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Products we can't live without: |
We can probably create a whole new site dedicated to talking about fitness and exercise products that we love and can't live without. But we'll keep this concise and highlight just those products we think can benefit nearly every family. If you have the money, and more importantly the room, investing in a home gym is ideal since you then have the flexibility to work out during your free time. Although we know this isn't practical for many families. So here's a list of products we feel are a great start to getting you on the fast-track to fitness, while keeping your budget in tact. The Exercise Ball: |
InnovativeParent.com |
Focusing on what matters most - your children |
It may look like an ordinary, over-sized ball, but it's amazing just how versatile this is. For less than $20, you get a product that can literally be used in hundreds of exercises. Whether it be for targeting various areas of your abs so that you work them at all different angles and strengthen core muscles. Or even as an aid to various free-weight exercises to help in balance and flexibility. This ball really does do it all. Resistance Bands: |
Consider these a great alternative to a weight set. Resistance bands are outstanding for toning and tightening all those problem areas you would like to strengthen. And best of all, these are very portable so you won't have any excuses when you're able to get away for a short vacation. Ab Wheel: |
Of all the products we're highlighting, this is probably one of our favorites. For less than $10 you get a piece of equipment that will strengthen and tighten your abs like no other. You may look at this and think it's too old-school to still be of value. But nothing can be further from the truth. After doing various sets of crunches and ab twists for years, this simple, yet innovative product took my ab routine to a whole new level. When you're sore for about 3 full days after using this, you know you're working your mid-section to the highest degree possible. Who would have thought something so simple could be so effective. Yoga (Steve Ross): |
Yoga seems to be the most popular form of exercise this decade similar to how aerobics ruled the 80's. Steve Ross puts together an outstanding program that not only keeps you in outstanding shape, but also keeps you motivated to make this a normal part of your routine. You can also catch his hour-long, high-energy yoga sessions set to popular music on his TV show "Inhale" at 5 AM CST on the Oxygen Channel Mondays through Fridays. MP3 Player (Sansa): |
There are literally hundreds of MP3 players on the market today with products such as the Ipod gaining most of the fanfare. But you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars on an MP3 player if your main goal is to use this while working out. We've used the Sansa for years as it is not only easy to use, but very light and perfect for workouts. Strap this onto your arm and you'll forget it's there while you're working up a sweat. We're not recommending this as a tool to drown out the noises of the kids, but because everyone needs a little motivation now and then. Sites we highly recommend: cdc.gov - The "Healthy Living" topic has a section on "physical activity and exercise" that offers various resources for making physical activity a part of your life. kidshealth.org - reviews benefits of exercise, cites exercise recommendations and tips to raising a "fit kid." Eating Dietary guidelines for the revised food pyramid can be found at www.mypyramid.gov. The site offers many tips and resources such as a food eating plan - with foods and amounts based on your child's age, gender, and activity level. It also provides a detailed assessment of your personal food intake and physical activity level. By keeping a food diary and plotting calories burned by exercise, you can ensure you are hitting appropriate daily values while keeping track of your progress. Other sites we love: eatright.org - The American Dietetic Association site provides information of food and nutrition. Foodfacts.com - provides help with weight control, personal nutritional profile, ingredient search, food allergies, menu planning, and nutritional value. Recipezaar.com - subscription site that offers recipes and menu planning Tips to get started: 1. Cook at home. Not only does this save money, but fast food is overly processed and laden with hydrogenated fats, sodium, and sugar. Many scientists have described our stomach as the body's "second brain." That would indicate that what we eat can directly affects our ability to think, feel, and respond to our environment. If you are the one cooking, you then have control over what, if any, salt, fat and sugar enters your body and, thus, enhances or inhibits your body's optimal functioning. Beyond the physical benefits of cooking more healthfully, cooking at home can provide an opportunity for "quality time" with your family. Cooking with your kids provides them a hands-on opportunity to enhance their life skills and allows them to appreciate healthy eating. Cooking allows for lessons in math (measuring ingredients), science (identifying food groups, witnessing how properties of food change with heat), reading (identifying key words in favorite recipes). Kids as young as 2 can dump ingredients into a bowl and help stir. Older kids can chop veggies or fruit or participate by setting the table. Very responsible kids can even take over planning a meal one night a week. This might include choosing a recipe, shopping for ingredients, and meal preparation. What a lesson in time management, portion control and much more! 2. Find recipes. Magazines like Cooking Light, Cook's Illustrated, and Everyday with Rachael Ray offer realistic and healthful menu ideas. Also check your newspaper. Many have sections each week dedicated to food and cooking. Or consider trading recipes with friends. Gathering a good selection of menu ideas is the biggest key to making cooking at home frequently a breeze. Latest research noted in the November 2007 issue of Cooking Light in "Nutrition Insight" found that convenience products don't really save time, but recipes can. The study found that whether or not families used convenience products such as "just add water" dinner kits, or just a few convenience items such a prechopped veggies, dinner took an average of 52 minutes to prepare. So whether you reach for a box loaded with sodium, or rely on fresh wholesome foods, you'll be spending about the same amount of time in the kitchen. Time in the kitchen can be beat by utilizing 20-minute recipes in Cooking Light's "Superfast" column, or 45-minute-or-less menu in "Dinner Tonight." 3. Basic healthy ideas: limit sugar, increase fruits and veggies (get more into your diet by eating these for snacks), and have a whole grain and protein with each meal and snack. You may also find it helpful to refer to our discussion of menu planning in our organization section for other tips. |
