2010 Outdoor Pursuits: Have You Tried These Yet?

By Rae Saeed, Staff Writer

Outdoor activities come in various categories. Some people enjoy burning a sweat or just relaxing over a coffee with friends. Experts give their insight in the matter.

The Adventurous Woman

Home -based business owner, Wende Gray, suggests white water rafting. “Rafting stands out more than other activities because it is the ultimate bonding experience. When there is the fear factor of facing Class 5 whitewater head on and being sure that you do your part as a team to power the raft through the water,” said Gray.

Gray feels that women enjoy the idea of participating in what otherwise might be considered a male activity. Natural surroundings also add to the experience. “To women, I think we appreciate not only the camaraderie but the beauty of the natural surroundings of the river’s gorge. To us it is more about the “mucho” than the “macho”.

Another out door activity that Gray likes either solo or with other women is cross- country skiing. According to Gray, it’s easy to learn, and gives the ability to ski at your own pace.

Outdoor sports conditioning consultant, Courtney Schurman creates programs for those who enjoy the wilderness. Courtney and her husband Doug take active, busy people’s schedules, goals and physical needs and create safe, customized, and effective workouts that will help get achieve their goals. “Participating in outdoor activities works the body not only physically, but mentally, especially working women with families to care for.”

Schurmans’ establishment offers programs from hiking to mountain climbing. According to Schurman, if a woman has done hiking and is ready for something more technical, she might be interested in learning about scrambling or crag climbing.

Not physically fit for adventure? No Problem!

For the woman who used to do marathon running but is now suffering from knee issues, they can still enjoy the mixed terrain and weather. Trekking or backpacking would be a logical non-impact sport to try. Someone who has done mountaineering and would rather participate in winter activities would find snowshoeing or backcountry skiing a good fit.

Experience it with best friends

Enthusiasts can also enjoy the outdoors with their dogs. For anyone who is not familiar with mushing, it’s a term also referred to as dog sledding.

According to musher, Liz Parrish, urban mushing (dog sledding on wheels) is a fun way to exercise sanely and safely with their best friends. Mushing is also a way to keep themselves and their dogs active and helps build a closer bond with their dogs. Such an activity is also a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Whether in a park, bike path, beach or their own neighbourhood, it’s quite the bonding experience. “We also find women see the value in urban mushing as cross-training for other dog sport activities, whether conformation, obedience, agility, fly ball and so on,” said Parrish.

Parrish says that urban mushing, aka dog sledding on wheels, involves teaching your dog a simple set of commands to pull you, while you are riding a scooter, bicycle or similar vehicle.

“Essentially it is dog powered travel the both of you can enjoy, and get out and explore areas at the same time. Very little equipment is required; you can do it practically anywhere with just about any breed. The more you do with your dog, the better behaved they are, the closer your bond together is, and the more fulfilling the relationship you have.”

Parrish is also an Innkeeper (www.CrystalwoodLodge.com) and suggests various other activities women can try. Ideas include: Fishing, bird watching, painting and photography.

source: http://healthinfoispower.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/physical-activity-preferences-of-ovarian-cancer-survivors/

The mellow woman

For those who aren’t as active, something as simple as going for a walk with a friend could be an idea.

Writer and consultant Kerri Hopkins helps people from all walks of life come up with more relaxing outdoor endevours.

“Everyone needs fresh air and to feel the wind in their face to make them feel alive. During the summer months, you can go to a chili cook-of with friends, walk in the rain or catch a leaf and make a wish. During the winter months, people can participate in snow ball fighting or building snow caves and so on.”

Hopkins insists that zip lining is not as relaxing but a lot of fun! Try that too!

For more information on outdoor pursuits, here are the links for you to check out as well.

Wende Gray: www.graymktg.com
Courtenay Schurman: www.bodyresults.com/
Liz Parrish: www.LifeThroughDogs.com, www.UrbanGoDogs.com

Thanks to Kerri Hopkins, Wende Gray, Courtney Schurman and Liz Parrish for their wonderful suggestions.

Health & Fitness Rejuvenation Ideas for Women

By Rae Saeed, Staff Writer

Speaking from experience, it’s quite a struggle staying healthy. Think about people who want to become fairly fit and maintain a proper diet. Now think about the fact that these people hate diet and exercise and simply want the easy way out. Though it may not be as easy as taking weight loss pills, there are fairly quick and healthy ways to get the body you want.

