I kick on my running shoes, my iPod in my jacket pocket, and water bottle in hand. I look at my left hand with my stop watch at 00:00:00 and press start. I am on my way to my planned destination of Withrow park. I smell the air, feel the breeze on my face, and listen to my currently added album of Ciara – Fantasy Ride. Something about this time of year brings excitement in the air. People are generally happier due to the increase of mercury and sunshine, including myself.
So instead of working out in the gym, I take my workout outside. I know I can get easily distracted and demotivated, so this brings a little more excitement to the mundane workout. Last year my bf has trained me on how to do ‘practical workouts’ with using things that are available to us. Here are some exercises you can do outdoors, main focus is lower body:
- Squats – Great for thighs and butt
- Step-Ups (both legs) – use a park bench, they are available everywhere
- Walking Lunges – place a marker for your finish line, feels great to finish instead of counting
- Calf Raises – reminds me of ballet and love the results of ballerinas lean legs
2 sets of 25 with a 30 to 40 seconds rest in between. If you are new at working out, your rest period can be longer but try to shorten it every time to make the workout more intense.
I am a little crazy so after all this, I do sprints up and down a hill and time myself to see how much I have improved. I run up and down …
- 3x – 2 sets
- 2x – 2 sets
- 1x – 2 sets
Some days I just don’t have the time to do all this so I setup an obstacle course with a variation of the exercises above. Quick 30 minute workout. It consists of running to one park bench to another, then running around trees, and sprinting up stairs. As long as you plan on what your obstacle course is, I find it very effective. I time this as well, so that I have a goal in getting better each time.
So pick up your kicks and soak up the sun while working out. You will get a fit body and a tan!!
- Liza Mae
For more fitness tips, visit Marci Lall
