The birds are chirping and the morning sun is out in all its glory with clouds to complement its glow. With a deep breath, you take it all in, what a wonderful day to spend inside the house watching the television and engulfing yourself in the glory of pictures posted by your friends on the numerous social media platforms, right? Let’s wait until tonight to go “out” in an overcrowded, enclosed restaurant eating and drinking up a storm.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned scenario, has become the repetitive ‘enjoyment’ for most of us on the weekend. In the Caribbean, we are fortunate to live in a climate which favours us an appropriate beach day almost every day. With the rapid need for a fast-paced lifestyle, the inclination to eat ‘fast food’ and the encouraged sedentary modes of fun have made us increasingly at risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. On the upside, gyms, health food stores and the government have seen the urgency for encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, whether it be for fun, exercise, or the picturesque opportunities, 5k events are frequently hosted which allow us to run or walk while donating to a charity.
With our enviable landscape and our famous Blue Mountain Peak, a more heart loving trend is slowly on the rise. Ashtan Champagnie, an avid hiker who has been hiking a 6 mile trail every weekend, since January 2017 participated in his first 5k a few weeks ago. “Hiking is more challenging and a little more physically demanding than running on the flat. While hiking, the air gets thinner as you are going up an incline and different muscles are being worked”. He described the hiking experience as more satisfying.
Ashtan has a regular 9-5 and does hiking as a hobby. He has expressed that with the consistency for over a year, he has never felt healthier. His work environment tends to become very stressful and the benefits of hiking have overflowed into this aspect of his life and he believes he has now become better able to cope with stress. He also has a few recommendations for anyone who is interested in embarking on the exciting hiking journey:
-Do cardio exercises, such as light jogging a day or two before you hike as this gets the muscles warm.
– Before starting the hike, stretch properly to reduce the possibility of muscle tears and post-exercise pain.
– Extra pair of socks.
– Take a good backpack and pack lightly with only the necessities; peanuts and chocolate are sources of quick energy and sandwiches are filling and light to carry.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #7 March-April 2018
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The birds are chirping and the morning sun is out in all its glory with clouds to complement its glow. With a deep breath, you take it all in, what a wonderful day to spend inside the house watching the television and engulfing yourself in the glory of pictures posted by your friends on the numerous social media platforms, right? Let’s wait until tonight to go “out” in an overcrowded, enclosed restaurant eating and drinking up a storm.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned scenario, has become the repetitive ‘enjoyment’ for most of us on the weekend. In the Caribbean, we are fortunate to live in a climate which favours us an appropriate beach day almost every day. With the rapid need for a fast-paced lifestyle, the inclination to eat ‘fast food’ and the encouraged sedentary modes of fun have made us increasingly at risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. On the upside, gyms, health food stores and the government have seen the urgency for encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, whether it be for fun, exercise, or the picturesque opportunities, 5k events are frequently hosted which allow us to run or walk while donating to a charity.
With our enviable landscape and our famous Blue Mountain Peak, a more heart loving trend is slowly on the rise. Ashtan Champagnie, an avid hiker who has been hiking a 6 mile trail every weekend, since January 2017 participated in his first 5k a few weeks ago. “Hiking is more challenging and a little more physically demanding than running on the flat. While hiking, the air gets thinner as you are going up an incline and different muscles are being worked”. He described the hiking experience as more satisfying.
Ashtan has a regular 9-5 and does hiking as a hobby. He has expressed that with the consistency for over a year, he has never felt healthier. His work environment tends to become very stressful and the benefits of hiking have overflowed into this aspect of his life and he believes he has now become better able to cope with stress. He also has a few recommendations for anyone who is interested in embarking on the exciting hiking journey:
-Do cardio exercises, such as light jogging a day or two before you hike as this gets the muscles warm.
– Before starting the hike, stretch properly to reduce the possibility of muscle tears and post-exercise pain.
– Extra pair of socks.
– Take a good backpack and pack lightly with only the necessities; peanuts and chocolate are sources of quick energy and sandwiches are filling and light to carry.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #7 March-April 2018
Share this post: