Haven't you seen it? Smiles. People are starting to smile again. Our northeast region had a few warm days that gave us a glimpse into Spring in three days, but who's counting. I am and probably... so are you. Spring Forward 2011! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Don't you feel it in the air? There's a rejuvenation springing forth and it won't be stopped. We're ready to take on the world again. Anything and everything's possible. The days are longer and the weather will get warmer, it's time to get ready for Spring.
I am with you and will protect you everywhere you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15
Miracles and Blessings, Kiki here! Now with Spring just a grin away, you're most likely looking at yourself more in the mirror with a critical eye. Did you meet your fitness goals in January and February? Or should I be asking, why didn't you meet your fitness goals in January and February? Hey, I'm not the fitness police, just a concerned KiKi. It's your beautiful face staring back at you in the mirror, so embrace it with love. ALWAYS.
Not to worry, if it's going slowly... we have just the fitness program you wished for... where you can have fun too. Yes, I said the fun word. Remember, it's what you had when you were a little girl. Now that you're an adult, you can have your cake and burn it off too with a rebounding workout.
Rebounding burn lots of calories and has immediate health benefits you'll enjoy now and as you age.
Aren't you glad you stopped by iCafe Woman Moderne, our virtual cafe for inter-generational women inside a cool mid-century Art Moderne home with delight around every virtual corner? A vibrant smile greets you at the door.
We're pretty confident this Almost Spring and Counting! text-webisode will get you motivated to move and have fun while you're moving. We don't believe in the "exercise for the pain" calorie burn.
Rebound Exercise
Hear that laughter? It's coming from upstairs. It's where six of our iCafe Woman Moderne divas are taking one of our popular rebounding (mini trampoline) classes as we virtually speak.
Of course, some of our iCafe Woman Moderne divas opted to enjoy their afternoon sipping delicious smoothies and iced teas in our relaxing sun room. They've promised to take a later class. It's a beautiful day... only time will tell.
I've enjoyed many health benefits rebounding for the past ten years. Tops on my list... it's a great de-stressing tool.
Well, Healing Daily.com made it easy for us by compiling a list of benefits of rebounding.
It tends to slow down aging.
It
increases the capacity for breathing.
It circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
It helps combat depression.
It helps normalize your blood pressure.
It helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
It increases the activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
It lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It stimulates the metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of obesity.
It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
It improves coordination throughout the body.
It promotes increased muscle fiber tone.
It offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
It enhances digestion and elimination processes.
It allows for easier relaxation and sleep.
It results in a better mental performance, with sharper learning processes.
It relieves fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
It minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
Okay,they had me at slowing down aging. You can exercise on a folding rebounder as little as 10 to 15 minutes a day, five days a week and still reap wonderful wellness benefits.
You can begin slowly and build up muscle strength and bone density until you feel comfortable about increasing the pace. In rehabilitation centers patients are encouraged to use the trampoline (after operations) to strengthen limbs while holding onto the stabilizing bar for balance. It's the perfect exercise for the young and the elderly.
If you're on a limited budget, try the Urban Rebounder mini trampoline starting at $89.99 including stabilizer bar and Urban Rebounder dvd.
It circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
It helps combat depression.
It helps normalize your blood pressure.
It helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
It increases the activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
It lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It stimulates the metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of obesity.
It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
It improves coordination throughout the body.
It promotes increased muscle fiber tone.
It offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
It enhances digestion and elimination processes.
It allows for easier relaxation and sleep.
It results in a better mental performance, with sharper learning processes.
It relieves fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
It minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
Okay,they had me at slowing down aging. You can exercise on a folding rebounder as little as 10 to 15 minutes a day, five days a week and still reap wonderful wellness benefits.
Shock absorbers in a good trampoline absorb the impact as your feet land back onto the the durable mat. This makes it very gentle on knees, ankles and hips and the perfect exercise for women with joint problems, not so with jogging and running. And, rebounding calories burned are significant.
You can begin slowly and build up muscle strength and bone density until you feel comfortable about increasing the pace. In rehabilitation centers patients are encouraged to use the trampoline (after operations) to strengthen limbs while holding onto the stabilizing bar for balance. It's the perfect exercise for the young and the elderly.
