Thinkstock
DCL
Working out at the gym regularly always sounds like a good idea in the first few months of a new year. You've gained a few pounds over the holidays and want to be all svelte by the time your spring vacation or summer holidays roll around. But the gym isn't for everyone, and if you've been a couch potato/workaholic/super parent who hasn't seen the inside of a gym since last year's bikini or trunks got shoved to the back of the closet, a grueling workout is not the best place to start.
Earlier this month, Naturally Savvy chatted with Nancy L. Jerominski, a C.H.E.K. Holistic Lifestyle Coach 2 and Exercise Coach, A.C.E. PFT, I.D.E.A. Master Trainer, and owner of NLJ Fitness & Wellness Consulting in SeaTac, Washington. She recommended a simple exercise that is perfect for getting you back in shape: Walking.
Jerominski recommended gentle walking to start, picking up the pace as your body gets used to regular cardiovascular exercise. As you improve, switch to walking up a hill as fast as you can and then leisurely walking down, repeating for 30 minutes for an intense cardio workout. (And as with any fitness routine, you'll need to eat healthy foods to properly fuel your body.)
Here's the best part about this exercise: There's no gym, treadmill, or complicated instructional DVD required, and as a bonus, you get outside for some fresh air. All you need are a sturdy pair of shoes (to protect your feet and joints from strain) and clothes that are appropriate for the weather you'll be walking in. And since no electricity is required to make some machine run or to power lights and an AV system, it's a totally green workout.
