Today, I enjoyed a 14-mile bike ride, not a great distance, but I was pushing for a faster pace. Spending an hour or more cycling outdoors comes much easier to me than pedaling on a stationary bike. Gym workouts have never been my thing; I only do them out of necessity during the winter, and even then, I tap out after 30 minutes.
The idea of exerting energy but remaining stationary irks me. Treadmills, exercise bikes, or rowing machines are boring. I use them only for the bare minimum—30 minutes of exercise a day when I have no other options.
However, when I’m outdoors, I can easily spend hours walking, biking, cross-country skiing, or gardening, well surpassing my 30-minute goal. It’s the movement, the changing scenery, the feel of the wind, and the sound of birds that invigorate me.
Indoor exercise feels like a daily multivitamin—providing the minimum daily essential activity but lacking flavor and excitement. In contrast, outdoor exercise is like savoring a flavorful salad, offering more than just the essentials and making the experience enjoyable. It’s far superior to merely swallowing the pill of an indoor exercise routine.