When did you last touch a tree? Or scooped up acorns from the ground? Maybe you recall the most recently you picked up an unusual rock or stone from the dirt.
If your answer to the above prompts is, “I don’t know,” then you need to get out more. And by out, I mean outside to a park or the woods. OUT as in out of the car, off the paved sidewalks, out in the open.
When Laura was in her teens, she enjoyed working out to a VHS video called Your Personal Best, led by fitness expert Karen Voight. The film co-starred (then) supermodel Elle Macpherson. Released in the mid-90s, the video was filmed in the Hawaiian Islands. The cinematography of the beautiful scenery is breathtaking. The video is split into eight segments and each one displays a different stunning background.
It’s a well-rounded 50-minute workout that includes a warmup, some strength training, cardio, and stretching. The music is, of course, dated, but not blasting or overpowering. And I have long admired Karen Voight’s patient teaching methods.
I still use this video occasionally. (Don’t roll your eyes; yes, my basement holds an old television that plays both VHS and DVD. It weighs about 300 pounds so when we eventually sell this house, the tv may convey with the property.) And when I play the video, I relish the background scenery. From swaying palm trees to green pastures complete with grazing cows, it’s so gorgeous that I used to offer up this lame excuse for being lazy. “Well, sure, if I had a beautiful outdoor place like that to exercise, I’d be out there every day.”
Well, guess what? I DO have a beautiful outdoor place—my yard. While there are no palm trees or grazing cows, I have plenty of trees, flowers, moss, and rocks to look at.
So, for the past several months, I’ve spent my first half-hour of wakefulness each day moving to various spots in my yard doing dynamic stretching while the dog beats the bushes looking for frogs or toads or other hoppity thingies.
I feel almost stupid for not recognizing what has been available to me all this time. Starting my days moving in the outdoors has been a tremendous mood booster, especially during these pandemic times.
My favorite easy move is a standing pushup (also called a wall pushup) that improves upper body strength. My “wall” is a flowering plum tree with a Y trunk. The tree is located at the top of a hill so when I’m pushing myself away from the tree, gravity increases resistance. (Top photo)
In an earlier post from March 28, I wrote about Dr. Daniel Levitin’s advice to skip the treadmills and go outside and walk off the beaten path. Combining that with the outdoor workout and varied indoor regimens, I have accomplished my goal to be physically stronger than I was last year.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get stronger, don’t wait for the gyms to reopen. Start now by going outside to play.
~~~~~~~~
Agree 100%
I did notice, after a while, at the beginning of the covid sequester that we did not fully take the time to enjoy our home and property. The birds sang sweeter, the stars were brighter, the breezes were so soothing , the rain smells wonderful, my wild bunny rabbits were a treat to watch and enjoy, and the evenings on the deck with my hubby were exceptional and relaxing, laughter and memories prevailed.
Mother Nature was naturing us with her beauty <3
We have found plenty to do around the house, inside and out. Plenty of sweat abounded!!!!!!
But we have done it together—-what a gift <3
On the day you publiushed this blog, I picked up an unusual rock! 🙂