Health Tips for Parents

There are thousands of easy ways to stay healthy using exercise and diet. Below are a few health tips for parents with little kids. Staying fit is very important as child rearing is very strenuous and stressful and it's hard to cope with life's ups and downs when you are out of shape and depressed. Healthy exercise and the right diet will combat all that and make you feel like a million dollars. So lets get started.

Interval Routine

The best way to get into an exercise routine if you are out of shape and don't exercise regularly is to start an interval routine. Begin by walking briskly 3-4 times a week fro 20-30 minutes. This will raise your heart level and pick up your metabolism. Like all exercise routines first you should consult your physician before you begin. After walking as suggested for about 2 weeks you should then walk as fast as you can from 30-60 seconds then walk briskly for 1-2 minutes doing that interval routine 4-5 times minimum in your 20-30 minute workout. Eventually you can start running then walking briskly as an interval workout.

Circuit Routine

Another idea I like is circuit exercises. What you do is layout areas were you could do 4-5 exercises of your choice and vary them by changing the routine. You can pick from these exercises; bodyweight squats, jumping jacks, push-ups, jump squats, burbees, crunches, bicycle crunches, jog in place, waist twist, etc. Make sure you plug some music in or wear your mp3 player, as this will keep you moving. Also keep a journal so you don't forget your routine especially after you change it a few times. Also record your weight to watch the pounds melt away.

Do 30 second per exercise then rest 10-30 seconds then precede to the next exercise. After you do all 5 exercises rest 2 minutes and start again. Do 2 times and every two weeks add another rep or more exercises. You will feel like a new person after this workout.

Dancing

Another inexpensive form of exercise is dancing. Go to the library and get a tape on instructional dancing like Ball Room Dancing, How to Dance the Salsa in 6 Easy Lessons. Even if you do this only once a week it helps to vary your workout and keeps couples laughing and having fun rather then vegetating in front of the television every night.

Hula Hoop Exercise Equipment

Next time you are in a thrift store or garage sale look for a hula hoop as these are funny exercising equipment then you can compete at who can do it the longest at a high speed. They are fun and cheap to boot. Go for it and make those hips sway mom and dad!

Skates

When my kids were young and started skating I bought a pair of skates and started skating with them and it was a blast not to mention great exercise. I remember once we went on vacation and took our skates. All five of us skated all over the island. Get a jump on the kids and start practicing when they are young for the exercise. You can find great used skates cheap on Craig's List or hop on down to a used sports store they are sure to have some your size. Also get one of those jogging strollers and take the kids with you and have a good time.

Medicine Ball

Another inexpensive piece of exercise equipment is the medicine ball. It can be used in conjunction with the circuit routine above to help stretch your workout into a real body shaping experience. Go to http://www.build-muscle-and-burn-fat.com for some great medicine ball workout ideas.

Jump Rope

A real fun workout is make or buy a jump rope. It should be long enough if you can stand in the middle of the rope and your hands are not higher then your chest. Then practice and you should pick it up pretty quick and when you feel comfortable with your abilities jump on over to http://www.fitnessmagazine.com and you will find some fun workouts using your jump rope.

Magic Crunches for 6 Pack ABS

Like I said before vary your workouts so you don't get bored. One workout that really works the abs is a crunch workout. If you don't know what a crunch is go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKg_cdwq9l4 and watch the crunch video and then do them for 30 minutes using the medicine ball you got at a used sports store.

Basic Barbell Workout

Another cheapo item you can get is a couple sets of barbells of differing weights. Start with a 2.5 lbs set and then work your way up. You can use these on your interval routine working out around your neighborhood or if your spouse is not around to watch the kids put them in the stroller you got and do the walk around your yard were you can see the kids all the time. Were there is a will there is a way! Get workout tips reading this article http://ezinearticles.com/?Barbell-Exercises-That-Suit-Beginners&id=4435 .

Hey I hope this has got you motivated to get that body in shape so you and the kids can have some fun over the years it's important so start today.