You MAY Get More out of Your Workout

Christy’s Corner

One of the busiest months of Spring – Graduations are approaching, Mother’s Day is just around the corner and who could forget Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby? Did you know that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month as well? With so many exciting things on the calendar for this month don’t forget to carve out a little time for yourself and your workout routine.

Here are few great outdoor exercises that can help punch up your typical gym routine:

1. Grab a Racquet and serve up some fun with a few matches of Tennis (544 calories burned per hour).  Tones shoulders, arms and great for your heart.

2. Spike it up with a great game of beach volleyball  (544 calories burned per hour). Good for your arms, abs, chest and shoulders

3.  Get freaky with Freestyle Swimming! While the kids are splashing around do a few laps! (476 calories burned per hour) Total body workout and low impact for those knees.

4.  Pedal Away the Pounds on a bike ride!  (476 calories per hour). Tones butt and legs

5.  Paddle to a better physique – Whether it is by canoe, kayak or the ever popular stand up paddle board you are sure to get those arms tone in no time.  (340 – 560 calories burned per hour) Plus the therapeutic sound of the ocean ; )

6.  Tee it up – Grab your bag and hit the greens for a little play.  Works your arms, abs, back and legs.  (306 calories burned per hour)

7.  Can you dig it? – Gardening has many rewards – one is burning 306 calories per hour.  Grab your gloves, pots and plants and give your core a workout while adding some color to your yard.

8.  Go horseback riding – while burning 272 calories an hour your thigh, legs and butt will be getting a tremendous workout.

9.  Toss that Disc – remember playing Frisbee? Well this little piece of plastic tones your arms, shoulders, chest and abs while burning 204 calories an hour.

10.  Hit the trails – ahhh, the great outdoors in its finest.  Strap on your hiking shoes, grab a granola bar and some water and explore nature’s wonder.  Your legs will thank you for it and you will burn up to 500 calories per hour.

 

Recipe:

Mixed Corn Salad:

This salad can be served as a side or as a dip – you can add a touch of cayenne pepper to spice it up a bit as well!

 

• tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 5 ears) (or you can go with canned)
• 1 1/2 cups diced avocado (1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the corn, avocado, tomatoes, and onion and toss to mix. Serve at room temperature. Serves 4 to 6.

Tips: Choose ears of corn with bright green husks that are tightly closed. The ends of the corn silk should be golden brown, not pale — an indication that the corn was picked too early.

To easily remove corn silk from the kernels, hold the ear in one hand and rub downward with a wet paper towel.

To remove corn kernels for a salad or salsa, stand an uncooked ear in a shallow bowl and use a sharp, thin-bladed knife. For chowder, add another step: reverse the knife and run the dull side down the ear to press out the rest of the corn and its milk.