Motivation
It is easy to feel motivated to go Nordic Walking when you have a class pencilled into your diary every week and you look forward to meeting up with friends, knowing that you will finish off with a delicious coffee and an entertaining chat. It becomes part of your routine and is a great way of keeping contact with other like minded souls. It is much harder when we are in lockdown and routine has gone out of the window; you are exercising alone and you could be doing one of the other thousand jobs that await you at home. Therefore, I thought I would record a lesson on motivation, providing you with strong reasons for grabbing those poles and getting out for some energetic Nordic Walking in the countryside.
Here are some of the motivating factors I have listed in the remote lesson:
- Think about how good you feel after exercise. Even on a drizzly, grey day the release of endorphins induced by exercise makes you feel much happier, more energised and proud of your achievement.
- I've said it many times before, but exercise is one of the best ways of boosting the immune system and staying healthy
- Every single time you go out, you are getting stronger and fitter. Add in the squat and lunge exercises and that benefit is manifold.
- Nordic Walking is great for bone health.
- Nordic Walking reduces neck and shoulder tension, particularly if you bring your attention to the rotation and extension technique points.
- Nordic Walking increases calorie burn. Have you been eating more out of boredom? I know that I have!! This is a fantastic way of burning off the extra calories and assuaging any guilt.
- Reduces impact on joints, whilst strengthening the muscles that support the joints.
- Exercise in green spaces is one of the best preventions (and cures) of depression and anxiety. Nordic Walking is wonderful for wellbeing, even solo walking. You can turn your walk into a mindful exercise.
I hope that some of these reasons resonate with you and help you to feel more motivated. Enjoy your walking and stay safe.
DISCLAIMER
These workouts have been designed for clients of Nordic Walking East Anglia, who have all been taught the correct Nordic Walking technique by a qualified British Nordic Walking Instructor. They have also been shown how to perform these exercises in face to face lessons; this film is merely a prompt. Individuals participate in these exercises at their own risk and must ensure they have adequate and non-slip floor space in which to participate and agree that they have no health concerns that prevent them from taking part. These exercises are designed to be carried out outside, however, if individuals perform the warm-up and cool-down sessions indoors there is a danger of collision with or damage to furniture, light fittings, etc. as well as potential for injury.