November 20, 2025

Make up your own fitness!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Get creative and make up your own fitness!

Remember summer days as a kid when you simply ran wildly without worry or structure or concern with…biomechanics? Revisit your childhood and run, jump, hop and skip. Here are a few moves to get started:

Side Shuffle. Side step to your right 20 paces. Stop quickly, and side shuffle to your left 20 paces.

Forward Hop. Place both feet together and hop forward.

High Skip. Skip forward trying to jump as high as you’re able with each stride.

Jog and Jump. Jog forward 5 paces, on the 6th step jump straight up reaching both arms up overhead, then return to your jog for 5 paces again.

 

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Do this stretch…

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Kneeling Hip Stretch

Do this kneeling hip and quad stretch to decrease front thigh tightness. Kneel on your right knee. Tilt your pelvis back and under. Let your hips fall slightly forward. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch kneeling on your left knee. Hold for 10 seconds, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Your Health: Small Changes Stick

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Small changes to health will stick!

Getting healthy does not happen overnight. A common mistake of many attempting to live healthy is doing too much too soon. The result is falling back into old unhealthy habits when times are tough. So how do you stick with it? Make one small change each week and the changes will stick. For example:

Instead of setting a goal to exercise 5 days a week, commit to 3 days.

Instead of vowing to give up all sugary foods, start by reducing by one serving each day.

Instead of jumping right into a high intensity weight training routine, begin with 2 days a week working the full body.

Take a one-at-a-time approach. Can you reduce an unhealthy behavior by 1? Can you add a healthy behavior by 1?

 

Take a Breather…

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Mindful Breathing!

No, you don’t always need a quiet room. No, you don’t need to be sitting cross-legged on the floor. No, you don’t need to be wearing workout wear. Anywhere, anytime, your stress-reducing move is just seconds away. Here’s how:

Inhale through your nose for a count of 3-4 seconds. Hold for 1 second. Exhale through your mouth for a count of 4-6 seconds. Each time a thought races into your head, simply clear your mind and return your attention to your breathing. Repeat until you’re able to completely clear your mind.

A regular habit of mindful deep breathing will reduce muscle tension and mental stress of every kind.

Challenge your Core with the Stability Ball

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Incorporate the Stability Ball!

Incorporate exercises on the stability ball for a core challenge.

Sit on the ball. Lift your right foot up off the floor and extend your right knee. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Next, lift your left foot up off the floor, extend your left knee and hold for 10 seconds. Release.

(Choose the appropriate size stability ball for your height and ability.)

 

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

 

Is fear holding back your exercise?

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Embrace your exercise fears!

Is fear getting in the way of your fitness? What exercise or sport would you be participating in if you weren’t afraid, anxious or nervous? Embrace the fear and keep moving forward. Here’s how:

Ask for help. Everyone was a beginner at some point. Don’t know what to do? Ask your friends, a professional, the front desk staff.

Start slow. Afraid you won’t be able to complete an entire spin class? Don’t! Share your thoughts with the instructor and set your goal to complete 30 minutes (with a proper warm up and cool down.)

Break it down. Always wanted to try rock climbing? Great! Break it down by firstly, simply visit your local rock gym. Second, ask if you’re able to observe others climbing. Third, inquire about lessons or classes. Fourth, climb!

 

Strong with Step Ups

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Get Strong with Step Ups!

Build strong legs with this challenging exercise. Hold a weight in each hand. Stand facing a stable bench or secure chair. Step up on the bench with your right leg only. Transfer your body up onto the bench. Slowly lower your body back to the floor leading with your left leg.  Return to your starting position with both feet flat on the floor to complete one rep. Next, step up with your left leg, then slowly lower leading with your right leg. Begin with ten reps total.

A few form pointers:

Maintain proper spinal alignment with your shoulders down and back.

Maintain core stability holding your belly button in.

Control is key. Slowly lift your body, pause, slowly lower your body, pause. No bounce. No swing.

Exhale when you lift. Inhale when you lower.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

 

Your Workout Choice

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Workout by Design.

Get what you need from your workout. Exercise is not a one size fits all approach. Just as your mood, energy and motivation changes, your workout approach can change with it. Do a body scan from head to toe, how are you feeling? Here are a few ideas to get started:

Need to de-stress? Try yoga.

Need to expend energy? Go for a run.

Want the motivation of a group? Take a cycling class.

Need to exhale? Join a stretching class.

Looking for peace and quiet? Try hiking.

 

 

Seated Stretch at the Office

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Seated Hip Stretch

Sit forward in your chair. Cross your right ankle over your left knee. Sit up tall. Hold for ten to thirty seconds, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right knee. Lift your chest and sit up tall. Hold the stretch for ten to thirty seconds, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Bored with your Ab Exercises? Try this!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Flutter Kicks for Abs!

Bored with your Ab Exercise? Try this!

Lie on your back on the floor. Stabilize your midsection by pulling your belly button in toward your spine and maintaining neutral lumbar position. Lift both legs up off the floor, alternating. Match each lift and lower with an inhale or exhale. Start with 10 reps.

To progress: Lift both legs up off the floor and cross your ankles in a scissor kick.

 

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.