A Week Into Moving More Outdoors: Starting Simple and Easing In

It’s been a week since I started my Move More Outdoors journey, and I’m trying to approach things differently this time. In the past, whenever I’ve tried to get back on track with fitness, I’ve gone all in. I’d set big goals, make big promises to myself, and unless I had a challenge to work toward, I’d often end up making excuses and giving up pretty quickly.

This time, I’m keeping it simpler. I’m easing into things, especially when it comes to running, and focusing on actually enjoying my time outdoors. I definitely wouldn’t say I love running, and I’ve never been a keen runner. But when I trained for the Toronto Triathlon in 2023, I reached a point where I could say I liked it, well…sometimes.

Me crossing the finish line of the Toronto Triathlon (Olympic Distance), Toronto, July 2023

Looking back, there were three things that helped me enjoy running more back then:

Number 1 - I appreciated the scenery
We didn’t live as close to the waterfront as we do now, but I enjoyed running down to the lake. I started to see running not just as exercise, but as a way to explore and enjoy the outdoors. I could cover more ground and see more in the same amount of time than I could walking, which felt like a win.

Number 2 - I got fitter and stronger through consistent training
As I built up my fitness, the runs became more enjoyable. I wasn’t constantly out of breath, and it stopped feeling like my lungs were giving up on me.

Number 3 - I stretched regularly
Stretching made a big difference in how I recovered. It helped me get back out there again without feeling like I couldn’t walk up the stairs the next day.

My dog Tess on one of our old training runs to the lakeshore, Toronto, July 2023

Right now, my focus is on number one: enjoying being outside and moving more.

I’ve been out for a few short runs this week with my trusty sidekick Tess, our four-year-old Goldador (she’s a Labrador–Golden Retriever cross). We’ve been exploring our new neighbourhood and soaking up the beauty around us. My partner Jake and I recently moved back to Toronto after spending nearly two years in Montreal. Before that, we lived in Toronto too, but this time we’ve settled in the east end, in the Toronto Beaches. As the water baby that I am, the lake has always been my favourite thing about Toronto, and I feel so lucky that we get to live so close and enjoy this beautiful neighbourhood.

I’ve been using Peloton’s outdoor classes to ease back into running, especially the walk-run combinations. I find them to be a great way to rebuild my stamina at a pace that feels manageable for me.

On Saturday, I was enjoying myself so much on a run along the lakeshore that I finished the 45-minute class well before I got home, so I just kept going. A mix of walking, running, listening to music, and exploring little side trails that led to scenic lookout points over the water. It was one of those mornings that just felt good.

Views over Lake Ontario from a side trail at Ashbridge’s Bay on my Saturday run, Toronto, August 2025

One thing I’ve really noticed recently is how stiff and inflexible I’ve become. I haven’t exercised much this year, and as a result, I’ve completely let go of stretching, and now my body is feeling it. I’ve had a stiff neck and shoulders, poor posture from sitting at a desk all day, and twinges in my knees just going up and down stairs. On a recent canoe trip, I really felt how weak my shoulders and wrists had become too.

Whenever I start running again, my hip flexors are always the first to say hello. But I know from experience that the more I stretch, the faster I bounce back. I want to feel better not just in day-to-day movement, but also on the bigger outdoor adventures we go on.

So I’m making a commitment to myself to stretch daily. It doesn’t need to be long or complicated. Even five minutes a day will help to loosen up, feel better, and keep my body moving in the right direction.

Me, Jake and Tess on one of our canoe trips this summer in Algonquin Park, Ontario, July 2025

I know that getting fitter and stronger will come with time and consistency. Right now, I’m focused on enjoying the process, building back slowly, and moving in ways that feel good.

One week in, and it already feels different. Not because I’ve done anything extreme, but because I’m actually enjoying it. And that feels like a really good place to start.

Follow along on Instagram for more: @movemoreoutdoors

Me and Tess after finishing our first run of 2025 last week, Toronto, August 2025