Let me begin by saying that at the ripe old age of 22 I am absolutely and entirely not an expert in anything.
As much as I like gym and enjoy the challenge of exercise, I don't think that exercise-for-exercise's sake is a very fun mentality. It seems unfortunate when looking at how-many-calories-do-you-need forms, I have to keep ticking the sedentary box when I'd much rather be ticking something more intensive. The way I see it, the more uses a person has for a particular activity, the easier it is.
For example, when my mum became really stressed, she'd take up walking - she'd walk all over the place, mornings and nights. For her, walking was incidental to the stress relief - though it provided some fortunate side effects.
So basically, what I'm wondering is: What do the rest of you do for fun that's also energetic (or at least gets you off the couch)? What can we do to motivate lazy friends and family members to join us? What can we do when we want to unwind without a sit down?
I've got a few ideas but I'd really love to see what the rest of you think. Hopefully I can get a few more ideas about living an active life (the schools around these parts are always blabbing on about increasing children's activity levels, though not necessarily their 'specified exercise times', why can't we adults have the fun?).
Word of warning: Some of my examples are mighty dull and have been heard all before. I'll include them regardless and hopefully someone will come up with stuff far more interesting. I'm hoping, anyhow!
Energetic things to do...
While going places...
Well, obviously walking/cycling to and from the shops with armloads of shopping is a good bet. Walking/cycling to friend's places, the gym, around clothing stores, all of that, are obvious and good uses.
When in need of romance/relaxation/family or friend time...
What about walking to the park with a picnic basket and friends/family? Or walking along the beach? Or just going to the beach for a swim?
When in need of a hobby...
Hiking is a really good weight-loss example for those near some natural scenery, and it counts as more of a hobby than an exercise routine. Snorkelling, abseiling and rock climbing are all brilliant ones if you have the right surrounding terrain, a bit of money and a good instructor. Paintball can be great fun - though expensive and somewhat painful.
With Kids...
Again, swimming at lakes and beaches, picnics and the like. However, add to this cartwheels, skip rope, four square, hopscotch and all of the other kid's games that you're not too big to play. Just you try and keep up with a bunch of red cordial-drunk kids and I'm sure you'll be begging for your usual cardio class.
The best thing is, they'll love you for it.
With friends...
Again, swimming at lakes and beaches, picnics and the like. The more mundane games of darts, pinball and eightball are better than sitting down (though not by much). If you're game, getting one of those Dance, Dance Revolution thingies can be fun and energetic.
Fun things to do with weight-loss friends...
Recipe swapping or creating a smorgasboard of very low-calorie meals can be fun. Of course, you can actually do proper fitness things with people like this and they'll still cheerfully like you afterwards ... unlike a lot of people I know.
As much as I like gym and enjoy the challenge of exercise, I don't think that exercise-for-exercise's sake is a very fun mentality. It seems unfortunate when looking at how-many-calories-do-you-need forms, I have to keep ticking the sedentary box when I'd much rather be ticking something more intensive. The way I see it, the more uses a person has for a particular activity, the easier it is.
For example, when my mum became really stressed, she'd take up walking - she'd walk all over the place, mornings and nights. For her, walking was incidental to the stress relief - though it provided some fortunate side effects.
So basically, what I'm wondering is: What do the rest of you do for fun that's also energetic (or at least gets you off the couch)? What can we do to motivate lazy friends and family members to join us? What can we do when we want to unwind without a sit down?
I've got a few ideas but I'd really love to see what the rest of you think. Hopefully I can get a few more ideas about living an active life (the schools around these parts are always blabbing on about increasing children's activity levels, though not necessarily their 'specified exercise times', why can't we adults have the fun?).
Word of warning: Some of my examples are mighty dull and have been heard all before. I'll include them regardless and hopefully someone will come up with stuff far more interesting. I'm hoping, anyhow!
Energetic things to do...
While going places...
Well, obviously walking/cycling to and from the shops with armloads of shopping is a good bet. Walking/cycling to friend's places, the gym, around clothing stores, all of that, are obvious and good uses.
When in need of romance/relaxation/family or friend time...
What about walking to the park with a picnic basket and friends/family? Or walking along the beach? Or just going to the beach for a swim?
When in need of a hobby...
Hiking is a really good weight-loss example for those near some natural scenery, and it counts as more of a hobby than an exercise routine. Snorkelling, abseiling and rock climbing are all brilliant ones if you have the right surrounding terrain, a bit of money and a good instructor. Paintball can be great fun - though expensive and somewhat painful.
With Kids...
Again, swimming at lakes and beaches, picnics and the like. However, add to this cartwheels, skip rope, four square, hopscotch and all of the other kid's games that you're not too big to play. Just you try and keep up with a bunch of red cordial-drunk kids and I'm sure you'll be begging for your usual cardio class.
The best thing is, they'll love you for it.With friends...
Again, swimming at lakes and beaches, picnics and the like. The more mundane games of darts, pinball and eightball are better than sitting down (though not by much). If you're game, getting one of those Dance, Dance Revolution thingies can be fun and energetic.
Fun things to do with weight-loss friends...
Recipe swapping or creating a smorgasboard of very low-calorie meals can be fun. Of course, you can actually do proper fitness things with people like this and they'll still cheerfully like you afterwards ... unlike a lot of people I know.