Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Danielle's STOCKING STUFFER IDEA!


Flying fit
South Shore resident Maggie Melanson, who operates a health conscious catering service, has just published "Fly Fit" (HRD Press): a book of tips and exercises to help airline passengers preserve their mental and physical well-being. Few travelers need to be encouraged to dress comfortably (Melanson recommends sneakers and workout stretch pants with a loose-fitting top), but it's also worth heeding her advice to arrive early at the airport to cut down on stress. Those long security lines are a lot easier to take when you're not listening to the last boarding call for your flight. So what to do with all that extra time once you've reached your gate? Melanson suggests taking a brisk walk around the terminal. Even "casual running" won't seem out of place, she says, since passengers are always hurrying to catch their flights. She also recommends a few turns up and down a flight of stairs -- two stairs at a time for a better aerobic workout. I'll try it. But I'm not sure that I have the flair to do pliƩs in the restroom or claim a quiet corner of the terminal as a "personal yoga space." Melanson also offers a lot of simple stretching exercises that you can do in your airplane seat or while waiting for your luggage. (She's much too polite to tell you what to do if your bag doesn't arrive.) Check out Melanson's website.
Posted by Patricia Harris, Globe Correspondent

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