Vitamin D

I’m not a nutritionist, although I’m studying nutrition for sports performance right now and it’s really interesting. If I were a nutritionist, this post would likely be about dietary guidelines, fortifications and deficiencies. (Which is all good and important information and available here.)

 

My thoughts on Vitamin D began stirring today on the beach after a recent lesson on the subject. My thought process went something like this: 1) We all need Vitamin D to promote calcium absorption . 2) A major source of Vitamin D is sunlight. 3) We all need variety in our exercise regimens. 4) Exercising outside is the most healthy, active way to intake Vitamin D. 5)Many of us act like hamsters on wheels and head to an inside gym 99 % of the time when it comes to “working out.”

Why is that? Pure and simple, we do what we know. We are all – to some extent – creatures of routine. I’m a prime example. But a few days a week, I get outside. To the park for a run, a boot camp on the bay, pickup hoops, a soft sand jog to watch the sun go down, … Just something different. I had never really thought of it as a way to make sure I’m getting my Vitamin D, but I found that when I did start to think of it that way, it made it that much more motivating. 

So, my advice to you? Get outdoors. It will supply your body with a vital nutrient and add a twist to the humdrum workout routine. It will engage your senses. It will get you thinking about different things. You’ll appreciate natural beauty. And hey, you’ll be helping your body absorb calcium to create stronger bones, among other benefits. Just don’t forget the sunblock (motherly tone).