Calling All Couch Potatoes

Have you noticed lately that as the summer begins to heat up that you are spending more time on the couch or in your chair enjoying the air conditioning? Have you ever wondered why exercise has to be so exerting or sweaty. Exercise may be on the bottom of your to-do list if it makes the list at all. In the health column written by Doctor K (Komaroff), he gave several good exercises for a “couch potato.” His information was from a physical therapist Kailyn Collins who gave him these suggestions:

1. While lying flat on your back on the couch or bed, lift one leg 8-12 times concentrating on using your thigh muscles. Repeat with the other leg.

2. Turn to your side and lift your leg up 8-12 times using your thigh muscles (imagine a half “Jumping Jack”). Roll to the other side and repeat.

3. Lying on your back again, lift both legs while you tighten your stomach muscles. Hold for ten seconds. Don’t forget to breathe. Relax for 10 seconds and repeat every commercial break.

4. Sitting upright with your feet flat on the floor, practice standing up. Repeat 10 times. Another variation is to almost stand just raising your bottom off the chair and sit again. Make sure your chair is sturdy and not a rocker. This exercise can be repeated in reverse

where you begin standing and squat like you are almost sitting and repeat 10 times. When you are ready to sit make sure your chair is under your bottom (gently sit without a plop).

5. Move your wrists by rotating; waving up and down; Open and close your fist; Twiddle your thumbs and other fingers.

These are just a few simple exercises that you can do while sitting on the couch. If you take the dare and give these a try, you may be pleasantly surprised that energy, strength, and balance will improve. If you like these, I have many more exercises you may find useful. Check out the exercise class at 11:00 am in the Arts and Crafts Room on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I dare you to try it. – Mary Hand, Oasis Coordinator