There are a lot of diets and fitness regiments women try all the time that should actually be avoided at all costs.

According to four time world champion boxer, personal trainer and yoga instructor, Sumya Anani, that is too true. She’s noticed that some women went into boxing to lose weight. Anani insists that a lot of these ladies should start out with boxing before getting into kickboxing.

“If ladies want to lose weight, do not jump into kickboxing classes, start with boxing. Too many women that need to lose weight have injured their knees and lower backs kicking bags. Develop a foundation with boxing first, and believe me, that will get the weight off,” said Anani.

Anani’s home fitness regiments include:

• Get several pairs of dumbbells ( five lbs, eight lbs and 10 lbs) for starters
• Do four sets for every body part
• Mix it up ( do lunges one day and squats the next day)
• Grab yoga dvd’s from the library to alternate on those other days

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Diet Free New Year’s Resolution

It’s coming up on the New Year and we are wondering whether making a resolution to lose weight this coming year will work any better than it has in the past? Are we tired of committing to get healthy and then beating ourselves up because when the next New Year’s rolls around we are in the same (or worse) shape than the year before?

I am going to suggest something new and exciting for this New Year’s Eve. A resolution you can make and then excitedly re-affirm every New Year’s Day for the rest of your life. How does this sound?

“My New Year’s Resolution is to be diet resolution free for this year.”

But what if I do want to lose weight? What if I am not at the weight I want to be? What if I need to lose weight, get healthy, stop eating harmful foods etc?
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Take Your Dog to Work

June 26th is Take Your Dog to Work Day! This day was created by Pet Sitters International to celebrate dog companionship. Currently, this day is celebrated in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Take Your Dog to Work Day is intended to be fun for current dog owners and a novel way to introduce non-owners to the joys of having a dog in your life. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help increase dog adoptions and a great way to improve your health.

Socializing is good for you
Did you also know that taking your dog to work can be good for your health? Studies prove that being more socially engaged improves your health by:
• Improving your mood
• Reducing your risk for heart disease
• Improving your long-term memory
• Extending your life
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Wash Your Paws!

The current worldwide infection with swine flu has heightened everyone’s interest in preventing the spread of infections. If you have been following flu news on the Internet, you can find all kinds of suggestions for reducing your risk of exposure – everything from wearing masks to avoiding pig farms and petting zoos. One of the best methods for helping to prevent the spread of infection is easy, convenient, and cheap – simply washing your hands!
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Sweetest Mother’s Day Gift

Looking for the perfect gift for your mom this Mother’s Day? Forget the flowers and boxes of fat- and calorie-laden sweets and chocolates and ask Fido for shopping advice. Fido will probably take you to the local pet store and steer you toward the balls, Frisbees, ropes for pulling, and stuffed animals to toss around. “Eureka,” you’ll tell Fido. “I’ll give a fitness gift!”
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Wanna Get Healthy? Take a Nap!

On a busy afternoon, as you’re scurrying around the house, feverishly rushing through chores, you may notice Fido. Fido’s probably sprawled out on the floor or curled up on a pillow taking a long afternoon snooze. “Lazy dog,” you mutter. Well think again! Fido’s showing you a great way to better your health – take a nap!
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Who’s Your Ideal Fitness Advisor?

President Obama will soon be appointing an important advisor to his White House team – his fitness advisor. You haven’t heard about this position? Perhaps you know it better as the search for the ideal White House dog. Research shows that a dog is more than companion and cute addition to photo ops. Fido is actually Nature’s perfect “personal trainer” – loyal, hardworking, energetic, and enthusiastic. And unlike your girlfriends who may skip an exercise session because of appointments, extra chores, or bad weather – Fido never has an excuse for forgetting to exercise.

What are the benefits of regular exercise?

Dr. Joanna Kruk reviewed medical literature describing health benefits from exercise. Her research showed that the risk of developing a number of serious health problems is reduced by physical activity and exercise:

• Breast cancer risk reduced by 75 percent
• Heart disease risk decreased by 49 percent
• Diabetes risk lowered by 35 percent
• Colon cancer risk decreased by 22 percent
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