FitSugar

Celebrate Spring: Go Fly a Kite

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

It is officially Spring (even though in some parts of the country it might not feel like it) and I think a great way to celebrate the season change is flying a kite. Since March comes in like a lion, getting a kite in the air is a way to take advantage of all that blustery wind.

I am not going to lie to you, flying a kite is not the most strenuous workout, but rather something a little more Zen. Holding a kite string and enjoying the fresh air can be therapeutic and downright meditative. However, you can burn about 100 calories with 20 minutes of kite flying. Plus, you do get a little upper body workout if the wind is really blowing. If the day is calm then you can get some sprints into your day while you attempt to get your kite aloft.

Do you have the song "Let's Go Fly a Kite" going through your head. I sure do. Do you know what movie that song is from? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Weekend Well-Being: Go Fly A Kite

FitSugar — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Even though summer solstice is still a few weeks away, since Memorial Day weekend is here I feel summer has officially begun. One of the ways I like to celebrate summer is getting out and flying a kite.

I know it sounds like a bad Charlie Brown moment, but I love going kite flying. It is a great way to spend some time outside, breathe fresh air and get the blood moving. It is an activity that appeals to kids of all ages (sorry, I just had to use that expression). Plus, flying a kite for just 20 minutes burns about 100 calories. Imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon.

Here are a few tips for your kite flying adventure:

Make sure there is some light to moderate wind. Flying a kite with no wind means a lot of running!!!
Find a spot that is free of trees and power lines. Beaches are a great place for kite flying.
To get the kite up, just let out a small length of kite string and, holding the string in your hand, run with the kite behind you until the wind lifts it.

There are many kite styles to choose from (we have a lovely mermaid kite that my 4 year old selected), but you can always make your own. Here are some great instructions for making a basic Diamond Kite.

Weekend Well-Being: Let's Go Fly a Kite!

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

April is National Kite Month, and I think we should all celebrate this high flying holiday.

Twenty minutes of kite flying burns about 100 calories, so imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon. Meditating on the beauty of a colorful kite as it dances in the wind is bound to alleviate unhealthful stress. You can find an event in your area using this database. Pack a picnic, pack up the kids, and head out to a windy spot to enjoy some kite flying.

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5 Ways to Spring Into Family Activities

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

If you're like me and always looking for new ways to get active this Spring, think about doing it as a family. Getting moving this Spring does not mean more time in the gym, in fact, it's quite the opposite. Children are like sponges and if they see you valuing TV time over times when you're physically active, they could adopt the same values. So here's a few ideas for getting the whole family moving:

If your child can still ride in a stroller, go for a lot of nice long walks. Or, invest in a jogging stroller, so you can jog while pushing.
If your child is able to bike or scooter, have them ride while you jog alongside. You'll both be getting great exercise and enjoying the Spring weather.
Plan regular after-dinner family walks. My sister and her family go on a walk almost every night and then they have dessert if anyone is still craving it.
Utilize the weekends to fly kites, ride bikes, play kickball or softball, toss around a frisbee, play fetch with the dog - basically anything that gets all of you out of the house and moving around.
Find another family to plan physical outings with. When I was growing up, my family always played putt-putt golf one Saturday a month with another family during the Spring and Summer. Not only did it get us off the couch, but we got to engage in a little friendly competition, which I still love to this day.

What ways do you find to get active with your family? I know I am always looking for suggestions, so I'd love to hear yours.

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Snowkiting - Wind and Ice Unite

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:45:00 -0800

Imagine being able to snowboard or ski without the mountain or the chairlifts. It's possible when you're snowkiting, holding onto a kite and using the power of the wind to propel you. It is the snowy version of windsurfing.

The wind pulls you along at amazing speeds and you can get lifted and jump and spin in the air like you're flying. You can lean your weight and adjust the position of the kite to help direct where you're going. It's an incredibly fast and weightless feeling like no other.

Look for free snowkiting demos at a frozen lake near you, where you can get a 3 hour lesson for about $85. All you need to start is what you already own if you ski or snowboard, and they'll provide everything else you'll need from the knees up.

Fit's Tips: You may want to check out the Stormboarding Kitestorm happening on Feb 24-5 on Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT.

