Take it outside

This past weekend was a long holiday weekend, Memorial Day. That means the start of warm weather. Warm weather means being outside.

I like to switch my workouts up a little, especially when it comes to taking time to be outside. There are many ways to keep your workouts fun and enjoyable just by changing it up a little. I'm not saying to stop doing your Slim in 6, Turbo Jam, P90X,... whatever you are currently doing, I'm just saying substitute days here and there to be outside and enjoy life.

There are so many options for the summer, swimming, biking, and running, tennis. One of my favorite summer activities is sailing. I find being out in the Chesapeake Bay on my sailboat just enjoying the sun and fresh air to be so peaceful and relaxing. I also find that controlling the sailboat to do what I want and not what the wind wants takes a lot of strength. I'm out there pulling the sails in, which is fighting Mother Nature and her strength of wind power (not always an easy task mind you). This is a great workout for arm and upper body. When I am at the wheel, and controlling the boat takes more arm strength and force to keep her pointed in the direction I want the boat to go. This sometimes can be a fight against the wind and waves. My sore arms the next day make me realize I typically work a lot harder then I think when I am out there sailing and having fun. Other ways sailing is a great workout is that while I am sailing and standing behind the wheel, my legs are firmly focused on having a good steady grip so I don't fall or lose control of the wheel. My core (abs) is working on maintaining balance as the boat bounces in the water. I consider my boat to be the biggest balance board in the world. (Ok, so I can dream that my boat is the biggest boat out there, but you catch the drift.)

Now, what do you do outside? Gardening, biking, playing baseball? There is so much to do the options are endless. Whatever it is you enjoy doing, just think of the workout you are getting. Maybe concentrate on the form a little more to give a little extra push to your activity to make it a workout. For example, keep good squat/lunge form as you lower yourself to pull the weeds? Just a little bonus workout for the legs! I focused on using my abs as I had to paint the bottom of the boat. I tried to use the up/down motions and draw on inner strength from my abs to support my back,... Again, using the little things I learn from my inside workouts to make my outside chores also a good workout.

Once my weekend of fun on the water comes to an end, it's time to bring it back inside and continue my workouts where I left off. When I return, it’s like I never missed a beat, its right back to my scheduled routines. I just stay focused on my goals. I just think that all the hard work we do inside working out is to help us enjoy all the stuff we do outside. So, take the time and take your workouts outside. Stop and smell the flowers as you take a moment to catch your breath the next time you are on your walk (run)! These little things are what life is about! Plus, it keeps your daily indoor workouts fresh. When you return, you are stronger and ready because you just had a little break from the same old routine.