We all have busy days — ones where we rush from breakfast to school, work, errands and chores. Often, the first thing out the window when the day gets crazy is working out.
Despite how full your schedule can get, working out should be at the top of your to do list because exercise not only controls weight, but improves your mood and boosts energy, according to Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, you don’t have to waste hours traveling to the gym to exercise. Instead, you can get creative and work with what you have around the house.
Hula Hoop
This hula hoop has been around for a few decades and it still serves as a fun way to get our bodies moving. The next time commercials are on TV or a great song is playing on the radio, take the hula hoop and twist your body so that you can work your abs. You can also try family competitions to see who can twist the hula hoop for the longest time.
Ball
The ball is a common, yet underrated, toy that could help you lose weight. You can use the ball to work your abs by holding it in front of you while doing crunches. You can do twists and squats. You can play volleyball, basketball, football and any other game you love and lose weight with the rest of your family.
Jump Rope
It takes stamina to jump rope for an hour, but the calories burned can go up to 500. “It’s certainly good for the heart,” says Peter Schulman, MD, associate professor, Cardiology/Pulmonary Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. “It strengthens the upper and lower body and burns a lot of calories in a short time.” The best part is that you can jump rope anywhere you want — in front of the TV while watching your favorite series, in the garden while your kids are playing and even on vacation.
Scooter
We have all been there — we buy our kids a toy they’ve been asking for and then they get tired of it in a matter of weeks. If you have a dormant scooter resting against a wall somewhere in the house, then why not use it yourself to burn some extra calories?
Trampoline
Although we act like responsible adults, the kid inside of us is always front and center when we spot a trampoline. If you have one in your backyard, then don’t forget to use it as much as your kids do. Try high jumps, splits and other moves from experts in the field to slim down in a fun and stress-relieving way.
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