Is it really true that
blondes
redheads have more fun? The vote may be out or rigged on that one given that we are redheaded twins. But how many of you believe that with more exercise and weight loss that you will increase your happiness?
Kymberly: Research now proves that exercisers are happier. Did you know that similar to exercise, laughter activates the pleasure pathways of the brain? Laughter acts a lot like a cardio workout, as they both enhance the immune system, increase longevity, help the heart and build the lungs. Laughter also breaks up facial muscle tension. As well, according to Dr. William Sears in his book Prime-Time Health, optimists outlive pessimists.
Alexandra: Heh heh heh (that’s me laughing while pedaling at my FitDesk). You can laugh your abs into shape, too! But it does not count if you laugh at someone else’s abs.
K: Brain hormone Fit Fact: The stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, actually decrease during and after laughter. Guess what other times stress hormone levels drop? Yup, post exercise. Coincidence or brilliance built into our bodies?
A: Whether I exercise or laugh, there is definitely a lot of brilliance built into my body. Actually, there’s so much, I think I got Kymberly’s share. Coincidence? I think not!
K: Can you imagine the double whammy benefit of combining a workout with a laugh or two? Laugh stat: Children laugh an average of more than 400 times a day. Adults have toned that down to logging about one dozen laughs daily. Except the adults who tweet with @AlexandraFunFit, of course! They laugh more.
A: Oh, crap! Those are adults I’ve been tweeting with? Now you tell me. I might have to adjust my maturity level. Or my exercise routine.
K: So to increase both your fitness level and overall happiness, include humor in your daily exercise plan. Or find people to work out with who crack you up.
A: Can I just do 200 push-ups and laugh once on the way down (from feeling so buff) and once on the way up (because I can’t actually get back up from a push-up 200 times — my body is brilliant, not bionic!)?
Happy readers: What’s your favorite fun exercise routine? Family-friendly answers only, please (OK, it’s actually up to you).
— Identical twins and fitness pros Kymberly Williams-Evans and Alexandra Williams have been in the fitness industry since the first aerobics studio opened on the European continent. They teach, write, edit, emcee and present their programs worldwide on land, sea and airwaves. They co-write Fun and Fit: Q and A with K and A. You can currently find them in action leading classes in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Kymberly is the former faculty minor adviser at UCSB for its fitness instruction degree offered through the Department of Exercise & Sport Studies; Alexandra serves as an instructor and master teacher for the program. Fun and Fit answers real questions from real people, so please send your comments and questions to info@funandfit.org.