Ravello, Italy: The small hilltop town is known for its exceptional gardens and stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perched 1,100 feet above the coastal towns along the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is reachable by tourbus for the masses and via thousands of steps for the brave (or just crazy). On my recent trip to Italy, my husband and I decided to be a little crazy, “step” after step…after step. We hiked to the top of this beautiful town along steep pathways dotted with olive groves and laced with grapevines.
Of course “hiking” does not have to include backpacks or maps, nor does it necessarily require a compass or a first aid kit. I was always under the impression that in order to hike correctly, such items were needed and that you would likely spend most of your day trying to get to a pre-defined destination, rather than for the journey itself. To me, hiking seemed as endless and pointless as many of my cients tell me they feel about running on a treadmill while looking at themselves in a mirror.
Interesting...The concept of reflection. Now there's a tricky word. Running on a treadmill in front of mirrors never bothered me because I felt it was an opportunity to let go of distractions and focus on my body. But on the hike up to Ravello, I reflected upon the difference between me and most others and gave myself the chance to redefine what exercise, health and fitness means to me.
My two hours of uphill “reflection” led me to conclude that using a gym, with all those machines I cherish, is not the only way to get as fit as I strive to be. A gym’s resources offer the best starting point and an integral home base for overall fitness. When utilized correctly, it increases your ability to perform other physical activities, such as sports, with relative ease. Hiking or any form of exercise doesn't have to be boring or painful no matter where you are.
Hiking is a weight bearing activity that helps prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density and decreasing calcium loss. When hiking, a change in elevation and varying terrain helps to build balance and coordination. I can easily make my hike harder by adding a 10 or 15 lb. backpack to increase calorie burn.
Plus, the mental health benefits of hiking are just as plentiful as the physical. Exposure to natural bright light increases levels of serotonin in the brain which helps to elevate your mood. And because exercise also boosts serotonin production, the benefit is twofold! And as for most, when I am happier I am able to relax and enjoy what is around me…the sun, the mountains, the ocean, etc.
So grab a pair of supportive shoes, some sunblock and a bottle of water and stop making excuses as to why you don’t do the things you want to do for fitness. Add a hike, whatever your definition of it is, to shake up your workout routine. Hopefully when you finish, your reflection in the mirror will bring a smile to your flushed face.
Certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine for over 7 years, Corrinn takes her career and her client’s health and well being very serious. After finishing Providence College with a B.A. in Marketing, Corrinn spent 5 years in a corporate atmosphere before breaking out, full-time into the world of fitness. Her strength as a trainer lays in her capability to see the potential in each of her clients and push them to achieve more then they set out to.
Corrinn knows that the ups and downs of everyday life present a barrier for optimal physical fitness and thus strives to provide workouts that are dynamic, challenging and flexible. She is an avid sports enthusiast herself and loves to ski, jog and take bikram yoga. Her love of all things physical, enable her to develop rewarding and focused exercise plans for her clients and straightforward strategies for eating well.
Corrinn believes that at the end of the day everyone deserves to feel strong, live healthy and be balanced.
Her fitness tips, "Your Personal Best," will be featured regularly in future issues of Aetherial Living.
If you enjoy this article, or would like to know more about Corrinn, please drop her a comment at corrinn@aetheriaspa.com
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