Over the 15 years of working as personal fitness trainer I have never been in such a great place to enjoy my work. It?s hard to believe we have such a beautiful place to live and enjoy our wonderful surroundings. On many occasions I have to stop myself and take a second look at what we have around us.

It is great for the mind to look up at some point during the day and take your mind away from the more menial views and problems that block our focus and interfere with our positive thoughts.

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Living and working in the city of London had taken its toll, that?s why I decided to make a very big decision and relocate and take in some new, fresh and exciting challenges here in Spain.

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As a six year expat here in Marbella I regularly get asked the question do I miss the UK. For me, I have set myself different wants and needs in life. Fresh air, sun light, mountains, clear blue skies, long walks, sea, sand of course a little sangria! Is all what I love about Spain.

All these bonuses provide me with the perfect reason to enjoy a healthy positive lifestyle which I make full benefit of as I have no valid excuses to not enjoy the outdoors and get active.

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My exercise regime has never been as important to me as it is now and that?s due to my surroundings and great weather. That alone is an incredible motivator to remain healthy and strong throughout my life and the same should be said about anyone who desires happiness and health for themselves and their families.

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As time passes us by we all need to stay strong and maintain posture, bone density, general health and a positive out look on life. I have promised myself that I will improve my fitness level as I become older and that?s my goal! Setting yourself a personal challenge is an excellent way to keep you on your toes and alert.

I now have clients that have this mindset and focus and they are just getting better and better every day. Work commitments, stress, age - they don?t interfere with strength. I have clients at the age of 65 that can complete more press ups than a 20 year old gym member due to maintaining health, strength and a positive outlook on them selves.

They agree the environment, sunshine, and food, plays a large part of remaining positive and motivated on their health and appearance.

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Exercising outdoors in the fresh air is the perfect way to improve your health and maintain strength due to the benefits of sun light. Aerobic capacity also increases and higher caloric expenditure is achieved from outdoor exercise. Many of my clients prefer to avoid the gym completely and I don?t blame them one bit. In fact I fully encourage this as exercising outdoors is a fantastic way to enjoy what we have here in Spain and look and feel great.

You may have noticed the local government has installed exercise equipment on the paseos beside the beaches and in parks in the cities. I love to see people using this equipment and here in San Pedro they seem to be cueing up on some days waiting to peddle and swing their way to fitness, whilst eating a Chocolate Cornetto! What an excellent way to introduce children to fitness and exercise whilst outdoors away from school.

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So what is a good way enjoy the coast and get fit at the same time?

Here's my Outdoor Fit List to put in your diaries this summer.

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• Walking La Concha is a great way to challenge your strength, mind and fitness level. Remember you don?t have to go to the top at the beginning if you don?t want to.

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• Join a group fitness class that takes place out side. I have one every Saturday 10am in San Pedro, a great way to meet like minded people and it?s loved by all that come.

• Visit Alhambra in Granada. That?s a lot of outdoor walking!

• Get walking or jogging along the paseo in Marbella or somewhere close to you. Something I love to do in the evening, longer than an hour is excellent as the sea is so therapeutic in many ways.

• Jogging and taking one minute walk intervals to rest is a great way to test your fitness. You will find your fitness and energy will lift in weeks. Try this twice a week to begin with.

• Walking fast on the sand is very challenging for all of us, so try this for 30 minutes. You will be amazed. This is also a great way to tone the lower body.

• Cycle just like we used too many years ago. It?s safe, fun, energising and good for our bones and heart. Get the bikes back out guys and girls and get cycling.

• Or if all else fails you can take my girl friend shopping for the day in la Ca?ada shopping centre. Guaranteed to burn 3000 calories! Excellent non stop shop till you drop mayhem!!

• And of course golf is excellent, as long as you walk the course and stay away from naughty pints and cheeseburgers and chips at the club house! NO excuses, there are healthy options!

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I find the best way to stay in good shape is to find like minded people. Meet people that value their health and wellbeing. Take part in outdoor exercise and build your bones, tone your muscles, breath in the fresh air and re-energise your minds to a new you this summer.

Make the most of what we have, just like I do and many of my clients and friends, its all there for the taking and its completely free?..

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Stay fit, healthy and focused on your goals and see you on the paseo this summer.

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For more information on how you can acheive a healthy body and mind, please contact

Lee Skinner

Total Fitness Personal Training

(Marbella)

0034 675 235 978

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