20 Mar Spring is here – time for your fitness level to bloom again
Spring is here! Throw the baseball or softball around with family members. Have fun while you get some light exercise - maybe medium exercise if you’re chasing tosses from a wild thrower.
At 7:02 a.m. EDT today (March 20) the astronomical winter ended and spring 2013 officially began in Earth’s northern hemisphere.
Astronomically speaking, the spring equinox is the precise time when the Earth’s axis tilts neither away from nor toward the sun, resulting in nearly equal periods of daylight and darkness across the globe.
In layman’s terms, it’s spring even if it still doesn’t feel like it in many parts of the country.
Spring means warmer temperatures, plants and trees blooming and, of course, baseball, among many things. It also means it’s time to come out of your winter hibernation and spring into shape.
The days will be getting longer and weather warming up, so the opportunities for fitness will be more and more plentiful. If your fitness regimen is still in hibernation here are eight great ways to spring back into shape:
1. Come up with a workout plan – Either talk to a trainer or research a fitness regimen yourself. Then write it down and stick to it. Set up a home gym or fix or add to the existing equipment you have.
2. Go for a walk outside or light jog – This is a great way to shake some of the rust off.
3. Go for a bike ride – Find a good trail or safe route in your town to enjoy the outdoors with a bike ride.
4. Start a stretching program – Improve your flexibility, but make sure you are stretching properly and only after sufficiently warming up.
5. Set goals – Pick short- and long-term goals, such as lose 10 pounds or exercise at least three times a week and then stick to them.
6. Play catch – Throw the baseball or softball around with family members. Have fun while you get some light exercise – maybe medium exercise if you’re chasing tosses from a wild thrower.
7. Play outdoor basketball – Find an outdoor basketball court and enjoy your own March Madness hoop action, just don’t get too wild with your game until you’re in better shape.
8. Clean up the yard – Get a head start on yard work for the spring and summer by cleaning up the debris left over from a long winter. Working in your yard is a great way to get exercise, and also improve your property.
At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com