Gameday Games are Back!

We are weeks away from the start of the NFL regular season. And with that comes the return of Gameday Games. I have been eagerly awaiting football this year. I am missing a big part of my Sunday routine without Red zone Gameday Games.

For those of you that have never tried, Gameday Games is a method where one assigns exercises to various parts of a football (or other sport) game. For example, 5 pushups for each point scored, 20 situps for each turnover and 20 seconds plank for each first down. These rules can be applied to both teams or you can assign separate exercises for each team. If you have a favorite team, this can enhance the enhance the viewing experience and get you off the couch. If you and a friend/family member are pulling for opposing teams, the rules could be that if my team does x (score, first town turnover, etc), than the fan of the opposing team must do y (pushups, situps, etc.) This is a method that I have not tried but I can imagine how fun this will make watching a game together. I think I will propose that my brother (a Jets fan) and I (a Bucs fan) will play the inaugural head-to-head edition of Gameday Games on September 8th when our two teams open the season in New Jersey. Game on!

The whole point of this game is to add a level of activity to what otherwise amounts to sitting on the sofa for 8 hours. So next time you are gathering to watch the games, get moving by making your own Gameday Games.

Can't wait!

Jack

PS - This whole idea stems from watching the Oregon Duck, who has been doing a pushup for every point his football team scores for years.

None Shall Pass!

Traditional thinking about exercise revolves around the idea that most of our activity should come from one trip to the gym per day. And most of us don't have time to go more than once a day, so this concept fits most schedules. But one of the most common obstacles to daily exercise is finding the hour or more it takes to go to a gym. If a schedule changes, the daily workout is often the first thing to go. I'd like to propose another option; short bursts of activity throughout the day.

Instead of one big workout each day, try doing a bunch of little workouts throughout the day. These shouldn't be sweat inducing, but they should get your heart rate up. I like to set up a "gate" in my apartment, so whenever I walk past the gate, I have to do, say, 20 pushups or 20 kettlebell snatches. This same idea can be used at the office, at school or anywhere else you usually don't work out. I like to use this approach on rest days or on days when I don't want to do a heavy work load.

This method of exercise is more fun if others play along. Get friends, family and coworkers involved.   Take turns setting the rules and post them somewhere visible, preferably near or at the gate. Hold each other accountable for adhering to the rules of the gate. You can even establish a penalty for getting caught skipping the gate. Use the same gate regularly to help establish the habit of participation. High traffic areas, like doors, hallways or kitchens make perfect gates. Eventually, this habit of constant activity will become second nature.

Set up a gate; get others on board; make it a habit and you will increase your daily activity, even if you don't get to the gym.