I like games and competition. I’ve noticed that most people from toddler to elder enjoy games and competition too.
When you disguise exercise with a game or add some competition factor to it, suddenly people are more focussed, intense and usually having a lot of fun. When exercise is disguised as a game, people forget they are exercising: instead they are just having fun.
Using games to increase your fitness is a great way to exercise. Just ask the Seniors who attend the Fit for Life classes in Cache Creek what happens when they have crazy games days. They’ll tell you that there is a lot of laughter, fun and somehow a really good hard workout too!
Now I know it doesn’t always work to find a group of people to play games with, but what about a game you can play by yourself? Have you ever tried something like a distance walk and then the next time told yourself that you’d try to do the same walk but in a little less time?
Or what about using a gadget to stay active? Recently I purchased a really cool watch that can do all kinds of things such as count my steps, record my sleep, track my running, walking, biking, swimming and it even buzzes and tells me to “move” when I’ve been sitting too long. Not only have I been made aware that I spend times in the day where I sit too long, but I have also found that I strive to see the fireworks which mean that I’ve met my goal.
I have my step goal set at 10,000 steps each day and when I reach that goal, the watch buzzes and shows fireworks exploding on the screen. It’s may seem silly, but I love to see those fireworks! Every time, I feel that double buzz, I know it’s telling me that “I did it!” so I quickly roll up my sleeve and watch the screen! Near the end of the day I am aware where I am in regard to my step goal so if I see that I am short, I make myself go for a walk or even go up and down the stairs and around the house until I see those fireworks. It seems small, but it makes a big difference!
Increase your fitness and health and do it with games. Find some friends and do something you enjoy. Hockey, tennis, volleyball, skipping, ping-pong, bowling or try competing with yourself, walk further, faster or find a gadget and count your daily steps. It’s all good for better health and it’s fun too!
Vicky Trill