Make clean up good exercise too

Today during stroller strides, our instructor had us play a "game" for increasing our heart rates. She took a whole bunch of plastic cups and threw them down on the ground, covering a pretty good sized area. Then we counted off in 1's and 2's. The one's had to shuffle around in squat position while sitting the cups upright, the 2's had to shuffle around and turn the cups facing downward on the ground. As we got started, my friend Lucy said, "this is just like cleaning up at home!"

And she was right - how many times a day do you find yourself bending over to pick something up off the floor? Especially the parents out there...don't you find yourself picking up matchbox cars or barbie doll clothing around the clock? I do, and the next time I have a whole fleet of cars or trains laying in the middle of the room, I am going to remember good form: squat down like you're hovering over a dirty public toilet (which means stick your butt out behind you), your weight should be in your heels, your chest should be lifted , and reach down by bending at the knees and squatting - not bending at the waist and dropping your head.

Do this and you'll be the queen/king of multi-tasking - cleaning and getting a little exercise too!