| Fitness-oriented gym classes were designed to | | | | exercise when your little one is taking a nap. Play |
| make fitness and good nutrition fun and | | | | your children's games with them: hopscotch, kick |
| achievable and to maximize the amount of | | | | ball, jump-rope or what ever they come up with. |
| movement during the class period. Class size was | | | | Exercise facts |
| limited to 14 students to allow for increased | | | | Evidence shows that regular exercise can: |
| instructor attention, increased opportunity for | | | | 1. increase levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol, |
| motivation, and less time standing in line. | | | | 2. lower high blood pressure, |
| The key to keeping up with a resolution to get fit | | | | 3. help improve body composition by burning fat, |
| is finding an activity, or range of activities, that | | | | 4. promote healthy blood sugar levels, |
| you enjoy. Not everyone sees exercise as fun, | | | | 5. promote bone density, |
| and doing something you find boring just because | | | | 6. boost the immune system, |
| it's good for you is very difficult to sustain. But | | | | 7. improve mood and reduce the chance of |
| you can take steps to make it more enjoyable. | | | | depression. |
| Eye Exercise | | | | Generally speaking, the greater your stamina, the |
| Close your eyes as tightly as you possibly can. | | | | greater are the health benefits. If you want to |
| Squeeze the eyes, so that the eye muscles | | | | improve your stamina, it's important to start |
| contract. Hold this contraction for three seconds | | | | gently, increasing the frequency of your activity |
| and then let go quickly. This exercise causes deep | | | | before increasing how hard you exercise. |
| relaxation of the eye muscles and is especially | | | | Try out new sports or activities until you find |
| beneficial after the slight strain caused by the eye | | | | something you like. When you find an activity you |
| exercises. Blink the eyes a few times. | | | | like, try exercising with a friend, at a pace that still |
| Exercise tip for an exercise benefit: | | | | allows you to talk. Activities that you can do as a |
| Get yourself a stationary bike. They're easy and | | | | family or with friends may help with motivation. |
| handy and quiet. So you can hop on it and | | | | |