So as you all know I am training for the LA Marathon that I will be doing with 8th Continent Soymilk and the awesome charity Child S.H.A.R.E., so working out a couple times a day is on the current menu. Lots of people are looking for the newest best workout that is out there! But here is a little secret- the “new” workout is really old!
What do I mean by this? Well, since we have grown up, we do things much differently. We learn modesty, shame, and self-restraint. And in some aspects this is very important and a good thing to practice. However, we get SO much less exercise when we are modest.
Forget your inhibitions, and act like a kid again… trust me, it is a great workout.
If you are thinking to yourself: Hmmm… what is she talking about? I already do this? Then, I challenge you with this question:
When is the last time you did a cartwheel?
Yeah- that’s what I thought.
How about you pick a few of the following long-forgotten fun-filled games we used to play as children and try them out as an adult.
Difficult? Yes.
Fun? You betcha.
Great workout? Precisely.
Swing!
It is a great workout for your arms AND for your core muscles. Not only is it romantic to do with your significant other, it is also a giggling inducing fun activity to by yourself or with a friend.
Go fly a kite!
You have to get a running start, and then once the kite is up you can pull and tug against
wind resistance. You can also get a trick kite which allows you to do a ton of cool dips and dives
while giving you an even better arm workout. And sometimes, it is almost as calming as meditation.
King of the Mountain!
This activity requires two people or more, and you have to be trustworthy people and kind so no one gets hurt! But it is an AMAZING workout. So here is how it goes… find a pile. Of what? Well, there are a ton of options. Snow, dirt, rubble, etc. And see who can stay on top of the pile the longest.
You are putting your weight against someone else trying to (safely) push them aside so you can be King of the Mountain!
Do a cartwheel! Or a few.
I mean come one, when is the last time you did a cartwheel? Don’t worry about falling over sideways. So what? Remember? You are a kid again! Make sure you stretch before hand though- seeing as this old-school awesome exercise does take a bit of flexibility.
Dodgeball!
Running around, throwing balls at your friends, bouncing balls off of yours so you are not
“out”. This is not only TOTALLY fun… but it will keep your heart pumping and adrenaline going because
let’s be honest: a little competition can sometimes be exactly what you need to keep playing.
Monkey Bars!
This is a great upper body workout- and if your feeling saucy-maybe try a pull-up
or two.
Sled!
Just because it is winter, and depending on where you are there is snow doesn’t
mean you can’t exercise outside. Go sledding!
Red Rover Red Rover
Forgot about this game didn’t ya? Running, a little bit of wrestling and a killer workout!
So as you can see, if you throw yourself into a kid’s mindframe, you can workout AND have fun.
Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook or even tell me on Twitter!
You can also check out my article on what NOT to do when training for a marathon here. So go ahead, let loose, have fun, and I guarantee it will be an awesome workout.
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Elena