Ideas for outdoor exercise?

intrepidelephant
intrepidelephant Posts: 100 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I find gyms unbearably boring, especially since they show such godawful shows on TV. But it's hard to keep in shape since I no longer have a manual labour job (the joys of eating 2800 calories a day and losing weight). I generally walk about 7-10 miles a day (more on weekends, less on weekdays). I really love walking. I actually hiked 300 miles from one side of Iceland to the other this past summer with a 40 lb pack.

When I can get out of the city, I love rock climbing and walking up hills and off-trail, but it's expensive to get out of the city. I could get a bike, but I live in a dangerous city for cyclists (my cousin has a bike and has been hit by cars 4 times). I don't know how to swim. I can't bear the idea of running because running clothes are so unbearably ugly and plastic, and I refuse to buy running shoes. I live in Merrell barefoot casual shoes and destroy most shoes within 3 months. I wear vintage dresses 99% of the time unless I'm walking through brush. I'm 5'6 140 lbs and 23% BF. I'd like to get down to 21%, which is what I was when I had the manual labour job.

Replies

  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    Vintage dresses and Barefoot Running Shoes?

    :wink:
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
    Skipping (jump rope? US) - you can do that in a small outdoor space. Do you not have any parks you can walk around - a brisk walk needs no special gear - power walking can be done in any clothes - looks silly but very effective!
  • Fit_Fox88
    Fit_Fox88 Posts: 410 Member
    Well since you don't like running and you don't own/won't get a bike, maybe there are some outdoor fitness classes in a park in your city? Are there any rec sports leagues where you live? I'm joining one this year. Are there any sports complexes around that have outdoor activities like tennis, badminton, soccer, etc?
  • intrepidelephant
    intrepidelephant Posts: 100 Member
    I tried regular Mary Jane shoes and wore through the soles in a month. I do a lot a walking anyway. These are my shoes:

    http://www.merrell.com/CA/en-CA/Product.mvc.aspx/34386W/85366/Womens/WISH-GLOVE?dimensions=0
  • AvaMusnicki
    AvaMusnicki Posts: 15 Member
    Squats, lunges, burpees, push ups, jump rope. Just to name a few!

    I totally understand the gym (with machines) thing. I am not into it either anymore (and my husband is a manager at one! ha) I do go to a Crossfit place but they are usually open to the outside and half the time we are set up outside, so I don't get the trapped in a gym feeling.

    I purchased my own barbell and dumbells for home so I can do some things in my garage or outside in my yard. I also purchased rings for $30 and hung them in the garage to do pull ups, knees to elbows or toes to rings.

    I'll cruise various website for home/outside workout ideas, or just create one at home and execute! :) Usually do mixed bag of all of the above (not ALL at once lol, like maybe 3 different exercises together and see how fast I can do it or how many rounds in a certain time).

    Here is one such website that gives ideas for workouts while traveling, which is the same concept as working out outside / with no machines or equipment.

    http://www.crossfitsteelecreek.com/about/the-workouts/100-travel-workouts/

    Good luck! I love working out outdoors now too!!!
    (plus I always seem to pick up germs and get really sick whenever I start going to a gym!)

    Oh and I use Inov bare shoes for short sprints which I am mixing in between sets of any of the above. Sprinkling sprints will keep your heart rate up. Its an amazing workout in a short amount of time. You can run in bare shoes, takes a little time to get used to it but since you are already using bare shoes you should be able to adjust no problem. Again maybe look up YouTube videos on running bare or pose running method to see how to shift body weight and foot landing position (ball of the foot) when running in bare shoes. And yes like above...wear what makes you happy!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    TBH, your reasons for not running sound pretty silly. Who says you have to wear running gear to run? Wear whatever's comfortable! Plenty of people run in whatever sneakers they like too. Just be conscious of any joint pains...

    But honestly, there's nothing wrong with just walking. If you want to mix it up, add in areas with hills, steps. Maybe add in running intervals for a minute or two.

    I know you're asking about outdoor stuff but I think maybe what you may want to look into more is strength training. You're mostly doing cardio which is great but I can just about guarantee that the reason your body fat was so low while you were doing that manual labor job is due to weight bearing movements. And you don't have to join a gym or even invest in weights - start with some body weight training and go from there.

    ETA: Check to see if there are any outdoor bootcamp classes or the like in your area. My friend does group fitness and holds her outdoor classes rain or shine. It can be a lot of fun!
  • intrepidelephant
    intrepidelephant Posts: 100 Member
    Yeah, but I don't wear pants, especially in the city and I don't own sneakers (called running shoes in Canada).
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I don't run. I've wanted to be a runner, but I just don't like it, so I don't do it!

    Head to a park with a playground. http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/04/12/playground-workout/

    (this one is written to moms wanting to lose baby weight, but it's good for anyone!) http://www.parents.com/baby/health/lose-baby-weight/full-body-playground-workout/

    Find an outdoor bootcamp in your area, or create one of your own!
    http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/10-new-outdoor-workout-ideas
  • mhankosk
    mhankosk Posts: 532 Member
    TBH, your reasons for not running sound pretty silly. Who says you have to wear running gear to run? Wear whatever's comfortable! Plenty of people run in whatever sneakers they like too. Just be conscious of any joint pains...

