Happy Spring! I love the changing of the seasons because it always feels like a jump start to my system. Spring is all about new beginnings. It's a great time to reflect on the last few months and set new goals for the summer. 

One of the best things about this time of year, is that there are few interruptions. No major holidays to interrupt your schedule, the weather is pleasant, and school years are winding down. Take advantage of this time to really make some great progress! Summer is just about 90 days away. That's a perfect window to see some really good progress, physically. Commit to getting your exercise in at least 3 days per week from now until July. On nice days, get outside, but don't let bad weather stop you, just take it indoors those days.

Here are some fun ways to get some good work done while outside:

1. Use the playground! Do lunges, box jumps or step ups on the platforms. Hang from the monkey bars and lift your legs for great core work. The rings work as a great substitute for a TRX. You can google all kinds of exercises for that!

2. Run the bleachers or hills. If you're waiting for a child to finish practice, run up and down the hills or bleachers. Intervals of 1 min of hard work and 2 min of cruising pace for 30 min will help you to burn a ton of calories.

3. Paddle board or kayak, especially if it's wavy. Both are great core workouts plus they develop your balance skills. This is even more important as you hit your late 50s, as balance starts to diminish unless you keep challenging it.

Vitamin D has numerous health benefits including helping the body to:

Maintain the health of bones and teeth.

Support the health of the immune system, brain, and nervous system.

Regulate insulin levels and aid diabetes management.

Support lung function and cardiovascular health.

Influence the expression of genes involved in cancer development.

Living in a location farther from the equator, wearing sunscreen and spending time indoors with air conditioning, all prevent you from absorbing the Vitamin D you need from natural sunlight. I recommend spending at least 15 minutes daily in direct sunlight and taking supplements as needed. I take a supplement daily from a high quality provider. Not all supplements are created equally, so you should definitely consult a health care provider for suggestions of dosages and brands.

Welcome spring, sunshine and fun! Get outside, get some extra activity in, fill up your Vitamin D tank and breathe some fresh air! You'll feel happier, I promise.