Have you ever used a mini trampoline as a part of your exercise practice? We have been using a mini trampoline for years now and today want to share with you some ideas why we feel trampolines are the super fun way to exercise and play.

In general, trampolines are a great way to play and enjoy the outdoors while getting good exercise and burning away all those extra calories.

Enjoyed by kids and adults alike, trampolines are recommended not just for play parks or recreational areas for kids, but for the home backyard as well.

A great time can be spent together with family and friends in jumping away on a trampoline.

Jump Away For Work And Play

Trampolines give those of us not into exercise so much the chance to work and play. Jumping up and down on the trampoline is not only fun but a good way to burn away calories and remain in great shape.

A trampoline that has been set up outdoors in the lawn or play area can be great fun for the entire family or just for friends who drop in for a workout.

Even adults find jumping on the trampoline great fun and some are quite nostalgic about the games one can have on the trampoline.

Health Benefits Of Using A Mini Trampoline

Some of the health benefits of using a mini trampoline include a lower risk of illness and increased agility amongst children.

Small children learn to coordinate faster and become better at balancing themselves as they learn to jump up and down on the trampoline.

Growing children attain greater flexibility and even adults will find that trampoline jumping is a sure-fire way to burn away all those extra calories.

Besides these benefits, the trampoline is a good excuse to take the family away from the television.

What should I look for before buying a mini trampoline?

Trampolines are available in various shapes and sizes. But the one you buy must fit well within the space available to you. Consider the number of people who will be using the trampoline. This is very crucial from the safety point of view. After deciding on these issues, go for a trampoline that agrees completely with your style of living.

A mini trampoline, or rebound trampoline, is ideal for indoor exercise and there are added benefits for those who have knee injuries.

Since smaller trampolines are not designed for high jumping, there is less pressure on the joints during exercise.

Other benefits of a fitness trampoline include improvements in breathing through increased capacity of lungs, reduction in stress and tension, lowering cholesterol levels, and increases energy levels.

A fitness trampoline is a good way to get exercise for people who have joint issues that keep them from jogging and running.

A trampoline is a great way of staying in shape and enjoying it, why not try to use a trampoline and see if it's something you can enjoy?

As I indicated at the start of this post, I have been using my mini trampoline for many years. I use it at least 4 times a week as a part of my exercise practice.

Where to buy the trampoline?

It is very easy to buy the right trampoline. Buying one at your favourite fitness store or online will work for this purchase.

Personally, I prefer to go to my favourite fitness store for these kinds of equipment purchases because I like to see and feel the product however there are many ways to get the product that will be right for you.

Let us know if you use a trampoline in your fitness practice below.

In addition to using a mini trampoline as a regular practice in our fitness, what we know for sure is that walking is the link to living a healthy and vibrant life. We believe walking inspires the mind, activates the body, and nourishes the soul. Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge - 

Share any ideas, comments or questions below.

Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you.

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience.

Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

If you have been following our blog or YouTube channel for a while you will know how much we believe in the practice of regular fitness to live a good life. Today our topic is  10 Fitness Tips for An Aging Population To Live A Good Life. Moving welll and regular exercise are important for all ages however for an aging population it is most important to feel good and to live independently. 

We have written in past blog posts how vital moving well is for a person's health, vitality and to live an independent life. We don’t presently live in a world where this is talked about much. Living independently. You know living how you want to live for your entire life.

Getting and staying fit is one of the ways to do this. Being able to carry your own groceries, get items out of the cupboards on your own, go to the bathroom on your own are all practices that will help you live an independent life. 

Be sure to reach out and let us know how we can help you. Share any ideas, comments or questions below this post. 

