Scrapbooking Ergonomics Part II: Fit Exercise into your Scrapbooking Routine

As a physical therapist, I listen to people tell me how they don't have time to exercise. Yet as an avid scrapper, I know that I can easily spend 2-3 hours a day to designing layouts, cards, and altered items. Well, wouldn't it be great if we could do both at the same time? The good news is, we can!

Just as scrapbooking is important to preserving your photos, exercise is important to preserving your health. Here are a few ideas for incorporating some healthy exercise into your scrapbooking time ...

1. Chair dips (tricep exercise) - Scoot to the edge of your seat. With both hands on the seat or on the armrests, with the fingers facing out, slowly lower and raise your bottom by bending your elbows (no more than 45 deg) and then straightening your arms. If you sit in a chair with wheels, make sure that the wheels are locked or that the chair pushed against the wall so that it doesn't slip out from under you. Start with 10 repetitions, and build up to 3 sets.

2. Shoulder press with Making Memories (shoulder/deltoid exercise) - Holding the scrapbooking colors kit (or something heavier), start with your hand at shoulder height. Push your hand towards the ceiling to straighten your elbow, keeping your arm by your ear. Slowly lower your hand back to shoulder height. Repeat 10 times and build up to 3 sets.

3. Bicep curl your square punch (arm/bicep exercise) - In sitting position, start with your hand by your side, holding your punch (or something of similar weight). Slowly bend your elbow, bringing your hand towards your shoulder. Return to start position. Repeat 10 times and build up to 3 sets.

4. Mini-squat with your MiMi bag (quadriceps and gluteus exercise) - In standing position, hold your bag with both hands. With your feet hip width apart, slowly bend your knees (make sure your knees point in the direction of your toes) and hips like you are sitting in a chair. Remember to keep your back straight. Stand back up to start position. Repeat 10 times and build up to 3 sets.

5. Standing heel raises to reach your ribbon stash (calf exercise) - In standing position, raise your heels to stand on the balls of your feet. You can reach overhead to add a side stretch to this exercise. Return to start position. Repeat 10 times and build up to 3 sets.

Experiencing an "inspiration block"? Incorporate 20-30 minutes of walking daily to clear your mind and allow some creative energy to flow into your layouts (as well as improve blood flow to the rest of your body). Find inspiration for your pages and your body by checking out fitness websites like www.fitness.gov.

You don't need to join a gym or buy expensive workout gear. You can "kill two birds with one stone" by using your current scrapbooking gear right inside your own scrapbook space. Take a five or ten minute break each time you scrap to do some exercises and you'll see big difference in how you feel.

Photos taken at author's home in Kailua, HI. Model is Kelly Lovett, personal trainer with Aloha Fitness and Personal Training.

Don't miss part III: Stretch (for) Your Supplies...

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