Remember how a few weeks ago I spent a weekend working with 4-H teens who will help afterschool programs find ways to create environments where it’s easier to make healthy choices? Well, I’ve just created an environmental change in my home that really excites me! I have created a “hooping zone!”
During my weekend with 4-H’ers I was re-introduced to hula hoops. Except these weren’t your Dollar Store variety hula hoops – or the ones that some of you might remember from earlier days. The hoops we played with that weekend were bigger, heavier, and even had massaging bumps to them. But their most important feature was that I could make them work! I could hula hoop as a kid, but somewhere along the long line of my life, I lost my hula hoop ability. So when I was able to get the hang of it again, I wanted more!
Back at home, I started looking around the internet and was amazed at the plethora of hooping sites. Who knew? Lots of sites want to sell you a hoop, and they do make it seem like a good investment. “Lose an inch around your waist and 4 pounds a month!” And in just 10 minutes a day! Sounds good, huh? Maybe too good.
I wanted to understand the physiology so I kept looking. I haven’t found a lot of the research-based information I’d really like, but I found enough to keep me interested. Sources like Consumer Reports, the Cooper Aerobics Center, the American Council on Exercise say that hooping does have benefits for the abs, core muscles, balance, pelvic flexibility, and is a mild cardiovascular activity. And besides, they say, if it’s fun, people will actually exercise.
Okay, I want to try it. But I wanted a cheaper alternative for myself and to promote among folks who work with kids than the $40-50 models available on the internet. I remembered that Ray’s sister had built her own hoop, and that seemed like a good place to start. I took a trip to Lowes, engaged Ray’s help, and voila! Ray discovered a site that has great instructions and photos of how to build a hoop (http://www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html) and in a matter of minutes, I was trying out the first of my very own hoops!
It’s only the first of my hoops because another possibility is to add sand or water inside the hoop to add weight. I figure I’ll work with my un-weighted hoop a few weeks and then experiment with a 3-pound and a 5-pound hoop. And all for the price of about $3.50 per hoop. (Of course I probably won’t be able to resist decorating my black hoop with some funky colored tape which will add a little extra cost – and a few more ounces!)
The environmental factor is having a hoop and a ‘hoop zone’ – a space big enough to not knock down anything that might be in my hoop’s orbit. But the tougher factor is to actually use the thing! My initial goal is to hoop for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening, and gradually increase a minute at a time – in addition to using my stationary bike and swimming. I’m only three days into this goal, and I can tell you that I think it’s going to be easy – because using the hoop is fun!
As I’ve explored sites like hooping.org, I find that I could even get together with other hoopers at a nearby park. Huh. Who knew? I don’t know that I’ll ever step quite so deep into the group hoop territory, but I am certainly excited about having a new exercise alternative to get me moving in the dead of winter. Halle-hoopla!
May you discover some new alternative that excites you in the coming week!
Sally
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment