June Thrive Challenge

Comment

Comment by Nicole Derrick on June 30, 2011 at 9:51pm

As a college student, I am used to exercising in an enclosed, loud, crowded environment. With limited exposure to the outdoors growing up, I never truly valued what a natural environment had to offer for my physical and spiritual well-being. Recently, I decided to change that. I am living in a beautiful area in Massachusetts for the summer surrounded by ponds, lakes, trees, and farm land. I decided to take advantage of the beautiful outdoors Massachusetts had to offer by doing yoga outside on a daily basis. Used to doing yoga in an enclosed gym reeking of sweat and A.C.,I immediately felt the difference as I breathed in the oxygen of the pure, fresh air, of the environment surrounding me while listening to the peaceful sounds of nature. Instantly, I felt more relaxed and felt like I gained more benefit from my practices. Since then, I have continued to do yoga outside on a daily basis and have recently started jogging and doing capoeria outside as well. Exercising in nature has brought me closer to the environment than I’ve ever been before and has even inspired me to buy food grown organically and more importantly, locally. I appreciate the idea behind the “Vega Challenge” and hope other people will realize the benefits gained from exercising in a natural, outdoor environment.

Comment by Joyce L. Young on June 30, 2011 at 4:31pm

Due to my asthma my summer running has been restricted to the woods a couple of blocks away.  This spring I added one running day (4/week) and committed myself to getting up at 6:00 a.m to be out the door at 6:30/6:45.  So far, so good!  I also bike to work in the summer. 

 

domine vobiscum

Comment by patti on June 29, 2011 at 4:02pm

I live in northern Alberta Canada, and enjoying our warm summers is my reward for getting out there and running outside all winter. I have had runs at -40 at 5am in January and these warm summer days are the perfect prize for all those dark, cold mornings!

 

I also have the best motivation to take my workouts ouside along with my runs. I have a German Shepherd named Molson  that runs 12+ miles with me all winter but with the warmer weather he just can't handle the long runs like he used to,  I have reworked my training so that I do almost my whole program outside. We have a short 1 mile jog to the track and he sits and watches my sprint and body weight exercises. Occassionaly he'll join me for a quick sprint around the track, and then back to shade to supervise. After all the cold mornings I've dragged him out to over the winter I just couldn't leave him at home through the summer months.

Comment by Susan Galloway on June 28, 2011 at 9:24pm

I live in a year-round moderate climate and I am outside every possible second. So exercising outside has become a way of life for me. Taking in my entire surroundings on my walks, runs or bike rides is something that makes me feel alive and a part of the environment that sustains so many living things. I live in a heavily wooded area so I see all sorts of wildlife (deer, turtles, bunnies, owls) and I smell all sorts of plants (lilacs, wild flowers, honeysuckles) on every exercise excursion. The area I live in is like a beautiful sanctuary so I try to do one of these (walk, run or bike ride) daily. Every excursion includes a stop at the cold, spring-fed creek which is brimming with life. I love to listen to the water flowing over the rocks and occassionally I will take my break there to skip stones, splash water on my face or just listen to nature. Being outdoors is my de-stressor, my balancer, it puts me back in touch with the earthy basics. It reminds me to celebrate life and all life forms and those are the thoughts that invigorate my every move.

Comment by Pauline on June 27, 2011 at 7:02pm

I have always loved the outdoors but I wanted to start my summer big this year. I just hiked up Mt Katahdin in Baxter State Park (Maine) with 6 other family members. We tented in the park the night before( in the rain) and the night after. It took us 8.5 hours to hike. We finished the last 2 miles in the rain but we didn't care. "Go big or go Home" was or motto for the weekend. I'm also attempting my first olympic triathlon this summer - I hope! I'm training for it. All my training is outside!

Comment by Lana on June 27, 2011 at 9:48am

I walk my dog every morning for about 20 minutes and then another walk in the evening.  Other than my regular gym routine, I am going to a bootcamp every Thursday which is held outside in a park.  Being outside for a workout is such a bonus...sunshine and a light breeze can really make you feel good!!  I have also been riding my bike to work about 3x a week....I love summer!!

Comment by Jen Salazar on June 27, 2011 at 7:54am

I walk my dog 3 times a day to a nearby park or along a nearby river path, but this summer I'm considering doing something I've NEVER done before...running!  I see people jogging every day and they always look so fit and energized.  Wish me luck!

Comment by stacey h on June 26, 2011 at 4:42pm

i am trying to bike to work at least twice a week.  it takes longer than an hour each way, so sometimes it's hard, but the days that i bike - i feel AMAZING.

i also love walking outdoors, and taking care of my veggie garden  - yummy :)

Comment by Debbie Deisher on June 26, 2011 at 3:20pm

I love to be outside... even though I am in "stuck in Ohio" I enjoy getting out, running, biking and geochaching! This summer I have challenged my niece and nephew to get out more (not so secretly trying to get them to lead more healthy lifestyles), even helped my nephew buy a pair a running shoes so we can challenge each other to keep moving, and to enjoyt he great outdoors!

Comment by Marie Tetro on June 26, 2011 at 5:28am

After work, I go to the gym to do the Weights training and then I go outside to walk home (8 or 9km)  instead of doing the treadmill for an hour inside.  Some days, I just leave the office and walk and shop outside on my way home.  Some days, I walk, stop for dinner and then walk again...  The important thing is to be outside as much as possible while the weather is nice.....  Enjoy your Summer everyone !!!

Comment by Brenda Shaughnessy on June 25, 2011 at 4:08pm

I live in Edmonton, Alberta. Or Alberia, as my brother likes to call it. Winter here lasts for at least 6 months a year, so you better suck it up, toughen up, and get your butt outside or you will spend half the year inside. June is a wonderful month in Alberta to be outside. It's so easy for me to go outside that I don't even have to try. When it's -30 C it gets a bit harder. Thankfully my 3 year old black lab, Cache, is always game to go outside and do something. His enthusiasm is infectious, and gets me outside no matter what the weather or how I'm feeling. He is my running companion, and comes with me when I ride my horse too. I'm lucky to have him.

Comment by Dylan Finneran on June 25, 2011 at 12:42pm

In truth, every month here in San Diego California is ideal for exercising outside, and as a runner and fan of lap swimming, hiking, and camping, I can always find a sunny spot to do these activities outside!

 

June and July however, mark the beginning of summer, and the first time the water is warm enough (for me!  i'm a wimp about the cold) to actually start surfing!  I just got a new wetsuit and am planning to use it all summer!  To me surfing is the ultimate (exercise wise) interactions with nature, because even as you are paddling out, it is so apparent how powerful and dangerous the ocean is, and it's a wise idea to thank and pay respect to the ocean.  It is also warm enough to see dolphins from a close distance from some select SoCal surf spots, such as Venice Beach, or La Jolla, San Diego..

Comment by lauren ikon on June 25, 2011 at 11:49am

I live within the realm that is the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area.  I've gone hiking this month at Castlewood State Park numerous times and it's awesome and tough and beautiful. I'm going to keep hiking, too, until I can climb mountains next summer. I'll be going to Starved Rock State Park soon (somewhere in IL) and running and climbing and looking at the prettypretty canyons.  I go on cathartic walks to a local park. I just got my bike fixed, aww yeah! Bike rides! Outside! Really early!  Trees and cicadas and flowers and clouds and dirt and rain and grass and squirrels rule!

Comment by Angela MacIsaac on June 25, 2011 at 11:21am

I am currently living in Halifax and I am moving to Calgary in a few weeks. I am extremely excited as I have found many outdoor activities within the city, specifically around the area in which I will be living. I will be biking in the park (which is five minutes down the road), jogging, playing tennis and I will be taking FULL advantage of the Outdoor Centre offered through the University of Calgary. I can only imagine all the amazing adventures I will embark on, the great people I will meet and the memories I will make.

Comment by Tammy on June 25, 2011 at 11:02am

A few years ago I discovered the benefits of exercising outdoors.  I am a wheelchair athlete but had been inactive for a few years.  I bought my first handcycle at this time and it became such a source of freedom and happiness that I began to compete in both triathlons and handcycle racing.  I rediscovered how wonderful training outside is and realized I would put so much more time in being outside rather than in the gym.  Now I train all three sports outside as much as I can, outdoor swimming, handcycling, and training in my race chair.  I also discovered that I was really struggling with winter and a good part of the reason was not being able to be outside as much.  So, I learned how to sit ski and now this is a huge part of my winter training and recreation and gives me a reason to enjoy the mountains and be outside all winter.  My health and well-being would not be so great today if I had not rediscovered my love for exercise outside and the vast benefits of it.

Comment by Donna Wells on June 25, 2011 at 7:21am

Walking and just being with the grass, trees, birds is enough to regenerate me.  Glad we have a week at the beach coming up soon so we can enjoy the water, sand and just being free.

Comment by Tess Moore on June 25, 2011 at 4:49am

I love to run outside. I know that it is kind of a boriing answer but the treadmill in the winter isn't motivating! Outside I can go alot farther because of the fresh air the green leaves and yes even the heat!

Comment by Pamela on June 24, 2011 at 5:42pm

I LOVE nature!!! I go outdoors to the trails by my house. I love taking my dog for a walk and making mini bootcamp sessions!!!  I run, jog, lunge, and use the park benches for stepups, jumps (if big enough), I side lateral squat, etc....I have my dog by my side, (she looks at me like I'm a little crazy, and so do a few others on the walking trail...BUT I also have others that seem inspired.   I often have people wanting to join me=) something about being outside makes life seem so great!  Workouts more energetic and meaningful=)

Comment by Christine Keene on June 24, 2011 at 5:20pm

So in order for me to work out in such an extreme temperature, I will have to get up early and go for a walk. It would have to be real early since I get roaring headaches from the heat and heat exhaustion. (I'm originally a northerner.)

Comment by Christine Keene on June 24, 2011 at 5:04pm

I live where it's triple digits. It will be 115 this weekend and it's only June.  Can't wait for July and August! I live on the sun, otherwise known as Arizona. I won't be exercising outside. Wish I was in Canada!

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