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how to exercise without (almost) noticing: go outside

By on October 28, 2013
nicole outside

By Nicole Moorey.

It’s been four months since I added nature to my daily life to learn about empowered living.   Summer was such a delightful whirlwind, that it took me until the quieter, contemplative days of autumn to clue into a significant truth about the great outdoors … Nature causes fitness!   Or more accurately, I’ve been fitting exercise into my day for months without even trying and barely even noticing!  How’s that for a natural perk?

Since making my commitment to spend a minimum of 30 minutes per day outside, almost all of that time has been spent unintentionally exercising.  There were only a handful of times when I sat still for that half hour, reading a good book or basking in the sunshine (also amazing, but more on that another time).  Even better was that I usually spent an hour or more doing it, found it convenient and free and felt incredible afterward!

With a renewed spring in my step and glow in my cheeks, I’m happy to share how to exercise outdoors (almost) without noticing:  

Step Outside – The first step is always out the door.  Once you’re out there, get busy – patio or yard work, gardening, garage tinkering – it all strengthens muscles and burns calories too!  Even on the days when I didn’t feel like getting out there, just leaving the house was all I needed to shift my mood and get myself moving.

Move Forward – Active transportation is easy, fun and affordable.  Walk (run, cycle, canoe, swim, ski, etc.) around the neighbourhood, to do your errands, to visit friends, or to get to class.  I especially recommend walking during your work day as an invigorating use of time.

Embrace Youth – No one can move like children.  If you have little ones in your life, get out there with them and see what happens.  Impromptu sports, forts, tree climbing, picnics and escapades will keep you youthful and fit.  When did we start saying “no” to fun physical activity?  Just go jump in the lake and feel the exhilaration of youth!  (Do not, however, attempt Slip ‘n Slide – that one’s better left for your memory).

Remember Yourself – Recall yourself in your younger years and the activities you used to love doing.  Revisiting old stomping grounds might also help inspire activities long forgotten.  I resumed running, shooting hoops, tennis, and long bike rides, and although my game is barely recognizable, just moving in those old familiar ways helped me remember a dormant piece of who I really am.

Change Location – I suspect your neck-of-the-woods, like mine, offers plenty of green spaces, conservation areas, trails, parks, campgrounds and vistas.  Have you visited them all?  There’s more to explore in new places.  The same applies when away on holidays.  Often the greatest discoveries are made on foot and the best memories are made trying local activities.

Improve Tradition – Try putting a slight twist on outdoor activities you already know and love.  My recent favourites are floating down-river, in the river (not the boat), water balloon fighting in the rain and kite flying in the lake.  You get the idea.  With the monotony of our long Canadian winter approaching, I plan to use this technique often.

Be together – Share this secret of nature with others.  Time spent outside with family, friends and neighbours is time well spent.  Celebrating small triumphs and grand occasions outdoors make those moments that much sweeter.  My year in nature began on an anniversary bike trip, and I look forward to seeing what activity I’ll choose to celebrate its conclusion.

Follow Joy – Most importantly, follow your joy.  When you find activities outdoors that make you feel amazing, keep doing them.  If you’re not outdoorsy, and these ideas don’t appeal, that’s amazing too!  Now you know what wouldn’t make you happy, so you can get on with the activities that do.  Opt for crazy fun -or quiet bliss – or whatever makes your heart soar (and heart-rate rise too)!  Love yourself, love your body and love life.

You may feel exhausted reading this, but I promise you that I barely even noticed I was exercising.  Nature plays a vital role in enjoying physical fitness, not to mention its positive effect on our mental, emotional and spiritual fitness too.  You deserve to reap the rewards of the great outdoors.  How will we keep moving outside in the coming fall and winter months?  Let’s inspire each other by posting suggestions below!

 

Yours outdoors,

Nicole

 

P.S. To learn how I got started on this pursuit of empowerment with nature, see my first article.

 

nicole mooreyNicole Moorey invites her backyard and backcountry sisters to reconnect with nature while living more joyful, healthy and fulfilling lives.  Through daily dates with nature, she’s creating an empowered life for herself and sharing snapshots of insight along the way: www.facebook.com/NicolewithNature.  Nicole studies personal empowerment with the S.W.A.T. Institute, has mobilized thousands of people to help one another for 15 years as a Volunteer Administrator and enjoys adventures with her family in majestic Northwestern Ontario.

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