Gettin' Fit & Healthy with Rickie

  M y favorite time of year...      Summer can also be a busy time with vacations, sports, swimming pools, picnics and outdoor work.  Whatever it may be in your life it can be tough to find time to get in a workout.  This is a good time of year to trade your traditional indoor workout for something outside or a break from the norm.  You can count some of your summer events/jobs as your exercise or movement time.  Most of us exercise or workout for good or improved health and some of your summer activities are very active.       Yard work whether it is push mowing, weeding, raking, etc. is very active and you will certainly burn calories and work muscles. Keep in mind not to overdo it such as 6 hours of yard work in one day, spread it out so you don't injury yourself.       Taking the kids to the park or a sports field for practice or a game?  Use this time to get in some of your own activity, as long as...

  It's a beautiful day for a walk outside!!     The fresh air, sound of crunching leaves, gentle breeze brings leaves floating down.  This is fall, at least here in the northeast it is and it is a great time to take your fitness routine outside.  Yesterday was one of those days for me, after fulfilling a commitment there was still enough time before the sun went down to get in a good sweat, some quiet time and prepare for the new week.  Below is my 'Final  Sunday of Summer' workout.     I began with a gentle paced walk to get the blood flowing to my muscles and let them get nice warm, as I felt warmer I picked up the pace, for you this could be running or a gently jog.  I like to do a mix of a faster walk and jogging, full out running has gotten a little rough for my back and hips.     I planned my route so I would come to areas where there would either be benches or nice flat open space for some exercises no specific distance...