Friday 30 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 30. FOUR!



Welcome to Day Thirty of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The final activity I am going to highlight is Golf!


Did you know that Golf is the third most played leisure activity in Victoria?

I suppose it's not really surprising, considering the amount of people you see walking around a golf course on any given weekend.

Golf isn't really my thing, however I can definitely see it is a game of skill. 

Back in high school, I attempted golf. I say attempted because it took me 35 shots to get it into the first hole, after which I gave up. It probably didn't help that my friend and I were screaming with laughter by the end. It certainly wouldn't have helped my aim, anyway.

 My hubby's grandmother has played golf for years, and still plays three times a week even now. Guess how old she is!

Ninety Six!

Yep, no joke. 

She has been in the newspaper numerous times, and attests that playing golf and living a healthy lifestyle is what keeps her going strong.

Well, it has certainly worked for her!


Playing golf has a lot of benefits, some of which include:


Social interaction.

Burns calories.

Weight loss.

Strengthens and tones muscles.

Builds endurance.

Reduces stress.

Uses concentration.

Teaches imagination and creativity (how to get the ball out of a particular area, for example).

Works your vision.



I'll finish off with a great quote I read...

"The number of shots taken by an opponent who is out of sight is equal to the square root of the sum of the number of curses heard plus the number of swishes".  
~Michael Green, The Art of Coarse Golf, 1975


I think that suits me perfectly!



*******



Well, that's it!

This finishes The November 30/30 Challenge series.

I hope you have enjoyed it, and perhaps found a couple of new activities to try.

There could be something to add to your New Years Resolutions list for 2013!

Thank you to those who have participated, and I hope this challenge has motivated you to be more active.

It certainly has done for me.






           Tracey




Linking in with With Some Grace for FYBF






Thursday 29 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 29. Can You Dig It?



Welcome to Day Twenty Nine of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity highlight of today is Volleyball!


 If you've never played Volleyball, it is a great team sport. 

I used to play indoor beach volleyball with my boyfriend at the time, my sister and some friends. I don't know where the idea actually came from, but we decided to form a team, played one season of competition and won the Final, and then never played again!

Strange really.

What is even stranger, is that I won 'Player of the Match' that day, even though I hit the Referee with the ball twice!

Both times in the head!

Oh ok, now I see....



All joking aside, whether you play normal volleyball or the beach variety, they provide pretty much the same kind of benefits. The only difference is, playing on the sand works the legs a bit more than on the hard court, especially the calves. 


Some other benefits include:


Burns calories.

Weight loss.

Strengthens and tones muscles.

Improves hand-eye co-ordination.

Develops reflexes.

Social interaction.

Reduces stress.

Develops teamwork.

Increases agility.



And don't worry, you don't have to wear the skimpy bathing suit to play. T shirt and shorts are fine.

Unless of course you want to wear the skimpy bathing suit, in which case go right ahead!







          Tracey







Wednesday 28 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 28. Rollin, Rollin, Rollin....



Welcome to Day Twenty Eight of The November 30/30 Challenge.

Today's activity highlight is Roller Skating!


Roller Skating used to be my favourite past time. I was fifteen years old and every Saturday night, one of my best friends and I would go off to Caribbean Rollerama, and skate the night away. It was the highlight of my week, and my mother knew it. It was how she got me to do everything.

"Clean your room Tracey, or you won't be going skating this week."

"Tracey, please wash the dishes like I asked you to, or there will be no skating."

"If you hit your sister like that again, there will be no roller skating for a month!"

(Didn't matter that she'd hit me first).


It meant everything to me. If there was a reason I couldn't go, it felt like the world was ending.

And of course it had absolutely nothing to do with the spunky teenage boys that went there too :)


Now at the time, the last thing on my mind was the exercise I was doing. But the activity that I had unconsciously chosen was a really healthy one, and provided some great benefits!

They include:


Burns calories.

Works all major muscle groups.

Reduces stress.

Low impact on joints.

Strengthens and tones muscles.

Weight loss.

Cardiovascular workout.



So how about giving roller skating a try?

Go on. You know you want to!







          Tracey







Tuesday 27 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 27. Happy Trails...



Welcome to Day Twenty Seven of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity highlight of today is Mountain Biking!