    I agree. I run in yoga pants and t-shirts. Nothing fancy... And they make running shoes that aren't too obnoxious. Just gotta do a little more looking, thats all.
  • mhankosk
    mhankosk Posts: 532 Member
    Yeah, but I don't wear pants, especially in the city and I don't own sneakers (called running shoes in Canada).

    Tennis skirts or dresses? You can run in those...
  • mhankosk
    mhankosk Posts: 532 Member
    I tried regular Mary Jane shoes and wore through the soles in a month. I do a lot a walking anyway. These are my shoes:

    http://www.merrell.com/CA/en-CA/Product.mvc.aspx/34386W/85366/Womens/WISH-GLOVE?dimensions=0

    Also... these shoes are super cute! :flowerforyou:
  • intrepidelephant
    intrepidelephant Posts: 100 Member
    Toughest shoes ever. They lasted a whole year. I destroyed a pair of hiking boots in 3 weeks once (walking on lava, though)
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    I can't bear the idea of running because running clothes are so unbearably ugly and plastic, and I refuse to buy running shoes.

    One of the most lame reasons I have ever heard for not running. Presumably you go rock climbing and cycling in stilettos then? Besides, I have never heard of plastic running clothes anyway.
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    Toughest shoes ever. They lasted a whole year. I destroyed a pair of hiking boots in 3 weeks once (walking on lava, though)

    Walking on lava in a dress because you don't wear pants, eh?

    :glasses:
  • DWBalboa
    DWBalboa Posts: 37,259 Member
    I would warn anybody against running in shoes that are not designed for running but as stated they do make some that aren’t too obnoxious. The long term effects of running in shoes not designed for running can be bad. And you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in to run but if running just isn’t you forte then don’t stress on it, there is an abundance of other activities that you can do to include just walking. What you can try doing outdoors is doing a HIIT or Tabata routine. I coach a U-12 soccer team and I lead them in a 16 round Tabata twice a week (outdoors) and I also do it on my own but usually indoors, my son and I have done Tabata’s outdoors, in the backyard at the beach and at the park.
    Due to serious injuries that had me side lined I have just started to run again (did 5 miles on the beach on Saturday YAY ME!) but I intend to add my Tabata routine into my runs at the midway point, eventually.
    There are various sites you can read up on Tabata’s or HIIT routines (just google Tabata) and if you’d like I can even post one or two of the ones that I have developed that I thoroughly enjoy. Oh and you can actually do Tabata’s barefooted.
    Hope this helped a little at least.
    V/r,
    DW
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I would warn anybody against running in shoes that are not designed for running but as stated they do make some that aren’t too obnoxious. The long term effects of running in shoes not designed for running can be bad. And you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in to run but if running just isn’t you forte then don’t stress on it, there is an abundance of other activities that you can do to include just walking. What you can try doing outdoors is doing a HIIT or Tabata routine. I coach a U-12 soccer team and I lead them in a 16 round Tabata twice a week (outdoors) and I also do it on my own but usually indoors, my son and I have done Tabata’s outdoors, in the backyard at the beach and at the park.
    Due to serious injuries that had me side lined I have just started to run again (did 5 miles on the beach on Saturday YAY ME!) but I intend to add my Tabata routine into my runs at the midway point, eventually.
    There are various sites you can read up on Tabata’s or HIIT routines (just google Tabata) and if you’d like I can even post one or two of the ones that I have developed that I thoroughly enjoy. Oh and you can actually do Tabata’s barefooted.
    Hope this helped a little at least.
    V/r,
    DW

    I would warn anyone against walking on lava in a dress.
  • DWBalboa
    DWBalboa Posts: 37,259 Member
    I would warn anybody against running in shoes that are not designed for running but as stated they do make some that aren’t too obnoxious. The long term effects of running in shoes not designed for running can be bad. And you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in to run but if running just isn’t you forte then don’t stress on it, there is an abundance of other activities that you can do to include just walking. What you can try doing outdoors is doing a HIIT or Tabata routine. I coach a U-12 soccer team and I lead them in a 16 round Tabata twice a week (outdoors) and I also do it on my own but usually indoors, my son and I have done Tabata’s outdoors, in the backyard at the beach and at the park.
    Due to serious injuries that had me side lined I have just started to run again (did 5 miles on the beach on Saturday YAY ME!) but I intend to add my Tabata routine into my runs at the midway point, eventually.
    There are various sites you can read up on Tabata’s or HIIT routines (just google Tabata) and if you’d like I can even post one or two of the ones that I have developed that I thoroughly enjoy. Oh and you can actually do Tabata’s barefooted.
    Hope this helped a little at least.
    V/r,
    DW

    I would warn anyone against walking on lava in a dress.

    I wouldn’t recommend walking on lava period! But that's just me.

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