Welcome to the Jungle GYM:
Playground Tips to Get the Whole Family Moving
MILWAUKEE—Little kids don’t have to be told to “get more exercise.” They’re always in motion — constantly leaping, jumping, running and rolling. Kids know something that we adults sometimes forget: the importance of moving.
“So why not take a page from your kids’ or grandkids’ playbook and have fun with them while you get more active?” said Kelly K. James, ACE-certified personal trainer, author and fitness expert for TOPS Club Inc.® (Take Off Pounds Sensibly℠), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization. “You’ll not only be getting fitter—you’ll be acting as an awesome role model for the younger people in your life as well.”
Start with one set of these exercises and work up to three of them. You can do this playground workout by yourself or alongside the kids.
Park Bench Pushup
A. Stand about two feet behind a park bench and place your hands about six inches away, in a pushup position, on the back of the bench.
B. Engage your abdominal muscles (abs)—imagine drawing your belly button toward your spine— and keeping your body in a straight line, lower your chest toward the bench until your elbows make 90-degree angles.
C. Press back up to starting position. That’s 1 rep.
Try doing 8–12 reps.
Playground Bar Pull
A. Stand under a sturdy bar and grab onto the bar with an overhand grip.
B. Holding tightly onto the bar, and keeping your feet in place, slowly angle your body back, making sure to keep your back straight.
C. Keeping your abs tight, engage your shoulder, back and arm muscles to pull your chest back toward the bar.
Try doing 8–12 reps.
Swing Set Calf Raise
A. Stand outside of the swingset and place one hand on the outside of the structure, keeping the other hand free for balance.
B. Draw your belly button back toward your spine and lift your heels off of the ground so that you’re up on your tiptoes. Then pause briefly.
C. Slowly lower your heels back down to the ground.
Try doing 8–12 reps.
Sidebar:
5 Ideas for Active After-School Fun
“Many family members today spend a lot of time on their screens,” James said. “While smartphones and game consoles may be a constant temptation, there are plenty of ways to help the whole gang get (and stay) more active.”
Here are five after-school activities that, done for 15-20 minutes, will help everyone meet their healthy goals:
The information presented is educational and may not suit an individual’s particular health situation. Always check with a licensed healthcare professional before beginning a new exercise program.
About TOPS: TOPS Club Inc.® (Take Off Pounds Sensibly℠) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded in 1948, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.℠” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise and wellness information. TOPS has more than 125,000 members—male and female, age seven and older—in thousands of chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. Membership is affordable at just $32 per year in the U.S. and $48 (CAD) per year in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677.
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USDA Makes Disaster Resources Available to Rural Development Borrowers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2017 – The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is providing tools and resources to help rural communities recover from the devastation brought by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue highlighted today. The emergency procedures will provide additional flexibility for Rural Development borrowers and community partners to help them recover as quickly as possible and ensure they have what they need to rebuild their homes, businesses and communities.
“Our team at Rural Development is devoted to supporting rural communities ravaged by the recent hurricanes,” said Secretary Perdue. “We are committed each day to the recovery effort, collaborating with federal, state and local partners to begin to rebuild.”
USDA Rural Development has provided disaster recovery assistance by coordinating with private partners to restore utilities to rural communities in hurricane-affected regions.
Rural Development is helping businesses and utilities that are current USDA borrowers by considering requests to defer principal and/or interest payments, and to provide additional temporary loans. Current USDA single-family home loan customers may also qualify for assistance. Borrowers can contact their local Rural Development office to obtain information on potential assistance. Additional information may be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/services/rural-development-disaster-assistance.
USDA Rural Development is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is taking the lead to provide emergency housing for people who need it in these affected areas.
To find the nearest USDA Rural Development office, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Agriculture Secretary Perdue Travels to West Virginia TOMORROW
(Washington, D.C., September 19, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to West Virginia TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 20th to give remarks at the National Association of State Forester's Annual Meeting, host an Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force meeting, and tour the Green Mining Model Business Program. Below are tomorrow’s media availabilities in West Virginia.
Secretary Perdue Speaks to National Association of State Foresters
What: Secretary Perdue will give remarks at the National Association of State Foresters Annual Meeting during lunch
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m. EDT
Where: 200 Lee St E, Charleston WV 25301
Note: Just last week, wildland fire suppression costs for the fiscal year have exceeded $2 billion, making 2017 the most expensive year on record. As the Forest Service passed the $2 billion milestone, Secretary Perdue renewed his call for Congress to fix the way the agency’s fire suppression efforts are funded – this issue will be a central focus of his speech to the National Association of State Foresters.
Secretary Perdue Hosts Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Listening Session
What: Secretary Perdue will host an Agriculture and Rural Task Force Listening Session
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 20 at 1:30 p.m. EDT
Where: Governor's Mansion, 1716 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25305
Note: The Secretary will hold a gaggle with media following the listening session.
Secretary Perdue Tours the Green Mining Model Business Program
What: Secretary Perdue will tour the Green Mining Model Business Program Lavender Mine
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 20 at 2:55 p.m. EDT
Where: Park Forest Road 802, Hernshaw, WV 25107 (Take a left at the fork in the road and the mine office will be up 100 yards on your left)
