2020 has been the year to exercise outside! Covid 19, social distancing, gyms closing their doors and people wanting to stay fit mentally and physically through lockdowns has made exercising outside the number one choice for many. If you haven’t tried it yet, ( what HAVE you been doing through lockdown??) then here are three very good reasons that may persuade you to give it a go.

For your mental health! Exercising outdoors is one of the best things you can do to improves your mental health. Fresh air and open space has been shown to improve mental health far better than indoor workouts. Get out in the elements, soak up the endorphins! There is nothing quite like being in nature to make you feel grounded, needed more than ever at the moment.
Outside is a safe space! Outdoor space is pretty much unlimited. You can easily social distance , you are safer from virus transmission outdoors. You are never going to feel claustrophobic or unhygenic as you might in the gym. You also have the added benefits of beautiful views and scenery to train in, especially in and around Medway, Broomhill Park, Rochester Esplanade. Being aware of the changing seasons, shifting light and different elements always adds something special.
Variety! Outdoor workouts don’t have to be limited to running or boot camp training. I have worked with clients successfully outdoors with barbells, dumbells and other strength training kit, yoga, pilates and TRX as well as the more traditional boot camp style and of course hiit, circuits or interval workouts. Find an experienced PT who can bring out yout strengths and build on your weaknesses, A good PT will keep you safe, strong, engaged and challenged.

Personal Training sessions, all in the great outdoors.

So here we are, we’ve ramped up into the last two weeks of the year. A time for eating, drinking and celebrating, Hooray! But what can you do to just feel a little bit better during this time? A bit less, you know lazy, bloated and lethargic. Here are three things that will help.

Move. We’ve all had that feeling when you’re into the third day of sitting indoors eating, drinking…feeling more sluggish by the hour. Try and get outside, take the dog out, walk around the local park, go for a run. Get to the gym if it makes you feel better. Getting a bit of exercise will help your body to process a few of those surplus calories. It’s not crazy or ‘ fitness obsesssed’ to try and get some exercise during Christmas week, no matter what your family might try to make you think. Do what you enjoy and what makes you feel good and don’t let others sabotage your intentions.
Drink water. Boring boring boring, I know. Not what you want to read in a Christmas post, but hear me out. WE DON’T DRINK ENOUGH WATER. Dehydration can become a real a problem in the Holiday Season. The weather is cold, we’re indoors with central heating on, eating foods high in salt and drinking alcohol. Staying hydrated will minimise the effects of all this on your body and you will feel better, be less constipated, sleep better, and overall you will just function better. Start each day with a large glass of water before your coffee, tea or anything else and keep a bottle or glass of water close at hand through the day.
Eat the Christmas food. Yes, tuck in, IT’S CHRISTMAS! Enjoy it as it should be enjoyed. All I’m suggesting here is just to be mindful. Make sure those surplus calories are absolutely delicious. Make sure they are worth it. Think quality, think home made, think nostalgia, food made with love, food with friends and family. FABULOUS, go right ahead! It’s what the Festive season is about and I encourage you to embrace it with positivity and joy. IF, however, after a few days you find you’ve entered Coconut Quality Street territory, then honestly we both know it’s time to back away from the cheap chocolate and ask yourself what you are doing with your life.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you to Jodie for kind permission to use this photo taken last year.