Bikes & Brews Postponed
March 15, 2023 Leave a comment
Unfortunately, due to the forecast for Friday we will be postponing this month’s bikes & brews.
We’ll be back April 21st @ 6:30pm meeting at Guild + Journeyman.
Are you walking correctly?
March 13, 2023 Leave a comment
Like any other exercise, walking requires proper form and technique to be done safely and effectively
We learn to walk when we’re still in diapers, but that doesn’t mean we necessarily know how to walk correctly. Like any other exercise, walking requires the right technique in order to be done safely and effectively.
Proper walking form incorporates four different elements: posture, foot motion, stride, and arm movement. For posture, hold your head high, place your shoulders back, and tighten your mid-section. Remember to stand up straight and don’t arch your back. When in motion, your arm movements should be minimal; make sure that as one arm goes back, the opposite foot goes forward, and do your best to keep your hands partially closed but not clenched — a clenched fist can raise your blood pressure.
Now let’s focus on what’s happening waist down. Do your best to tuck your pelvis under your torso and position your feet straight ahead and parallel to each other. With each step, remember to hit the ground first with your heel and roll through to your toe. When it comes to your walking stride, don’t take too big a step forward; be in control and aim for longer strides on your back step. Imagine you’re using your back foot to propel you forward.
When you go on your daily walk this Monday, focus on form and take the extra time to make sure you’re walking correctly.
From our friends at Move it Monday!
Legacy Park Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
March 10, 2023 Leave a comment
Yesterday afternoon Decatur Legacy Park held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new inclusive playground. As you may recall, the creation of an accessible and inclusive playground at Legacy Park was a suggestion made by students at Oakhurst Elementary School during the community master planning process. We are excited to see their vision brought to reality and provide a space that all children can enjoy.
Inclusive playgrounds, as they’re commonly known, are universally-designed, sensory-rich environments that go beyond minimum accessibility standards to create play experiences accommodating the widest possible array of physical and cognitive abilities. They further allow adults of varying ages and abilities to actively engage with children in their care and serve as multi-generational gathering spaces for community enjoyment, socialization, healthy bodies, and imaginative fun.
This effort was made possible by a $145,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) obtained through Dekalb County with the support of county Commissioners Steve Bradshaw, District 4, and Ted Terry, District 6. The City of Decatur then pledged $114,00 in matching funds for a total project budget of $259,000.
To see more pictures of the ceremony and to read the Decaturish’s coverage, click here
Celebrate National Walking Day!
April 4, 2022 Leave a comment
Come walk with us! Decatur Active Living will celebrate National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 6th at 10 a.m. Meet outside the Decatur Recreation Center and be ready to walk 2-3 miles around Decatur.
The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day and it encourages Americans of all ages to get out and stretch their legs and get their hearts pumping. The American Heart Association launched National Walking Day in 2007 as part of its efforts to promote healthy living.
Unable to join us? Wear your sneakers (or take them with you) to work, and at some point in the day, take a 30-minute walk.
- Take thirty minutes out of your day to go for a walk.
- Find a trail near you or walk around your neighborhood.
- You can also visit a local park or walk on your treadmill.
- Take your canine pals with you, too. They need the cardiovascular workout, too!
Here are some great ways to make that 30-minutes more enjoyable:
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Take a friend to pass the time.
- Make sure to stretch those muscles.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Move your arms, too.
- Make sure you have good posture.
Just Keep Moving with Bobbie Elzey
October 28, 2021 Leave a comment
Bobbie Elzey is living an extraordinary life. From a schoolteacher and dancer to a pioneer for dance aerobics, Bobbie has paved the way for many females in the health and fitness industry. Beginning her fitness journey in the 1970s at a local YMCA, she built a dance fitness program with five participants to 1,000 participants. She ventured her way to Russia to teach across the country and to judge the National Competition for Aerobics eventually making her way to teach in Decatur in 1985.
Bobbie has taught Dance Aerobics and Functional Exercise for Seniors with Decatur Active Living for the past 36 years. Bobbie quickly became a staple and champion for health and fitness as well as our older adult population. We had the opportunity to sit down with Bobbie to hear her advice on how to prioritize health and wellness, especially for the older adult population.
