Well, don’t let the cold weather keep you from getting some exercise. If you can’t get to the gym or don’t have a treadmill in your house, try doing several little everyday things to help keep in shape. It’s amazing how many things you can do to get a little exercise in while you’re executing the mundane tasks of the day.

Here are a few of my favorite ‘Easy Exercise Tips’:

* When you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, don’t stop brushing until you have walked 100 steps. You’ll have cleaner teeth and it’s 200 more steps you’ve walked.

* When I am blow drying my hair in the morning I do 25 deep knee bends. I would just be standing there so why not add some extra movement.

* When doing laundry I add the detergent and let the water fill the tub. While it is filling I place both hands on the top of the washing machine and do 30 push-ups. Finish adding the dirty clothes and you are good to go. This technique works in several situations where you have to wait for one reason or another.

These are just three of my favorites. I could share a few more, but I’m sure if you think about it you can come up with more ‘Easy Exercise’ ideas or your own. Let me know some of your favorites and we can post them for others to try.

Remember that every little bit adds up when you exercise. It’s not always the big workout that makes the difference. In the long run, it’s the consistency of repeated effort, large or small.

I did an internet search to see if anyone had written anything about kayaking or paddling resolutions and I found an article by George Sayour that listed 5 excellent resolutions for paddlers. I can relate to this list.

1. Learn a New Canoe or Kayak Technique
George didn’t specify which technique he wanted to learn, but this resolution makes a lot of sense. Even the most accomplished kayaker can learn something new. And I can specifically attest that learning a better way to execute a stroke can improve your enjoyment of the sport. A couple years ago I started practicing a new technique that made my paddle strokes much smoother and added speed, too.

2. Canoe or Kayak in a New Location
On this one, George is “preaching to the choir”. Kayaking in new waters is one of my goals in life. It’s always exciting to paddle and take in the scenery of a new location. But remember to do a little research about the area first because everything isn’t as it looks.

3. Take a Paddling Lesson
This suggestion might seem like a repeat of the ‘learn a new technique’ resolution, but it’s actually an extension of it. It’s a pretty good idea, especially if you plan on tackling higher whitewater ratings or if you plan on extending the length of time you paddle. Good techniques can reduce fatigue on trips and might even save your life in raging waters. And, you know that competitive paddlers have trainers, so us mere mortals can use the occasional lesson.

4. Try Something Different
This one relates to what I just mentioned. How about tackling some whitewater, if you haven’t already? Or maybe doing an overnight trip and camping along with your kayaking. If you’re into an extended kayaking trip, read this article that Jim Schutze wrote about his adventure in Quetico Provincial Park in his folding kayak.

5. Spend More Days on the Water
Great resolution, don’t you think? Resolving to paddle more has got to result in more fun and more relaxation. Actually, paddling your kayak for more days this coming year might just help you lose weight and reduce stress, too. Now that’s an efficient New Year’s resolution!

Cocoons Sunglasses:
Like the name implies, these sunglasses fit completely over most prescription eyewear. I had a chance to try them out this summer at an outdoor trade show. I was quite impressed!
· They feature Polaré polarized lenses.
· Are available in clip-on and flip up styles.
· Come in a variety of lens tints, grey, copper, amber, yellow and mirror.
· Frame colors include: sand, slate, black, tortoiseshell, ivy & burgundy
· Six different sizes from – small to extra large.
· Flex2Fit® Temples designed for quick and easy manual adjustment of the shape and curvature of the earpieces.
· 360° of UV Protection®
· Included accessories: a protective neoprene case, lens cloth and a limited lifetime warranty.

I especially liked the polarized lenses. They are scratch resistant & deliver 100% UVA and UVB protection. Polarized lenses channel reflective light before it reaches your eyes, eliminating the blinding glare. The Polaré lenses are optically correct, meaning that there is no visible distortion, which is extremely important when wearing sunglass lenses over prescription eyewear.

I also like that Cocoons provide 360 degrees of UV protection. Not just the usual straight on protection found in most sunglasses. Cocoon sunglasses provide complete protection for your eyes from all angles. Their patented frame designs block UV light and glare from all angles, top, bottom and sides.

They are priced under $50.00, which won’t break the bank either.

If you or someone you know wears prescription glasses, a great pair of Cocoon sunglasses might just be the perfect gift. I know I really liked what I saw, literally, when I tried them on.

Be sure to join me next week for another gift idea to help with your Holiday shopping. Until next time, keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!

I live in Colorado, so I’ll use that as an example, but no matter where you are, the search for a good storage facility is important. There are plenty of Colorado Springs self-storage locations that will fit your need for extra space. Listed here are just some of the benefits of using a good storage service.

