Problem: Article: Walking is a simple and inexpensive way to start becoming more active. Taking a brief walk of just 15 to 20 minutes most days of the week will help strengthen your lower back as well as the rest of your body. Try walking with a buddy to help motivate you and make your walks more fun. If you're walking by yourself, you may want to listen to music, a podcast, or an audio book. If you have lower back pain to the point that you feel more comfortable sitting than standing, cycling is a good option for cardiovascular exercise. A stationary bike inside typically will be better for you than the bumpy, uneven road terrain. Cycling is low-impact and easy on your joints, and will strengthen your legs, hips, and lower back while also giving you a good cardiovascular workout. Mixing your cardio and strength training together creates an effective workout that will strengthen your lower back without increasing any lower back pain you may have. You can find beginner interval training workouts, including a lot of videos, online for free. Doing 3-5 minute intervals of high-intensity cardio between strength-training intervals will help you get and keep your heart rate up without putting too much strain on your lower back. If you have convenient access to a pool, swimming for just 20 to 30 minutes two or three days a week is a good way to strengthen your entire back. To avoid making any back problems worse, join a class or hire a coach to perfect your technique.  Swimming is a low-impact exercise and the water helps support you, making it great exercise if you have joint problems or are overweight. If you're new to swimming, start slow with 10-minute swims. Every week or so, increase your time in the water by five minutes until you're swimming for a half hour or longer each session. If you're not up for swimming, walking or jogging in water provide some resistance to help strengthen your legs and lower back, without you having to worry about your breath. Over the course of your day, you should aim to walk at least 10,000 steps. A pedometer secured to your waist can keep track of those steps for you. Some models also connect to the internet and have apps that allow you to keep track of your progress over time.  Choose a pedometer that you can use easily and that will help you achieve your goals. You can get a very basic model, or one with a lot of extra features. If you're new to a more active lifestyle, set smaller goals to start and work your way up to 10,000 steps. Introduce walk breaks into your day by doing things such as parking further away when you go shopping, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Sitting for long periods of time can cause your lower back muscles to atrophy. Prevent this by getting up and walking around every 30 minutes or so if possible, and try to reduce the number of hours you sit overall.  For example, if you spend most of your work day sitting, try to remain standing when you go home, rather than sitting down on the couch to watch television. You also can invest (or ask your boss to invest) in a standing desk, so that you can stand for periods as you work throughout the day.
Summary: Go for walks regularly. Take up cycling. Exercise in intervals. Try swimming. Buy a pedometer. Maintain an active lifestyle.

Problem: Article: You can buy “sofa savers” for sofas online or at home goods stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Put these supports underneath your couch cushions to give them more support and firmness. Measure the space underneath the sofa cushions and cut a piece of plywood to those dimensions. Place it underneath the cushions. You will feel more support underneath the cushions, and the couch should sag less. Flip the couch over and expose the springs underneath the couch. To repair the springs of your sofa, you will need to wear glasses and use a pair of pliers. If you see any springs that are bent out of place (i.e., they look different from the rest of the springs), bend them back with the pliers gently.
Summary: Support your couch cushions. Cut a piece of plywood to fit underneath the sofa cushions. Repair the springs.

Problem: Article: Place the saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the squirrel meat to simmer until tender, about an hour and a half.  Be sure to simmer, not boil the meat; it should not be falling off the bone when you remove it from heat. If you have an older squirrel, it may take longer for the meat to become tender. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove extra moisture. Set the pieces on a plate.  Heat the oil over medium high heat.  The oil should cover the bottom of the pan and come 1/4 way up the sides. To deep fry the squirrel pieces, heat an inch of oil into a dutch oven or large saucepan. To test whether the oil is hot enough to fry, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil. When the oil bubbles rapidly around the spoon, it's ready to fry. Coat the pieces one at a time, and lay them in the frying pan. Repeat until all the squirrel pieces have been dredged and are cooking in the pan. Cook until the breading is golden brown. Serve with foods that usually accompany fried chicken: mashed potatoes, corn, or green beans. Eat carefully, since the squirrel pieces have tiny bones.
Summary: Place the squirrel pieces in a large saucepan and cover with water. Drain the squirrel meat. Mix the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a few pinches of salt and black pepper in a bowl. Pour oil into a frying pan. Dredge the squirrel pieces in the flour mixture. Turn the squirrel pieces over to fry on the other side. Set the squirrel pieces on paper towels and allow them to drain.

Problem: Article: Aprons can be short, around the lap and waist, or tall, covering the majority of the front of your body. This tutorial uses an apron pattern that covers most of the torso, but you can use a similar process with your own pattern. You will need to have 1/2 yard (46 cm) of 2 types of fabric to finish your apron. You can also use fabric scraps for the strips and larger pieces of fabric for the body. You should use different fabric from the front apron square. Try to use coordinating, but different fabrics for all of your strips because they will be sewn onto the front square of your apron.  You need 4 strips that are 3 inches wide and 18 inches (8 by 47 cm) long.
Summary:
Find an apron pattern that you like. Find 2 to 4 types of coordinating, but different fabric. Cut a strip of fabric 3 inches wide and 16 inches (8 by 41 cm) long. Cut another strip of fabric that is 3 inches wide and 18.5 inches (8 by 47 cm) long. Cut your ties.