Spring-Clean your Fitness Routine
And don't think that the rampant excesses of spring are confined to the countryside; urban dwellers will be surrounded by hidden places to explore within the city or town; cycle paths, tow-paths, walks and rides around docks, parks, nature reserves or even the local allotments.
You will discover a wealth of interesting places bursting with birdsong and wild life just a short distance from where you live; for some ideas and inspiration visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/getinvolved/
You may choose to venture further afield and tackle a longer walk; there are many footpaths throughout the countryside ranging in length and gradient, so that you can pick one which challenges you, or build yourself up slowly. Take a look at the ramblers Association website which lists challenging and easy walks (the website also lists local walking groups and holidays) http://www.ramblers.org.uk or http://www.go4awalk.com/walks/
Once again, the urbanites will not miss-out, as there is a collection of walks through towns and cities: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/urbanwalks.html (For walks in the US and Canada try http://walking.about.com/od/trails/Walking_Trails_and_Destinations.htm or http://www.trails.com/activities.asp?area=14949 )
According to the cycle network Sustrans 75% of people in the UK live within 2 miles of a National Cycle Route, so you can make the most of the improved weather and get on your bike. Invite family and friends and meet at a pub or stop for a picnic. You can find lots of information or buy cycle maps at http://www.sustrans.org.uk for further free cycle routes try http://www.cycle-routes.org/ncn.htm
If you have children you can still encourage them to walk several miles by inviting other families with kids to join you; you will find that they walk faster, further and with less whining when their friends are around and there is an orange juice at the pub afterwards. Babies and toddlers can be transported in backpacks and slings, and there is a huge range of child seats, trailers and tow along bikes for all ages so that the whole family can get out cycling. If a pleasant cycle is not exciting enough for you, hose down your mountain bike and get muddy http://mbruk.co.uk/ If you want a new challenge, and are not scared of horses (or very tight trousers), why not try horse riding or pony trekking; another great way of experiencing the countryside. And if that simply is not your cup of tea, you can still walk the bridleways http://www.bridleways.co.uk/ (For the US and Canada, also try http://www.cyclecanada.com/ http://www.dirtworld.com/trails/ for walking, running cycling and riding trails visit http://www.trails.com/trails.asp )
Now is a perfect time to spring-clean your lifestyle and make it more healthy; take a look for times when you can get out and about, see if it could be possible to cycle or walk to work even if it isn't every day (I have saved hundreds of pounds in motoring and parking costs over the last ten months, and am more likely to get somewhere on time). Dust off your bikes, shake the spiders out of you walking boots, and plan where you are going to go, who you are going to invite, and put it in your diary. Take 5 minutes today to Google local information sites such as your local council website, and you will come up with a wealth of free information on cycle ways, bridle paths, local walks, maps, and local schemes to encourage you to get out and about. This Spring you can take some small steps to change your lifestyle in a big way; you simply cannot stay gloomy after a walk drenched in sunshine and birdsong, you cannot stay stressed if you take your working lunch in a peaceful old churchyard tucked among the office blocks, you cannot have bored kids if you get out on safe cycle ways for a family ride. You do not need an expensive gym membership when there is a world of opportunity on your doorstep; the great outdoors is yours to use to your advantage, and it costs nothing. Getting outside will help you shape up, stay active, burn calories, release stress, stay younger, spend time with family and friends and become happier. Go on then, what are you waiting for?
Related Tags: fitness, cycling, walking, running, weight-loss, fat-loss, riding, fitness routine, staying active
Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser, GP Referred Trainer and runs successful Community and Corporate Exercise classes and events. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. Vikki believes passionately that everyone can make small changes to their lifestyle to ensure that they live happier, longer and healthier lives. She lives in Bristol in the U.K. with her partner Jeremy and two young children Apple and Honey. For enquiries for nutritional advice, personal training, corporate wellness and general enquiries visit http://www.getfitter.net
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Dental Insurance For Individual Can Be Of Help At Time
Dental problem may cost one a lot of money and pain. But, practicing a reasonable care could decreas - Personal Trainer For Perfect Health
There is a general misconception that need for a fitness trainer comes for novice or from those who - Varicose Veins - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
The majority of people after thirty notice the changes that appear with the maturing. In this case t - Scenar Therapy - Self-treatment Or Healing Partnership
Do you want to learn about a device which will help you to ease your pain? If you get this kind of a - Scenar - 5 "no, Nos" Of Scenar
Are you fed up with the pain in your body? Various parts of our body seem to ache due to different r - Scenar Device - 5 Tips On Travelling With Your Scenar (skenar) Device
You might be aware of scenar which has become quite popular these days. This is actually the acronym - Scenar Therapy - How To Treat Your Pet With Scenar
There are many alternative methods of treatment that are being invented these days. Lots of people a - Your Options For The Treatment For Appendicitis
Appendicitis is considered to be a surgical illness. Due to its severe character, the treatment for - How To Choose The Right Copd Medication
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD does not have any cure. But with the help of medicines - Septic Arthritis: Infectious Agents Penetrate Joints' Spaces
Another major type of arthritis is septic arthritis, which is also known in various terms like: pyog
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Drugs - the Last Alternative for Adhd in Kids
Anyone over the age of thirty who has grown up with ADHD understands that there was not much help av - Foods To Eat To Gain Weight
Malnutrition has the same degree of problem as obesity. There are people who are too skinny, they fi - Understanding Postpartum Clothing
The same way most pregnant women dream of the day when they will begin showing for wearing maternity - Kegel Exercising for Bladder Control and Enhanced Sexual Pleasure
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, thereby improving the urethra and/or rec - The Use Of Weight Loss Herbs
Nothing has garnered more attention in today's world than the success or failures of weight loss pro - A Simple Acid Relux Cure
Many people today are afflicted with heartburn. If they eat food that is too spicy, they get heartbu - Five Effective Household Back Pain Treatments
Back pain treatment comes in lots of forms, from exercise to pain mediction. Standard and most wides - Herbal Remedies - Can They Cure What Ails You?
You've probably heard about herbal remedies before and how they can treat a variety of health proble - Natural Relief for Tinnitus - What are your Choices
Natural Relief For Tinnitus - Alternative Options Did you know that there are an estimated 50 t - Birthing Around the World
Since ancestral times, different cultures showed off different customs and beliefs around the miracl