Outdoor Exercises to Combat Spring Fever

Every year we spend the winter cooped up inside - although this year not as long as usual for many parts of the country. Nonetheless, now that spring is here, we can’t wait to get outside!  Getting outdoors can not only battle spring fever, it can also get you up and moving, and start losing those leftover holiday pounds.  Exercising outdoors can give you a better workout and burn more Exercising (Photo credit: NOAA's National Ocean Service)calories than the machines at the gym, as you tend to work more muscles and get a better overall full-body workout.  As spring approaches, if you want to get outdoors and get in shape, here are some great activities you can do to start getting in shape, while enjoying this beautiful spring weather. 

* Walking.  Not only is walking a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine after being cooped up all winter, it’s also great exercise if you do it right.  For an optimal workout, walk for an hour a day at least three days a week.  You should also alter your pace during the walk, i.e. go as fast as you can for a minute, then a slower pace for a minute, etc. This will get your heart pumping without having to do a hard workout, and studies have shown it will help you lose weight MUCH faster than maintaining a steady pace for the whole time.  If you’re bored of walking around your neighborhood, why not visit a nature park or zoo? You can enjoy the change of scenery and wildlife, while getting a workout in!

* Yoga.  Sure, nowadays yoga is often done in your living room or in a gym, but this art was made to be done in the great outdoors!  So tote your yoga mat to the park or just to the backyard.   This can give you an excellent toning and strengthening workout and calm your nerves at the same time.

* Swimming.  Want to get a fantastic full body workout while your kids are playing?  Then take them down to the community pool.  Many pools have an area for kids to splash and play while the adults swim laps.  Just make sure not to leave any child that doesn’t know how to swim without adult supervision.  And when you’re done with your laps, maybe you can splash and play with your kids too.

Mountain biking in Arizona desert, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)* Volleyball.  This sport doesn’t have to be played inside with a ref; you can play at a sand volleyball court, or just set up a net in your back yard.  Volleyball is a great way to socialize with your friends, or to meet new people by joining a league. And if you have kids, this is a great form of fun exercise for the whole family.

* Biking.  More and more cities and towns are putting in bike paths.  These are a great way to get a workout without risking serious injury by biking on rough terrain.  However, if you’re up for a challenge, there are probably paths through woods, hills, mountains, or some other difficult, but rewarding terrain.  Just be sure to wear proper safety equipment no matter where you’re biking. 

* Hiking.  If you want to get out and go, and you’re up for an adventure, why not take the family and go for a hike?  You can experience nature, get a great workout, get some fresh air, and spend some quality bonding time with your family. 

So what are you waiting for?  Get out of your artificial lighting and into the great outdoors for a workout and a fun time at the same time!

Choosing The Right Exercise For You

When you’re trying to find what exercise is right for you, there are a number of factors to consider, both in terms of health and current ability, as well as your personal preferences and personality.*

The type of exercise you do all depends on you and what you like to do. What you love or hate doing, paying membership fees, and whether or not to buy equipment are all things you need to think about and take into consideration.

If you choose something that you don’t like to do, you aren’t going to keep doing it long enough for it to benefit you in the long run. Give it some thought – if you don’t like jogging, you aren’t going to get up at 6 AM and go running on a regular basis. If you can’t find something you like to do (which I hope you can! If you have trouble, see our previous post on 33 ways to get moving.), choose something you hate the least, which for many people may be walking.

Walking is great exercise, as it suits all levels of fitness. Anyone can start a walking program at any time, it’s normally the intensity and duration that differs. Walking is also a social exercise, as it isn’t difficult to find a training partner to chat with while you exercise. Walking with a partner will also make time go by faster.

No matter what exercise you choose, you should start at a low level of intensity and build it up over a period of weeks, which is essential to the longevity of your exercise program. If you start off too hard, you could end up with an injury which will require time off to get over.

If you are really in bad shape, you should start off by walking for just 10 minutes each day at a comfortable pace. Then, increase it by 5 minutes every 2 weeks. To make things more interesting, you should try walking a different course every few days. You can also roster a different friend to walk with you each day of the week.

If walking isn’t your thing, then you may want to try a fitness center. They have loads of variety and normally have trainers on hand to answer any questions you may have. When you choose a fitness center, make sure that they give good service.

If they aren’t willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly won’t after you join. You should also make sure that the equipment they use is well taken care of. It’s easy to find out, as all you have to do is listen to the machines. If they squeak a lot or make noise, then chances are they aren’t being taken care of.

If you still aren’t sure what you should do, then try taking up a social sport, such as golf or tennis. Both are good social activities in most areas, and you can even meet new friends. Tennis is great for fitness
although it isn’t for someone who is just starting out. If you haven’t exercised in a long time, then golf may be a good place to start.

For more ideas on making fitness fun, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html.

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* Please note: All suggestions and articles on this blog are the opinions of the author or other contributors, and have not been evaluated for safety in your particular situation. One should consult with one’s personal fitness coach or healthcare practitioner before beginning any exercise program, especially if your fitness level is currently low.

Related articles on Finding the Right Exercise for You:

• How To Make Sure Your Current Workout Is A Healthy One (hellobeautiful.com)
• Best Exercises for People With Disabilities (brighthub.com)
• How to Get Fit When You’re a Couch Potato (dumblittleman.com)
• A Workable Plan for Getting Fit (healthmad.com)