It’s Summer Time!

For those who live where I do, summer’s do not last very long unfortunately.  Others live in warmer climates which gives them a lot more opportunity to be outside. I wanted to write today about how important it is to be active and go outside to “play.”

As you’ve seen in my previous blog posts I get concerned about how sedentary society is becoming.  Most work office desk jobs and are consuming too many calories.  With this type of lifestyle it’s no wonder close to 60% of North Americans are overweight.

When I speak to my clients I encourage them to be as active as they can during the day.  For those like myself who don’t get warm weather year around, I suggest getting outside and doing something active.  This can be more appealing then going to a gym and running on a treadmill.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy when people do something rather then nothing, but my point is it can be more enjoyable and refreshing to be outside.  (Especially when the weather is nice!)

Everyone is different to what they would be open to do but some activity suggestions are things like: hiking, swimming, surfing, walking, biking, running, rollerblading, tennis, playing a game of touch football, throwing a frisbee around etc.

All of the activities I mentioned are great because they don’t require any expensive gym equipment do they? They all require your body which you already have.  Yes some of them require a bit of money but I wanted to give you some options to think of.  No excuses right!?

I had a client recently who went out to Eastern Canada to his cabin for three weeks.  We met before he left and his concern was that there was no gym near by.  My response, “no problem!”

I showed him a body weight circuit involving pushups, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpees, squats, lunges, step ups off a bench, chair dips to name a few.  For core exercises I showed him a bridge circuit he could do again, all body weight exercises. By completing this format in a circuit style fashion he could be done in 20 minutes!

He even mentioned how perfect that was because he could then jump in the lake afterwards to cool off and go for a swim!

Now I mentioned some exercises he could do but also informed him that he could even have a little more fun.  As long as his little kids weren’t in the area, I wanted him to find a big piece of wood (like a chopping block) pick it up, throw it as far as he could; run pick it up and repeat.  I also wanted him to incorporate an activity like wood chopping!

Just like in the gym, when we are outside and involve our whole body we can burn more calories!

I do understand how it is tough for some people to be motivated to go to a gym and workout.  I promise you that by getting outside and doing something active you will feel so much better!

We have such a beautiful earth with remarkable scenery so get out there and enjoy it.  It’s even more enjoyable when you share this with your loved ones, friends, or colleagues.

Feel free to share what activities you enjoy or if you want other workout examples you can do outside.  Make sure you drink lots of water!!! Have fun!!