It works... Join in... Homefreestyling!

lindsaylinzlinz

Hi,

I never get to the gym or the swimming pool and when I say I will go for a walk I don't get round to doing that either, I have exercise games and DVDs but again I never put them on but I've found something I love doing. I hope it appeals to everyone who struggles making the time to exercise or who just wants to up their activity.

I put on my favourite music and I walk up and down my lounge and swing my arms or dance. It means after 5 songs I've done 20-30 minutes of exercise and my endorphins have shot up due to the combination of music and exercise. Guidelines advise us that we should be doing 150 minutes of exercise each week, I'm confident that by doing this I am hitting that target.

I don't need special clothes, it's free, I'm not self conscious because no-one can see, it's fun and I can also fit it in at some point during the day. I use my headphones if it's early so I don't wake everyone up.

I've been doing it a few weeks now and my legs (and especially knees) have really toned up.

I started off simply walking but I'm now holding cans of food as weights to try and tone up my arms at the same time.

For me this works because instead of sitting there thinking shall I exercise? If I just get up and start it I've done it before I know it. I can honestly say that I've never thought that I haven't enjoyed it, and you will probably find that after 5 songs you may want to carry on.

My family have been really supportive and ask me "Have you done your homefreestyling today?" I call it homefreestyling because I think there are so many variations on this, please try it.

Start it and see what you think. If you like it join the group Homefreestyling, I will post music and exercise information and we can share our ideas.

Lindsay

kelly101386

That's very cool, if I may, to help tone up your arms have you tried resistance bands? I work out at home and don't do weights, I bought a band cheap off of eBay for £2 and its fantastic

darrensurrey

Nice going. Exercise doesn't have to be tedious!

ctinawilson

Sounds really fun! Zumba is a similar kind of thing, and I love it because its with a group so you get to socialise as well, but this is such a good idea for when you're at home, and you're completely right about not even realising you're exercising! Do you do any specific moves, or just go wild?

lindsaylinzlinz

Kelly101386 Thanks, I'll get these for that bargain price!

mlcantwell

This is why I love zumba! I like having the motivation of lots of people doing it with me but this is great two! Exercise can be fun! I get bored doing repetitive cardio like jogging.

lindsaylinzlinz

ctinawilson. I mainly exercise in the morning. Sometimes I'm literally walking thinking of what I've got to do for the day, and then I find after a few songs my mind clears and I am able to get in to it and usually speed up. I wave my arms around a lot, and do bicep curls with the cans and aim for some knee lifts every now and then. By the end I'm walking and stretching my neck, arms and shoulders and as I'm fully warm then that feels really good.

There are zumba signs all over the place and loads of my mates do it, it's great that it combines music and exercise but by the evening I can't seem to get the get up and go to go! I have zumba on the WII too, but I've personally got more from the homefreestyling.

lindsaylinzlinz

darrensurrey Are you going to give it a go? You can let us know if it adds to the Troy look.

SaraBrown12

Its important to see working out as something fun, burning calories is not always about doing marathon sessions at the gym or running miles and miles. If you find an activity you enjoy then you look forward to doing it instead of seeing it as a chore, in which case you will do it more often. Its great you have found an activity that works for you that you can fit in. Music makes you feel good, so does dancing, its also an activity that as you increase your own fitness/confidence/stamina, you will be able to increase the intensity easily. You could go from a simple side step to a salsa dancer in no time.

I have all the kinect/wii dancing games but like yourself i seldom put them on. I do however blast my music while i am washing dishes/doing other household chores and you can't help but dance about (well i can't).

Keep at it and good luck xxx

lindsaylinzlinz

SaraBrown12 I don't think I'll get to salsa dancer level just yet, but I know what you mean.

Do you log the exercise on this if you do say an hour of chores/dancing? I think that certainly comes under the heading of homefreestyling.

9lbs is so near your goal, keep at it.

Lindsay

pkw58

I love this! I use to take study breaks in college by jumping up and dancing to the music on MTV if one of my favorite songs came on... (I was in college in the mid 80's) ... I also will set things at the bottom of the stairs I need to take up to our bedroom/bathroom and then walk up and down the stairs carrying and putting one thing a way at a time.

Anything to make exercise fun!!!!

littlelaura

Dancing at home to your favorite songs, is definitely a fun workout and absolutely counts! Keep at it and I am sure you will see results all while having a good time too! Nice job!:drinker:

darrensurrey

darrensurrey Are you going to give it a go? You can let us know if it adds to the Troy look.

As an alternative to my usual cardio, yes, I will.