Ellington

How do you combine socializing and exercise? Take multi-tasking to a whole new level and throw a fitness party. Whether it is with your friends, family, church or your co-workers, it's easy to plan with huge rewards. Here are some tips for a successful fitness party:

• Pick the right day and time: Mornings are good, but not too early. Take into consideration folks who work outside the home. In that case a Saturday morning would be ideal.

• Choose a theme: For our theme, we've chosen yoga. However, Pilates, belly dancing, Zumba, hiking, biking or water aerobics could be fun, too. Consider hiring a professional to lead the workout.

• Pick your location: Depending on the activity, the number of guests and the time of year, you can choose to work indoors or outdoors. You can meet in your home, a local gym or studio, or a park.

• Finalize your agenda: Consider having an exercise-DVD or a healthy recipe swap. Test your guests' fitness and nutritional knowledge with interactive quizzes and contests.

• Plan your menu: Keep your menu healthy and light. You don't want to exercise on a heavy stomach or undo all your hard work with a fat-laden lunch afterwards. Aside from your main menu, put out healthy snacks like veggies, nuts and fresh or dried fruit.

• Send invitations: Get the word out to your friends through email via evite.com or have custom invitations made at Fresh Ink (Highland Village, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 136, 601-982-0235). Invitations will get everyone excited for the big day. Be sure to include information about the theme, the agenda for the party, what clothes to wear, what items to bring and what will be
on the menu.

• Have fun: Encourage everyone to work out at their own pace and have fun!

• Send them away happy: No party is complete without goodie bags to take home. Depending on your budget, you can send your friends home with smaller items like water bottles, water flavoring packets, granola bars, pocket fitness or nutrition guides, pedometers, jump ropes or even iTunes gift cards.

• Keep it going: Take turns among your friends hosting fitness parties. Choose a theme and try something new. Don't forget to discuss everyone's daily exercise routines, meet up for a jog or walk during the week.

From the Beginning
Party attendees' fitness levels may vary from beginner to advanced. Terry Sullivan of liveRIGHTnow (601-717-2012, http://www.liveRIGHTnowonline.com), a Jackson-based weight loss and healthy lifestyle consultant, specializes in helping people start down the road to healthier living through proper diet and exercise. Sullivan, a certified personal trainer, believes in implementing a series of changes that will lead to long-term results, no gimmicks. He offers these five tips for beginners:

1. Write down when you are going to exercise. Making time for yourself is the first and most important step.

2. Figure out what you enjoy doing and do a lot of it. You are more likely to stick with it. Diversify your activities after you've gotten into the habit of exercising.

3. Find someone to hold you accountable, preferably not a spouse or partner. Accountability is important. Many people have a hard time staying motivated.

4. Measure your progress. Numbers don't lie and they give you good feedback as to what works and what doesn't. Weigh yourself regularly and take a few measurements from time to time to see your results.

5. Fuel and hydrate. Food is fuel for the body and mind and should be treated as such. It is impossible to carry out a successful exercise regimen eating processed and fast foods. Of course, drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a must.

Calories Burned
Multiple factors determine the amount of calories you burn during physical activities, according to http://www.nutristrategy.com. Factors include the intensity you exert, your body weight and metabolism. Here are some examples:

Calories burned Calories burned Calories burned Calories burned
Exercise (for 1 hour) 130-lb 155-lb 180-lb 205-lb
Step aerobics 502 598 695 791
Ultimate Frisbee 472 563 654 745
Kickball 413 493 572 651
Hatha Yoga 236 281 327 372