Saturday, September 4, 2010

Hit the Beach!

It is Labor Day Weekend (by no means the end of summer, but a definite harbinger) and thanks to the cooperation of Hurricane Earl it looks to be sunny and beautiful, so hit the beach!

If you live in New England and have not been to the beach this year, shame on you! This has been the best summer in recent memory and even for a city girl like me the beach is less than 30 minutes away.

The beach can be a very affordable day: pack a healthy lunch and a book from the library and you have hours of free entertainment. The beach can also get pricey with high parking fees, tempting concessions and the end of day cocktail. The latter is fine for a splurge the former should be the norm.

The beach can also be a great place to get a little exercise:

1. Take a walk on the firm sand of the shore line: this can be done year round, weather permitting, and in the off season you can really move with fewer people in the way.

2. Get in the water to raise your heart rate: whether it is from exertion, a recent viewing of Jaws or, here in New England, the shockingly cold temps, being in the water will raise your heart rate.

3. Go beach combing: for shells or to pick up litter the combination of walking and reaching and bending is a great work out.

Even if you just sit on your towel and stare out at the infinite expanse of water, the colors changing to reflect what is above and below the surface, and relax for a day it is good for your body.

Be careful this weekend, Earl might have churned up some riptides, so be sure to go to a life-guarded beach. Have a great weekend!

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