The last few miles

It was about time. Though I love Gainesville, and all that it has to offer, I was ready to take a much-needed trip home this weekend. Thursday after class ended, I jolted to my car, started the engine and began the six-hour trek to Miami.

When I got on the road it was about noon, which possibly was the worst time to leave. I knew that by the time I reached South Florida the last 50 miles would be bumper-to-bumper traffic. Fabulous.

Note to readers: I absolutely hate this drive under any condition. The Florida Turnpike is possibly the most boring road with no pretty scenery (well, besides a couple hundred orange trees and a mount trashmore or two). If it wasn't for my lime green iPod, I really don't know what I would do.

Sure enough, just as I was entering Miami-Dade county, the final stretch of my drive, I was greeted by the 5 p.m. rush hour. Welcome home to me.

By this time, I was itching to just get out my non-moving car and do a couple Chinese fire drills. Due to the possible safety risk, and well, social conformity, I decided against this option. However, I did get on my Blackberry and look up some exercises to do while sitting in the car. (Don't worry, Mom and Dad, at this point I was stationary in traffic, the car was in park and I was completely aware of my surroundings).

I found some interesting tidbits that I thought would share with you.

1. Thanks to TravelingMom.com, this article about how to survive road trips offered some useful advice. The article suggests that since when driving there are certain muscles that you can't move, to take advantage and work the more than 50 muscles in your face. Some ways to do this are to fill your cheeks with air, move your mouth from side-to-side, make funny faces, etc. Luckily, when I did this, I didn't get any strange looks from the cars around me.

2. A fellow health blogger, Heather Long, has an entry that recommends antsy drivers double check their seat position and posture. When putting your hands on the steering wheel, they should be resting comfortably and never straining to put extra pressure on other parts of your body.

3. In the same blog entry, Long suggests that drivers take advantage of time in the car to work the buttocks and abdomen. Drivers can use the upright position to tighten both the abs and butt. Though she says it is not a full workout, it certainly can't hurt.

4. Chris Akard, a fitness expert, created this video, with a full car workout. He coaches through isometrics to do at stop signs, when to turn the music up, and other ways to avoid road rage. It's worth it to take the minute and 30 seconds to watch.


As I mentally prepare to do the reverse drive in a few days, I think these tips will certainly help, well, and a charged iPod, some snacks and avoiding rush hour.