February Enrichment Activity!

February is almost here, Sisters, and our activity is going to be absolutely delicious! It's time for CHOCOLATE APPRECIATION NIGHT! One change is that it will be held on Wednesday February 15th, instead of Tuesday because of Valentine's Day. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet for you to bring your favorite chocolate dessert or treat, homemade or not, and share it with everyone. We'll be doing a 'get-to-know-your-sisters' game similar to speed-dating while we feast. It's going to be fun, laid-back, and a perfect opportunity for you to get to know the other sisters in the ward while we all enjoy something we have in common: CHOCOLATE!

Chauntelle's Handout...

No more excuses! Here are 10 great exercises that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment: 1. Walking – If the weather is nice, it’s wonderful to get outside and enjoy the scenery around you while you exercise. However, if the weather has other ideas, you can just as easily get an effective walking workout at home. If you have a flight of stairs, go up and down them a few times. (You could even grab a load of laundry as you’re going that way anyway!) This will help to tone up your legs, while getting some low impact aerobic exercise as well. If you don’t have any stairs available, just walk around the house a few times – it may not be very exciting, but it will do the job! 2. Jumping Jacks – These are always fun, as they bring back memories of being a kid! And surprise – they are also great cardio exercises, and good for warming up, too. 3. Pushups – These are probably not the most favorite exercise of many people, but while they can be hard to do, you can find easier ways to do them. You don’t need to pretend you’re “Rocky”, and do them with one hand; just do what works for you. Do them on your knees, instead of keeping your legs straight. Or, do them standing up against a wall. You will be building up arm strength and working out muscles in your chest area. 4. Leg Lifts – These are great for building up strength and muscles in your legs. If you find it hard to do the exercises with your legs straight, try bending them slightly. 5. Crunches – The best exercise for building up and strengthening abdominal muscles. Just go up until you feel the stretch in your abdominal muscles. And when you get strong enough go only up until your shoulder blades are off the floor. 6. Jogging In Place – Jogging is a great exercise for your heart. You can jog in place at home while watching TV or listening to music. The only equipment you will require is a good pair of shoes, to eliminate any stress to your legs. 7. Squats – These are wonderful exercises for your legs and buttocks. You can even just try these by sitting and standing up again from a regular chair, if you’re finding them to be too difficult. As long as you’re able to do a few repetitions, you will be providing some benefit to your body. 8. Light Weight Lifting – No, you don’t need to go out and buy expensive weights for this! Just use whatever you can find in your house. Start out with something lighter, such as a can of peas, and work yourself up to heavier items. You can use milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles or even water jugs. 9. Dancing – Dancing is fun and it’s exercise, too, which is great for your heart. Not only that, but it can lift your spirits as well, and give your overall attitude a boost. 10. Step Exercises – Using the steps in your home, you can do repetitions which will tone your leg muscles. (Just remember to be careful!) Remember that exercise doesn’t have to be a bad thing. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Use what you have in your house, and work out in the comfort of your home. You will be more likely to keep up with the exercises when you’re comfortable, so just get up and start exercising!

Pictures 1/10/2012

New Year's Kick-Off Activity 1/10/2012

Thanks to everyone who came to the activity last night! It was so much fun and we all had a great time and learned a lot. Chauntelle Bloomfield gave a great presentation about fitness, staying active, and how to fit exercise into our busy lives without spending money or joining a gym. Everyone shared their ideas too, which led to some discussion of sports bras... with Bishop Walker there to hear it all! Bishop Walker shared some valuable information about financial self-reliance and budgeting to keep us all on track (or get us there!) in 2012. Afterward, we partook of the low-cal snacks (recipes below!). It was a great night and Kris and I were so please with the turnout. A word about this blog: it is YOURS! Please feel free to comment, offer suggestions, and get pictures from. After each activity, I will post any materials that were handed out, pictures, and a synopses of the night. We hope to encourage you all to come to the-meeting-formerly-known-as-Enrichment each month!