Doldrum Busters

Chris Howard shared some wonderful ideas with us this morning about what to do on those days or weeks that you feel cooped up in the house and the kids are looking for something fun to do.  Try these out with your kids and add your own ideas below!

(via)

FIESTA-Mexican night, Italian night (make your own pizzas) decorate placemats

LUAU/BEACH PARTY (don't forget the beachball) 

Daddy celebration (balloons, poster decorated, special dessert)

½ bdays

GET TOGETHER WITH SOMEONE AND THEIR KIDS* combat isolation

HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY OVER

MOVIE day at home (don't forget the popcorn) and snuggle!

PUT A TENT UP, or make shift one and “camp out”; s'mores in the microwave if no fireplace (kids love to see marshmallows grow in the microwave!)

Talent show/ put on a play

PLASTIC BALLS-kids run and parents try to hit them with the balls or vice versa.  Laundry basket-basket ball

Make masks out of paper plates and construction paper glued to the plate.

Leave your own ideas in the comments below! 

Working Out at Home and Other Healthy Tips

(via)

 

We were excited to kick off the New Year talking about getting fit and healthy.  Carrie and Matt joined us and shared some great advice for starting and maintaining a lifestyle that incorporates exercise and overall self-care.  Below are some highlights Carrie has provided for us from the morning. 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Starting Up 

 

Remember that you don't have to go crazy (and shouldn't!) when starting an exercise routine.  Even if you start slow, you'll still make progress. 

 

My favorite workout DVDs 

 

Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred (this is what I started my weight loss journey with)

Kelly Coffey Meyer

(she has many great DVD's, and I really like her kickboxing ones.  Most of hers are 30 minutes or less which I really love)

 

Some of my Favorite Healthy Lifestyle Sites

Young and Raw

Facebook Group to join to learn great recipes for Green smoothies

Juicing:

Juicing for Health

Juicing Vegetables Facebook Page

You can find Matt on Facebook HERE. 

 or check out his website at www.youregoingtosweat.com

 

Exercises to try at home (using nothing buy your own body)

 

Chair Squats

Squats

Lunges

Burpees (don't worry, no one ever likes these, but they do great things for your body!)

Stockings On (lunge to one side and "pull your stockings up")

Tina Turner (dance around like a maniac!)

Bottom Line

 

Remember to make small changes and not to expect big changes at first.  The more you can incorporate exercise and small changes into your normal, every day routine, the better your chances of success.  

Thank you Matt and Carrie!  We loved having you (and are only a teensie bit sore!)