You can also take a snowkiting lesson through the Boulder Outdoor Center on Lake Dillion in Frisco, Colorado. A beginner lesson costs $249, but it's 4-5 hours long and if you love it, 15% of that price can be applied to purchasing your own snowkite.

Want to see another video? Then read more

Outdoor Activities, Just a Few Ideas

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

So you've decided now that it's autumn, you're going to start being more active outdoors. Problem is, what's there to do? To a novice outdoorsy woman the idea of hanging out, well, outside seems daunting but there are tons of things you can do to get moving, you just have to open up to ideas.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to burn a few extra calories outside this fall:

Hiking
Mountain biking
Raking leaves
Walking your dog
Walking shelter dogs
Flying a kite
Walking
Running/Jogging
Eco-running
Geocaching
Doing Community service (Habitat for Humanity, etc.)
Apple Picking

Those are just a few of the many ways to get active outside this fall. What's your favorite fall activity? Share it in the comments section below.

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What's Your Favorite Season?

FitSugar — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Season come and seasons go, and some of them we wait for with much anticipation. Summer is really just around the corner - solstice is on the 21st. Do you look forward to a certain season for season specific activities?

Maybe you love spring because the wind means it is time to fly a kite. Or maybe for the asparagus and fresh green peas.

Summer might be your favorite because you love the hot weather so you can swim, sail, and eat fresh berries while relaxing on the beach.

Do you love autumn best because you love watching the leaves change color? It's great to go for a walk, hike, or run because the cooler air keeps you from overheating.

Or is winter your thing because there are so many fun sports to do like ski, snowboard, ice skate, or snowshoe? The surf also rocks in winter.

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Tidy Room = Calm Mind

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

When I was a teenager, I wasn't allowed to go out on Friday night unless my bedroom was clean and picked up. I would like to say I kept this forced habit up unfalteringly after I left home for college, but then I would be lying.

Eventually, I realized that waking up in a messy room on a Saturday morning is really a bummer. All the clutter and all the clothes scattered about didn't help to settle my mind, to relax and isn't that the point of the weekend? Instead of feeling ready to go study, or free to go fly a kite, I felt hemmed in by MY mess. No matter how much you will it to, the mess never goes away on its own.

So mom was right once again. So here I am to strongly encourage you to clean up your room before you head out on Friday night. This way you can start your weekend with a clean slate. So the day is yours to enjoy rather than being cluttered with your clutter.

Fit's Tip: My mom was also right about not throwing clothes on the floor when disrobing. If you put your clothes away when you take them off, the clutter you need to pick up Friday evening will be even smaller. Now that I am a mom, it is much easier to admit that my mom was right.

Do you have a Friday evening ritual you do before going out on the town? I would love to hear what it is - tell me about it in the comment section below.

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Reward Yourself

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0800

If you are a goal oriented person, like me, then you also probably are reward oriented as well.

We all have daily goals -- The goals can range from getting to the gym at some point during the day to not allowing yourself to bicker with your husband. Achieving such goals feels good, but you know what feels better? A reward.

SparkPeople.com has created a REWARD ROSTER for you to pick from, so chose your favorites from the list and go crazy.

Compliment yourself. Write down what you would say to anyone else who accomplished what you did.
Create an actual plaque or trophy.
Give yourself badges of honor for different levels of accomplishment.
Take a vacation or weekend getaway.
Take a day off from any goal activities.

There's more, so read more

Put $1 in a jar every time you meet a goal. When it gets to $50, treat yourself.
Create a Trophy Scrapbook, where you keep mementos from your accomplishments.
See a movie.
Make a grab bag of little prizes. When you reach a significant goal, reach in and get your reward!
Go for a spa treatment or massage.
Buy yourself a gift certificate.
Take a limo ride to work one day.
Subscribe to a magazine you always wanted.
Go canoing or do something outdoorsy.
Watch your favorite TV show.
Buy something for your hobby (i.e., car, garden, music, collections, holidays).
Read a funny book.
Celebrate "100% Days". If you reach 100% of your goals that day, choose two rewards.
Find some time to be by yourself.
Pay someone to do the yard work or house cleaning this week.
Fly a kite.

...My personal favorite is the reward grab bag. What a great idea. Knowing myself, I would whip through my goals just to get a chance at the grab bag.