Times are tough for a lot of us right now. Some of us feel like we got sucker punched in the gut, losing a job while others face daily headaches trying to save their home or a struggling business. It would be easy to dive into a pint of ice cream, hit the booze or even get a prescription for happy pills but one of the best stress relievers is physical activity. This is probably the last thing you're thinking about right now but there is no better time to start thinking about it!
When you log in just 15 – 20 minutes of exercise you raise your levels of serotonin, the feel-good hormone. Plus, studies show exercise increases your mental activity. So, with just a bit of effort, you'll clear your head and feel more relaxed. Instead of saying, “I have to exercise” turn it around and say, “This is my time to rejuvenate!” It doesn't take a gym membership or pricey equipment to reap the benefits of getting physical.
Check out these ideas to get started and get approval from your doctor if you're starting something new.
Cheap & Local
We'd rather have a tight “end” instead of a tight budget. If you're low on cash these options may work for you.
Craigslist.com: Search within your area for exercise equipment. If you're searching for something specific just type it in the search field. Never go to someone's house alone to look at the item. Test the equipment before you purchase and get the owner's manual if they have it.
Freecycle.com: With a free membership you can give and get free items within your community. You must have a Yahoo, Google or Facebook account to join. Once approved, you can review the posts. You can post “Wanted” for a specific item you're looking for or browse the “Offers” to see if there is something you like.
Around town or online: Goodwill, Salvation Army, pawn shops, Play it Again Sports, community swaps, mlive.com, local classifieds and community bulletin boards can be a treasure trove for equipment.
Friendly Exchange: You probably have friends with exercise equipment so why not trade with each other? A hula hoop for a Bosu ball for a week? Even better, workout at your friends one day and invite them to your house the next time.
Jump & Climb: Basic jump ropes can be had for about $6-$8. Or, if you've got stairs in your home—you've got a free heart-pumping option. Try the Tabata method: Jump rope or run up and down the stairs for 20 seconds. Rest (walk in place) for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 8 times and you'll log in 4 minutes.
This is intense, so scale it back if you have health issues or haven't exercised in a while. Modify it by simply walking up the steps or “skip” rope (one foot always on the ground) instead of having both feet leave the ground to jump. Scale back to 10 seconds of walking or jumping and walk in place for 20 seconds. Try various time segments to match your ability.
Behind closed doors
If you prefer to work out in the privacy of your own home but need some motivation, try DVD's for free. Most libraries have a good selection. You can also get a trial membership at Gamefly.com for your gaming platforms, so if you wanted to try Zumba but are not crazy about doing it in public, here's your chance. Netflix (at print time) is offering a one-month free trial. Simply connect your gaming platform, iPad or iPhone to Netflix and choose anything from yoga to bootcamp. After you work out, stream a movie for your reward.
Big store savings
Enter your email address at Dick's, MC Sports or Dunham's and sign up for email offers. You will immediately receive a 10 percent discount offer. I often receive 20 percent off coupon offers via email.
Get me outta here!
Outside may be a canvas of white but inside you've got the winter blues. Get outside on a sunny day and breathe in fresh, crisp air. Many communities offer free outdoor activities. The National Park Service in my area is offering free snowshoeing lessons and rentals every Saturday in February. Check your local community listings to see how you can get outdoors and beat the winter blues.
Lisa Marie Metzler is a personal trainer and freelance writer.
