More Valentine's Day Ideas

Ok - so if you didn't like the last set of Valentine's Day ideas, I'm offering more for the needy man. Here are some more ideas that she'll love and that will put you in her good graces for a bit.

1. A Spa Day - So this idea costs a bit, but it might be worth it. Give her anything from a coupon for one massage, to a coupon for a whole day at the spa. She'll come back relaxed and thanking you!

2. A Quick Get-Away - This is particularly valuable if you have kids. Find a babysitter and plan a quick get-away without telling her. She'll love the surprise and the two of you will enjoy your time away together.

3. Game Night - If she enjoys playing games, you can purchase a new, fun game for the two of you to enjoy. You can even secretly invite over a few friends and have a game night together.

4. Gym Membership - If you think she'd enjoy getting this gift and it won't offend her, buy her a one year gym membership. She'll be thinking of you as she gets healthier! If this is too much, you can buy a basket and fill it with gym supplies such as a workout outfit, a Bender Ball, a bottle of water and some ankle weights.

Hope these ideas help. It's almost Valentine's Day, so get shopping if you are still empty handed!

Valentine's Day Gifts

From one guy to another, I'm reminding you that Valentine's Day is coming up! Don't forget about this holiday - or you'll be in hot water with your gal for quite awhile. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to say "I Love You" and to stay in your lady's good graces.

1. Flowers - This is always a winner. It doesn't have to cost too much, but it reminds her that you are thinking of her.

2. Exercise Equipment - Now, if your girl is sensitive about her weight, don't give her this gift! If, however, she enjoys exercising and it will be thoughtful, you could buy her some ankle weights, a Bender Ball, a jump rope and such.

3. Tickets to a Movie or Play - Get out and enjoy some entertainment together. This gift offers you some fun as well!

These are a few of the many ways that you can say that you are thinking of her. Just remember to say something!

Snowy Exercise Routine

It's not always to come up with an exercise routine in the snow. Sure, if you have a gym membership, you don't have to think about the weather. I, however, like to exercise by walking outside, and when the weather turns really cold and snowy, I lose my "gym." So, here is what I do in the winter to stay in shape.

1. Exercise Videos - I have a number of videos that I use when I can't walk outside. These include kick boxing, Pilates and weight training.

2. Bender Ball - Fortunately, I've always got my Bender Ball. I use it for at least 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening as part of my exercise routine.

3. Leg Lifts - I try to do leg lifts each evening on each leg. I put on some fun music and do leg exercises. You can find ideas on the web and just follow the simple instructions that they give.

What I DON'T do in the winter is decide to give up on my exercise routine! It is very important to keep moving, even when the weather makes me want to get into bed. And I try hard to stick to this idea when I can't walk outside.

Back Pain Be Gone

I've always had slight back troubles. I'm one of those people who has to be careful when he picks up packages from the floor, and who has to opt-out of helping to move that heavy refrigerator. So, I was recently shocked when I realized how strong my back feels these days.

I was at work recently and someone asked me to help him move a table. Jumping to the task before thinking, I realized in the middle of the task that I probably shouldn't be there. But, how was I going to get out of finishing the job? Obviously, I wasn't. And when we had finished moving the table and I straightened back up, I realized how good I felt. Usually, if I do engage in activities of this sort, my back will be sore and I'll know that I overdid it.

I attribute my added strength to my new stomach muscles. The bender ball materials and my own research explained that I should feel stronger and more fit with better stomach muscles. And I'm living proof that it really is true and that even 10 minutes a day can really make a difference! Amazing!

A New Year with Bender Ball

I can't remember the last time that I wrote up a New Year's resolution that didn't include losing weight and getting in better shape. Is it actually possible to write a list that doesn't include these necessities? I'm actually here to report that it is possible!

Before the near year, I always like to sit down and take stock of the past year - and look to the future. And I write up a list of about 10 things that I'd like to achieve during the year. Sometimes they are financial, sometimes they are about travel or job changes or family. And there is always something about getting in shape. When I finished my list this year - I simply couldn't believe it. Since I've been working really hard to get in shape with my gym membership and my bender ball, I simply didn't put that on the list.

Now, I didn't consciously say that I wasn't going to put it on my New Year's list. It just simply didn't appear when I took stock of my life. What a liberating feeling!

Bender Ball Helps Me Say TGIF!

Last week was crazy. I was so busy at work, and the kids were sick and stayed home from school. My wife took a few days off from work and came home early the other days. Now I know what it means when people say TGIF! In the evenings my wife and I felt so frazzled we just fell onto the couch after dinner and stared at each other. Last night I was feeling so down that I said to her, “I am way too tired to work out now. Let’s just watch the news and go to sleep.” But my wife is really amazing. She just got up, put a really fun CD into the stereo, then went into the den and got our Bender Balls. We started our usual workout, and you know what? I felt rejuvenated and happy! It’s really amazing. I never knew exercise could make such a difference in your life, and it’s all because Bender Ball makes it easy and fun. Now I can go to sleep knowing that I did something healthy and positive for myself, and I will wake up tomorrow ready to roll!

First Pack the Bender Ball!

It’s snowing! It’s a bit early in the year, and it’s really only flurries, but I love snow. And they say that the mountains have already a foot of snow, and that by the Thanksgiving holiday there should be enough snow to open up the resort I want to go to. My wife is not so sure she wants to go skiing, though. She is worried about my fall five years ago, and thinks it could happen again, especially since I am five years older.

I told my wife she shouldn’t worry because since starting my work outs with my Bender Ball I actually feel five years younger than I did five years ago. So I got my wife to agree and we will probably make reservations this coming week for the Thanksgiving weekend. The first thing I will pack will be my Bender Ball.

Winter's Coming: Let's Go Skiing!

The days are really getting colder. Yesterday we had the biggest rainstorm of the year so far, and I heard that some snow fell in the mountains. I hope to get up to do some skiing this winter, a sport that I haven’t participated in for about 5 years. I used to be pretty good, doing the intermediate slopes expertly. But as I got older and was eating like a pig and not getting exercise, skiing became too much for me. The last time I went, I remember feeling so totally exhausted after the first day, that I just stayed in the lodge the next day playing cards and drinking coffee and hot cocoa all day. Bummer. The third day I went back to the slopes, but I took a bad fall and twisted my ankle, but it was so bad I got an x-ray to make sure it wasn’t broken. Like I said, that was the last time I went skiing, and that was about five years ago.

But this year I feel different. I really feel great since I lost weight with the help of my Bender Ball, and I’m hoping that I can ease into a few days of some real skiing fun. And since I can bring my Bender Ball with me so easily, I will be able to find at least 10 minutes each day to work out. I am really amazed how Bender Ball has changed my life.