The Square Life

Backwards walk
While working out one day, I saw a man walking backwards on the treadmill. The man was foreign, so I dismissed it as him merely not knowing what to do. Turns out the man knew exactly what he was doing. In a report by Dr. Robert K. Stevenson, a leading researcher of backwards walking (this sounds fake but it really is true), this type of exercise builds stamina, strengthens leg muscles, improves quickness, promotes balance, and restores good posture. That’s a lot of benefits for just walking around backwards.

Head Stand-Leg Lift
My roommates make fun of me for this one. But, I really like it and I‘ve done it for over a year. First stand on your head. Then rotate your legs keeping them straight at the knees until your body is in an upside-down L shape. Last rotate your legs back up, and repeat the process. It’s a great work out. And after researching a little, I learned that according to some yogis, standing on your head improves all sorts of bodily functions and even generates hair growth.

Dancing
Almost every girl said they dance to keep in shape, which if you ever get a chance to watch this, make sure you do. Imagine a group of freshmen girls, with Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” playing in the background as they wildly gyrate around the living room of their apartment east of BYU. It’s a moment you won’t ever forget. And according to a report released by the Mayo Clinic, dancing can burn as many calories as swimming or biking. Plus if you learn some moves and follow them, you help build your mind, so maybe it really is time to “dance with somebody.”

Complex Stairs
You can find stairs at almost every apartment complex. They’re a great place to do chin-ups and practice climbing. What you do, is get beneath the steps, then climb up them from underneath. It’s hard on the hands, but great on the muscles. You can even race your neighbors, which is a nice way to meet people.

Wrestling
Wrestling is one of my favorite workouts. The only problem is finding someone your size. The last guy I wrestled weighed 240, and I’m a buck 80, so it was an uphill battle from the beginning. But, the work-out was great; it really gets your whole body going. Plus it’s great for when you’re entertaining guests, and can’t think of anything to do. There is one warning though, just be careful because sometimes people pick up blunt objects in the heat of the moment.

Laugh out loud
Improving your health includes improving your mind. According to the book Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Guidelines to Success, by Patty Wooten, a person who laughs about a situation is less likely to become depressed or feel helpless. The book explains how all this works, but the underlying message is to be happy and laugh. Laugh at yourself, and laugh with others. You’ll have a better time, get sick less often, and all you have to do is laugh.