Summertime Fitness, Exercise On the Go

[Mr.X]

Summertime Fitness, Exercise On the Go


Author: Michael Stefano

Whether you're a seasoned athlete who's been training all your
life, or just getting started on a new exercise program, finding
time to workout when the warm weather hits can become a rather
daunting challenge.

From ballgames to backyard barbecues, the warm weather brings
many activities that can lead to more eating and less exercise.
Life is not a dress rehearsal, and for most of us, giving up a
day of picnicking on the beach or a sunny morning on the golf
course for the dank artificial cool of the local health club,
presents no real choice.

So go ahead, bring the kids to the park, spend the weekend at
the shore, do whatever it is your heart desires while the sun
sits high in the sky.

Exercise and summer fun can go hand and hand -achieving a
sort-of two bird with one stone effect. And by following a few
simple suggestions, you can turn your day at the shore into fun
and fitness.

Walk It Off

Instead of just lying on the beach all day, take a walk along
the shoreline. The extra effort that it takes to walk briskly on
the soft, sandy surface will contribute to the overall fat
burning effect. While vacationing at your favorite summer
getaway, steer clear of cars and cabs, and walk wherever and
whenever possible. On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I logged in an
average of 6 miles every day (as measured by a pedometer) simply
by walking to and from various hotels, restaurants and casinos
all day.

Undoubtedly, this helped balance out the all-you-can-eat buffet
food.

Play Don't Lay

Get off that beach blanket and join in the fun -play some
volleyball, toss around a frisbee, go for a swim, or bodysurf.
Just don't lie there for 4 hours roasting in the sun. If
picnicking with friends or family members, organize or join in a
softball game, play horseshoes, or take a hike in the woods. Get
in the middle of whatever happens to be going on.

When vacationing at your favorite all-inclusive Caribbean
Island, you'll be offered to participate in an endless stream of
events from an afternoon match of water polo to singing and
dancing in a combination employee/guest Broadway like stage
production. Don't pass the chance to make calorie burning this
much fun.

Travel Light

Bodyweight alone can provide all or most of the resistance
you'll need to improve both strength and endurance, while at the
same time burning fat and toning up the entire body.

The addition of some very lightweight, inexpensive items can
provide you with a level of variety, safety, and an overall more
effective approach.

Resistance bands, or tubing have been popular with physical
therapist for years, as they offer a safe and ffective way to
challenge muscles when recovering from injury, without placing
undue strain on surrounding joints. Lengths of tubing that come
in various resistance levels, weigh almost nothing, take up
virtually no space in the most over-packed suitcase. When
combined with a simple door anchor, bands make available a wide
variety of exercise options. They're also are a great substitute
for stationary and more expensive forms of resistance equipment.

An exercise mat is a must-have. Put it between yourself and any
hotel room floor. Inexpensive mats ri-fold, and fit nicely
folded into a traveling bag. It can be used to do push ups on a
sandy surface, or sit ups on an unpadded floor. A good mat
provides solid traction and footing for many simple floor type
exercises.

A summer day spent walking around any big city is a plethora of
sights, sounds and beautiful experiences. living right outside
Manhattan, Kim (a very special lady and my co-editor) and I, put
on a good pair of walking shoes and take the Long Island
railroad into Penn Station without having a specific
destination. We feel like we're on vacation as we comb the town
on foot, having a great time, burning lots of calories with
every step.

So go ahead and enjoy yourself. The amount of stress relief
you'll gain from enjoying life will be well worth a few missed
workouts. In the process, you can continue to exercise your body
in a possibly, much needed, new fashion.

You'll be surprised at how a few simple adjustments and keep you
fit all summer long.

About the author:
Michael Stefano: Author of The Firefighter's Workout Book, Not
Just For Firefighters! Special Offer: Lose weight and get in the
shape of your life with the FREE Train For Life ewsletter, as
well as customized workouts for both men and women. GoTo:
http://www.firefightersworkout.com Mailto:
ContactUs@firefightersworkout.com