Tips On How To Get Active Outdoors: Get Off Your Butt and Into Shape
Whether it’s the winter or the summer period, there are always excuses to be found as to why you don’t get active outdoors. It’s too cold or too hot. It’s raining or it’s snowing.
Well… no more excuses!
Don’t Blame The Weather
It’s you. Only you to blame.
The weather always gets blamed on why you aren’t taking an extra thousand, or two thousand steps around the neighbourhood.
For anybody deciding on taking a 30 Day Fitness Challenge, getting outside occasionally throughout the week is a great way to change things up.
My husband Frank stumbled upon this page with simple lines that made me think of the number one distraction from getting active outside. The Internet. How much time do we spend catching up on social media? Watching silly videos on Facebook or flicking through photos on Instagram?
It’s time to put down the phone or iPad and get active outdoors. Trust me, it will be fun!
Ways To Get Active Outdoors
Physicians tout the goal of getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day to be healthy. While some may have time only for a quick walk or run on the treadmill, getting outdoors is even better.
There are many ways to get active outdoors. Some are more fun than others. We’ve listed only those that are fun, because after all, getting exercise should be something you like to do.
Catch Up With Somebody During A Walk
Make going for a quick walk around the block with your spouse or friend a regular after-work activity. It’s a way to catch up on the day’s events while getting your weekly exercise. A short evening walk is like a treat after sitting on our bottoms at our desk at work for a good 8 hours.
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Make It A Fun Weekend Activity
We try to do as much of our weekly errands and chores on weeknights. Time-sucking activities such as laundry and grocery shopping are done on weeknights after work. This frees up our time on Saturday to go for a drive to one of the many great trails in our Halton Region area in Ontario (Burlington, Oakville, Milton).
And of course you can do something silly like prancercising.
Make It A Date
Taking a walk or hike is beneficial for us both. We have desk jobs. Since my husband Frank is an excellent cook, I’ve gained a few pounds since we’ve married. Instead of doing a weekend brunch, we grab a few light snacks, our cameras and have a hiking “date”.
For ideas on romantic hikes, I’ve shared tips on Valentine’s Day romance on hiking trails.
Give Yourself A Nature Photo Challenge
This means you have to get outside to take the photos. Not only is taking the best photos a fun thing to do, but you also get to breath in the fresh air. Yes, you may not be walking at a steady clip, but you’re still using muscles to climb over rocks and roots on rougher trails. And you need to get to the best wooded spots to get the right shot. So grab your phone or your DSLR and get shooting!
Get Active Outdoors and Heal Your Mind & Body
We try to get outdoors and active any way we can. Since we’re homeowners, gardening seems to be our go-to these days. However, with the arrival of our little boy, we’re much more keen on going places and having him walk and explore.
Aside from burning more calories while hiking or cycling, getting active outdoors is also good for your mind. You’re inevitably forced to step away from technology and everything else that’s worrying you.
So what are you waiting for? Get off your butt and get active!
QUESTION: What inspires you to go outdoors and get active?
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I must admit the cold has been keeping me in … yes, I’m a wimp!
Being active outdoors is one of my favorite ways to workout! While I love hikes, they don’t happen too often. I usually end up going for a nice walk with my son in the stroller and incorporating a stroller workout in as well.
I love all these tips! I’ve been making it a point to get moving every day too and now that I’m in a routine my body craves that time!
Totally agree with you, we are so addicted to social media and have forgotten how good mother Nature is… It is very necessary we go out and refresh our minds… Nice post… Thanks for sharing
Thank you! You are right – REFRESH. It’s what we need at least once a week if not every day.
I know the feeling – the craving to get moving!
Me too – whenever I can, I head to the park or to a local urban trail with him.
Love love love all the ideas and suggestions you share. While there’s also the mental calm that comes with working out – working out in nature has a tenfold affect on your mental happiness! Thank you for encouraging us to get out there, take a deep breath – and take a hike! :)
The one time when you can tell somebody to take a hike and they won’t be offended! 😀