I'm not even going to go crazy with this. We are officially in the era of exercise tapes and long routines to copy. Welcome to the era of JAZZERCIZE!
If you're not feeling Lisa's excitement for Jazz, don't try to find another Jazzercize, because it really will become even more dominating in the 1980s! Instead, checkout some easier moves, while learning a little bit more about fitness in the 70's.
And what would a workout be without some Disco fun!
And lastly, my daughter and I do Just Dance, so maybe take one of your dance video games and make a 70s soundtrack and dance it out baby! WOOO!!!
Share your routine and what inspires you about the 1970s!
Sometimes we need a different kind of motivation. For instance, I can't always find someone to compete with for steps or distance. I used to be able to do it on my FitBit, but when I couldn't interact with some of those friends, I stepped away from it.
What I've started doing now is competing against myself. I track my steps and then trying to tell myself the next day to move past that. When I don't, it's sad, but I give a pep talk to myself about being able to move forward.
So this week, start by setting some sort of standard and then work to beat it. If it's 500 steps every hour, the next day do 501!
We've all seen commercials and advertisements begging us to save the animals, whether they're extinct or just abused. Some people might even say we have a responsibility to take care of the animals of the world instead of following our Apex Predator complex. But I think we can actually do more for animals than we think we can. It's not as hard as you might think. Did I just agree with a commercial only wanting a dollar a day? Sure!
So there is your list of "adopt pets" and "help animals find their forever home" and "save the polar bears." But we don't always have to go to the extreme of adopting a pet. You could also foster pets. This means you take on the job of caring for a pet so it doesn't have to be in a shelter. You raise that pet until they find their forever home.
Let's see what ways you can get involved in helping animals:
Shelter Drives (collect pet products and food that the shelter has on their "need" list)
Cut up plastics and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to stop plastic from hurting wildlife
Put up bird houses and put out bird feeds (keep this up, because birds can become dependent)
I love how the possibilities are endless. What other ideas do you have? Can we help each other help the animals? Share what you do or what you know about saving animals!
I have this hanging in my classroom. Just as a reminder for my kids who can get upset about things that are out of their control. It doesn't mean they don't have the right to get upset over it or that their emotions are wrong, but it helps put into perspective what we can control in our own lives and what is outside of our control, so that we can be more thoughtful individuals.
For example, I remember sharing the above poster with a friend and that friend asked for someone to make a large printed poster out of it. Then everyone in the school seemed to have it, but no one knew where it came from. Well, that it came from me and now her. I was sad, because no one realized I was the one who shared it with the original person and I felt like my thoughtfulness over sharing this poster and purchasing it in the first place was unknown. But what would be the point of others knowing it was me, right? My friend was getting some appreciated credit. So it was something I knew was out of my control and I needed to let it go! I had to just appreciate that others were really enjoying having the poster.
Control is something that helps us to feel good about the world around us. Sometimes we try to control too much and that can cause problems with relationships and just a general world view. It causes stress and worry and poor health.
Now I understand the idea of "let it go" to be very frustrating and, at times, not what you want to hear. Often people use the phrase to dismiss your feelings of despair. For example, you're feeling out of control and you don't know why and someone just says "let it go." Do you mean my feelings? Do you mean the issue? It is unclear. But when we find ourselves in a position where we are overthinking and dwelling, it's helpful to remember what we can control and what we cannot control.
We might think we're making time for ourselves personally, but most of us aren't - especially if you're a parent. When you have to keep up with other people around you, it can fatigue you to a degree you don't even realize. That's why taking time for yourself is important.
It's hard to make it something that is daily, especially if you have lots going on in your life. But take time each day to just decompress.
The says you only need 10 minutes and while that seems like a workout pitch, a workout could be your time. If you can just disconnect from your "responsibilities" it could help. Now if you see working out as another responsibility, then it might not be the disconnect time for you (I know it's not for me).
Don't treat this like another chore, but set a routine where you know you can do you time. Don't feel guilty. Taking care of you is not selfish. Taking care of you is the #1 goal in your life, because you can't do all the amazing things you do if you don't take care of you first.
During this "quarantine," my family and I have set up a day called Me-Day. On this day we focus on ourselves. My daughter does what she wants. My husband gets to focus on him without being bothered (if possible). And I get my time. I fight off the guilt, but I am, sadly, an easily taxed person and need massive amounts of re-energizing time.
Make it a habit and find time for you to be able to recharge. Share your strategies! Who knows... they might help someone else.
I absolutely love Zucchini. It is one of the best vegetables to put with everything and Zoodles are a blessing from the food gods! Here are some recipes to try out with your zucchini!