If you're on a limited budget, try the Urban Rebounder mini trampoline starting at $89.99 including stabilizer bar and Urban Rebounder dvd.
Despite replacing most of the springs, my $39.99 rebounder has lasted ten years. Bouncing away stress while watching my favorite HGTV shows, I've stayed healthy and maintained a 45 pound weight loss. I recommend not buying anything cheaper than the Urban Rebounder, because the quality of a cheaper rebounder's construction becomes a safety issue.
Since I plan to teach rebounding in the near future, I'll invest in an Urban Rebounder next, or the Cellerciser, or possibly a ReboundAir... my third choice. It depends on my purse at the time of purchase.
Once you get one, you can create your own rebounder exercise routine. If you prefer instruction, you'll find many rebounding videos on the market to challenge you.
Urban Rebounder
Need a little more convincing?
"NASA names the rebound exercise as "the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man." What's good enough for NASA is good enough for me.
If you have more cash to spend and want a longer lasting rebounder without the need to replace springs, you might want to consider these:
Cellerciser
Cellerciser® Half-Fold Rebounder Mini-Trampoline w/ Balance Bar By David Hall
According to a Squidoo Review:
The CELLERCISER® is the only mini-trampoline on the market with the TRIPLE-TIERED TAPERED spring design (patent approved in 2008). By tapering AND using tiering the spring, the user can receive a superior bounce irrespective of the weight or the height of their jump. So the TRIPLE-TIERED TAPERED spring actually adjusts to the users weight and jump, making it this reviewer's best rebounder trampoline.
By tapering and tiering the spring, a 100-pound person will use most of the first tapered tiered section, part of the second tier of the spring and have a great bounce, a 200-pound person will utilize more of the second tier and part of the third tier and the 300-pound person will use more of the third tapered tier. That means you get the best bounce available regardless of your weight or height of the jump. The spring adjusts to the weight of the user automatically.
ReboundAir
ReboundAir was featured on the television show, "The Doctors," and the quarter-folds were purchased for the 2011 season of "The Biggest Loser."
ReboundAir Ultimate Quarterfold Rebounder Mini Trampoline Rebound
I can't sing praises for the rebounder without mentioning my other secret exercise weapon, also rated high for fun... the timeless hula hoop.
Weighted Sports Hula Hoop for Weight Loss - Acu Hoop 3 lb. Boxed
Adult Hula Hoop
Children's hula hoops are too light for adults and won't stay up. You can get a weighted hula hoop, but don't go over 3 lbs., especially if you're a beginner. An adult dance hula hoop (one and a half pound weight) will allow you to boogie and perform tricks like whirling it over your head and back onto your waist.
A small adult hoop measures 38" in diameter and weighs 1.525 lbs and a regular adult hoop measures 42" and 2.0 lbs. There are many videos on the market for beginners to learn a weighted hula hoop workout.
Canyon Hoops suggests that if the weight of the hoop is sufficient to allow you to maintain the hooping rotation and preferably work up a sweat--then the hoop is the right size and weight even if it only weighs one pound. Collapsible hula hoops are great for taking on vacation. It helps to keep you on track and still enjoy those all-you-can-eat buffets on vacation.
"Through our years of experience we believe 38" hoop at approx. 1.5 lbs and the 42" hoop at approx. 2.0 lbs is the ideal size and weight to trim inches off your waist and for overall fitness."
Heavier (2.0 lbs) and larger hula hoops for adults rotate slower and are easier for the beginner. You can buy hula hoops online, custom hula hoops or make your own. To pick the right size, stand the hoop in front of you. The top should be between the stomach and the middle of your chest.
Here are five other idea-starters
that will give you a Spring State-of-Mind.
1. Try Golf
It may bring out the Michelle Wie in you. I was the last person that thought I would like golfing. My husband lured me to the golf course with the promise of three trips to Dairy Queen for my favorite treat, if I didn't enjoy my first visit to the links.
I thought this would be my easiest win ever. Imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed it. And a short while later, I was going there toting my own clubs. Oh, and I still got a visit to Dairy Queen ... his treat. Along with the clubs, I bought a cute outfit.
Ginger Howard
16-year-old Ginger Howard of Bradenton, Fla., represented the United States last Fall at the Junior Ryder Cup held at Gleneagles Resort, Scotland. She was featured on the Fall 2010 issue of African American Golfer's Digest.
