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Outdoor Exercise
By Ashley Centers
E
very day as I drive to and from work, I see multiple folks out and about bicycling, walking, or sometimes even jogging to get in their daily exercise. I’m always so happy to see them and to get a wave or two as we pass each other on the road. I so admire these folks and their commitment day in and day out to be outside getting the exercise they need and, for most of them, the exercise they so enjoy. It always makes me think about how lucky we are to live in a community where we can do all of these things comfortably and quite conveniently. These thoughts bring to mind all of the excellent outdoor exercise opportunities afforded to us here in Mesquite. As a community, we have excellent trails, well-maintained sidewalks, and extremely nice parks for a community of our size. Hafen park, for example, has a large grassy area where you could easily bring a yoga mat for your morning sun salutations. Marilyn Redd park has a full basketball court and Volleyball net. Hunter Sports complex offers multiple sports fields for use. All of these and more offer us an opportunity to exercise for absolutely nothing, in some
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| VIEW ON MAGAZINE |May/June 2021
of the most beautiful settings imaginable. Not to mention as we know, we also have some of the best golf courses anywhere around! With so many incredible options and locations, the only things needed to get that exercise in are a little imagination and a desire to get out and about. HERE’S ONE EXAMPLE OF A REALLY FUN WAY TO EXERCISE OUTSIDE AND HOW TO DO IT! On your usual walk around the neighborhood, pick five landmarks you might pass, assign each of them a bodyweight exercise and number of repetitions. For example, at the park bench you always pass, use that bench to do five tricep dips. Or that tall rock you always have to walk around, maybe use it to do ten incline or decline pushups on before continuing on your way. When you pass a dog on a leash, stop to do some high knees - or upon seeing a goose on the pond, do a few walking lunges. If you see me drive by in my little black Toyota, do ten air squats. Basically, turn your walk into a scavenger hunt to find new ways to move.