Gosh! There are so many ways to use Zucchini. I saw cakes and muffins and chocolate bars! I saw numerous savory recipes. Type in a protein with zucchini and you will find anything you desire. Hopefully some of the above will prove delicious enough for you tonight!
I thought it might be interesting to have a crash course in the 1960s. This guy might sound a little dry, but the information is pretty fabulous!
John F. Kennedy shaped physical education is schools. He helped shape the attitude America would develop about physical fitness.
Here's what the fitness centers look like (and let's not forget the shaming...wow!).
I know the audio isn't that great, but there have some suggestions for popular 60's recommended exercises AND some ideas for posture.
And here's some things we've seen before, even though they claim to be innovative. But you'll notice they now have actual workout equipment, similar to what we know today.
Not feeling some of these? How about some power-walking to 60's music!
So pick something to do, keep this tumultuous time in mind while you work it!
We like to follow a route that makes us happy and we have a tendency to return to it each time we walk or run or ride. Today, pick a new place. Maybe pick somewhere that has beautiful to inspire, like the woods or a shoreline. Maybe this new place will inspire you to go back and make you want to continue on your walking/wheeling adventure!
One of the biggest and often ignored issues in our country is youth homelessness and runaways. Sometimes it's hard to see how much our youth is suffering, but there is hope. Take a moment to learn more about what has been identified as reasons for the rise in youth homelessness. Try to make a difference in your own life by understanding others better.
Continue down the rabbit hole as you search for more information. The links above as a veritable bounty of resources to help those you love or yourself. Remember to use these resources to help educate and be involved.
Make your very own calming bottle or stress relief bottle. I've found that having one during times when you are feeling stressed can really draw your attention to the beauty in the bottle.
Make one a share what you've made. It's a good item to have on hand for any occasion.
Any kind of bubbles with do. You can get glow-in-the-dark ones or make your own. Just load up on bubbles. Maybe get one of those Wubbles!
Step 2: Go Outside
It's not the best to just stay inside with bubbles. I mean... if you have another space where you feel comfortable bubbling, go for it.
Step 3: BUBBLES!!!
Get the bubbles going! Put on some music if you want or just have fun blowing bubbles! It's really just all about the bubbles and having some laughs. Enjoy!
Sarri Gilman is a psychotherapist and author of works on developing boundaries to help build a stronger self. We've all had people and situations that have crossed lines for us, whether abusing how caring we are or knowing your fear of saying no and having people be upset with you. Sometimes it's just people who drain you, because your personalities don't mesh well. We don't want to be rude and excuse ourselves or look like someone who isn't a team player, but if we're not healthy, we can't be the best us we can be.
Sarri Gilman did a TEDTalk, sharing some strategies for setting boundaries.
Today, think about where boundaries may need to be set in your life to help with your day-to-day. Would setting aside time away help? How about turning off electronics and not jumping to answer that text?
Where are you going to start putting down a boundary? And don't forget, it is not bad to be selfish when it comes to taking care of yourself. When you take care of yourself, everything else will fall into place.
Avocados are one of those superfoods that everyone swears by. But have you gone all in beyond using it by smashing it on toast or making it into guacamole? Here are some ideas to try out in your kitchen today.
First, let's see how to try to get the best avocado.
Recipes:
Now a little Jamie Oliver (or as some of us remember him as... The Naked Chef):
(Yes... it's toast... but it's breky.)
Desserts:
Don't like avocados? Neither does she, but she's testing some Buzzfeed recipes!
You can do quite a bit with avocados and there are even more recipes out there! Share what you're making so we can all drool along with you!
When I was coming up with activities to do for Safer-at-Home Hoopla, I was watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. In several episodes we see various characters doing little workout routines and I thought hey... that would be kind of cool to do. Once the hula hoop showed up, I knew it was a must, because my mom always talked about hula hoops being the coolest thing in the world. Let's take a quick peak into the world of the 1950s.
But before we get to the routines.... Hula Hoops!
Today I've gathered a few videos for you to peruse and choose from for your workout. The first one I like, because it has Jack LaLanne. He was this amazing fitness instructor that just really took health and fitness to the next level. Fun Fact: He lived to be 96 years old! Could be for all sorts of amazing reasons, but maybe his fitness routine was one of them.
Finally, as a reminder that exercise is not just about the women, I have Abe Weissman's workout from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and then some rhythmic stretching. Everyone can do all of these exercises, so pick what you like and know that a little bit everyday helps.
Share what routine you did or what you liked most or learned about the 1950s and keeping fit.