Now, I know we've already talked about cycling, and although Mountain Biking and Cycling are technically both 'riding a bike,' Mountain Biking is in a league of its own.

As you know, I am no adventure junkie, so the picture above is too far out of my comfort zone, however riding a bike along a mountain trail, hearing the birds and smelling the scents, is something I could most definitely do. As long as easy does it.

My husband and his family however, are the opposite.

Although my hubby hasn't gone for a while, he is really into mountain biking, and used to go with a group of guys every Saturday morning and some Thursday nights. Both of my sister in laws are really into adventure races and so do a lot of mountain biking, as well as running, kayaking and swimming. In fact, my sister in law Deanna, is Australia's Number One women adventure racer, and has just completed the American 'World's Toughest Mudder' where she came 3rd overall and second female!

She's a machine.


And, my parents in law are also into mountain biking and have started doing the odd adventure race, and they're in their seventies!

My hubby's fam are amazing, they really are!


Hmmm, and I had to create this challenge to make myself get into exercising again.

Embarrassing much?


Anyway, if you already like cycling, perhaps mountain biking could be the next step for you. 


The benefits of Mountain Biking include:


Seeing some great scenery.

Low impact on the body.

Increases strength.

Burns calories.

Also works core and upper body.

Increases endurance.

Reduces stress.

Social interaction (if you ride with friends).

Decreases risk of heart disease.



There are Mountain Biking associations popping up all over the place, so look for one in your local area. They will be able to provide you with information about tracks, equipment and might even be able to hook you up with people to ride with.


Just make sure you remember to start off nice and easy!






          Tracey






Linking in with Jess for IBOT







Monday 26 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 26. No Sweat!



Welcome to Day Twenty Six of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity highlight of today is Water Aerobics!


Believe it or not, but I used to do water aerobics! 

Yes, even though I'm not a fan of the water!

Back before I started body sculpting, I was trying to improve my fitness and tone my body. I didn't yet know what the gym could and would offer me, and had heard that swimming and exercising in water was excellent for fitness.

So a few times a week, I would head down to my local swimming pool after work, to do some laps and a water aerobics class.

I still can't quite believe it was me, actually!

I didn't do it for long, as they stopped holding the water aerobics class of an evening, and I wasn't able to go during the day. But had they continued, I think I would have too, as I really enjoyed it.

Don't make the mistake of thinking water aerobics is just for grannies! 

It is a tough workout, as the water provides a lot of resistance, and it is suitable for all fitness levels. Also, as being in the water is gentler on joints, it is great for rehabilitating from an injury!


Some of the other great benefits of Water Aerobics are:


Burns calories.

Weight loss.

Improves muscle strength and tone.

Increases flexibility.

Increases lung capacity.

Increases endurance.

The water keeps you cool while exercising.



So if you're the opposite of me, and don't feel like a fish out of water when you're in the water, grab your cosi, and head off to your nearest swim centre!

They're sure to have a class to suit you!







          Tracey














Sunday 25 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 25. Hit That Feathered Thang!



Welcome to Day Twenty Five of The November 30/30 Challenge.

Today's activity highlight is Badminton!


I've always enjoyed playing badminton. I've only ever played it for a bit of fun with my family or friends, but I always thought it was kind of, well, easy!

Obviously I haven't been playing it properly, because when I watch the matches at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, those players really work up a sweat!

According to the Fernando's Youth Badminton Academy, Badminton is:

"a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the ground, and the shuttlecock may only be struck once by each side before it passes over the net.
The shuttlecock (or shuttle) is a feathered projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently from the balls used in most racquet sports; in particular, the feathers create much higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly than a ball. Shuttlecocks have a much higher top speed, when compared to other racquet sports. Because shuttlecock flight is stubbornly affected by wind, competitive badminton is always played indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity, often as a garden or beach game".

If you are the type of person that likes racquet sports, there are some great benefits from taking up Badminton for some exercise.
They include:

Social Interaction.

Lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.

Reduces blood pressure.

Weight loss.

Reduces stress.

Burns calories.

Improves reflexes.

Increases agility.

Tones muscles. 

Improves endurance.


Think of all the frustration you could get out by beating that little feathered thing around the court, as well!

Yep, sounds good to me!





          Tracey






Saturday 24 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 24. Get Your Hands Dirty!



