One of the more toxic myths about exercise is that it has to be something you endure. Not true. Somewhere between the windowless gym and the mind-numbing routine, many of us have forgotten that staying fit should be FUN. If enjoying yourself while you workout sounds like good advice, check out these surefire tips from our partner Fit for Trips to help you sustain enthusiasm and stay on the fitness track, no matter what.
Play hooky
At least once a week, skip the dumbbells and exercise routine and go play soccer with the kids, take the bike for a spin, hit the tennis courts, dust off the sea kayak and put in for an evening paddle. Or gather up some friends and shoot hoops at the park like you did when you were a raucous teenager, but with the adult after-perk of a celebratory beer. And remember, fun doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Your kids will outrun you, outsmart you, and basically whip your a..ss, but you’ll be so busy laughing and wheezing you’ll barley notice.
Tune In
If sweating in silence isn’t your gig, crank up the iPod and travel the world with global music playlists from NationalGeographic.com
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/resources/downloads.html
guides from Worldnomads.com
http://journals.worldnomads.com/language-guides/
Tired of going solo? Meet other local fitness buffs, trade tips, find a workout/gym partner and stay motivated with like-minded friends at Fitness.Meetup.com, the world’s largest network of local groups. With 3,290 groups, 440,044 members, in 1004 cities across 24 countries Meetup for fitness is a no-brainer for connecting locally or globally.
About Fit for Trips:
Fit for Trips has partnered with us to provide customized pre-departure fitness programs for active travelers wanting to be in optimal physical condition for their next adventure. For more information on trip-specific programs visit: www.fitfortrips.com .
1 comment:
Hi, Deb - being a person who has tried gyms, stationary cycling, etc, which I always quit shortly after I start, I pretty much got to the point of accepting that I had to get outside to get most of my aerobic activity. I have been really fortunate that I live where trails are abundant, but even in the city I found places to walk. Prior to the 2007 Nepal trip I turned to my favorite exercise activity of hill walking on trails. I bought a heart rate monitor to teach myself how I felt at different rates, and what my target heart rate should be and feel like. On the trek I was never fast, but the training helped my endurance tremendously - I knew exactly where my heart needed to be in order to sustain a pace that would get me some place without killing me. I also practice a form of mediation when I walk, which enhances my experience, because I don't always "have to get there". Another benefit of hiking trails, and even off trail is becoming comfortable on uneven terrain. I was able to feel very secure with my footing, and have managed to remain comfortable with traveling over rough terrain, even today as I spend most of my time in front of a computer. Yoga helps too, and if I exercise regularly, I find I really begin to look forward to it and enjoy it. Even when it's raining.
Karen
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