Bobbie’s Health and Wellness Advice:
- Age and disease should not be a roadblock to exercise!
- To be successful in staying active, be sure to find activities that you enjoy. Think about what fitness activity you enjoyed during your childhood and do that now.
- Every day movement and balance is important. Older adult populations can develop muscle quickly and gain confidence.
- Challenge yourself with movement, balance, and strength activities daily. Get up and get moving!
Just Keep Moving with Bobbie’s classes at Decatur Recreation Center. Visit our website to learn more about our programs and be sure to contact Bobbie at www.lzaerobics.com to learn about her weekly classes and pricing.
Let’s Get Active This Week
January 4, 2021 Leave a comment
We’ve all got busy schedules, but it’s important to remember to set aside time for some movement. It might be hard to believe, but it’s possible (actually, pretty easy) to go an entire day without having to walk more than a few hundred steps.
Here’s how you can fit a little fitness into your daily routine.
Embrace the Season of Change
October 12, 2020 Leave a comment
From our friends at the MondayCampaigns:
The pandemic has altered daily life for people across the country, and things will likely continue to change in the days, weeks, and months ahead. But change can be a powerful motivator, especially when it is thrust upon you without warning or notice.
As summer fades into fall, start thinking about how you can embrace change and use it as a positive source of inspiration. Start the week on the right sneaker by getting your cool-weather exercise gear in order; if you’re feeling stress or overwhelmed, take a mindful walk through nature and pay extra close attention to all the sights, sound, and smells of the outdoors.
Fall is here, and that means hot apple cider, horror movies, and a lot more flannel; but the changing of the season also means new opportunities for outdoor activities.
Here’s how you can embrace the season and stick to your #MoveItMonday routine.
Dance Your Way to Better Fitness
September 28, 2020 Leave a comment
From our friends at #MoveItMonday:
We dance to celebrate; we dance to express ourselves; but we can also dance to improve our conditioning and to get into better shape. Dancing — whether it be hip-hop, tango, or jazz —is an excellent form of aerobic exercise that’s easy to do and accessible to all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. Even the US Department of Health and Human Services is on board, citing dancing as a useful way to help meet the physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity.
Plus, if you work on your skills, you’ll be able to impress friends and family at the next shindig.
Read more here.
Not sure where to start? Try this Dance Workout for Dummies on YouTube.
Move it Monday: Tune in to Tone Up
April 27, 2020 Leave a comment
From our friends at MondayCampaigns.org:
Even when we can’t get moving in the company of others, we can still exercise “together.” Numerous services exist that can bring your favorite fitness class — HIIT, spin, yoga, Zumba, kickboxing, dance — to your computer monitor, television screen, or smart phone. Many of them offer their tutorials, videos, and guided workouts at no cost or as part of a free trials, while others might require a monthly fee.
And we’ve got a list of them below. Use this Monday to reconnect with your old workout buddies, join a new fitness family, or experiment with some different types of exercise — Zoom dance party anyone?
Click here for our favorite online group fitness classes.
Why not support a local business?
- Decatur Healing Arts offers online streaming classes in Yoga, Qi Gong and more.
- Body & Brain Yoga has a variety of classes.
- Check out a barre class in the comfort of your home at Pure Barre Decatur.
- FitWit offers online coaching and online fitness for children.
- Rosalie at To the Beat Fitness offers free classes for seniors: Online Zumba Gold and Senior Fitness. There are other classes as well that you can pay for. She even offers an online Zumba Kids birthday party.
Let us know if you hear of others.
#stayactivedecatur
Move It Monday: Fun Family Fitness
November 25, 2019 Leave a comment
From our friends at #MoveItMonday
The sound of the wind rustling through branches, the sight of moss crawling over tree stumps, the sweet smell of fallen leaves after a fresh rain: There’s magic in the woods… but you’ve got to go find it.
Make this Move it Monday an afternoon of exploration with a family nature walk and scavenger hunt through the forest, public park, or even your backyard. Children of all ages are drawn to the adventure and endless intrigue of the outdoors, but incorporating a scavenger hunt will keep them moving and engaged (and well behaved).
Don’t know where to start? Click here.
Gael Doyle
Greg White
jones9095
saraeholmes
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