Welcome to Day Twenty Four of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity I'm highlighting today is Gardening!


I dream of having a beautiful garden one day.

I can imagine a comfy, secluded place to sit, read and relax in nature, all the while admiring the fruits of my labour.

Unfortunately, I never find the time to do it much, which is why my garden is overgrown, and overrun with weeds.

What I see outside my window, sooo does not match the image I have in my head.

I am of the mindset that once I have finished the inside of our house (where we actually spend the majority of our time), then I can start on the outside. But because I never finish the inside, the outside never gets a look in!

And thus I have this constant internal battle.

But I digress.

If you happen to have time to spend in the garden, or if you can find the time, it has some wonderful benefits. Apart from the fact you are out in the fresh air, and sunshine (don't forget to Slip, Slop, Slap and Slide!), it provides a workout, as well as other health benefits!

You will burn the most calories doing things like mowing, raking, sweeping, and digging, but gardening also does the following:

Reduces stress.

Improves endurance.

Improves flexibility.

Increases strength.

Works all major muscle groups.

Lowers blood pressure.



What a great reason to develop a green thumb!

Go out and enjoy some time in the garden today! 

In fact, I might just do that myself :)







          Tracey












Friday 23 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 23. What' SUP?



Welcome to Day Twenty Three of The November 30/30 Challenge.

Today's activity highlight is Stand Up Paddle Surfing!


Now, that got your attention, didn't it!


Although relatively new here in Australia, Stand Up Paddle Surfing or Boarding (SUP) has been popular in Hawaii since the 1960's.

Here, it is becoming more and more popular due to it's cross training benefits, as well as being a fantastic workout for your core.


 "Stand up paddle surfing is a traditional Hawaiian sport which promotes balance, strength and general fitness. It is excellent for surfers and non-surfers alike, as it provides an isometric workout that strengthens your core muscle groups, while giving you a fun and exciting way to view the natural surroundings".

Nate Burgoyne, the editor of Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine (yep, they even have their own magazine) says: 

“SUPS is a superior core workout on both flat water and amongst the waves. It is an ideal sport for cross-training as it brings together legs, back, feet, arms, neck and stomach muscles in a graceful display of core strength and balance".


Sounds pretty cool! If it wasn't for the fact that it's done on water, I'd be all for it! ;)


Some other benefits include:


Cardiovascular workout.

Improves balance and co-ordination.

Reduces stress.

Burns calories.

Builds water confidence 

(okay, so maybe not such a bad thing for me!)



If you'd like to find out more out SUP'ing, pop on over and visit Ironmum Karla, as she's a bit of an expert!


Make sure to say I sent you! 







          Tracey






Linking up with Grace for FYBF










Thursday 22 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 22. Not So Soft...



Welcome to Day Twenty Two of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity highlight for today is Softball!


I remember the first time I played Softball at high school during sport. I was quite looking forward to it, as I thought it to be similar to Rounders, which I loved and was good at. Rounders was always played with a tennis ball, and as I was playing a lot of tennis at the time, I always found the ball quite easy to hit.

Anyway, I soon discovered that ye old 'soft' ball isn't quite so soft at all, especially when thrown full pelt!

Youch! 

I ended up with a bruised cheek, and a bruised ego to match!

I wasn't quite so keen to play softball again after that.

Having said that, softball has some great benefits. Of course it is a team sport, so the opportunity is there to practice teamwork and loyalty, and form friendships and a sense of belonging.


Some other benefits include:


Improved quick thinking skills.

Teaches discipline.

Improves balance and co-ordination.

Increases strength and stamina.

Enhances self confidence.

Reduces stress.

Burns calories.

Develops agility.




Of course, you just need to learn to hit the ball with the bat, instead of your face, like me!


Easy peesy!





          Tracey













Wednesday 21 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 21. Roll Up Those Sleeves!



Welcome to Day Twenty One of The November 30/30 Challenge.

Today's activity highlight is...wait for it....Housework!


Yes, that's right! Housework!

I know that most of us hate it with a passion. But the fact is, we have to do it. Yes?

There are, unfortunately, no little fairy folk that come in during the night while we're sleeping soundly, to do it for us. So, seeing as we have to do it, we might as well get some benefits from it, other than a clean house!

