It’s still summer and that means we’ve got many more hot days of swimsuit wearing and tank top bearing. And if you’re like me, you’ll want to look your best. However, this heat has kept me inside in the air conditioning, and my tight budget has kept me from the gym. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a couch potato.
Who Needs to Join a Gym When You Have the Library?
I'm a big advocate of working out in the privacy of your own home to videos and DVDs versus joining a gym. Not only will you save the money you would have spent on membership fees, you won't have to drive across town, fight bad weather, pack up your entire bathroom, limit yourself to the gym's hours, or worry about not being able to keep up with the class.
Visit Mid-Continent's online catalog and enter "aerobic exercises" in the search engine under the subject line. You will see 189 selections to choose from.
Finding a workout that fits your lifestyle can become a workout within itself. Mid-Continent Public Libraries have a great selection of workout DVDs to pick and choose.
As the weather turns warmer (some days!) this spring, I start to think about getting outdoors to be more active. There are many lawn and garden chores to be done each spring, and that's a nice start. But sometimes, I want to do something that feels less like work and more like fun. That's when I grab my favorite schnauzer, Oliver Dean, and hit the trails! That boy loves to walk--I think he would walk from here to Columbia if I'd do that with him. We always see lots of neat stuff outside when we walk...leaves, deer, squirrels, and neighborhood cats are some of h
There are a lot of New Year’s resolutions being made, and one of the classics is weight loss. But with the winter doldrums hitting, it can be difficult to make an exercise plan and stick to it. MCPL has several books on exercising, dieting, and weight loss—all designed to help you lose those cookie induced pounds from the holidays.
For years, I used a standard exercise bike in my home. However, as the years passed, the seat became more and more uncomfortable (notice it had NOTHING to do with my derriere changing – just the bike seat became more uncomfortable!). In addition, my aging back began to complain about the forward leaning position. While visiting a bicycle shop, I tried out a recumbent tricycle (oh yes, we DO go in full circles in life… back to a tricycle!).
On a recent visit to Spain, I found living proof that the Mediterranean diet works. Walking through the streets and people-watching, I couldn’t help noticing that the population, as a whole, is incredibly fit and active. There are very few overweight people. For years, scientists have noticed that Mediterranean countries have less obesity and the related health problems: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. The key seems to be the diet.
I am a runner. It is my main form of exercise, and I enjoy it most of the time. I even compete in local races of various distances several times a year.
