The Heartland Spa
The seasons are changing, the temperature is changing, the amount of daylight is changing and you’re still doing the same fitness regime you had a few months ago. It’s time to cross-train, try something different, and challenge that body and mind in different ways. Cross training has many benefits. You challenge your cardiovascular system, your mind, and your muscles by using them in ways you haven’t in a while. The body is very smart. If you consistently do the same type of exercise and challenge your body in the same way, it will adapt. Therefore, the same “challenge” won’t be challenging anymore! You may start to get bored and notice that you’re not as excited about your workout that you once were.
By working a little harder (increasing your intensity) you can challenge your cardiovascular system benefiting your hurt and burning more calories. If you have been running outdoors all summer long, take it indoors to the pool. The resistance of the water can put a challenge on a runner who is not used to running with resistance. If you’ve been cycling outdoors, take it indoors to a new spinning class. You’ll meet new people, stay out of the cold, and challenge your body in ways you can’t get outside on the bike such as standing or doing hills. This will increase calories burned as well as muscle strength.
The body is a very smart thing. The mind gets into a routine or ritual and exercise becomes habit and not very exciting anymore. That is when the winter blahs come. Now is the time to try something new, different, and exciting for you, your body, and your mind. The summer is a busy time of year. Stay indoors and quiet the mind and body with Yoga. You’ll increase flexibility, strength, and your mind-body awareness as well as relieve stress, which tends to increase around the holidays!
Maybe you’ve been indoors all summer due to the heat and you’re ready to take it outdoors. Throw on some cross-country ski’s or snowshoes and head out in the snow. Remember how much fun you had in the snow when you were a kid? Try it again; getting outside and “playing” in the snow burns a lot of calories and challenges muscles that you’re not used to using!
With all there is to do in the fitness industry, find something that is different for you mentally and physically and give it a try. You will notice muscles that haven’t worked in a while, challenge the mind and give it a break at the same time, and have fun with something different. So, go ahead, have fun with changing your fitness regime with the change of the season!
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