friends

Get Moving

This time of year we often see lots of family and friends for various gatherings, often for prolonged periods of sitting and eating. While that is fun, sometimes we can miss out on our regular exercise routine because we are preparing, shopping, or prepping for meals. It means this is often the season of a lot more calories in and a lot less calories out. So how do you get your family moving?

There are fun ways to incorporate movement that can include the whole family and might actually get you all laughing together. Remember, movement shouldn’t be a chore or a bore. It can and should be fun.

Eleven Tips for Getting your Family Moving around the Holidays

Walk Between Dinner and Dessert

As an added bonus, taking a walk often gets you out of dish duty.

Play Charades or Another Physical Game

If your family needs a real challenge, show up this year with Twister.

Stretch Between Courses

Think of this like the seven inning stretch. Get up and get moving. Pick gentle stretches that feel good. Some shoulder shrugs or a group hip flexor stretch.

Dance While Washing Dishes

Put on some fun music and dance while you clean up. I think […]

Get MovingMaggie Downie2018-02-14T16:07:47-05:00

Need Motivation? Add A Plus One to Your Workout

The PE team often tries new classes together. This was when we tried ballroom dancing. No matter what we try, it’s always fun being together.

We have a guest blogger for this post: Travis White enjoys showing LearnFit.org visitors how to cook restaurant-quality meals at home.

Everything’s better with friends, and this includes your workout. While it may seem silly to ask a friend to join you, it is actually a wonderful way to stay motivated to keep up the same routine. A recent study showed that those who work out with a friend are more likely to stick with their routine instead of giving up. Here are some ways to include friends to mix up your workout routine and stick out your fitness goals.

Challenge yourself by working out with a friend who is a gym pro

Do you have a friend or colleague who is a fitness fanatic? They are the runner who can go for miles without breaking a sweat, or who knows which machines at the gym will get your body summer-ready. Call on your friend to kick your workout up a notch with some hints and company. […]

Need Motivation? Add A Plus One to Your WorkoutMaggie Downie2018-02-14T16:20:36-05:00

Henna Party: The Best Times are Spent with Good Friends

Henna Hands

I wrangled a couple of girlfriends together for a henna party in March. I thought I was going to have to twist some arms, but everyone came willingly. I was a little worried my friends might think it was cheesy when I learned that in some local high schools henna goes in and out of fashion with sixteen-year-old girls. I don’t think of myself as super girly, so I was conflicted about wanting to try it. Not knowing what to expect, I was most intrigued to have someone paint on me. I love any excuse for proprioception.

Henna is an Indian tradition, usually used at times when women gather—before a wedding, during a pregnancy, or a naming ceremony. Henna Feet

Two women, Shruti and Snehal, came to our house to do the henna—every image was done freestyle. They could create a pattern from a picture or produce their own design in minutes. No matter what design we picked or where we placed the henna on the body, they fashioned fabulous art. It wasn’t what I expected though. I’m […]

Henna Party: The Best Times are Spent with Good FriendsMaggie Downie2017-12-29T21:10:58-05:00

Reflecting on Valentine’s Day

Okay, I think for the past fifteen years I may have been looking at Valentine’s Day the wrong way. I don’t like the day. I think it puts pressure on relationships; I think it makes single people feel awful; and I think it advocates wasting money.

But then a friend was telling me about how she was just giving little gifts to people who had been really helpful to her this year and she wanted to let them know that she appreciated it. Last year a couple of people put together little care packages or gave me a flower, and it was so nice. I didn’t expect anything from anyone so each little surprise was a pleasant treat throughout the day, especially the cupcakes one of our neighbors left at our door.

Being thought of felt nice. So I think maybe that is the way to look at V-Day–A time to send a card or put a little something together for anyone you love and care for. I hope to think of […]

Reflecting on Valentine’s DayMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:34:29-04:00

Smoothie Challenge: Do It With Friends

Though I didn’t set myself a deadline, I’m falling behind on my smoothie challenge. I set a goal of making all 30 smoothies from a new cookbook I got. Right now I doubt I’ll have tried 30 by the end of the year, which was definitely my intent at the beginning. I’m only on number five. I thought I’d try three a week. I’m lucky when I make two.

I’ve started recruiting my friends to make it more fun. This week I made one for me and Matt’s sister and then I made a group of friends try one on our regular Survivor night get together.

The one I had with Cindy was my favorite so far. Survivor night’s was bland, but refreshing. It takes a real trooper to try the smoothies. I like to play a game where you guess what’s in it, so there is a bit of trust […]

Smoothie Challenge: Do It With FriendsMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:34:31-04:00