If you’re looking to lose weight, gain confidence, or just feel healthier this year, set yourself up for success by finding a routine that feels more like fun than fitness.  Read on to discover four out-of-the-box activities that just might motivate you to make fitness a permanent part of your routine.

Pickleball
Pickleball is a funny name for a game that is most simply described as a combination of tennis and badminton. Players use paddles to hit a wiffle ball across a net on a court that is significantly smaller than a tennis court. Besides being addictively entertaining, this game is great for your health because it promotes cardiovascular endurance, hand-eye coordination, and improved balance. Over time, players gain better agility, as well as toned muscles and increased stamina.  Plus, an hour of pickleball can burn between 320 and 500 calories, depending upon the intensity of the game.

The sport of pickleball is not as physically demanding as tennis. The pickleball court is half the size of the standard tennis court, so there is less running involved, which keeps the intensity low and decreases the risk of injury. (It’s also worth noting that getting hit with a pickleball does not hurt as much as getting hit with a denser, faster-moving tennis ball.)  The rules of the game dictate an underhand serve, a single bounce before the first hit, and a non-volley zone at the net, which slows the game down significantly and makes it an enjoyable alternative to higher impact sports.

Many of our communities organize weekly pickleball games in which all members are welcome to participate.  Check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com or MyArdienteLife.com to find out when you can join your neighbors for some fun and friendly competition on the pickleball courts!

Dance
Whether you prefer to waltz across a ballroom floor, do-si-do to the commands of a square dance caller, or shake a leg to the beat of your favorite tunes in the privacy of your own living room, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a great cardio workout just by dancing your heart out.

Dancing can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle.  During a half hour of sustained dancing you can burn between 200 and 400 calories.  One factor that determines how many calories you’ll expend is distance.  In one study, researchers attached pedometers to square dancers and found that each person covered nearly five miles in a single evening. Dance workouts provide cardiovascular conditioning that can contribute to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and an improved cholesterol profile when practiced regularly.  As an added benefit, the side-to-side movements of many dances strengthen your weight bearing bones, which can help prevent or slow the loss of bone mass.

Many of our communities offer weekly dance activities, including Zumba (a Latin dance-based exercise class), ballroom dancing, line dancing, and even ballet.  Check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com to find out what’s available at your community.

Hula Hooping
Hula hooping isn’t just for kids, though this is definitely a fun activity to share with your grandkids while you’re getting your daily dose of exercise!

Hula hooping strengthens and tones your core (abdominal) muscles, which helps prevent back pain and improves balance and posture. Like golf, hula hooping promotes muscle and body awareness, as it requires you to coordinate the movement of your hips with the motion of the hula hoop.

According to an article in Time Magazine, one hour of intense hula hooping burns the same number of calories as an hour spent jogging on a treadmill. Hula hooping, however, is a much lower-impact activity that is still an incredibly effective way to build cardiovascular endurance and regulate body weight. Hula hooping is rhythmic and oscillatory in nature, which is great for your joints. Regular joint mobilization is important for optimal joint health, and hula hooping does just that – it mobilizes your joints without putting undue stress on them.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of hula hooping – aside from the fun factor – is that it’s so convenient.  This is an exercise that you can do on your own, anytime, anywhere.  The only equipment required is an inexpensive hula hoop.  (Note that hula hoops come in different weights.  The lighter the hoop, the more energy is required per body rotation to keep that hoop moving.)  So, instead of sitting on the sofa during your favorite television show each day, you can stand up and hula hoop from the beginning of the show to the end, taking short breaks as needed.  You’ll have an effective, calorie-burning workout without leaving your living room.

Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art. Today, this low-impact exercise is a popular offering at many fitness centers across the country – including those at the Trilogy communities. Tai Chi involves a slow, continuous flow of motions that are named for animal actions, like “white crane spreads its wings.” Because many of these motions are circular, the muscles remain relaxed and the joints are not fully extended, so connective tissue is not stretched. The benefits of this practice include stronger muscles, higher aerobic endurance, and improved balance and flexibility.

Tai Chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but according to a recent Harvard Medical School publication, it could more accurately be described as “medication in motion.” According to Peter M. Wayne, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Tai Chi and Mind-Body Research Program at Harvard Medical School’s Osher Research Center, there is much evidence that this mind-body practice has value in treating or preventing many health conditions commonly associated with age.

A typical class includes a warm-up with easy motions like shoulder circles, followed by instruction and practice of the Tai Chi forms, and ending with breath work and energy work. Most of our communities offer Tai Chi classes; so check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com or MyArdienteLife.com to find out when this class is held at your community’s fitness center.

Do you have an out-of-the-box activity that gets you moving?  If so, feel free leave a comment below.

If you’re going to fight the symptoms of arthritis, minimizing inflammation is the most critical step to finding comfort. Pain medicine is always one option. For those who prefer a more natural route though, a few small dietary changes can make a significant difference. Try incorporating these elements on a daily basis.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acid is the healthiest fat option for you. While some foods can increase inflammation in the body, Omega 3s suppress and decrease inflammation. With the countless studies that have been performed, the benefits of Omega 3s have been confirmed and study participants reported greater strength, as well as reduced joint swelling and tenderness. This is great news for those suffering from arthritis! Curious about what foods to eat to help? Try salmon, sardines, flaxseed and walnuts

Extra-virgin Olive Oil

Next time you cook, consider using olive oil instead of vegetable oil or another alternative. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fat, which has antioxidants called polyphenols in it. Polyphenols help protect the body against inflammation. Fish oil is another kind of oil that has a mitigating effect on inflammation, but we recommend taking a fish oil supplement for easy consumption.

