Living Clean
People often cop out of exercise because working out inside a gym simply doesn’t motivate them. Yet leading an active life and eating clean doesn’t mean spending hours alone chained to a machine. In fact, a great way to stay in shape and active is right outside your front door! From walking to running and even outdoor yoga classes there’s a whole load of options where you can work out alfresco and enhance your lifestyle. Here are some top tips to get you started.
Outdoor Activities
Choose an activity you enjoy that fits around your commitments. Buddy up with friends and family to make it a social occasion rather than a chore. If you’re looking to walk or run you can join a local club or research your own route.
Incorporating a route with useful natural features such as steps and benches for triceps dips and other maneuvers will keep things interesting. There are plenty of hiking websites out there if you’re looking for inspiration, with a range of routes from light to more adventurous.
What You’ll Need
Outdoor activities require minimal equipment, which is one of its many advantages. If walking and hiking is your game then you’ll need a good pair of boots. Investing in some well-fitting, durable boots means you can avoid any blisters or injuries by ensuring you’re fully supported. If you’re making your active lifestyle choice a family affair, you can visit Tesco for kids hiking boots. Whatever your activity, you’ll also need to dress appropriately. Look out for weather resistant and breathable materials to work with your body temperature. Prefer to run? Then you’ll need some suitable, breathable sneakers so that can go the distance. If an outdoor yoga class is more up your street then chances are the only piece of equipment you’ll need is a mat. Job done!
Eating Right
As with any form of exercise, you must fuel and nourish your body. If you’re looking to work out in the morning, make sure that you eat a good, protein-based breakfast. Which foods work best for you depend on your goal and what reacts well with your body. You may find that you need carbs to give your chosen activity your all. If that’s the case then opt for whole grain and slow-releasing carbohydrates such as oats with natural yoghurt in the morning or chicken with quinoa for lunch. If you’re setting off on a long hike, pack some energizing snacks to help keep the pace up, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Apples, unsalted nuts and protein bars are all suitable clean options.
Leading an active lifestyle doesn’t need to be mundane or routine. Mix up your activities and take advantage of the great outdoors and the natural resources that your body and mind crave. From long walks by the lake to taking the kids hiking and climbing, there’s a lot to explore and keep things interesting. After all, a little fresh air never hurt anyone!
Image by Trailmix.net, used under Creative Commons license.
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In this fall weather, I find it almost impossible to stay inside!
What’s your favorite way to get moving outdoors?
Have you changed your fuel as it’s gotten colder? (Or warmer, depending on where you are!)
Getting out with my running group is what always keep me motivated. If I know they are waiting for me I;m getting my butt out there.
this time of the year, i love long walks! cold weather = soups and hot chocolate.
I like the way you think!
Great points! If the rain ever stops, I’m hoping to start getting some walks in. I’m exited that I can even think about doing it. Have a great day, Laura!
I’m excited FOR you! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more on getting outside! For me it’s running, but I love getting clients outside at a park for a circuit or bootcamp workout. If I could move all my weights outside, I’d lift outside too 😉 Well, except in the summer, then I want all the AC!
I keep saying I wish they had a sunroof over the gym!
I love to run outdoors and did year round when I lived in Savannah! Now that I am back up north, I will take long snowy walks and go snowshoeing during the winter. And basically never put my crockpot away. 😉
Savannah is such a fun town to run in! I’ve never been snowshoeing… sounds cold… 😉
I agree with you, healthy doesn’t mean gym all the time 😀
I love all the tips! I dance all the time for my exercise!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Now that I actually live someplace pretty enough that I want to be outside all the time, I think I’ll be doing a lot of running/walking outdoors!
What a great idea for a post! Especially on weekends, I like to get outdoors and do something active… it doesn’t always have to feel like a “workout” to still be good for you! 🙂 And lately I’ve been living proof of the whole “you can’t out-train a bad diet” … both components are so important! My favorite thing to do outdoors is hike/walk, for sure 🙂
ahhh being outside is part of why i became a runner.. then i moved to florida and started running on a treadmill, HAHAAA
Working out al fresco – best new term I’ve picked up in a while!
I will never understand how some people can spend hours on end or even days inside and prefer to work out at the gym rather than in nature. I go nuts if I can’t get my daily dose of fresh air. Unfortunately, I get home too late to work out outside during the week but always add in a walk during lunch break. On the weekends I try to go for runs or hikes. Mood-boosting to no end.
Lunch break walks are the best. They really wake me up for the afternoon!
I would rather be outside than in any day of the week – if I’m moving in any way while outside than it is even better!!!
We have been really fortunate this year – it is almost the end of October and we are expecting temps in the low 80s for the next 3 days – that never happens in Kansas!!!
We are too! It’s crazy… but I’m not complaining!
Outdoors is where I’ve always done my running. I’ve never been a treadmill runner or a gun rat until this ridiculous injury that has hyjacked my entire year. Yeah I’m bitter.
Being a gym rat isn’t SO bad… 😉
Inspired to get outside! Fall is too short. Heading into winter here in New England is not going to be fun…