10 Fitness Tips for An Aging Population
1. Exercise For Memory Fitness – The endorphins released by exercise helps your memory, mood and confidence.  Endorphins are better for mood and memory than prescription drugs – and free! 
2. Better Balance And Coordination – Exercise helps to prevent disabling falls by keeping both your mind and body healthy and active.
3. Socialize – Seniors tend to become isolated when they no longer have a job to attend or children to take care of. Exercising in a gym or a group can help you get out and socialize, which also improves your outlook on life.
4. "Exercise For The Disabled – If you are in a wheelchair or confined in one way or another, you can improve your cardiovascular and muscle strength by performing chair aerobics, stretching and light weightlifting."
5. Exercise To Maintain Or Lose Weight – Exercise can rev up your metabolism so that your body functions properly.
6. Improve Your Sleep Patterns – As people age, sleep often becomes a health issue. Exercise can help you fall asleep quickly and into a deep sleep.
7. Mood And Confidence Booster – Exercise is a great endorphin booster, which, in turn, boosts your mood.  Your self-confidence will automatically improve because you’ll look and feel much better about yourself.
8. Health And Capabilities – Before embarking on any type of activity, get a full bill of health from a health care provider. For seniors, it’s especially necessary to get medical clearance if you have a pre-existing condition.
9. Set Short-Term Goals – If you’re a senior who has been inactive for a long time, take it slow when you begin an exercise program. Going all out all at once can have a crash-and-burn effect that will make you want to quit.
10. Stay Active Any Way You Can – You may not be able to enjoy all types of exercise but find at least one that fits your need to stay active as you age. Get up and walk or even exercise in your chair – but move.

Focus on the activities that are the most powerful, like getting into the practice of moving well each and every day because it is so important to all health & fitness success. And remember “Moving Well Really Does Matter” for your best life. 

We appreciate that it never seems as if there are enough hours in the day, but it is so important to make a conscious decision to practice moving well, and we believe that walking is the most accessible form of exercise on the planet. Taking care of your mind, body and emotional needs will help you be able to live your best life.

Did you know that walking is the most popular physical activity in the world? And the health benefits of walking are many, for example – benefits the heart, can help lower blood sugar, boosts the immune system, boosts energy, improves mood and extends life to name a few.

What we know for sure is that walking is the link to living a healthy and vibrant life. We believe walking inspires the mind, activates the body, and nourishes the soul. Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

Share any ideas, comments or questions below.

Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you. 

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com 

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here  - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience. 

Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

It seems to me that we all must learn how to eat and exercise to stay healthy and have lifelong vitality.

The challenge in our modern society is to figure out what is best for your lifelong vitality, meaning you must become more intentional with your health & fitness practice.

The way we see it there are 4 key factors that when designed specifically for you will catapult you to a life that is full of vitality for sure.

Learn To Exercise Efficiently for Lifelong Vitality

Exercise time efficiently. We have discussed interval training in past posts.

Interval training is becoming the “training method” for athletes, celebrities, weekend warriors who want to restore their fitness levels to look and feel better. It is also an effective way to train when time is limited.

The benefits of Interval training are it will burn fat, boost metabolism and build muscle in 20 minutes or less. Include structured interval training sessions 3 days per week and be sure to add a couple of purely fun exercise activities as well. For example: play a sport, get outside for a hike in nature, ride your bike. Here is a high-intensity Kettlebell training workout for your lifelong vitality

Sustainable Nutrition is Essential for Lifelong Vitality

Have you heard the saying “You are what you eat”? In today’s world, this has never been truer. And when it comes to your lifelong vitality in your health & fitness, 85% of your success will come from your nutrition habits.

You see, I think we all know the difference between good nutrition choices and not-so-good nutrition choices, right? Making the choice to eat life-affirming real food instead of processed food must become one of your good daily practices.

One of the easiest and most powerful is to have the good practice of intermittent fasting. In the eating window of your day be sure to eat life-affirming real food, organic is always best. Be sure to include lots of veggies, protein and good fats at meals.

Who Will Be Your Mentor/Coach For Lifelong Vitality?

It is said that people who have a coach are 80% more likely to follow through on their commitments. We all know that when we choose to meet up with someone for an activity, we usually do it.

It is not surprising then that when we join with a coach the same thing is true. Creating our own idea of being fit requires a commitment to a lifestyle change involving mind, body & spirit. Removing the mental blocks and resistance that may sabotage us is essential.

