the choice to do it.

And if you have ideas of creative ways to incorperate simple exercises into your day, please comment! I'd love to get some more ideas.

Blessings,
Bekah