2. Go Fly a Kite!
Have a kite flying day. March has the best kite flying weather.
I mean really... March is the month to go kite flying. So start shopping for some cool kites. What are you waiting for?
Find a local kite festival or just buy a kite and take it to your nearest park on a nice, windy day.
Prism Stowaway Diamond Kite, Radiance
Prism Butterfly
Visit a Local Strawberry Farm
3. Plan a Strawberry Picking Farm Trip with friends and family for Late May or Early June. Strawberries are in season for three or four weeks beginning in late May.
Or go on your own, and surprise your family and friends with homemade strawberry shortcake (the large iced version), or strawberry shortcakes (the smaller individual version), strawberry scones, gourmet chocolate covered strawberries, preserves, strawberry compote, strawberry cheese cake, strawberry lemonade and the list goes on.
Berry farms sell by the pound. If you choose to bring your own containers, they'll weigh them when you arrive and record the empty weight so they don't charge you for the weight of your container. Most pickers use strawberry boxes, ice cream containers, dishpans or buckets. Keep in mind that the deeper the container, the more likely your berries will get smashed.
Sliced Sweetened Strawberries
Wash strawberries and take stems off of them. Slice berries in half or
smaller pieces. Use 1/2 cup to 1 cup sugar for 6 cups of berries.
Gently mix strawberries with sugar and let stand about 10 minutes until sugar
dissolves. Berries will become juicy. Spoon berries and juice into
plastic containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. The juice is delicious!
You can scoop them into store bought dessert shells or use it to make Strawberry Shortcakes. I have fond memories of making this with my mother and sister.
You can scoop them into store bought dessert shells or use it to make Strawberry Shortcakes. I have fond memories of making this with my mother and sister.
4. Go Easter Hat Shopping
The Milliners Guild Spring 2011 Hat Collection show at the Metropolitan
Pavilion during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week last September was green, but not with envy... with organic and recycled materials they used to construct the eye-catching hats. Twenty-one hat-makers, mostly from New York, gathered to strut
their best wares on the runway with sustainability on the mind.
This one's my favorite. I can definitely see me wearing this to church on Easter Sunday with a peach or coral suit/dress and pearls... definitely pearls.
Jocelyn (50) knows she won't go unnoticed at the Little Black Dress/Little Pink Dress Tea for Breast Cancer Survival she's attending in May.
Sasha (28) wants to wear this derby on a night out on the town. She'll definitely turn the envious heads of other fashionistas.
5. And Finally... (BIG GULP) Cyber-surf for Summer Swim Wear. Don't worry, you'll jump on your rebounder while watching Wheel of Fortune and hula hoop for ten minutes to Good Morning America. Before you know it, you'll be ready to wear the new 2011 vintage retro swimwear that are more pleasing to your critical eye, despite the body flaw.
Retro Style Swimwear
I love it! This new retro style swimwear shows that you can be over and under 40 to enjoy this trend. However, I don't recommend it for the under 15 crowd.
The 2011 version features retro pin up swimwear, a bandeau top with sweetheart and square neckline, soft molded cups and removable strap in both one and two-pieces.
You'll also find the beach blanket Gidget-inspired high-waisted two pieces and retro Bel Air maillot, many with ruching, belted hipsters and flattering skirt details dotted or in solids, plaids, Hawaiian prints and other patterns. You won't want to miss this flattering and timeless trend.
Plus Size Retro Swimwear
There's a nice selection in plus sizes.
The 2011 version features retro pin up swimwear, a bandeau top with sweetheart and square neckline, soft molded cups and removable strap in both one and two-pieces.
You'll also find the beach blanket Gidget-inspired high-waisted two pieces and retro Bel Air maillot, many with ruching, belted hipsters and flattering skirt details dotted or in solids, plaids, Hawaiian prints and other patterns. You won't want to miss this flattering and timeless trend.
Plus Size Retro Swimwear
This beautiful red suit comes in sizes 2 to 26.
(Unique Vintage)
This one goes from size 2 to 16.
Not to be left in the fashionista dust, Victoria's Secret also introduced retro posh into their 2011 swimwear collection.
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