Your Summer Fitness Plan

Warm weather is upon us and that makes it the perfect time to get in some fitness outdoors. Winter may have caused you to add a few pounds and now it is almost beach season and you need to get in shape. And, even if you don't get your beach body back by the time the beaches and pools start to open you can still greatly benefit from a fitness plan. Even though that are already at their ideal weight and healthy still have to work to stay that way! If you want something new to do now that winter is over take advantage of some of the following fitness and physical activities that can have you more active now that the weather us warm.

Pick a ball. Any ball really. If you want something with lots of activity try football or basket ball, even volleyball. If you want something more on the mellow side go play a few rounds of golf each week. Soccer is another sports that can keep you on your toes and keep you moving.

Go swimming. Swimming is great exercise. You can even join a pool aerobics class, great for those who have injuries that prevent them from putting weight on certain parts of their body. You can even simulate jogging in the pool, and burn as many calories without injury!

Take a hike or a stroll on the beach. Just walk. Hiking and beach walking give you an extra calorie burn since your path is unstable and it makes your muscles work more to try to stay balanced. Take some time to enjoy the outdoors, it will do your body some good. And once you are out there you will find more motivation to go farther with your fitness than you did sitting on your butt at home!

Do some yard work. Rake the lawn, get out the push mower, plant some flower or just pull some weeds. Exercise doesn't have to be all about routine and push-ups. You get a great abdominal workout just getting up and kneeling down repeatedly while you are planting in your flower bed. Using a push mower is pretty much an all over workout!

And, if it happens to rain one day don't fret. You can still get in your activities of the day by doing some house cleaning. If your laundry facilities are in your basement, walking up and down the stairs is a great workout. Vacuuming, like raking outside, is great for your core muscles. Even washing dishes can help you burn a few calories.

Once again, you see it isn't too hard to make fitness fun and you can even fit it into your daily life simply!

Sources:

Marcus, B. & L. Forsyth (2009). Motivating People to Be Physically Active. Physical Activity Intervention Series. Human Kinetics. Champaign, Il.