Beauty By Ivy: Get your exercise where you can

Ivy says:

Ladies, I’m here to tell you, there is only one foolproof way to lose weight. I know it sounds simple, but  eating less and exercising more is the best way to lose weight. Problem is, exercising sucks, well, in theory. I hate going to the gym because I feel all huge and uncoordinated next to the gazelles that inhabit the place. I don’t like taking walks, going for a run, or riding my bike because the weather is nearly always uncooperative. I’d put in an exercise tape, but I have an irrational fear that my neighbors are watching me look stupid while I’m Sweating to the Oldies. Besides, I despise Richard Simmons.

So, what’s a girl to do? Here’s 5 ways you might not have thought of to get your daily exercise in:

1. Dance! At my house, we have what is called the 5:57 dance break. It started because 5:57 was almost always the worst moment of my day. Dinner is usually about 20 minutes away, the kids are fighting and screaming, the dog and cats are usually even fighting. So I started throwing on some happy music, ignoring all the screaming, and just dancing.  Now it’s a tradition at my house.

2. Clean! Vacuuming, sweeping, even dusting- if done at a vigorous pace- can raise your heart rate and be just the cardio you need, while getting your house clean at the same time.

3. Wiggle! I spend most of my day dancing in my chair since I pretty much sit at my computer desk from dawn til dusk.  I toss on some good music, put on my headphones, and dance while I type. Seriously, I’m dancing right now to the Blues Brothers’ Shake a Tail Feather as I write this.

4. Wrestle! I wrestle with my kids several times a day.  This is a whole lot of exercise (my 13 year old) or some gentle exercise (my 6 year old daughter) or downright painful exercise (my 3 year old) depending on which kid I pick a wrestling match with.

5. Have sex! Oh, I know, too obvious.  I had to say it anyway.

Now go on and get some exercise!