Getting outdoors - mix up that fitness!!

So you wake up every second day, head to the gym for an hour where you monotonously run on the treadmill, sit on the stationary bike, do a few weights and stretch out your muscles. Do you ever get the feeling of boredom? Feel like there must be something else more inspiring and 'mind free-ing' out there??
Why not try getting out into the 'great outdoors' and let nature do it's thing; clears your head, uplifts the everyday 'office job boredom', lets your emotions and senses run wild and gives you a feeling like you've actually had a little getaway!!

You don't have to pack gear for a big weekend away, book a camping ground or hotel room, get someone to mind the kids and pets....it can be just as easy as finding one of the many trails around Australia to go for a nice long walk on - no planning needed! Think about it - we spend our lives indoors about 90% of the time....how did we forget nature, and all of its positive effects?

- Vitamin D is found in sunlight, and we need it to assist in our bodies absorption of calcium (to give us nice strong bones, and help the release of energy), as well as having a positive effect on our mental state.
- Fresh, fume free and noise free natural air!! Trust me - once you breathe it for a while and escape the day to day traffic and city noise, you won't be hurrying to get back home!
- The clear air has positive effects on our skin, without the exposure to chemicals, air conditioners, air heaters and stale indoor air. You will notice your skin naturally becomes more clear, and with the use of sunscreen - give you a much more 'uplifted' look (good riddance Botox!!!!),
- Being outdoor can help our Circadian rhythms (natural sleep, wake cycles), balance out our hormones, and potentially assist in having a better natural weight balance,
- Research has shown more regular exposure to nature can assist in reducing stress levels and reduced fatigue, so you'll feel great and more energetic,
- Walking, hiking or running on un-even and natural terrain can strengthen our muscles, particularly our core to assist our balance and our ankle, knee and hip joints - which are common injury sites,
- Many doctors have found that prescribing their patients with regular outdoor exposure; walking, cycling or even gardening have shown to reduce illness' (Diabetes, Heart disease and many forms of cancer).

But where can you find a great walking/cycling/running/hiking path??
- Your local state or government websites will have many links and maps to show you exactly where each walking and cycling trail is; most of these being very safe and easy to track.
- For the enthusiastic hiker, http://www.hikingaustralia.com.au/index.html has some great hiking places around Australia - grab some girlfriends and make an adventure!
- Check out some events that will get you off the road running or riding and into the outdoors - you're fitness will sky-rocket with the extra hills and unpredictable terrain!! ( www.salomontrailseries.com.au , www.rapidascent.com.au, www.supersprint.com.au , ),
- Take up kayaking or canoeing - the therapeutic benefits of being the water as well as a great upper body and stomach toning session!,
- If you're feeling adventurous, why not lock in an overseas trip to hike The Mount Everest base camp trek, Machu Pichu, Mt Kilimanjaro, The French Pyrenees (yes - the wine and cheese is amazing!), The lost city trek in Columbia, Whistler in Canada's British Columbia, The amazing Swiss alps......ask your travel agent or check out GA adventures, Intrepid...or scan one of the many companies offering great trips on the internet!