Becoming and staying inspired as well as motivated to achieve the desired results is what working with your coach will help you successfully implement. we have written about the importance of finding your why and never has this been more important for you than figuring out specifically what your why is for your lifelong vitality. The issue we see for most people when it comes the time for them to find their reason why they simply don’t take the time to write it down. The result of this non-action is not reaching the results they say they want. So, to avoid this do it now, find your why!

A Well-Designed Action Plan for Your Life Long Vitality

The final key factor for your lifelong vitality is your action plan! Because if you don’t take any action to move toward your goal, you in fact are moving backwards!

So, let’s ask you a question. Are you willing to do what it takes to begin down this path for lifelong vitality? If your answer is yes, the next question I have for you is will you set the first phase of your plan for 30 days? That’s it, just take the steps for 30 days! What this will allow you to do is have those important WINS immediately that will keep you focused.

Now is the time to win for your lifelong vitality with these 4 simple key factors of health & fitness. It is a process for you, find you why, get the much-deserved early wins with your well-designed action plan, make each step of your process intentional to ensure the changes shift in you at a deep core level so they become your automatic desires for lifelong vitality. Allow your confidence to grow daily with each win you achieve.

Focus on the activities that are the most powerful, like getting your sustainable nutrition plan in place because it is so important to all health & fitness success. And remember “You are what you eat” and begin with a real-life affirming food eating strategy for your lifelong vitality!

Share any ideas, comments or questions below.
Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you. 

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com 

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here  - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience. 

Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge - here

As we begin today we want to share the idea of trying new things and so our title is Practice These 4 Positive Benefits to Trying New Things In Your Best Life. Check it out and be sure to share any ideas, comments or questions below. 

What does it mean for you to try something new? For some, it may mean learning a new sport. For others, it could be trying new food. Whatever it means to you, the principle is the same for everyone: Trying new things opens your world, eyes, and heart to new possibilities, and that’s a great thing. That’s the overarching benefit of trying new things, but here are four other specific benefits to help you get in the practice of trying new things each and every day. 

1. Growth Comes from New 
When you step out of your comfort zone and into the wilderness of the unknown, a crazy thing happens. You learn and grow as an individual. It may not always be easy or comfortable, but it certainly will expand your mind and make you aware of the possibilities life has to offer – whether that be something thematic like your personality or something smaller like picking up a pair of rollerblades. We wrote about 
Stepping Out of The Comfort Zone Tips - https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/blog/stepping-out-of-the-comfort-zone-tips 

2. Courage Boost
Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens you. Chances are, you may be a little frightened by the idea of trying something new – and that’s perfectly okay! It will boost your courage and gear you up with the confidence you need to tackle new things in the future. 

3. Rid Your Life of Boredom 
Most people don’t like to be bored. You may enjoy quiet time or relaxation breaks but being bored is a totally different story. The good news is it’s pretty hard to be bored when you’re always practicing and mixing up your life with new adventures and happenings. The next time you feel a twinge of tedium tugging at you, be sure to practice something new. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll get rid of the dull feeling! 

4. Not Only Try but Enjoy 
Trying something new doesn’t mean a quick experiment and washing your hands of the adventure right afterward. The art of practicing something new is a whole adventure, and it must be enjoyed. Some things are hit or miss. You may not love everything you try, but you’ll undoubtedly find some activities, people, or interests that you never knew you could enjoy. 

The next time someone invites you to do something a little different, you may want to consider saying yes. After all, the worst-case scenario is that you learn you don’t like it – and that’s not so bad, is it? Go for the gold! Try it out and see what you can learn about yourself. 

Share any ideas, comments or questions below.

Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you. 

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com 

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here  - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience. 
​
Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

How is your year going so far? On you on track with your goals and dreams? Or have you made the conscious choice to put them on hold for another year? Before you do that, we want to share 3 Super Simple Tips for Living Your Best Year this year. 

