Ideas For Spring

Okay, so I'm a Floridian...I'm really excited that winter is officially over. Snow is nice and all, but I personally long for the sun and the warmth. I love being outside, and some of my favorite activities are trail running and parkour (both of which are less fun in sleet). I get inspired by this season...I want to share some of that excitement and hopefully inspire people to move outdoors if they've been in the gym during these long months! So here's a few tips...

1. Make a date. It's waaaay easier to exercise and move if you're doing it with someone else! That person doesn't need to be a trainer, it can be your co-worker, best friend, toddler, or even your dog. And, because it's spring, make it a rain-or-shine commitment, with a contingency plan if things are truly horrid out there.

2. Look for new things to try. If you always walk around the lake, rent some in-line skates instead. Bored of biking to work and back? Discover a new route that might take a bit longer but will have better scenery. Change up your rock-climbing routine by signing up for a big climb and training with other people. Think outside your normal workout box!

3. Take your gym activities outside. Run stairs at the stadium, do yoga or tai chi in the park, swim in the outdoor pool or lake. Being a part of a gym community can make working out a comforting thing, and it can be difficult to take ownership of your own fitness...you don't have to stop going to your gym, but see what you can add to/switch around in your exercise schedule to take advantage of good weather! Some gyms (including the one where I work, Zum) offer outdoor classes when the seasons shift - see if there are any that you can participate in!

4. Collect experiences. There's a lot more to see outside than inside...did you see any cool plants on your walk? How did the air feel to you when you were sprinting on the track at the high school? Start a rock collection from your weekly beach volleyball escapades. Take it all in!!

5. Have fun. This seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again, I'm one of those weird people who really enjoy working hard and have fairly boundless jumping-around energy! My rule of thumb is this: never JUST work hard. Work hard, but lie on the ground like a starfish and look at the sky for awhile afterwards. Work hard, but before you start, take a few minutes to swing on the monkey bars and hang upside-down. Work hard, and on your breaks, take pictures of cool stuff around you. Take a hand in creating your experience so that you remember the hard work AND the fun. It'll keep you coming back.

Of course, there are many more ideas (and more specific ones) that can motivate you to move outside...these are a few of my favorites. I'm off to Carkeek Park in a little while to climb trees and race up and down trails...hope you get out there sometime soon yourself! Look for the burned-out tree on the ridge...it's a great place to appreciate the cliffs and the water. :)