seasons

Achey from Raking

This time of year we want to be carving pumpkins, picking apples, sipping cider, and leaf-peeping. But at some point, we’ve got to rake the yard and sweep up leaves that work their way into the house

Since raking only has to be done once a year our body isn’t always in shape for it, and we can get sore during or after. Luckily the very tool making us sore (that rake) can help us do some great stretches.

Try the chest opener, side bend, and standing cat stretch in the video below.

And if you want to add a few warm-up moves before you start raking, do some marches trying to tap the rake with your thighs.

Household items like a rake or a broom can become your friend. Use them to your advantage. They can actually deepen the sensation of certain stretches in a beneficial way. Try for yourself:

Keep Reading

Looking for more exercises to boost strength? Check out Maggie’s recent blog on the importance of Grip Strength!

Click here to learn more ways to boost arm strength!

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Achey from RakingMaggie Downie2023-11-01T18:25:41-04:00

First Fall Weekend

Fall is officially here. This season has some of the best weather for being outside. It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. Fall is just right. So how can you take advantage and be moving at the same time? Here are some of my favorite ways.

• Hike (I love Devil’s Hopyard and just recently discovered the blue trail at Castle Craig)
• Walk a town green
• Get one last walk on the beach in
• Run with a friend
• Pick Fruit in a local orchard, but walk to the fruit and skip any hay rides to the fruit
• Bake a pie from scratch—skip out on electric mixers and mix by hand for a slightly higher calorie burn
• Take your favorite exercises (pilates, yoga, kick boxing) and do some moves outside in a nice park

(Picture: Me and my dad hiking last fall.)

Personal Euphoria

First Fall WeekendMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:46-04:00

Extra Challenge

Technically the half marathon I ran on Sunday was still in summer and my hike to the Grand Canyon in October will be in the fall. They are in two separate seasons, but they are only separated by a couple of weeks. I sort of accidently wound up with two of my four challenges back-to-back. I was using these challenges to get myself in the best shape of my life throughout the year. I’ve been hiking and running a lot and I actually feel like I’m in pretty good shape right now, but my concern is that I will crash and burn and have a few months of nothing. I don’t want to lose all my progress.

Right now my final challenge isn’t planned until the winter (meaning February). So I think I need another challenge to get me excited and push me to prepare for it between now and then. Any ideas?

Personal Euphoria

Extra ChallengeMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:46-04:00