June 15, 2009
Summer is a great time for a trip to the zoo or doing some sightseeing. There is plenty to see while you accumulate your 10,000 steps/day. Added bonus if you take some kids, they are exercising as well and not sitting in front of the TV playing video games.
June 1, 2009
June is the month for fathers, and many of fathers are coaching summer sports leagues for our children. While dad and the kids are playing or practicing, why not use that time for yourself? Walk around the practice/sports fields, rain or shine, and see if you can get other parents to do the same.
May 15, 2009
Get ready for those summer activities you always wanted to learn. Sign up for tennis or golf lessons. Practice at the driving range. And, if you finally do hit the links, be certain to walk and pull your golf clubs. Don’t rent a cart!
May 1, 2009
With Mother’s Day around the corner, why not do something to help your mother? Do a bit of spring cleaning. You’ll be giving her a gift and working off some calories as well. The added benefit is the time you got to spend together (and you can tell mom, “See? I finally learned how to do my chores!”).
April 15, 2009
Has anyone ever told you to go fly a kite? April and May are great months to do just that.
April 1, 2009
If spring is in the air, get outside! Rent a tandem bike for a day. It might take a little practicing in the parking lot, but once you are comfortable in your role (front or back), away you go! Don’t forget to convert your time on the bike into steps to Tampa.
March 15, 2009
Celebrate March Madness by shooting hoops yourself or holding a free throw contest. You could raise money for philanthropy and get in some exercise. If you can’t miss watching the games on TV, use half-time for going outside to practice your moves.
March 1, 2009
March is American Red Cross month. Why not sponsor a blood drive on your campus or in your community? Or, speaking of March, why not get a group together and participate in a Volksmarch? Go to www.ava.com for more information.
February 15, 2009
What better way to spend an evening than in the arms of the one you love? Bring a friend, spouse or dating partner to a meeting. Hire a dance instructor to teach you some moves. Who knows? You might end up on Dancing with the Stars! By the way, dancing can burn 250 – 350 calories per hour and better yet, you average 1.25 miles in walking for every 15 minutes of dancing!
February 1, 2009
Getting tangled up in the game of Twister with the one you adore might be a fun Valentine’s Day activity. Your chapter could hold a campus-wide Twister contest to raise money for philanthropy.
January 15, 2009
No matter where you live, you can do ice-blocking in January. Ice blocking is where individuals race to the bottom of a hill sitting on large blocks of ice. The only equipment needed is some large blocks of ice and thick, preferably padded, clothing. Old towels are recommended to sit on. Check out potential sites, get any local approval or permits, and have fun!
January 1, 2009
Since January is a time for making resolutions, hold your chapter or club meeting at a local recreation/exercise center or gym. Ask one of the trainers to give a general overview (“tour”) of the equipment, then spend the remainder of the time trying it out. Afterwards, head to a local eatery for a light snack.
December 15, 2008
Have some fun making and giving food gifts this holiday season. You can make it special by inviting some friends and working together. You could save money, socialize and eat healthier as well.
December 1, 2008
When thinking about gifts for family and friends this holiday season, think fitness. Exercise bands and arm and leg weights are not expensive, and can be used in the winter cold in front of the fire or TV. You might also want to include exercise clothing in your gift giving. Walking while shopping adds miles to your Walk to 2010 Challenge, and gets you closer to Tampa (a nice thought in the middle of winter!).
November 15, 2008
After Thanksgiving dinner, get all the family and friends at your house to go for a nice walk. No matter what the weather, getting outside is more fun with a group. Sniff the late afternoon/evening air…does someone have a fire in the fireplace? Grandparents down to kids can take flashlights if it is dark. That might even be a time for fall flashlight tag.
November 1, 2008
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There is still time in many locations to go apple picking for that Thanksgiving pie. Engage the kids by having them research some healthier foods for the holiday feast, and then try them out in advance. Learning to plan, cook at eat healthy is a valuable lesson to pass on.
