A Breath of Fresh Air

You know how you walk into the gym and it smells like sweat?  Then you jump on the treadmill and breathe in the hot sweaty air of the person running next to you??  I found a new gym that promises nothing but fresh air.  It's called Nature and has never let me down. 

I live in an amazingly beautiful place...the rolling hills of Southern Iowa.  The scenery is breathtaking, and the sounds are hypnotic.  I love going out for my walk early in the day, when the temperature is nearly perfect and the sun is shining on my face.  The only sounds I hear are birds chirping, leaves rustling in the breeze and an occasional "Moo" from cattle in the distance.  I rarely ever even see a vehicle.  This is also the one time that I prefer NOT to listen to music.  It's very peaceful and just what I need to recharge most days. 

Walking in the country is also a great stress reliever for me.  As soon as my shoes hit the road, my mind is clear of any stressors and wiped clean for the thoughts that will occupy my time as I walk.  One thought that always comes to me is that I can't believe I live in such a beautiful place.  This thought alone takes any stress away and puts me in a happy place.  I'm always reminded of the beauty of nature and how we rarely take the time to appreciate it. 

In addition to the serenity of walking the gravel roads in the countryside, it really is a work-out.  The hills are a killer if you're not ready for them.  Some are extremely steep and others are just really long and feel never-ending.  My husband always says, "who needs a gym when you live out here?"  That really is true.  It is great for cardio health and you can always get a squat and arms work-out by picking up rocks out of the yard or chopping wood (neither of which I do nor plan on doing).  Occasionally I will hike our property instead of walking the road.  This brings on new challenges, like stepping over tree limbs and watching out for snakes...eek!  If you ever need to train for a hilly course, the elevation changes out here are perfect.

When you need a change in your fitness routine, take a drive out to the country and enjoy the sights and sounds while treating your lungs to fresh air as you walk/run. 

Here are some pictures from my walk this morning.  The camera doesn't do the scenery justice, but I can see a long ways from the tops of some of these hills.