ELASTIC BANDS AND WATER BOTTLES, PART 2!

[buddlia12]

If you read my post yesterday you may have wondered why I referred to `Water Bottles' in the title?

Well... the obvious reason may be because we all know how important it is to keep hydrated , and especially during exercise or increased activity. It's actually quite easy to forget to do this if we are really focussed on more static activities. Of course THIRST tells us we need water and once our heart rate has increased when we are exercising, we all feel that need for a drink.

So always make sure you have water to hand.

But this isn't the only benefit of keeping a small bottle of water at your side.

In fact if you fill 2 small (500ml) plastic bottles with water, you also a cheap, easy to hold, set of light resistance weights. Pop bottles are easier to hold than the much lauded `tin of beans' and don't hurt your feet quite so much if you drop them!

You can use then seated, standing, or while you are walking (or jogging) to increase cardiovascular activity, and muscle strength.

I've been using them as I walk, in the quadrangle near my house. Just adding a swing to the arms is effective. Then try short repetitions of arm bends, arm raises (forward, to the side, up, out).

Or you can do alternate arm bends while lifting the legs alternately (knees bent or goosesteps), this improves hip mobility and balance...even though my neighbour did say it looked like the ministry of funny walks!

And... if you get thirsty, you can have a drink. As you tire and hydrate, your weights are getting lighter....! WIN WIN....

But remember only work within your fitness and strength and monitor your lymphoedema during your activities. If you find something makes it worse, reduce the reps or lighten your weights. Better to gradually build up strength and improved fitness will follow.

eg:

seniorfitnesswithmeredith.c...

Enjoy!