October 15, 2008
Why not combine yard work and exercise? Rake all of your leaves in a big pile and jump in them with your kids. Also, fall is a great time for planting bulbs, shrubs and trees. You can burn around 300 calories per hour doing yard work. Added bonus…your yard and garden will look awesome in the spring.
October 1, 2008
Get ready for Halloween. Take a trip to the Pumpkin patch. If you can find one where you can actually walk to the field where they are growing, that would be great. Be certain to go through the corn maze if there is one, and soon the steps will add up! Finish the day off with a hot cup of apple cider. Flavored with spices and an orange slice, it is only about 120 calories!
May 1, 2008
This is the month for mothers! Get together with your mom or sister-mom and plant some flowers. The exercise you get while gardening is beneficial, you are able to spend some quality time together and the blossoms you grow all summer can provide a reminder of the special relationship you share.
April 15, 2008
Collegians can organize a chapter competition of sack or 3-legged races, water balloon toss, or hula hoop and jump rope contests. The point is to get outside, exercise and have fun! If you raise money for diabetes during the competition, all the better.
April 1, 2008
Check out volunteer opportunities at your local Humane Society. Many shelters are in need of volunteers to assist in walking dogs. One Humane Society in the Indianapolis area has a program entitled, “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound." See if there is something like this in your community. If not, consider starting one. You not only get in some good exercise, you perform community service as well.
March 15, 2008
The weather might not yet be cooperating for some nice outside exercise. You can get a touch of the coming spring season by taking advantage of local botanical gardens. Walk through these beautiful places and admire the flora while you increase your number of steps for the day.
March 1, 2008
Easter is coming! Get together with sisters and friends to dye Easter eggs, make or decorate baskets or organize an Easter Egg Hunt for local diabetic children. You might want to include an egg rolling or egg tossing contest as well.
February 15, 2008
Is it difficult to find time in your day to work in exercise? Why not form a walking group at your office or at your child’s school? Plan to get together with your co-workers during your lunch hour and divide your time by spending 30 minutes walking and thirty minutes eating your lunch. You can also get together with other moms after you drop the kids off at school for a walk around the school track or around the school grounds.
February 1, 2008
February is the month of love...and chocolate! Have you tasted dark chocolate that is the "better alternative" of the chocolate family? Get a group together and do some tasting of the dark chocolate products on the market today. Remember, just a taste and you will most likely find that is all you need to satisfy a chocolate craving.
January 15, 2008
Unsure of how to work exercise into your daily routine? Invite a personal trainer to an event to give tips on using everyday household items as exercise equipment and/or how to turn everyday chores into exercise. For an idea of how many calories are burned during various activities, go to http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist.htm
January 1, 2008
Have trouble sticking to your New Year’s Resolution? Invite your members to share their New Year’s resolutions at a chapter/club event. At each subsequent event review the resolutions. Cheer successes and provide needed encouragement for sisters who are slipping to help keep them on track.
December 15, 2007
Here’s a great way to share ideas for making those holiday favorites a little healthier. Get together with a group of friends and have a holiday themed "low cal" potluck and recipe swap. See who can come up with the tastiest item and award a prize!
December 1, 2007
This month, get a group together and go caroling. It is a great way to get in some walking exercise when you might be more inclined to sit on the couch because the weather is cold outside. Afterwards, gather at someone’s house for hot chocolate made with fat free milk!
November 15, 2007
Not sure what to do with all those Thanksgiving leftovers? Use your November event to share ideas for converting Thanksgiving leftovers into healthy meals. Bring samples because everyone wants a taste!
November 1, 2007
As the seasons change, get out and enjoy the fall foliage. Spend time walking or hiking and looking at leaves and other plants during this changing season. A bonus: collect natural items to bring home to make a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.
October 17, 2007
Need to work in extra steps this month? Be certain to go trick-or-treating. You can go with children or trick-or-treat as an adult group, collecting food items for local food pantries. If you are collecting food, be sure to take along a wagon!
October 1, 2007
Here’s a program idea for October: Invite a dietician to your chapter or club event who can offer suggestions of healthier treat options for trick-or-treaters. You might also consider asking a police officer to come and discuss safety guidelines for trick or treating. |
