This post is sponsored by MOTackle.
Sometimes in life there are seasons where our exercise routines don’t meet our expectations. When we don’t meet these expectations for a prolonged period, or sometimes only a week, we can begin to feel guilty we’re not doing anything. I’ve found this is often followed by negative thoughts – ‘can I do this?’ ‘That’s beyond me now’ and sometimes even ‘I give up, I just can’t do it’. Fear is crippling and doesn’t help us get back into our routine. So what’s the solution? Start small and build it up.
Starting small means also lowering your expectations. Perhaps you have lost fitness and need to put yourself at ease with that. I find that hardest, but once you do, it is far easier to celebrate the small goals which makes it easier to meet the next goal and build your confidence and fitness back to where you were.
So I want to share with you some low impact outdoor activities that will get you moving, enjoying some fresh air and feeling more confident in yourself.
Try out your sea legs and fish for your dinner
If you love the water, you will love boating and fishing. Whether it’s sailing, drifiting in a tinny, or gently paddling down a calm river in your kayak, there is something wonderful about getting out in the fresh air. If you’re lucky you’ll find a gentle workout while you reel in that enormous fish! Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, and if you have a waterproof bag, your camera – who knows what photo opportunities might be out there! This is my little brother, who would fish for a living if he could. Just look at that smile! Wouldn’t you love to be that proud of a catch? That would certainly be a confidence booster!
Get bendy
If you haven’t tried it, now is the time to get into yoga. The great thing about yoga is that you can make it as high or low impact as you like. There are the more trying versions like hot yoga, where you sweat it out in an intentionally hot room, or the varieties that combine yoga and pilates (hello, abs and gluts!), but there are plenty of yoga classes that are simply about stretching out your muscles. Here’s another secret if you aren’t yet convinced: a decent portion of every yoga class includes lying on the ground meditating. Enduring the class is worth it for this time of stillness – trust me!
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Adopt a canine friend
Having a family dog is one of the single easiest ways to improve your active lifestyle. However, if you aren’t ready for the responsibility that comes with having a puppy, the perfect opportunity for you would be to adopt an older dog from a local shelter. This is what we did with Honey (you can read her RSPCA story here). She was 6 months old when we got her and is so much calmer and easier to train than baby pups! Once you have your mature canine friend by your side, you will find that the daily stroll through your neighbourhood will do your heart and your soul a world of good! Trust me, there is no way to resist those puppy-dog eyes, which never disappear no matter their age!
Walking and camping
Now this is a fun one! It’s so easy to do with friends or on your own. There are a variety of bushwalking groups you can join, hit up Google to find your nearest club. They have walks for all levels and usually a few different ones to choose from each week, from day walks to overnight hikes. Meet new friends, walk by day and sleep under the stars by night. Rees recently bought a new mattress from MOTackle for his time away with the army. We tested out and organised his field gear on the weekend. Honey tested out the camping style sleep too. We would love to take her hiking with us one day!
There’s a simple list of some easy low impact outdoor activities to increase your heart rate and bring enjoyment to your soul. So get out, get moving, and enjoy your new active lifestyle.
Have some other suggestions that are good for the body and soul? Share your thoughts below about the most effective low-impact activities that you enjoy.
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Amy Darcy
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