outdoor exercise

I love the treadmill, but now that the sun is out and the days are longer, I also love running around the park in the Spring. The air smells great, and I'm rewarded with great views once I huff and puff my way up the hillier parts of my route.

What I don't love so much, however, is the cold San Francisco air that's been blasting me while I run outside. I hate running into a headwind, especially if there's cold fog to go with it. Is the blustery Spring air also frustrating you? Here are some tips of dealing with the wind while you run.

• Remember it's a fun challenge. Running inside can be easier because not only is the treadmill helping pull your feet back, but you don't have to deal with any varying elements likes uneven roads or crazy gusts of wind. But when you're outside battling it out with the wind, remembering that you are burning more calories and increasing your endurance with each step can help you learn to love it.
• Dress for it. Make sure the gear you're wearing is wind-optimized. Wear running leggings or slim shorts, headbands that keep your ears nice and warm, a hairstyle that keeps your hair out of the way, and headphones that stay put even when the wind is whipping around you.
• Head into the wind first. This is an especially good strategy when it's cold outside since it'll decrease your chances of frostbite, but even when it's not so cold outside, running into the wind still has its advantages — you'll be conquering the hardest part of your run when your energy is at its peak, and you won't feel so uncomfortable with chilly wind blowing on you while you sweat.

Are you a fan of running in the wind?

Spring seems to be in full force, so what's the best thing to do? Get outside! And while I love a good outdoor workout, I also love ways that incorporate being active with doing something fun. Here are my favorite ways to sneak fitness while enjoying the nice weather.

• Hiking. One of my favorite things to do is have a picnic outside when the weather starts getting better. But what better way to enjoy the outdoors with a leisurely lunch than a hike before that gets you huffing and puffing? You'll burn 355 calories an hour, while being able to enjoy the outdoors and the views post "workout."
• Biking. Even if you're not a regular cyclist, playing tourist and exploring your own city by bike can be a great way of seeing the sights in a new light. Plan a route hitting all your town's big sightseeing locales, making sure you spend a good amount of time of the bike, since you'll burn 355 calories for each hour of leisurely cycling.
• Stair climbing. Another way to explore your city is to seek out outdoor stairs for an intense cardio exercise. Try skipping stairs for the most impact, and once you've reached the top, you'll be able to enjoy the view and be happy that you burned 400 calories every 30 minutes. Sure, this is a hard workout, but it can also be done in the middle of your day while you are exploring new neighborhoods in between cafe time and window-shopping.
• Park and shop. Have a lot of errands to run on the weekend? Make the day active by finding a parking space once and then walking to all the shops, instead of driving to each place. You'll be able to burn about 100 calories for every 30 minutes of walking, not to mention any toning you'll be getting from lugging your purchases back to your car throughout the day.

What are your favorite ways to sneak a little bit of Spring fitness during your week?

Sure I can take the stairs when the elevator is broken, but when it comes to stair-climbing to burn extra calories, I'm a bit of a wimp. You see, stairs sort of scare me. Once you start going up a big flight, you know you have to keep going, and the intensity can be overwhelming. Stair climbing is intense because you're carrying your body weight against gravity. And if you take the stairs two at a time — which is basically like combining the StairMaster and lunges — you'll really feel the burn in your hamstrings, glutes, quads, and booty. And those calories? A 130-pound person can burn around 400 calories by running up stairs for just 30 minutes.

Do you ever explore public steps in your city or neighborhood? Here in San Francisco, there are so many amazing outdoor steps to climb that I know I need to just lace up, stop whining, and start putting them to the cardio test. Not only is climbing stairs good for you, but going down stairs is beneficial as well because it reduces blood-sugar levels more than walking uphill. The only downside of going down is that it can be hard on your knees because your leg muscles are in an eccentric or lengthened position, which can strain the knee joint.

Here's an easy way to start outdoor stair climbing and a short inspirational video.

It looks like Shape is celebrating the last month of Summer with a bikini-clad Kristen Bell on the cover. Inside, Kristen shares with the mag her 30 rules to live by — from diet advice, tips on aging, and skin care how-tos. And showing just how fit she is, she does part of the interview while working out on a treadmill! Here are the highlights:

• On staying active: "I'm like a jackrabbit throughout the day and like to keep moving whenever I can . . . More flights of stairs means I can eat more candy!"
• On bringing the workout outdoors: "My friends and I are all into staying in shape through outdoor activities. We play Ultimate Frisbee, hike the trails around Los Angeles, go rock climbing in Malibu, explore underwater caves in Palos Verdes. We’re gluttons for excitement, and it keeps us fit!"
• On indulging: "I've learned I don’t really feel well after I eat it but I also know that devouring a whole cheesecake with my girlfriends can feel incredible! I’m always going to be the kind of person who treats myself."
• On meditation: "When you have a problem — whether it's road rage, your guy, or work — meditation allows everything to unfold the way it's supposed to."

In honor of Spring I've been exercising outdoors as much as I can. What I love most about it is that it doesn't feel like a workout — I'm just excited to be outside in the sun. Now, a new study confirms what I already know to be true of my own life: outdoor activities have the power to boost our mood and self-esteem levels, even if done in small doses.

The findings, published in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal, looked at the results of 10 studies that followed 1,250 people. Participants who were active in "green" spaces were happier, less stressed, and saw a rise in their self-esteem. Green spaces are places in nature like a park where there is an abundance of natural elements like grass and trees. Add water to increase the happiness — more prominent effects were shown in individuals who participated in activities around an ocean, lake, or river. In total, the studies looked at activities like walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding, and farming in different outdoor locales like a park, garden, or nature trail.

What I found most interesting is that positive effects were measured even when outdoor activity was limited to a short amount of time. The next time I find myself stressed out, I'm definitely heading outside for a walk.