While gyms have their benefits, there's no question that exercising outside is ah-freaking-mazing. In a review of studies, researchers found that when a person went for two walks of the same time or distance—one inside on a treadmill or around a track, the other outdoors—the participants reported enjoying the outside activity more. And when they had psychological tests taken afterward, they scored higher in enthusiasm, pleasure, and self-esteem, and lower on tension, depression, and fatigue after the outdoor workouts. In other words, hitting the great outdoors for your workout can boost your physical and mental health.
Not sure what you want to do once you're out there? Get inspired by these women who saw their lives, bodies, and mental health change for the better thanks to their outdoor fitness plans.
1.ALICIA REICH
"Outdoor workouts, for me, are more than just a chance to work on my fitness or to lose some 'Libby's' as I like to casually call those dreaded pounds. Sure, it started that way—about seven years ago I was unhappy, overweight, and had very little self-confidence. So I began running as a means to an end. Eventually, though, it developed into something so much more. Rather than looking at running as a quick way to drop unwanted weight, lacing up my sneakers for an outdoor run is now my time for mental self-care.
"There's something so special about running outside, feeling the fresh air, and most importantly, a sense of freedom. Don't get me wrong, a gym workout can be great, too—after all, a good sweat sesh is always amazing no matter where it is—but there's something so empowering about seeing how far your own two feet can take you on a run, losing your thoughts in the world around you, and taking a much-needed break from the digital world.
"That's really why I fell in love with logging miles outside instead of on a treadmill. It's been seven years since I committed myself to it, and now I'm down 120 pounds, am physically stronger, and live a happier, more balanced and centered life. I've accomplished goals I didn't even think were possible, including five marathons and eight half-marathons. I look forward to my outdoor sweat dates with myself as I breath in strength and inner peace, and exhale away the day's stress." —Alicia Reich, 34, New York, New York
2.KIMBERLY BEHAZADI
"In 2012, I was a senior in college when I moved home to take a prestigious internship in New York City. I was coming out of a very bad breakup and needed a change of scenery so I could focus on myself. At the time, I'd tipped the scale at 210 pounds and decided it was time to take my health seriously. I mean, I was already 22—if not now, when?
"So I started following the Weight Watchers program and just focused on losing weight. After I lost 20 pounds, I decided I knew enough about eating well that I could start incorporating workouts. I started running with the Couch to 5K app. Running 15 seconds was literally exhausting, but I eventually worked myself up to 5Ks, half-marathons, and last year I finished my first marathon.
"My love of running eventually brought me to the starting line of my first Spartan Race in the summer of 2014. My uncle had been running obstacle-course races for years, and he encouraged me to just sign up and try it, so that's exactly what I did. It was a blast! I can honestly say that there isn't another outdoor workout like it—nothing beats the high you get from conquering a literal mountain. And while I may not be the best—I usually can only complete 10-15 of the 20 obstacles—I tack on burpees for the ones I'm not able to master yet—I'm still so proud whenever I finish them. I've pushed my body to do things I didn't think were possible. Participating in these races has completely changed my outlook on fitness and health. Now, instead of aiming to be skinny, I really try to focus on being strong." —Kimberly Behzadi, 27, Buffalo, New York
3.VICTORIA NIELSEN
"I've been running outside since I was in high school—I had a brief cross-country stint in 6th grade, dabbled in it a bit after graduating college, and my husband introduced me to trail running a few years ago—but it wasn't until we started hiking that I really fell in love with exercising outdoors. When I'm running, I'm often focused on keeping a consistent pace, getting the miles logged, or let's be honest, what I'm going to eat as soon as I'm done. But with hiking, it isn't about my pace—it's about the journey and what I'm able to discover while I'm out there. Kind of like life. There's something really peaceful about that.
"As I've gotten older, life has gotten busier and it gets harder to carve out time for myself. So I'm super thankful that [my husband is] into the outdoors too. There are so many different hiking trails near us in Georgia that it's easy to find something that fits our mood. If we're hiking together, we're able to spend quality time together, rather than racing to some finish line. If I'm alone, I can clear my head and work through any stress that's been following me. Sometimes, after I've tackled a really tough scramble and made it to the summit, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me, like I left all the negativity out on the trail.
"Plus, hiking is one of the best things you can make time for when traveling. Whenever I'm exploring a new-to-me country, I take the time to scope out a new trail. It's a different way to really explore my surroundings and get to know a new place. And I can't even begin to describe the feeling of looking up and seeing nothing but tall trees speckled with sunlight peeking through the leaves. It's like nature is putting on a show just for me, and that isn't something I can get slogging away on a treadmill or throwing weights around in the gym." —Victoria Nielsen, 27, Atlanta, Georgia
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