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This exercise is called push and stretch. This will be the first of many exercises for strengthening; and stretching all the muscles and joints in your body. We want to engage as many of your muscles and joints as possible in this first exercise. The first exercise in The Exercise For Life Program is a great starting exercise to get your body in tune for what is to come.
The DVD I mentioned earlier shows me doing every one of these exercises in the comfort of my home. The DVD shows me using the mantle in my den for this first exercise; a door frame works just as well; or you can use a wall. Put both hands on the wall and push your body forward just as the illustration shows, you are pushing just as if you are trying to move the wall. You are engaging your upper and lower arm muscles, your abdominal muscles, your upper and lower back muscles, your shoulder muscles, your buttock muscles, your thigh muscles, your calf muscles, your ankles and feet. This is a great opening exercise because you are using so many different muscles, joints and muscle groups. You began to get blood flowing to all of the areas which are being used. This opening exercise is a great tune up, to get you ready for all the other exercises to follow.
I do this exercise 50 times pushing with my left leg and 50 times pushing with my right leg.
In getting started, only do as many as you can do comfortably. If it is only 5 or 10 that’s fine, this will be the beginning of your journey for better physical health and better mental well being.
See Illustrations 1 A and 1 B
1. PUSH AND STRETCH

Illustration 1 A
This is a terrific beginning exercise. This illustration shows the approximate position of your hands, your arms and your feet. This position shows you pushing off of your left leg as if you're trying to move the wall.
1. PUS H AND STRETCH

Illustration 1 B
This illustration shows you pushing off of your right leg and flexing your arms, before pushing again.
#2 WIND MILL STANDING
The next exercise is called the Wind Mill, or more appropriately a half windmill. This exercise is done standing, moving your arms over your head and rotating your arms in a half circle. See illustrations 1A and 1B. You will feel this exercise stretching and strengthening, your shoulder and upper back muscles, your abdominal muscles, front and side. The side abdominal muscles are sometimes jokingly referred to as, love handles. You also engage your thigh muscles in this exercise which stretches and strengthens them. Also; you must remember every joint connected to the muscles we mention above, is getting life-giving blood, which reinvigorates them and helps them to be healthy.
I do 100 of these.
I will caution you, after each exercise, do only as many as your body is ready for. You can increase your numbers as you go along.
See Illustrations 2 A and 2 B
2. WINDMILL STANDING

Illustration 2 A
This shows the position of the right arm being raised; make sure you're raising your arms to the maximum height. When you do, you will feel the muscles involved being stretched as you are raising your arms.
2. WINDMILL STANDING

Illustration 2 B
This shows the position of the left arm as you rotate each arm up and down in this exercise.