No matter where you live – northern or southern hemisphere – this is the most temperate time of year. The temperatures are not unbearably cold or hot, and there is a beautiful world to observe in the process, whether it includes blooming flowers and baby birds, or autumnal foliage. Why not get outside and take it all in?
Eunny and me after a 4-mile walk/jog
In a previous life (read: early teenage years) I ran short-distance track. Eunny ran cross-country in high school. In recent weeks, we talked about starting a simple running program again to shape up, and possibly to take part in a competitive event later in the year. On Sunday morning, we met to start our training. I have never been a very skilled runner, but I am hoping to get better. Last week, I was able to run one mile without stopping – the first time I have done that since high school! I have been training and working hard for the last two months and have increased my stamina, and my recovery time. Additionally, I have lost the nine pounds of weight that crept back on during the winter holiday season. I am hovering in the 60 lbs weight loss range since I started working out and dieting in February 2006. The weight is not melting off quite as fast as it did last year, but I feel good (and I keep telling myself that that is the most important thing!)
Outdoor activities may be just the thing to reinvigorate my regimen. I have been dependent on the fitness center at my office for the last few months, and while I enjoy the classes and the cardio machines, there is really no substitute for fresh air and sunlight. I read an article last year [Nature Quest, from Experience Life magazine's June 2006 archive] about the importance of getting outside for personal wellness, peace of mind, and general health.
Many studies have produced strong evidence that even brief encounters with natural settings… can elicit significant recovery from stress within three to five minutes. Time in nature is often recommended as a stress-management technique to promote relaxation — important for those people dealing with stress-related conditions such as tension headaches and panic attacks, and for those trying to quit smoking. In fact, a nature prescription is suitable for virtually anyone seeking a little downtime.
Readers of this blog probably use knitting and crafting as a stress-relief as well. So, make it even MORE beneficial by taking your crafts outdoors! Why not pull out a blanket, and soak up a little sun while working on that Project Spectrum craft? You could even take a little walk or jog around the neighborhood before settling in for some outdoor craft time.
Some great articles on starting to train outdoors, and avoid injury while doing so:
- Hot On the Trail – a beginner’s guide to trail running.
- Indoor Outdoor Fitness – finding a unique balance in your own fitness regimen.
- Shape Up Your Shins – Some great tips to avoid painful shin splints from walking and running.
- Training for Your First 5k – thinking about making a commitment?
When you are in nature, you value it more. All the subtleties and the rhythms, all of the inspiration. Nature has served as a creative muse for countless figures throughout history – why not join the ranks? GET OUT! Get some gardening supplies and plant a flower bed! Cut out flowers and birds from photographs and make a seasonal collage!
What are your favorite outdoor activities? How do you manage to get your “nature time”?
Love C25k! Great podcasts, and the website for it is spot on!!
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
hanging out with my 5 year old son in the park to day- climb rocks and trees and get splashed with mud on the green grass- ahhhhhh- it good to be out- and act like a kid from time to time!
I do knit/crochet a lot in public and whenever my sons are in the front playing, I do enjoy knitting outside while watching them. Living in Florida allows me lots of outdoor time except for the summer, but I still knit quite a bit (under the umbrella) at the beach or by the pool. So, yes, I do unwind my days after work with knitting, but in the harmony of our beautiful nature. Isn’t it wonderful?
great post, lolly. thanks for the inspiration and information.
congrats on the weight loss, that’s awesome!
Good for you, getting out and running! I have been an unbelieveable slacker on running this year, and I can’t seem to break out of the rut. Maybe some of your links will inspire me!
I love it when you do these posts Lolly! You get me so inspired to workout. Thanks. I’ll be following those links.
Your dedication and motivation are awesome! Congratulations on all you have done to improve your well being!
Way to go Lolly! For outdoor exercise, my dogs & I do about 3 miles every morning. Afterwards I try to hop on the exercise bike for 5 miles or 20-30 min. My waist is getting smaller and pants are looser although the weight is only 2-3 pounds less. We have one of those Tanita scales that shows % fat: 3% less fat than at Christmas, woo-hoo. My main goal was to bring down my bp readings. You are an inspiration.
You make such a good argument for going outside, but how am I going to fill my hermit requirements if I don’t stay indoors?
Seriously, your post is very inspiring, and I might sit closer to a window tomorrow (also, it’s snowing up here in eastern Ontario again, so it’ll be a while before I do wander outside).
Good for you! You are an inspiration!
I’m a gardener for a living – so my down time usually involves staying in – even if it’s drop dead brilliant outside. Lol! But apart from the beauty of working outside for a living, there is much to be said for rejuvenating the mind, body & spirit by spending time outdoors – whether it be a stroll, run, walk locally or escaping for a few hours into the wilds. I also think it happens to help ground people – keeps things and life in perspective when you get the chance to witness the miracles of the life cycle unfolding – it’s awesome.
Keep up the motivation and hang in there – and remember – you do it for you – strive for the goals and just live off the natural high from day to day.
Hey, that’s great, Lolly! I wish you the best of luck. I love running as my primary form of exercise because it’s so effective – you get the most calories burned for the time you put in and well, I’m pretty lazy so I always want to get it done, you know? Have you heard about the Jeff Galloway run/walk method? He has a website – http://jeffgalloway.com/ – that offers free even training programs but he believes in regular walk breaks to recharge your legs as the best way to get in shape and also to increase your mileage. I’ve used it for years and it’s a pretty painless way to up your running. Just a thought!
I so hear ya on the get outside! i’ve been working on this as well, however I did wind up with shin splints in my eagerness to get moving. Feeling much better now, but I’m going to take it easy for a while just the same.
[...] Sunday morning run with E [...]
I can’t believe I missed this blog entry! Yay for you for going out and running! I love running. I’m still kind of afraid to get outside because of all the neighboorhood dogs, but I think this weekend I will go trail running. Running outside makes such a huge difference