"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,and
good news gives health to the bones."
Proverbs 15:30
If you live in England, United Kingdom, you will notice there is a strange yellow ball which seems to have somewhat taken temporary resident in the skies! Yes, the sun (is trying to stay) out –summer is unfolding.
I don’t know about you but I love warm weather! The sun, the gentle breeze, the barbeque, the lounging in the shade watching the kids play and world go by or butterflies playing hide and seek at the far end of the garden, occasionally venturing towards you to show off their array of colours.
Training in the gym on a hot day to most, is like running in a sauna, or worse running in a giant refrigerator (I don’t know why they feel the need to freeze us off the treadmill in summer!). It is good to take advantage of the warm weather to rejuvenate the mind and body by exercising outdoors. This can be fun and it is cheap. No gym equipment or membership required.
However, If you live in Chicago, you are one step ahead of the rest because according to
HEALTHYCHICAGO, communities in Chicago are running various outdoor fitness activities for everyone.
Below are a few outdoor activities you can engage in
(without looking incredibly insane to passersby) to keep abreast of your fitness, whilst enjoying the unfolding change in weather:
- Running: Taking your running circuit outdoors is a great way to get rid of gym boredom. Let’s be honest, treadmills are not designed to provide great inspiration to keep you running for long – TV attached or not. It gets boring. Why not get a friend to be our running buddy, choose a good route or park (please bear in mind safety) to run and enjoy the view as you go.
- Biking or Cycling: This is a great form of exercise especially for those who don’t want to engage in High-impact exercises like I do! Again you can go with a friend or the whole family can get involved. You never know, you might discover sceneries around where you live that you never noticed before.
- Walking: The cheapest and one of the most effective ways to get a good walkout. Why not take a prayer walk during your lunch hour? You will be getting physical and spiritual exercise all in one. I sometimes go for an hour walk and just listen to a message, on return I am fired up and ready to beat a zillion demons! *grin*. Or you could take a casual walk to help digest that heavy lunch, or an evening walk with your loved one. You will be having fun and burning calories too.
- Jump rope / Skipping: This can be done in the park or in between running or even in the back garden. It is even more fun if there are at least four of you. You can take it in turns turning the rope and make a competition out of it. Reminisce in your carefree childhood days.
- Hiking: Many state parks and other public local organisations offer hiking trails that could serve as a nice break from your regular walking or running routes. This can also provide good lower-body and cardiovascular workout. Choose trails that are appropriate for your fitness level and stick to the path. Be careful not to wander off on your own. It is advisable to go with a hiking group.
- Inline skating: Are you an 80’s disco diver waiting to show the world that you’ve still got skills? Then why not dust off those skates, find a nice smooth path and show them what you can do. This will get your heart rate up and work your lower body too. I do wish I could do this, but if the shoes are not clunky I am not wearing them.. Skates or not!
- Swimming: Ah, if you are an avid reader of my other blog ‘A Day In God’s Will’, you will have read about my antiques on learning how to swim – NO LIMITATIONS: Read and have a good laugh at my expense. Swimming is fun though. It is a low-impact exercise that works the whole body and is good for just about everyone. Check out your local public pools or take advantage of nearby beaches or lakes. If you cannot swim don’t despair, most gyms or fitness centres have classes called Aqua aerobics. This is aerobics exercise done in water, and the great thing is you don’t need to learn how to swim. This is one of the first things I did to get over the fear of water. It worked!
To get the best out of your outdoor activities, I encourage you to involve your environment. Use whatever is available. For instance park benches can be used for push-ups and triceps dips. Stairs can be used for cardio (stepping up and down) and monkey bars can be used for pull-ups and back exercises.
NOT FORGETTING SAFETY
As with most things we cannot forget the element of safety. When engaging in outdoor activities, especially alone, it is important to be aware of your environment. For example, don’t run in dark alleys or parks or run the same route all the time – vary it. Better still be safe and get a friend to go along with you or join a running or outdoor activities club. Some more safety tips are:
- Bring water along. When exercising outdoors in summer. You are at a higher risk of suffering dehydration, heat stroke and other problems due to the influence of the elements. The aim is to stay hydrated. Dink plenty of water or before and after your workouts, and carry along a bottle while you exercise.
- What to wear - Clothes: Think of keeping cool and being comfortable. If the weather is really hot, don’t plan outdoor activities in the middle of the day. It is best to stay out of the sun in its peak hours. Comfort wear includes shorts, tees shirts. I always test my clothes at home running to and fro in the garden, before going out for a run (yes I do strange things, and my neighbours have given up asking the reasons why!). It is to make sure that they don’t chafe, ride up, slide or fall down whilst I am out.
- What to wear - Protection from the elements: The last thing I want to deal with is problematic clothing, when I am trying to remember to breathe. Also think of protection; wear light coloured clothes, a hat and sunscreen if the sun is out in full. Also sunglasses won’t hurt. You might just be the ‘flyest’ runner on the block!
- What to Wear -Shoes: wear the right shoes for your chosen outdoor activity. If you intend to run, get running shoes. If you intend to do other stuff apart from running, get cross trainers. Also one thing I must mention, which I have learnt the hard way is to be picky about your socks. There is nothing like getting blisters the size of England after a run. It hurts like crazy! Besides you will be out of action for days on end. Invest in good socks.
So as the warm weather unfolds , I encourage you to keep up the work of lookingn after 'His Fit Temples', your body. I encourage you to embrace the weather with delight. Engage in fun and delightful activities, creating belly laughter that puts a smile on your face and makes your heart glad; living out the reality of
Proverbs 15:13, which reads:
"A glad heart makes a cheerful face"...And to show that I try to practise what I preacsh, I am
TAKING MY FIT TEMPLE OUTSIDE FOR SOME RUNNING... This summer I am participating in the following runs for Charity.
- Cancer Research 10 run in July - Cancer Research Charity
- Great British 10 Run in July - Parkinsons Charity
- Nike Run to the beat – Half marathon in September 13 miles - Parkinsons Charity
I will be posting links to
PLEAD for charity donations and to show picture evidence of the run, soon. So what this space.
From one fit temple to another, enjoy the outdoors if and as much as you can. Lets do our bit to manifest the reality of good health and prosperity that God has given us; making Him famous in and through us, His temple, long our way.
Much love, Remi
*pictures by google*
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