Ok, now that I have your
attention, here’s what I really mean by the title to
this month’s fitness article. I feel that I have shown
great restraint so far in our GF fitness article relationship
by refraining from boring you senseless by my passion for
horses. But as the weather gets better and I am out there,
taking jumping and dressage lessons or riding with my barn
buddies, I can’t resist the urge to encourage everyone
to explore this wonderful approach to fitness. So hang with
me, ok?
Before we address the fitness aspects
of riding, let’s explore the blocks in thinking that
might keep you from even considering this subject. You might
think that the whole horse scenario is way too costly, involves
purchasing extensive acreage and barn yard animals, is too
time consuming, especially for those with children, or might
move you rapidly toward the poorhouse. There are alternatives
to these problems and the returns are tremendous.
Most cities have some sort of organized
riding groups, either English or Western. Within these groups
are those who have stables and horses available for lease
or for lessons. For a reasonable fee, you can acquire basic
riding skills and reap the fitness benefits at the same
time. (Consider the wasted money spent on gym memberships
that don’t always get used due to lack of interest.)
If you have children, you can arrange for them to have lessons
as well. Horses are a great thing to share with family members
or a way to make new friends. (Have you heard about the
rumor that owning a horse can even postpone interest in
dating for teenage girls? Not a bad thing in today’s
complicated child-rearing world!)
So, now that we’ve covered your blocks
to horseback riding, what about the actual fitness benefits?
Riding horses requires balance, flexibility, muscle strength,
and endurance. When you ride, you use your whole body as
well as your mind to communicate with your horse. You not
only get a great workout, you experience a bond with one
of nature’s amazing creatures. The term "saddle
bags" will now apply to items you use to carry things
while riding, not extra poundage on the posterior. Plus,
you’re probably doing all this great stuff in a really
pretty place, whether it’s an outdoor ride or in a
nice, covered arena. Besides that? It’s fun, and funny!
Yvonne and Jessica, those talented
Glutenfreeda chefs and website mamas, are also avid horsewomen.
We share our passion for horses along with our love of interesting
and healthy food. We often find ourselves laughing about
one of our latest horse adventures. Hopefully, I’ve
inspired some of you to try something new in your quest
for fitness. At the very least, maybe you’ll pick up
on one of your forgotten passions that you haven’t
factored into your fitness efforts.