Doing housework burns calories, but by putting a little 'oomph' into it, shall we say, you could burn a whole lot more!

For example, if you live in a two story home, take advantage of those stairs!Every time you find something downstairs that belongs upstairs, take it up there. Don't wait and take them all together.

And when you're vacuming and mopping, put some loud music on and dance! Get your whole body into it! Don't be shy; other than your family, no-one else can see you, so just go for it!

According to the Divine Carolyn website, this is how many calories per hour you can burn by doing the following housework activities:

Sweeping: 240

Packing/Unpacking: 220

Scrubbing floors on hands and knees: 325

Cleaning, light (dusting, wiping down counters, picking up clothes): 100

Cleaning, general (washing dishes, doing laundry): 200

Cleaning house, heavy effort (vacuuming, hanging laundry, repetitive bending over): 260

Child care: 205

Raking lawn: 235

Mowing lawn: 325

Moving large household item: 400

Cooking: 150

Grocery shopping: 90



Not only that, there are the other benefits acquired from activity, such as:

 Improved cardiovascular fitness.

Muscle strength and tone.

Raised metabolism, 

and stress relief!



What better reason could there be to clean house?



Oh brother! I'm going to be so fit by the time my place is done....








           Tracey









 



Tuesday 20 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 20. Cali What?




Welcome to Day Twenty of The November 30/30 Challenge.

Today's activity highlight is Calisthenics!


The name Calisthenics comes from the Greek words kallos for beauty and thenos for strength

And yes, I used to do this too! 

 Many years ago.

 I started off in the Tiny Tots section when I was three and worked my way up through the Tinies, Sub-Juniors, and Juniors. In the last couple of years I was also doing Jazz Ballet, and then decided that I preferred the dancing, so I followed that path instead.

Calisthenics, for those who don't know, is a uniquely Australian artistic sport, combining dance, gymnastics, ballet, singing, acting, marching and apparatus manipulation, one of which is 'rods' (pictured above). Teams perform routines choreographed to music, and while some clubs are purely recreational, other clubs compete in competitions during the year, all over the state.

If you think that Calisthenics is just for kids, you would be wrong, as a lot of the clubs around today offer  classes for the 'Masters' or over 26 year olds. 

If Calisthenics sounds like something you would be interested in, there are some wonderful benefits of getting involved with a club.


They include:


Teamwork.

Improves co-ordination.

Develops rhythm and grace.

Improves confidence.

Improves flexibility.

Develops muscle tone.

Burns calories.

Creates friendships.

Encourages commitment.




To find out more, contact the Calisthenics Association in your state.


Go on! I dare you!







          Tracey




Linking in with the lovely Jess from Essentially Jess for IBOT













Monday 19 November 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Day 19. Kick Up Those Heels!




Welcome to Day Nineteen of The November 30/30 Challenge.

The activity highlight for today is Latin Dancing!



Last year, every Monday night, my sister in law and I did a Latin Dance class. 


Now, it wasn't your typical latin class where you dance with a partner. 

It was a women's only, latin dance workout class, and I loved it! 

We learnt all the typical latin steps, and did them over and over again in different routines, and I tell you what! 

It was one hell of a workout! 

By the time we were half way through a class, I had a bright red face and was sweating up a storm! 

But mostly what I loved about it, was that I felt sexy doing it! 

It didn't matter that I looked ridiculous. What was important, was that I felt sexy ;)


Latin dance is very social, obviously when most of it is danced with a partner, but if you don't have a partner, some places have classes like mine, or most places have lessons where you can find a partner there. Generally, the first part of the night is learning the steps, and then you choose a partner and spend the rest of the session practising the steps together. 

Apart from the social aspect, there are many other benefits of Latin Dancing.

Some of them are:


Improves co-ordination.

Reduces stress.

Improves muscle tone.

Assists weight loss.

Lowers blood pressure.

Uses the mind, by requiring concentration.

Improves flexibility.

Increases range of motion in joints.

Improves posture.



So, if you enjoy dancing, why not give latin a try? It's a great workout, as well as being a lot of fun. You might also get to meet some great people.

And in the wise words of Dave Barry - 

 "Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance."






          Tracey



If you haven't yet joined the challenge, it's not too late! Go here for details ♥


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