Living in Canada, the summer months are extremely coveted and limited. It feels as though we haltingly trudge through 8 months of gruelling winter, wearing our heavy gear and shovelling ourselves out of our snowed-in lives only to have the 4 months of happiness-inducing, vitamin D filled summer swish right by us.
If anyone knows how to take advantage of great weather, it's us Canucks. As soon as the temperature climbs to above freezing, we are all over it like hair on a gorilla! Pulling out our Hawaiian print shirts and flip flops, traipsing through the slush, soaking in every second of NOT having our faces burnt by the cold wind.
Ditching your workout routine every now and then is not a bad thing... err... let me rephrase that. Ditching your workout routine is not a bad thing when you replace it with something innovative and creative. Adjusting your pace and scenery can make all the difference.
Clara got sick of seeing my mug in the same old gym at the same old time every day, so in an effort to save our friendship, we decided to take our workouts outside. After a few (40) minutes of giggling and gossiping, we got down to business.
It's really not that difficult to get in a great workout without a trainer or machines. Your body weight alone makes for an efficient form of resistance, and making use of equipment outside can catapult your heart rate and release those magnificent endorphins.
Making use of your outdoor environment can really make for an amazing workout.
Clara and I reaped all the benefits of the bleachers by using them for pushups, jumping, and tricep work. We were even so focused that we were able to tune out the park workers who were quite obviously scratching their heads wondering which famous celebrities we were and why we had a photographer with us. It may be time to get printed workout gear- just in case.
Ultimately, working out outside has been proven to decrease stress and improve energy levels to a much greater extent than working out inside. Enjoy summer while it's here. Abandon your usual habits and get out there and attack it as you would indoors. It really takes your workout to a whole different level.
Shout out to @peonyphotography for the awesome pictures!