Exercise outside (and do it safely!)
Exercising outdoors can be beautiful and refreshing🌞🌿
But it’s probably no surprise to you that it isn’t considered the safest place for a lot of people. As a white person, I can’t fathom the fears or scenarios BIPOC face/prepare for daily when they venture outside. As a woman, I can understand (some of) the fears other women face when they take their workout outside.
The uninvited attention women receive on a daily basis (exercising or not) is just one reason why most women are constantly checking in with their surroundings and evaluating potential threats.
Things like:
2 men standing by truck in the driveway of corner house on right
Walker crossed to same side of street moving in my direction
Man in rusty truck has driven by slowly 3 times
Does that sound crazy to you?
If you’re a woman probably not because I’d bet you have some kind of internal dialogue similar to this when they’re walking, running, biking or just existing outside.
If you’re not a woman, take note because this is real life for about 50% of the population and you can contribute to the solution or the problem.
I had a very real, very uncomfortable, very my-gut-is-telling-me-to-get-out-of-here-NOW encounter a little bit ago while walking my dog in a familiar and quiet neighborhood.
I listened to my gut and got the F outta there - none of those “he might need something” “he might be looking for rental properties” BS or second guessing.
Once I got home I shared my story with some family and ended up making a police report.
Then I went straight to Target and picked up pepper spray and an alarm keychain to carry with me moving forward.
A lot of women are *aware* that these sketchy, unsettling situations happen… but it’s so easy to get comfortable in a familiar setting and fall into the trap of, “that doesn’t happen here ”
If you’re a female who loves the outdoors and would rather run through the woods than on a treadmill… or just a female who finds themselves outside from time to time, checkout the safety precautions I take regularly and others that might work for you ⤵️
Now I want to be very clear about something:
NO ONE should have to take safety precautions or be worried about their safety while exercising outside.
It doesn’t matter if you run the streets in a sports bra and spandex or are completely covered head to toe - no one should have to take safety precautions for stepping outside.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where some humans suck - such is life. So I chose to take safety precautions, not because I should have to but because I know the reality I live in and (as always) I aim to be proactive not reactive.
Do with these tips/precautions what you will,
Stay safe out there and ALWAYS trust your gut ⚠️🤟🏼
Thanks for dropping by today! I hope you’re leaving this post having learned something new and understand how it can be beneficial to you on your unique fitness journey. If there’s a topic you’re interested in learning more about, please leave me a message here so I can add it to my list!
