Getting Fit!

It's been years since you had a good workout, but it's time to dive back in. Don't worry, the water's fine.

It's a harsh reality. You need to get fit and you need to do it now!*

Maybe it's because you can't climb a flight of stairs without stopping midway for a breather. Or, perhaps those jeans just don't accentuate the derriere as they did two years ago. Whatever the case, it's time to "just do it."

"But how can I get fit when I just can't afford the cost of a gym membership?" you're thinking. Good question, just not a valid one. Because the fact is, you probably have all the tools you need to drop up to 25 pounds by fall-right in your home.

Think we're joking? Check out these commonplace items, likely in your own home, to see just what you've got to offer yourself.

Staircase
Canned goods
Rope
Iron
Walking shoes
CD player
TV set
Broom
Vacuum cleaner
Empty container with lid/top

How these items can help you

Used properly and regularly, each of these are great for getting fit for life. Let's see how:

Staircase: One of the most overlooked, effective items in most homes, the staircase is perfect for toning muscle, working all those cardio parts, increasing blood flow, and just plain ol' making you feel good.

Suggestions for use: Starting slowly, climb the flight of stairs just once, from bottom to top and back down again. To start out, climb up and down twice. Do this twice or three times during the course of the day. (If you're extremely obese, start from the top of the stairs to the bottom just once. This will ease the discomfort to your legs and feet. Once you're well rested, try climbing from the bottom of the stairs to the top. But don't overdo it! If you're up to it, do this twice a day until your stamina builds, increasing this routine to three times daily.)

If your bedroom is on the second floor of your home, since you're going downstairs anyway (on your way to school or work), why not make it a double? Before leaving home, start your day off with a blast by climbing a quick flight up and down before making your dash out the door.

To make it fun, purchase a walking odometer to see just how far you can go on the staircase. You'd be surprised just how quickly you can walk for half a mile.

To gain the most benefit out of this routine, and to lessen injury, always wear firm and comfortable walking shoes.

Vacuum Cleaning: Sure, a clean house does the mentality good, but vacuuming can actually help tone both arms, firm those legs, and tighten that abdomen (and couldn't we all use that?).

Suggestions for use: Switching the cleaner from left arm to right arm periodically, be sure to extend your reach from front to back-pulling each arm as far back as you comfortably can. Hold in your stomach muscles as tightly as you can during your cleaning, but don't push yourself to the point of injury. (We'll cover abdomen exercises later in this series.)

To make it interesting, plug in that CD player, or turn on your favorite radio or video station, pump up that volume and try this in tempo.