It’s the middle of January, and you just have not found that fun workout you have been looking for yet. Running is my passion, but I must admit that sometimes I want to change it up, and just have fun. To my surprise, while looking at Instagram, I noticed my friend Eve (IG: @wonderwoman0470) was having big fun with her “Hula Hoop.” I thought to myself; I have a weighted hoop still in the box in the garage. So what did I do, I pulled out my hoop, snapped it together an became a “Hooper.”

Benefits

Hula hooping provides more than laughter, it’s a workout, that also builds core strength.

Laughter

When thinking about this childhood activity “Happy” by Pharrell plays in my head. Just like the “runner's high” endorphins are released while hooping, causing all the worries of the day to fade away. During this season it’s so easy to get overwhelmed with the goals you have set and with the change in daylight you might develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), (go to my blog “No More Sadness” to find out all about it). You can stop the madness by pulling out your hula hoop. You will not only get a great workout, but you will find yourself laughing. Laughing at yourself because the hoop doesn't magically stay around your waist or laughing at your hooping partner, because they are looking just as ridiculous as you.

Core

As you know, I’m always in search of sexy abs and have yet to find them; now I won’t mention that I seldom target my core, so I’m getting what I’ve put into the search “nothing.” So this hoop could be the new miracle tool because it will strengthen your core muscles and chisel your waistline. No more crunches, sit-ups or planks, sign me up!

After finding out the benefits of hooping, I reached out to Eve and asked her about her hooping experience. Here is what I learned…..

How has hooping helped your conditioning?

Hula Hooping has been a fun way to engage the core, work upper and lower body: Total Body Work Out!!!

What do I need to get started?

A BIG OLE HOOP!! Check out Jess Wagstrom, Hoopnotica and Around Joy, to purchase a hoop. NO, you cannot go out and grab a hoop from Walmart...well you can, but the success you want with hooping will be better achieved with an adult-sized hoop (a diameter of 45 and a psi of 160). The larger the diameter of the hula hoop, the slower you have to move to keep it going. If you try to use a smaller circle, your body has to move faster to keep up with the rotating hoop.

What can you do with the hoop?

Eve can not only keep the hoop going on her waist, but she can wiggle and work the hoops down to her hips and keep it there for 10-15 minutes without the hoop dropping to the floor. See it for yourself; she has videos posted on #hooperblooper. Gotta check those out, boy are they FUN!!!

After speaking with Eve, I’m going to continue to be a “Hooper.” If you want to get your hoop on, and live in the Frisco Mckinney, Texas area? Contact Eve or find her on Instagram at wonderwoman0470 and the hashtag #beginnerhooper, #hulahooper and #hulahooping.

Next stop, Marathon Bahamas