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Outdoor Exercise is Good for the Body & Soul

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on February 16, 2015

Written by Monica Joyce: I wasn’t a bit surprised at the results of a recent study done by Canadian researchers at the University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke in Quebec.
For the study, 23 post-menopausal women participated in a 12-week exercise program. All were sedentary, took no medications, didn’t smoke and had no signs of depression, or only mild ones. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group exercised outdoors together three times per week, the other did the same exercise indoors. The exercise was both aerobic and strength training. Researchers found that the outdoor exercisers had a greater sense of tranquility and attended more sessions than the indoor group. The outdoor exercisers also showed decresed depressive symptoms and even increased their workout sessions compared to the indoor group.The outdoor group also were in a better mood, more motivated and satisfied with their exercise sessions.
I’ve enjoyed exercising year round outdoors my whole life. So if you are bored with your indoor routine think about taking it outside. Each season takes on a whole new meaning if you exercise outside. And believe it or not it can make winter more bearable.

Just ask Motts!
Monica Joyce, MS, RD, LD, CDE