When it comes to your health and fitness we wrote about tips to incorporate into your daily life for you to check out  here https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/blog/health-fitness-tips-to-incorporate-into-your-daily-life 

Over the past few weeks, I have heard a couple of people suggest the idea of starting your year in February. Maybe this will give you the idea to start new right now no matter the month. Check out this idea of starting the year in February here  

Although most of the world sees a new year as a time to make massive changes in their lives, it’s the daily choices that lead to lasting change. That’s why New Year’s Resolutions are so ineffectual. This year, you can start and finish strong by making different choices each day. 

Here are 3 super simple tips for making sure this is your best year ever.

1. Break It Down—whether you want to save for a dream home, start a business or get healthier, you must recognize it’s going to take time. Our desire for instant gratification can lead us to give up before we even really get started pursuing our goals. Chose the one big thing you want to have by the end of the year and then break down the steps you’ll need to take to make it happen. Then break them down even further. Come up with small tasks that you can complete daily in only 10-30 minutes. That will not only help you see the goal as a journey (so you don’t give up too soon), but it also makes the goal easier to tackle. We wrote about big changes by tiny steps for you here https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/blog/how-to-make-big-changes-by-tiny-steps 

2. Track Your Time—we’re all busy. But many people use busyness as an excuse for keeping the status quo, even when they say they want to change. One simple way to find “wasted time” in your schedule is to track it. For at least three days, keep track of what you do all day long. You can use an app, spreadsheet, or a simple notepad to keep track. You’ll soon start to notice you spend more time watching TV, playing games, and checking social media than you would have thought. Once you are aware of this wasted time, chose yourself instead. Use that time to research career programs, get outdoors for a walk, learn a few new real food recipes, or spend more time with family. Whatever your goal is this year, choosing to spend your time working on it each day will make sure you end the year where you want to be.


3. Redesign Your Life—Most of us sleepwalk through life more often than we care to admit. If you want to live a happier, more fulfilling life, take stock of what makes you happy. What brings you joy and makes you feel alive? Now, redesign your life to make sure those things are a part of it. Look back at your time-tracking list (from above). What obligations and expectations can you modify or delete entirely, so you live a life full of joy and purpose. Make a conscious decision to choose to live life to the fullest every day.

You are your best advocate; if you are not moving well each day, it is easy to get burned out by all of life's demands. Taking some time each day for yourself to get outside and walk can have a profound impact on your well-being. Physical fitness and moving well begin and ends with you!

Share any ideas, comments or questions below.

Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you. 

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com 

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here  - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience. 

Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

Over the past couple of years, it has become so evident that many people in our world have completely stopped thinking for themselves. It has changed our world and not for the better. Now it is time to put into practice the idea of how to think for yourself and why you must – live your best life. 

What an odd title, right?  What we have seen in the last two years is that a large number of the population are not thinking for themselves and you’d be surprised to know that thinking for ourselves is getting harder and harder to do.

Smartphones, smart TVs, Android TVs, Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, The Government, The Media, Unelected Public Servants—should I keep going? Thinking for ourselves has become a chore in and of itself that we’re slowly forgetting how to do it.

Even worse, we seem to have lost the passion for it. Having everything ready at our fingertips has made us lazy and technology-dependent.

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of thoughts to help you live your best healthy life. We want to remind you how to think for yourself and why you should. 

Let’s get to it!

Thinking For Yourself

Here are a few ideas to consider when learning about the ins and outs of how to think for yourself.

The What

The basic definition of thinking for yourself is to come up with opinions and viewpoints that are completely your own. In other words, you contemplate, ponder, and analyze. Then, based on all that, you reach a conclusion based on your viewpoint.

Let’s not forget what the French philosopher, Rene Descartes, famously said, “I think, therefore I am.” We’re giving his quote a nice, little add-on: “I don’t cater to anyone else’s interpretation of the facts. I form my own opinions.”

The How

Here’s a quick example of how to think for yourself. Imagine you’re in a room full of people. Everyone’s voicing their opinions and thoughts on a certain topic.

So, what do you do? Well, the best thing to do in a situation like that is to take in as much factual data as you can. Next, scrutinize it, then formulate your unique ideas.

Does your idea sound similar to someone else’s? That’s Ok. You don’t have to dispute and argue about every little thing to prove you think for yourself.