• Protect From The Elements: perhaps one of the most popular reasons that people turn to indoor storage is because they want to keep expensive items out of the snow and extreme cold. Moisture and frigid temperatures can cause rust and require expensive repairs over time.
• Extra Space: free up the space in your driveway or garage by putting your boat, kayak, or pontoon in an indoor storage facility when not in use. Aside from the space, many homeowners find recreational vehicles parked in front of their home to be unsightly, and some homeowners associations agree.
• Secure Storage: even if you have a large garage, you probably aren’t home to protect your recreational vehicles at all times. A secure indoor storage facility provides peace of mind of knowing your expensive vehicles are properly stored and safely guarded. Many facilities even offer protection from fire.

When choosing the right facility, be sure that security, location and of course price are all taken into consideration. Not all self-storage facilities offer indoor storage options for such large items, so be sure to find out exactly what is allowed and make sure your unit is the appropriate type. Use a website like SpareFoot.com to search for storage facilities in your area that can offer the space and security you need.

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage. With more than 5,000 self-storage facilities listed nationwide, SpareFoot offers consumers the most complete comparison shopping experience in the storage industry. It has been a big part of the national moving and storage industry for over 3 years. Matt Schexnayder is on the SpareFoot marketing team and also writes for the SpareFoot Blog, as well as a blog for self-storage facility operators at SelfStorage.com.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be recommending some products for the paddlers on your gift list, but before I do I want to preface these suggestions with some words of advice … do a little research first.

Whatever the hobby or pastime, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, golf, antique collecting, scrap booking or anything that captures a person’s passion, there’s always a point where you become fairly particular about the tools you use. Often, even someone who casually pursues a hobby can be selective about their golf clubs, fishing pole or kayak paddle. This is where the research comes in.

You will actually want to research your gift for a couple reasons. One being that you want to give someone a gift that they will like and really use and not want to return. The other being that your gift reflects on that person’s impression of you. For example, if you get them something that they like and is useful, they will know that you put some thought into the gift. You’ve heard the term “It’s the thought that counts”, well it does!

Here are a couple examples …

Inflatable Kayaks:
Sea Eagle inflatable kayak packages are as low as $199, so it’s not a stretch for someone to buy a package as a gift. Even the packages that run up to $1000 can sometimes be looked at as gifts. It’s encouraging to know that you can get a lot of boat for a little money when buying a portable kayak or boat.

Inflatable Kayaks – What to research?
Make sure that the person you’re buying for would actually like an inflatable kayak. It may save them some storage room and they wouldn’t have to use a car carrier anymore, but they may not like the way inflatable kayaks track in the water. There are lots of articles in this blog where you can research the differences between hard shell, folding and inflatable kayaks including my inflatable kayak reviews based on customer comments.

Another important thing to remember with inflatable kayaks or inflatable boats or crafts of any kind is that it’s not like buying a paddle or life vest or book for someone who already goes kayaking or paddleboarding or whatever. DON’T buy a kayak package for someone who hasn’t kayaked or that you “think” they would like it. Research by asking their friends, spouses, etc., then make an educated decision. If you KNOW that the person WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE an inflatable or folding kayak, then go for it. If you don’t KNOW FOR SURE, then DON’T GO THERE!

Every year I hear about someone who thinks they know what they’re buying and they don’t. The husband that just looked at the box and said “what the hell is this? I don’t want a kayak.” The Mom that thought her son should get more exercise and the son totally rejected the gift. Or the person who does kayak, but only wants a hard shell kayak and has no use for “blow up boats”.

Paddles:
Could be a good bet when buying as gift for a paddler. There are still some areas where research is crucial, like a kayak paddle or stand up paddle, since they can be items that a paddler can get particular about. However, some paddlers just don’t want to spend the extra dollars and you can upgrade their experience with a higher quality paddle. It’s worth looking into.

Other Accessories:
Accessories are probably the best area to look into for the paddler on your list. There are so many varied possibilities, but I’ll mention a few. Portable sails, such as the WindPaddle can give almost any small boat the option of ‘sailing’. Books and Videos on a person’s particular outdoor interest can be a thoughtful gift. There are also specific accessories depending on what type of kayaking that person participates in, such as a foot rest, a paddle float, a specific type of life vest or sunglasses. How to decide? Do some research?

In the end, I’m not trying to discourage you from buying something specifically related to the paddler or boater on your list, I’m only trying to help you get them the gift that they’ll remember and appreciate the most.

Next week I’ll have some specific, detailed suggestions for you. So, until then, keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!