Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
When I studied German in high school and college, my teachers and professors always remarked on the weekend past time of families in Europe: hiking! Today, my cousin, my uncle, and I ventured to Blue Hills Reservation for a moderate/strenuous 3.5 mile hike. The weather was perfect, sunny with a breeze.
Depending on the course, hiking can be leisurely or a bit more challenging. It is a test of endurance overall but, when scaling rock ledges and trails bedecked in leaves, it can also work your anaerobic (quick and powerful) energy system. When you power through those inclines, you get a momentum and don't really want to stop until you've reached the top or a nice plateau. It's important to stop every once in awhile so that you can admire the great scenery around you. Hiking also burns a lot of calories, bonus!
If you've never been hiking, I suggest you give it a try during this month to take advantage of the light spring weather and the lack of insects. Wear layers so that you can easily regulate your body temperature and sturdy sneakers or hiking boots if you have them. Also, pack a backpack with water and/or Gatorade (natural please!), trail mix for when you reach the top, a compass, whistle, and first aid kit; as they say, "Always be prepared." I can't wait to go hiking again!
In health,
Lauren
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
207/365 Explore a City on Foot
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
Today was a very long, fun filled day. I explored the lively city of Boston with my friend Sean who goes to one of the many schools there. We trekked all over, somewhat following the Freedom Trail, in search of brunch, cannolis, a post office (which never could be found despite all the postal boxes), history, and a good time. Though we could have used the T or bus, we decided to tour the city on foot; we walked ~3.1 miles in our adventure from his school to the pastry shop alone for a total of about 5 miles.
Every mile you walk/run/jog is about 100 calories. Add laughter, cold wind to fight against, some ice, and cars, and I'd say we racked up closer to 600 calories.
Happy adventuring!
In health,
Lauren
Today was a very long, fun filled day. I explored the lively city of Boston with my friend Sean who goes to one of the many schools there. We trekked all over, somewhat following the Freedom Trail, in search of brunch, cannolis, a post office (which never could be found despite all the postal boxes), history, and a good time. Though we could have used the T or bus, we decided to tour the city on foot; we walked ~3.1 miles in our adventure from his school to the pastry shop alone for a total of about 5 miles.
Every mile you walk/run/jog is about 100 calories. Add laughter, cold wind to fight against, some ice, and cars, and I'd say we racked up closer to 600 calories.
Happy adventuring!
In health,
Lauren
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
126/365 Thankful for Exploration
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
If you didn't catch on already, I love running outside in the fall. What I especially enjoy is running for fun with all the time in the world. It allows me to just go, forget about distance or time, just run until you're tired of running. That's the best feeling. This morning, I was blessed with one such morning of sunshine and free time.
So today, I started on my usual route then hit a trail. I lost my way for a little then got back to familiar ground. I had so much fun running around, observing the quiet nature, hearing the pounding of my feet, and making my own way. I turned back when I got tired and knew that I only had enough energy to run back home. It's important to listen to your body when going on a run such as this. You have to consider how much fuel you have left in the tank after sleeping and how far you have to go. Also, I recommend telling someone, like your mother, when you plan on coming back that way, if you do get lost, someone knows where to find you and how long you've been gone.
This Thanksgiving break, if you have time, go walking or running and explore the world around you. It's also a way for you to get your body ready for Thanksgiving. I'm not saying that it's okay to run a lot and then eat but, it keeps you in the mindset that you need balance between the two.
In health,
Lauren
If you didn't catch on already, I love running outside in the fall. What I especially enjoy is running for fun with all the time in the world. It allows me to just go, forget about distance or time, just run until you're tired of running. That's the best feeling. This morning, I was blessed with one such morning of sunshine and free time.
So today, I started on my usual route then hit a trail. I lost my way for a little then got back to familiar ground. I had so much fun running around, observing the quiet nature, hearing the pounding of my feet, and making my own way. I turned back when I got tired and knew that I only had enough energy to run back home. It's important to listen to your body when going on a run such as this. You have to consider how much fuel you have left in the tank after sleeping and how far you have to go. Also, I recommend telling someone, like your mother, when you plan on coming back that way, if you do get lost, someone knows where to find you and how long you've been gone.
This Thanksgiving break, if you have time, go walking or running and explore the world around you. It's also a way for you to get your body ready for Thanksgiving. I'm not saying that it's okay to run a lot and then eat but, it keeps you in the mindset that you need balance between the two.
In health,
Lauren
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
105/365 A Way to Walk More
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
As I have already advised you to get a pedometer if you want to reach 10,000 steps or want to make at least three 10 minute walks, here is a tip for getting those extra steps in:
If you have to wait for a bus to arrive and you know it will be awhile, walk to the next stop. This may not be possible if the stops are quite far from each other but, if that isn't the case, power walk it over to the next stop. Though standing burns more calories than sitting, walking burns even more. If you don't think you can make it to the next stop, pace. Certainly you don't have to pace yourself in the ground; walk for enough away that you can hear/see the bus coming then come back.
Or, instead of walking to the next stop, get off at the stop before. As my friend Cori's dad would ask in response to her asking him to get something for her, "Are your legs broken?" Go on, use them! It will not hurt you to take the extra two or five minutes and walk a little further to your destination. This is likened to the idea of parking farther away in the lot. Leave those spaces towards the front for the people whose legs are actually broken, handicapped, or impaired in any way.
In health,
Lauren
As I have already advised you to get a pedometer if you want to reach 10,000 steps or want to make at least three 10 minute walks, here is a tip for getting those extra steps in:
If you have to wait for a bus to arrive and you know it will be awhile, walk to the next stop. This may not be possible if the stops are quite far from each other but, if that isn't the case, power walk it over to the next stop. Though standing burns more calories than sitting, walking burns even more. If you don't think you can make it to the next stop, pace. Certainly you don't have to pace yourself in the ground; walk for enough away that you can hear/see the bus coming then come back.
Or, instead of walking to the next stop, get off at the stop before. As my friend Cori's dad would ask in response to her asking him to get something for her, "Are your legs broken?" Go on, use them! It will not hurt you to take the extra two or five minutes and walk a little further to your destination. This is likened to the idea of parking farther away in the lot. Leave those spaces towards the front for the people whose legs are actually broken, handicapped, or impaired in any way.
In health,
Lauren
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