It also doesn’t mean you constantly need to come up with original ideas. Nor does it mean you have to be different all the time.

The When

Experts refer to independent thinking as cognitive development. This usually happens in two stages.

The first stage is when children are between the ages of 6 to 12. During this stage, children learn how to form thoughts in specific ways, such as:

• Adding/combining
• Subtracting/separating
• Carrying out actions that require transformations and changes
• Sorting objects and putting things in order

The second stage is adolescence when children are between the ages of 12 and 18. This is a time when there’s more complexity to their thinking.

Their ability to carry out logical, as well as abstract thinking. This includes:

• Considering several viewpoints
• Thinking about thinking
• Reasoning by using a series of known principles
• Contemplating possible outcomes

Benefits Of Thinking For Yourself

We talked a little bit about the fundamentals of thinking for yourself. Now, let’s talk about the importance of why you must always do it.

After all, thinking for yourself is much more than just opposing other people’s beliefs. It’s about standing up for what you believe is right, even if mainstream media says otherwise.

Check out some amazing benefits of independent thinking:

• Boost feelings of your self-confidence, self-respect, and self-worth
• Gain more trust in your abilities
• Have a greater sense of accomplishment
• Increase your brainpower
• Expand your mind by recognizing different perspectives and diverse points of view
• Gain others’ respect
• Learn various methods of self-improvement
• Become more aware of what the media is trying to sell you

How have you been doing in thinking for yourself? Share any ideas, comments or questions below.

Be sure to get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you. 

If you want to know who we are and what we believe in check us out here http://wendybottrell.com 

Our Holistic Coaching and health and fitness products are here 

Join our Free Walking Challenge here  - This is appropriate for all fitness levels, though it is tailored to beginners. You will also get a tip a day, which gives you a little more insight into how to walk, what to wear, going outside or using the treadmill, and even journal entries about your experience. 

Be sure to sign up here for the FREE Walking Challenge 

You probably take your sense of hearing for granted. The world around you is full of sound. There are sounds that you enjoy listening to and sounds that you want to ignore. But, you probably accept that you can hear and don't reflect much on that fact. However, did you know that sound can have a powerful effect on your mood and your behaviour?

The sound of a car alarm or a baby crying will have you scrambling to make it stop. Hearing birds singing or waves lapping on the shore will make you smile and feel relaxed. And whether you realize it or not, people are trying to get you to change your behaviour in response to sound. For example, stores and shopping malls will play upbeat music to keep you moving and spending.

You can do a little homework to use sound to lift your mood or to avoid sounds you dislike. Take a minute, close your eyes and imagine sounds or music that make you feel good: It could be a favourite piece of music, laughter, birdsong, or the voice of a loved one. Now think of sounds that irritate you: Perhaps a cell phone ringtone, emergency sirens, or an alarm bell. All these sounds, whether pleasant or unpleasant affect your brain. You respond to the sound of a car crash or a piece of music that jogs a happy memory. 

Reacting to sound is hardwired into your brain. Even when you’re in a deep sleep, your mind is still scanning the environment and alert to sound.
  
Studies have shown that listening to music activates large areas of the brain and triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical. Music therapy has been used to help patients suffering from depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.
​
So, if you’re feeling in low spirits, or just a bit vulnerable, you can take control by filtering and choosing the sounds you hear so you can lift your mood. 

• Get on the front foot by choosing music that makes you happy. Turn it up, sing and dance and you will instantly feel better.

• Bring positive sounds into your everyday life. You can surround yourself with sounds that you enjoy like a trip to the beach, a concert, a walk through rustling leaves in the fall, noticing the sound of falling rain or talking with someone you love. 

• Choose to minimize the intrusion of irritating or distracting sounds. Change your ringtone or switch it to vibrate, use earphones and music to block out noisy neighbours, children or colleagues. 

You can take control of the sounds you hear and choose to keep your mood high. 

Be sure to connect with us and let us know how we can help you. 

Share any ideas, comments or questions below

Learn more about us here – https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/

What we do and our resources to help you - https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/healthfitnessresources.html