How 'Blue Space' can benefit you

We have often talked about the benefits of being outside for a healthy mind and body and achieving the balance between high intensity and lower impact exercise.  On those essential recovery days that your body requires to rest and repair from more intense activities, why not benefit from so called 'blue space'.

Much like the benefits of being amongst 'green space', 'blue space' (including seas, rivers, lakes and larger ponds) is said to have a great impact on our health and wellbeing.  

Anyone who has taken a long walk (or even sat and read a book) along the seafront or around a beautiful lake knows that calming and de-stressing effect it can have on you and a more relaxed body and mind will be better prepared to endure those more strenuous exercise sessions that really push you to your limits!

Try it and make a mental note of how you feel afterwards!

If you feel someone you know could benefit from this advice don't forget to hit the 'share' button. 

Take it outside

As the busy founder off Red Hot Personal Training I often get asked by my clients "how do you find time to work out yourself?"  That question was the inspiration for this blog.

I often head outside for an outdoor workout (dog in tow too!) the fresh air, bird song and feeling of accomplishment that comes with working out with nature is such as good feeling. (Even when you don't feel like a heavy workout a brisk walk can do you wonders!). If you want to torch body fat, gain definition and keep you body burning fat long after your workout is finished then you need to use body weight moves.

If you want to up the intensity then find a nice quiet spot and a tree stump!  Here are just  a few ideas you could try:

1. Single leg deadlift (see photo at top)
2. Calf raises balancing on a small tree stump
3. Press -ups
4. Tricep dips
5. Plank

The list of possibilities is endless!  Make sure to choose a dry tree stump to avoid slipping!  Give it a try and reap those fresh air benefits:) x 

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How to Make Exercise Part of your Life......

To truly live a healthy long life, incorporating healthy food and daily exercise into your life is essential.  Try these 3 tips below to help you achieve just that.

1. Focus on how good you will feel after working out both physically and mentally.  View exercise as a positive, restorative activity and your brain will see it as a reward rather than a chore.

2. A workout does not have to be traditional such as an hour at the gym.  Just keep your body moving. A brisk 20 minute run or walk outside, a few fast lengths at the pool, even vigorous gardening all count.  Just do what you enjoy and put some effort into it. Research studies into the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, or 'forest bathing' suggest that exercising outdoors in a wood or forest can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 12.4 per cent more than an urban walk . This may be due to the chemicals (phytoncides) released by trees and plants.

3. Need some help and motivation?  Hire a Personal Trainer (PT)!  A good PT will listen to your fitness and nutritional goals and be able to design a unique training programme that will work around your lifestyle and barriers.  If you need motivation, the encouragement of your PT will be invaluable, offering continual support and advice along the way.