ConAgra Foods®

Sneak in a Workout: Get outside and Play!

Looking for a break from your usual routine? Try taking on a fun and new activity.

Here are some outdoor ideas that are a great way to get active and a few snack suggestions to help keep you going.

Saddle Up
Switch gears this weekend with a fun bike ride. Dust off your bike seat and go for a ride around the block. If you don't own a bike, find a local park that offers bike rentals. Cycling is a great activity for strengthening your heart and toning your lower half. Ask a friend to come along and make a day of it. Pack a picnic and bring an assortment of snacks to keep you going. Salads, whether green leaf or fruit, make great pit-stop snacks. Take a few minutes before you peddle off on your leisurely ride and make a delicious and easy to transport Asian Grilled Chicken Salad to enjoy along the way.

Tennis, Anyone?
Get ready to polish up that backhand. Grab a racket, and an opponent, and find a free tennis court. You'd be surprised; chasing that little yellow ball can be an intense activity. It also helps improve balance and coordination. If you're looking for a snack to serve up between matches try a Hunt's Snack Pack. Made with real skim milk from concentrate, it's a delicious, nutritious treat that you'll love.

Play the Course
Golf may seem like a laid-back activity. But actually, an 18-hole golf course can be up to 4 miles long. Skip the cart rental, and that's a pretty long walk. Since the best time to hit the links is the morning when it's cooler, you'll need a good breakfast to help keep you putting-along. A quick option is the Western Omelet made with Egg Beaters Original, a low-calorie source of protein with no fat or cholesterol.

If plaid pants and sand traps aren't your style you can try a different kind of golf disc golf. With disc golf, you don't need a tee time or clubs, just a nice throwing disc and a course. Find a disc golf course near you.

Make a Splash
Here's a no-sweat activity: swimming. Nothing beats a cool pool on a hot summer day. But, before you hop on a comfy raft, sneak in a couple of moves. Warm up with a few laps to get your heart pumping. Continue swimming laps if you're in an Olympic mood, or try water walking in the shallow end. Water walking is a no-impact activity that's easy on your joints and muscles. And for a quick and simple after dip snack try whipping up one of the creative recipes on vhsauces.ca. Delicious food ideas like Turkey Korma Samosas and Cherry Fruited Rice will tempt you to dive right in.

Roll with It
In-line skating became a hot trend in the 90s. Although its popularity may have faded, its physical benefits have not. Like jogging, in-line skating is a great cardiovascular activity, but it's easier on your bones and joints�that is, if you can avoid a nasty fall. Make sure you pad up with all the right safety equipment and find a smooth trail at a local park. A great light snack that you can munch on that won't slow you down is Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! Pop some before you leave and you'll have a light treat for on the roll.

There are plenty of other outside activities to try. The key is finding the one you enjoy. And who knows? Your new activity may become something you'll enjoy for years to come.