Honsework is Slimming

Southland Times, Issue 21088, 21 May 1930, Page 12

Honsework is Slimming

(From Our Correspondent.) For beauty’s sake women arc taking every treatment imaginable to obtain or retain a slim silhouette. Fashion demands a certain roundness of the figure, but it is a hip-less mode, the mode of to-day. Just now, the home-loving woman is reluctant to spare time for exercise of the right kind to reduce her proportions. She finds so much needing her attention in the home. What can she do about this, and make herself slim? House-cleaning carried out scientifically and under ideal conditions is one oof the surest remedies for reducing superfluous flesh at the hip-line, for running up a flight of steps one minute, down them the next, stepping u pand down, bending, kneeling, brushing, polishing, and scrubbing all help to keep the muscles supple, and make healthy exercise if the worker does not go about her self-imposed duties too strenuously, or works at them too long. She should take time to rest and breathe fresh air between each task.

Staircases are particularly well constructed to assist in keeping the hips normal in size, for first one leg and then the other is moved in the right direction, with just sufficient weight thrown on one side, then the other, to prove beneficial. Turning first one side, then bending forward, presently straightening the back to take up another position and continuously moving the leg muscles and the hip-joint in time have the desired effect. Brushing with alternate hands also balances the body while the knees are bet or stiffened. There must never be undue strain put upon any part of the body while doing such work. During special cleaning operations most housewives work too hard, attempt to do too much at a time. Many disorders from which women suffer can be traced to lifting heavy weights, over-reaching, and falling off ladders which have been improperly adjusted before using. Clothing must not be too tight at the neck, waist, armhole, knee or wrist, huh at the same time the body mast be suf-

ficiently well supported with a belt and suspenders to prevent injury. After the day’s work is done and a warm bath taken, the body can be encased in the usual form of corset and worn with ease. Kneeling on hard surfaces should be avoided. A soft pad should be used to safeguard against developing “housemaid s knee,” that painful and tiresome affection due to undue pressure. Rubing down walls, brushing away cobwebs, provide exercise that is beautifying for the figure, but certain papers and distempers give off a powder which, drawn into the mouth, can be harmful. While such work is being done, the windows should be closed, then opened while the worker has a breath of fresh air. All other duties connected with spring cleaning should be carried out in well-ventilated rooms.

Even flat-foot can be cured if dusting, and many other little tasks are done while “walking on the toes.”