Stretch of the Week: Calf Muscles
You've loosened up your lower back; you've given your hamstrings and quadriceps a good long stretch. Now stretch your calf muscles, Achilles tendons and the muscle fascia that surround your heels.
Up Against The Wall
A Great Hike on the Great Wall. You have two years to get in shape for this one because this section of the "Wild Wall" is closed for renovation. So Today's Way is the inspiration for your personal Great Leap Forward Two-Year Plan.
Stretch of the Week: Quadriceps C’mon, it’s Monday. Up on your feet.
Back on my feet again. We've loosened up your lower back with Knees-To-Chest and Spinal Twist; we've stretched and strengthened your hamstrings. Now it's time to stretch your quadriceps and improve your balance. Give it a try.
Indoor Hiking: a Museum Mile or Two
When the temperature-humidity index approaches triple digits, it's time for indoor hiking. If you're on your feet for 3-4 hours, you'll cover 3+ miles and burn 600-1000 calories in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Garden Watch #3: Blueberry Shortcake
There's nothing better than a handful of fresh blueberries, with the possible exception of Blueberry Shortcake. You can make the shortcake biscuit dough in five minutes flat. Seven to ten minutes in a 450-degree oven and you've got a killer dessert.
Stretch of the Week: Hamstrings C’mon, it’s Monday. Loosen up.
Yup. Still here, flat on my back. We've done Knees-To-Chest and Spinal Twist to warm and loosen up your lower back. Now we'll relax, stretch and strengthen your hamstrings. Here's a video to demonstrate an Active Hamstring Stretch. Give it a try.
Let’s Dance: The Summer Playlist
If you're not motivated to exercise, here's my suggestion: put on some music that you can't not dance to. This is aerobic: you get your heart rate up and sweat. 45 minutes and minus 275 calories (that's a big scoop of ice cream). My playlist:
Stretch of the Week: Spinal Twist C’mon, it’s Monday. Loosen up.
When you left me last week, I was flat on my back showing you my first stretch of the morning, Knees-To-Chest. Here's a video to demonstrate my next stretch, Spinal Twist. It relaxes and strengthens a whole bunch of muscles. Give it a try.
Sunday in the Park with Glaciers See ’em while you can
It's Sunday. Let's rest and quietly contemplate the beauty of an exhausting, 5,000-calorie-burning 13-mile hike in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Get out there and do it while the glaciers are still there. You've got until 2020 or 2030.
Stretching: Can It Save Your Back?
It saved my back -- and my legs. A few days after I began to stretch, I was relieved of all but the slightest pain. A few weeks later, I had zero pain -- and my back and legs felt better, looser and stronger than they had in decades.