Lifestyle · October 30, 2015

Fall Into Fitness

Today was such a beautiful Fall day in New England, so I decided to head outdoors for some afternoon chores.

Do you ever have little or no time for a workout because of your daily responsibilities? Look no further than this article because I am here to tell you about the amazing workout you can get by performing daily activities.

I have highlighted parts of my daily routine and their fitness benefits.  You may be surprised by the number of calories you can burn from doing what you already do everyday.  Below are my favorite Fall Fitness Picks:

  • Turkey Trot with Fido
  • Raking in Fitness
  • Hillside Harvest Hikes

Turkey Trot with Fido

Today, I brought Archie out for a little stroll through the neighborhood.  When you look great, feel great, and don’t break a sweat you may not be thinking about the fitness benefit of your actions. Studies have shown that people who walk their dogs for at least 30 minutes a day meet the national recommendations for physical activity and expected levels of exercise, thanks to their four-legged friends!

So, next time you take your happy pup out for a little “turkey trot” think about the valuable fitness benefits you are creating for yourself every day. Walking with your dog is a great way to get exercise and stay motivated. In addition, levels of stress go down. Simply playing with your pet can provide health benefits as well. If you walk at a slow 20 minute per mile pace it will cause you to burn off about 150 calories each half hour. Go ahead and incorporate a little Frisbee or catch into your walk to burn even more calories by bringing other body parts into play.

It’s also very good for your pet too because dogs who get out and walk regularly are healthier and live longer.  The best part? You can walk your dog in style! Check out our fun and fashionable walk outfits (yes, that is Archie’s birthday suit).  He loves going for an afternoon walk, but I’m sure he would love a steaming turkey leg for all of his hard work… make that some Halloween candy AND a Thanksgiving dinner (he’s a hungry fella).

Raking in Fitness

Are you ready to rake out those extra calories and clean the beautify the yard at the same time? You can rake away unwanted fat and enjoy the outdoors in the process.  Raking leaves is an effective form of moderate exercise (according to AARP) that builds upper-body, core, and back strength. 

Pro Tip: Rake all of those leaves into a pile and dive in! Then rake the leaves up again to burn even more calories.  This way, you’ll have fun working out and cleaning at the same time.

According to an article published in Men’s Fitness, you can burn upwards of 300 calories per hour of raking. You’ll feel it in your arms and shoulders (especially the next day).  If you rake on a windy day (the windier, the better) you will burn even more.  In the early fall months raking is a productive way to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

Hillside Harvest Hikes

Ah, hiking.  Going on a long hike can be very relaxing and soothing to the mind.  Exploring the outdoors allows for appreciation of wildlife, season changes, and nature.  Taking scenic, local routes are perfect for an easy hike after work or on the weekends.  I like to adventure with friends to make it fun!

No Bikes
Looks like I’m gonna get in some trouble here… just kidding I didn’t tote my bike along because I love trekking nature trails by foot.  There are health benefits (physical and mental) to hiking, according to WebMD, that you should check out and consider.  Even low-incline hiking trails increase the heart rate to burn calories.  In fact, a 55 to 10% incline equals a 30% to 40% increase in calorie burn (Miller).  Starting off with low-incline trails and moving to those with higher inclines will work different muscle groups and allow for improvements in balance and stability.

Climbing Trees, Picking Leaves
Adding weight (backpack, water, etc.) will prompt the body to burn more calories.  According to Miller, a 10-15-pound addition in weight will boost calorie burn burn by 10-15% while strengthening back muscles.  There is plenty of time in the day to make a short hike on a nearby trail.  Every town has small hiking trails nearby that are meant to be utilized by nature-lovers, like us.

Feeling a little silly? When I go hiking, I love to climb into the trees.  It is important to stay safe while climbing and not climb into dangerous areas.  If you have a “little monkey” in you, then you will love burning extra calories and working different muscles by navigating through the trees and picking leaves along the way… and maybe (if you’re like me) stop for some pictures!

Hiking Stick
Additional hiking benefits:

  • Lowered risk of heart disease
  • Improved blood pressure and blood sugar levels
  • Boost bone density
  • Build strength in key muscles
  • Burn, cut, and chisel your abs
  • Improve balance (so you can take on taller branches)
  • Burn off extra calories and aid in weight loss
  • Stress relief and mood improvement

Now… TAKE A HIKE, WILL YA?! 

 

Fall is the perfect time of year to take your workout outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and prevent over-exerting yourself.  These exercises are hardly exercise at all, but the calories burned are not far off a moderate workout.

Enjoy this fun leaf-throwing GIF and let’s get outdoors!