Get Fit in time for Christmas
Yesterday we took a look at the fitness of the future, but today it's all about going back to basics with our fitness, as we show you some credit-crunching options.
Going back to basics may seem depressing, but actually it can be quite fun when you set aside some time for family activities. The cheapest Christmas presents out there shouldn't be shunned in favour of expensive and lavish gifts, just because retailers are telling you they are better.
That's where we come in with our festive guide on all things credit-crunch friendly, and seeing as we're focusing on fitness this week, we thought we'd have a look at some cheap options to get you into shape. Firstly, let us look at the humble hula hoop.
No, we don't mean the crisps, we mean the hula hoop that you used to hula for hours with when you were younger, or when you were forced to do it in PE, but lets face it, anything was better than running laps wasn't it?! The hula hoop is a great, low-cost way to keep in shape and is as good as going to the gym for a full work out.
Considering the gym is now a luxury that most of us cannot afford, going back to basics are what people are doing. Why should you neglect your fitness during this credit crisis, when all you need to do is revisit your childhood.
A hula hoop can cost as little as a £2 and can tone up on your bum, tum, hips and thighs if done frequently through the week. The best thing to so is whack on some music and get dancing with your hoop to the rhythm, or if you feel a bit self conscious, why not invite friends round for a hula-hooping master class. Trust us, after a week you'll be hooked.
After you've mastered the art of learning to hula, why not take up swimming too? It's still relatively inexpensive to go to your local swimming baths, but if they've been taken over my a fitness centre, then unfortunately it will cost a little more.
Swimming is a really good way to tone up all the muscles in your body as it works everything hard, especially with the more lengths that you do. It can be a bit of a faff granted, especially for us women who have got to shave legs, underarms and er, the bikini area, before we even think about wearing a swimsuit. But if you can get past all that and go swimming, even say twice a week, you'll feel more toned and trim in no time.
Lastly, buy a ball. It can be a football, a tennis ball, a beach ball- whatever, just buy it and get throwing it around your back garden for an hour. Now obviously, it will be more fun (and make more sense) if you do this with friends or family, otherwise you'll just be throwing a ball against the wall until you go nuts.
Throwing a ball around may seem dull, but it's up to you to liven it up any way you choose; make it into a game or introduce forfeits for whoever drops the ball first- basically have fun. By giving it a go you could help shed your bingo wings and tone up your upper arms in the process.
Tomorrow we'll be looking at fitness DVDs and if they can help us lose the weight and tone up our tummies.
And I'll also be running my Belly dancing blog from now until Christmas, so check it out here and see how I'm getting on in my battle to tone up and shed the flab.