BIKE TO WORK DAY IS HERE!!

So...I know the weather is less than ideal but who is biking to work today?!?! 

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110514/NEWS01/105140028/Cycling-commuters-Enthusiasts-say-biking-work-can-save-money-aid-fitness

Bike To Work Day!!!

It's almost here!! This week has been Bike to Work Week...who has been pedaling to work?  And FRIDAY is Bike to Work Day!!  If you haven't already been using this week to plan a route and make sure you are ready for Friday, it's not too late!! Go to http://www.mapmyride.com/ to share your route with others and to see others routes in your area.  You can also go to http://www.maps.google.com/ and choose the bike icon to get bike directions! 
If you aren't so sure about biking to work, you can still try to get your bike rides in and support the efforts of finding alternative modes of transportation that get you physical active!  The whole month of May is  Bike to Work Month so even if you can't pedal yourself to work this week or Friday, you've still got the rest of the month to get started on a great routine of biking! 

www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/events.php

What's that??? 77 degrees???

FINALLY!! We've been waiting for you and you are here warmer temps!  In celebration of this weather work breaks should be taken outside walking!   Share with us what you did today to take advantage of the wonderful weather and get yourself moving!!   And as always...don't forget the sunscreen and playing safe in the sun!

Weekend Plans?

If you are looking for something to do for a couple hours this Saturday (14th)  join Andrea Holker and friends to get a Food Garden started at the Monticello Help Center. 

"Come Join us for a Fun Day of Sheet Mulching and Planting! May 14, 2011
We are installing The Food Garden @ The Monticello Help Center!

To get the garden started will need help Mulching, Planting, Getting Dirty, Watering, Photography, Sign Making, Song Singing, Lemonade and Water Drinking :)
Come after a morning start on the City Wide Garage Sale! Stop By to say Hi and Check out what is Growing on!" For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=169543239769203

When: From  10:00am-1:00pm
Where: Monticello Help Center
            215 Cedar Street
            Monticello, MN





Sun or Rain

It's time to get out and be active!  May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! 

General:

• Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many adverse health outcomes.
• Some physical activity is better than none.
• For most health outcomes, additional benefits occur as the amount of physical activity increases through higher intensity, greater frequency, and/or longer duration.
• Most health benefits occur with at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking. Additional benefits occur with more physical activity.
• Both aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) physical activity are beneficial.
• Health benefits occur for children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial and ethnic group.
• The health benefits of physical activity occur for people with disabilities.
• The benefits of physical activity far outweigh the possibility of adverse outcomes.

Children and Adolescents:

• Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day.
• Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes per day should be either moderate-or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least three days per week.
• Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.

Adults:

• Adults should do 30 minutes or more of physical activity per day.
• Some physical activity is better than none, and adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.
• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 30 minutes per day (2 hours and 30 minutes per week) of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
• For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond this amount.
• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.

Older Adults:
The tips for Adults also apply to older adults. In addition, the following guidelines are just for older adults:

• When older adults cannot do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week because of chronic conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.
• Older adults should do exercises that maintain or improve balance if they are at risk of falling.
• Older adults should determine their level of effort for physical activity relative to their level of fitness.
• Older adults with chronic conditions should understand whether and how their conditions affect their ability to do regular physical activity safely.

For more tips visit: http://fitness.gov/resources-and-grants/fit-facts-and-tips/general-fit-facts/index.html

Pooh knows what he's talking about!

A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.
-- Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne

It's a Beautiful Day!!

The sun is shining, the temps are looking good and it's a GREAT day to get outside and get active! Whether you are running, biking, hiking, walking, roller blading or skateboarding, make sure to protect yourself from the sun!  May is National Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month and there are many ways to enjoy the sun safely!! For more information visit http://www.skincancer.org/ or http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/BeSafeintheSun/be-safe-in-the-sun-landing

Mother's Day is Sunday...

Are you still looking for those last minute gift ideas?  Here are a few ideas to make this Mother's Day a healthy one! 

~Give her the gift of fruit!!  Whether you create your own fruit basket or you order an arrangement of fruit to resemble a flower bouquet, giving her that sweet gift will put a smile on her face!


~Help her plant her vegetable garden!  Or offer to do some weeding for her when the time comes!!  Helping grow fresh produce will help those healthy goodies become part of a daily menu!!


~Get Active!  Ask her to go for a Mother's Day morning walk, grab your helmets and take a bike ride, go dancing or if it gets a little rainy, play one of the interactive video games that gets people moving, like tennis, boxing, etc.  All it takes to maintain a healthy level of activity is 2 1/2 hours of moderate activity a week!!

Who is bike commuting?

Are you planning on participating in National Bike to Work Day on May 20th?  How about doing a week or a month of it??  Maybe more?!  For those of you who are going to participate in National Bike to Work Day 2011, come join the Live Wright National Bike to Work Day group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_199049130116801      we can share training tips and once May 20th rolls around we can share our stories, picture and videos of our successful and safe commute!!  So, head on over to Facebook and join the group today!!

For more information on National Bike to Work Day visit http://www.bikeleague.org/ or the National Bike to Work Day tab located on the top of the page!

How much do you pay to commute to work?

May is National Bike to Work Month!!! You might be noticing that your pocketbook is feeling a little lighter each time you fill up your car at the gas station as the gas prices continue to increase.   Have you thought about commuting to work on your bike? 
If no...why not?!
If yes, what has motivated you to commute by bike?

Leave a comment with your response and we'll see if those of you who do not currently bike to work can get some helpful tips and answers to question!
For more information visit the Bike to Work Day Tab at the top of the page!