Do you ever find yourself unmotivated to exercise? Are you struggling with your daily routine at the gym? Well I have the perfect solution: Go for a hike!
Instead of staring endlessly at the treadmill TV, look forward to what is around the next bend in the trail. Studies show that people who hike have less stress and more energy overall. And we all need that. You might have heard that hiking is good for you, but do you know how good it is? Here are just a few of the many benefits:
- Fuel in the form of oxygen: Aerobic activities, such as hiking, provide oxygen and fuel to your muscles and other body tissues. This extra fuel helps strengthen your muscles and lungs and increases your alertness, and energy and endurance levels, too.
- Lower risk of high cholesterol: Hiking helps increase your HDL levels, the good cholesterol, and lowers your triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. This decreases the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Improved mood: A walk through densely wooded forests or along a rushing river not only calms your nerves but improves mood. Just being in nature releases you from the pressures of our everyday lives.
- Reach a goal: Have you ever had a goal that you were trying to reach? Starting out on a trail and making it all the way to the end is such a rewarding experience. Not only because you have pushed yourself up a mountain, but also because the end goal is spectacular.
So take my advice: Take a hike!
And it just so happens, that I’m leading a hike to Bridal Veil Falls on June 18th. Learn more here.
written by Flow Personal Trainer, Suz Weston