 Antioxidants

Research has shown that some antioxidants can help prevent the onset of arthritis and relieve some of the pain associated with it. For example, Vitamin C helps the production of collagen, which plays a major role in cartilage development. Eating foods like strawberries, mangos, pineapple or broccoli will significantly help with your Vitamin C consumption, but for a more comprehensive list of healthy options visit this online nutrition website.

Another well documented antioxidant known for helping arthritis is Selenium. It has been reported that individuals who eat diets with little or no selenium were more likely to have – or develop – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Foods that are high in selenium include: whole wheat pasta, tilapia, crab, shrimp or turkey.

Spices

Your dishes don’t have to be boring just because you’re being healthy. Spices are rarely thought of for their nutritional value, but when it comes to anti-inflammatory diets, turmeric and ginger are very potent. Spices can be advantageous to your health. Turmeric, which is best known as a yellow curry seasoning, suppresses inflammatory chemicals in the body. Ginger works similarly to turmeric and anti-inflammatory medicines. Both of these spices are exceptionally flavorful and can add pizazz to even the dullest dishes. Try them in your baked goods, stir frys or even have a ginger drink. Ginger has been known to be a blood thinner too. So, as with anything, if you are already taking blood-thinning medication, please consult a physician before making drastic dietary changes.

What secrets can you share for preventing arthritis from keeping you active?

The Delta Athletic Club:

The Delta Athletic Club is a high-end, luxury fitness experience and is available for member use only at no additional charge. The Delta Club offers state-of-the art equipment including free weights as well as the newest, comprehensive TechnoGym™ Training System which links all cardio and strength training machines together for real-time personal training. TechnoGym is considered to be some of the finest fitness equipment on the market, and was selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics as the official fitness equipment.

A wonderful balance of indoor and outdoor class selection includes such popular classes as Step, Low Impact, Spin, Pilates, Yoga, Muscle Toning, and a private outdoor Tai Chi patio and fitness lawn.

Private consultations are also available with a Personal Trainer, Nutritionist or Naturopath Physician and the team is there to provide extra services such as towels, water and more.

The Sawã Spa:

Calming aromatherapy permeates the air here, beginning the emergence into total tranquility. The 5,000 sq. ft. spa honors the elements of heat, water and stone by using them in creative and elegant ways, meeting – and surpassing – today’s lifestyle spa trends. The perfect place to spend a day of self indulgence or a Girls Day Out for you and your friends!

The Sawã Spa has four treatment rooms with adjacent outdoor patios, private Men’s and Ladies’ Lounges with a steam shower, and an outdoor private salt water spa and garden retreat. An additional room is provided for manicures and pedicures.

The center of the treatment rooms, or the Weeya (meaning sacred ritual), is quiet yet visually engaging with its artistic water feature centerpiece. The sense of place and history is palpable as is the sacredness of Mother Earth and her gifts. The spa concept is supplemented by healing plants (grapes, aromatherapy, oils, scrubs, tinctures, infusions, etc.) used by the natives, as well as vinotherapy.

Resort Pool & Cabanas:

Where you jump in feet first. How about doing a cannonball in either of our two beautiful pools? The outdoor resort pool will make you feel like you’re on vacation while the indoor Junior Olympic-style pool presents the perfect opportunity to shave some time off your butterfly laps.

Members love to lounge away the day by the pool underneath the huge shade sails and take in the vistas of rolling hills and Mt. Diablo. This area is all resort, all the time. The enormous resort pool is appointed with gorgeous, comfortable outdoor chaises and cabanas with plasma screens and food service. An outdoor barbecue next to the oversized spa is provided, turning even a day at the pool into a culinary opportunity!

Los Olivos Tennis Pavilion:

Tennis enthusiasts have 4 courts to choose from. The stadium court offers elevated terraced seating with a shaded patio, with an additional three courts that are lit every evening.

Awe Bocce Gardens:

Two championship terraced courts flanked by gardens provide a fabulous outdoor Bocce experience for small gatherings or larger tournament style play.

Sawã Spa Outdoor Retreat & Meditation Garden:

Soak worries away in the outdoor salt water spa. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely stroll of contemplative relaxation through this picturesque garden featuring Alder trees to renew the mind and spirit.

Alvea Spa:

Attend to the body and the mind will follow. The Alvea Spa is a mecca for Encanterrans in need of deep relaxation and thorough pampering. Enjoy a fulfilling array of spa magic, including the latest in massage therapy, facials and herbal body treatments. Stop by for an iced ginseng tea and a chance to let your problems slip away, even if for a little while.

Mossa Dona & Mossa Corsa:

Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, women’s-only circuit weight and free-weight training–it’s all here, the best, most advanced equipment there is. Surpassed only by our dedicated health and fitness specialists, who are always available to help you achieve and exult. Afterwards, you can happily waft back to the locker rooms, which are incredibly spacious, private, and luxurious. Then slip into the steam room or jump into the whirlpool.

Swimming pools and Tennis Courts: 

Encanterrans love to be immersed in fun all the time. With their boundless delight in mind, three truly magnificent pools were created. The outdoor resort pool is perfectly scenic and enormous. You’ll find it filled with smiling, sparkling, somersaulting Encanterrans, day and night. There are also two exercise pools, one indoors, one outdoors, for more serious pursuits, like laps and water aerobics. After your work out, or round of golf, Solaz is grilling up your favorite pool-side!

Whether you’re out for exercise, camaraderie or pure adrenaline, these are the tennis courts worthy of Encanterrans: professional, spotless and beautifully situated. You can join men’s and women’s leagues, enjoy lighted night games, sign up for tournaments or take group or private lessons from our seasoned pros. Show off your serve on the stadium court for all to see.

Test Drive Encanterra to experience the ultimate in resort living.