The Great Outdoors

Today I'm sharing with you for the first time a blog post about working out. If you follow me on Snapchat @CareliaMoran, you would know that I love to spend time in the great outdoors. I don't visit gyms very often because I feel a little bit claustrophobic being in a room with too many people; some staring at each other, talking instead of working out or even falling asleep on the machine that someone else is waiting to use. With all my respect to gym goers, I quite frankly don't find that environment appealing. I believe I'm too used to the sound of the birds, running water, and the squirrels getting in my way. Therefore, I just can't find a better place for getting in shape than the outdoors.

I must confess that spending time outside (running, walking or hiking) has helped me to cope with stress and recover from illness. It has done things for me that no medication has achieved. When the weather doesn't permit me to work out in the outdoors, I exercise in my workout room in the basement of my house, usually doing any P90X video or Insanity. However, these type of workouts doesn't give me any spiritual benefits as when I'm outside, but If I can combine both in one day, it's even better.

My boyfriend and I often plan road trips to hiking trails in North Carolina. We always make sure to read and learn about a particular trail before arrival; this way we know what to take in our backpacks and what type of gear to wear. In this opportunity, I was trail-testing a pair of hiking boots. Since the boots were new, I didn't want to take chances and hike a long and strenuous trail, so we decided to hike a level 4 trail of 4.5 miles. For a short trail like that, I usually wear simple shorts, comfortable cotton t-shirt, a tank top inside in case I want to remove the t-shirt later on. Sunscreen, water, chapstick, a hat, sunglasses and a map are a must, regardless of the length or level of the trail. But the most important thing at least for me are my shoes. They have to be comfortable, with an excellent arch support and a considerable outsole traction. 

I hope you enjoy seeing these pictures that it motivates you to spend more time in Mother Nature. Remember, you don't have to travel far to have a quality time in the outdoors. Your local park can be  good enough to get into your spiritual and physical mode. 

Today I'm wearing:
Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay.
Hiking boots: Under Armour.
T-shirt: c/o Vintage Jane.
Shorts: Gap (old). Buy similar here.
Belt: Abercrombie (men's) I love this one by Aeropostale.
Hat: Columbia. See the newer version here.
Backpack: Lancaster-Paris. Similar here.
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (62mm).