Jumping for Life!

Happy New Year 2012! I know you are happy we all made it into another year. The holidays probably put a toll on your ability to control your healthy food intake due to all those holiday parties. Running around to stores, trying to get gifts, and other obligations probably increased your stress too, so I wanted to put a bug in your ear in terms of how to release some of the stress from the holiday season by doing something good for your body that will keep you FIT FOR LIFE!

When was the last time you took time to do something for yourself so simple like jumping rope? In fact, I can bet many of you have not used a jumping rope in such a long time. Last year as one of the simple measures to increase my cardio time, I purchased a jump rope from Amazon for less than 7 dollars. I wasn't sure if I was going to use it much but I managed to use 3x a week during six months of 2011. When I received my rope it stated that if I jumped 5 days a week for 12 minutes I could burn 625 calories. I liked the fact that the rope was convenient enough to store in my purse, backpack or other work portofolio.

I wanted to encourage you to use the jump rope and add to your cardio workout.

1. Muscle tone - the jump rope is great for toning your calves and thighs. I noticed my frame changing from using the jump rope from last spring to early fall.

2. Cardio/Heart rate: the rope is very good for increasing your heart rate very quickly.

3. Quick work out in little time frame: We all have 12 - 15 minutes we can use to work out and the rope is so good. Find a park bench/park/backyard and go at it for 12 minutes and see how your body responds.

I would suggest you google on line to find the best rope. I currently am using a VALEO brand and it works wonderfully.

I did not use my rope from October - January, and just now taking it out since there is a nice summer type of weather in NYC. So I hope once the snow comes I will continue indoors at the gym. One of the reasons why I originally started was a co-worker who told me she lost a tremendous amount of weight because she did 500 jumps a day. Her trainer at the time encouraged her to do that amount. For me, the most I've done is 250 and that was more than 15 minutes -- a 30 minute work out which burned a lot of calories and complimented my 1 hour walks.

Here's to a brand new year 2012. Let's start it off healthier than before. Spring 2012 I will be doing a Jump for Life challenge, will you join me in doing 15 minutes at least 3 times a week with your JUMP ROPE????

Want to learn more about jumping, check out this link.

Have a healthy weekend, everyone!