Fitness Fun - the Great Falls

So, with weather promising to be uncharacteristically nice for January, one of my friends and I decided to trek up the VA side of Great Falls for hike. The experience did not disappoint. We found ourselves giggling our way through our hike, impressed by the creepy fog rolling in over the water, and both resolved in our New Year's plans for the first time that we can remember.

One of my favorite things about hiking is that you are working out without even realizing that your body is "working".  The terrain is constantly changing, depending on the trail you take and it keeps your muscles guessing what they will have to do next to keep you up.  I was even surprisingly sore the next day from our journey,  I guess its been a little while since I have used some of those muscles.

A 150 lb person can burn up to 440 calories an hour hiking. However, the benefits last way beyond that because not only is this an aerobic activity, but you are also doing a lot for stability and building more muscle, so your metabolism will stay revved way beyond the work out as you recover.  And, most hikes last more than an hour so just multiple the amount of time you are out there by calories burned - you can use calorie counters for exercise like these: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc.

Another great benefit of hiking in the mental clarity it provides.  You get to look at pretty landscapes, try and avoid misplaced rocks/ roots, and take a breath of fresh air - pardon the pun in that corny line.  But seriously, hiking is a great way to get lost in thought or the pretty picture of nature set out in front or behind you and leave feeling just relaxed.

I cannot wait for spring time and nicer weather to be able to take more advantage of some of the hiking that the DMV has to offer.