Get Your Heart in Shape

It's February! Get your heart healthy with a partner!

THE HIGH FIVE

Both partners are on their elbows in plank position, facing each other.  Without rotating hips, each partner at the same time lifts his/her hand to "high five "the other. Start with 1-5 high fives on the same hand, then switch hands. For an even greater challenge, alternate hand claps. Try to do as many as you can before you lose good form.

THE HEART PLANK

Both partners are in side plank position. Reach up and around, touching finger tips to form a big heart. Try to hold your side plank as long as possible. The first partner to fall must do 20 push ups!

GET YOUR HEART RACING

You will need the following: candy conversation hearts, 4 bowls, plastic spoons, a timer. 

Place 2 bowls beside each other and 2 more bowls about 10 -20 feet (depends how much room you have) across from the other bowls.  Divide your family into 2 teams. Each person has a spoon. Place hearts in the 2 bowls.

At the same time, the 2 players dip their spoon into their bowl filled with conversation candy hearts . The players must then race to their other bowl balancing the hearts on the spoon. If any drop, leave them.  Do not touch the candies on the spoon. This will test your coordination and balance! Next person in line repeats the activity. When everyone has gone, go again! When the time buzzes, and it has been 5 minutes, count the heart candies. Whichever team has the most, wins! Congrats! The team that doesn't win, must do a 1 -2 minute wall sit or 50 push-ups! Do an exercise based on your ability. Do not injure yourself. Always stretch after exercising to prevent muscle soreness. 

Grab some healthy RED snacks in February! Try adding pomegranate to your breakfast in the morning. This super fruit is packed with fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C.  Red apples are full of antioxidants and fiber and can help lower cholesterol. According to the American Association for Cancer, apples can protect you from many cancers.

Alison Cardoza, BS Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Group Instructor at Baptist East Milestone Wellness Center.