Eco-Friendly Fitness: Outdoor Circuits, Late-Summer Meals (PDF), and a 10-Minute Gratitude Walk

We’re closing out “Sustainability: Train for Life” outdoors. This week is low-gear, high-payoff: two park circuits that respect your joints, a Late-Summer Produce Meals Cheat Sheet (PDF) to keep protein high with in-season flavor, and a simple gratitude walk to reset your brain before bed.

🔄 Move — Two Outdoor Circuits (20–25 minutes)

How to use this: Warm up 3–5 minutes (brisk walk + ankle/hip CARs). Work at RPE 6–7 (challenging but crisp). Rest as needed to keep quality high.

Circuit A — Park-Bench Power (12–15 min AMRAP — rounds)

Complete the circuit repeatedly for 12–15 minutes:

  1. Bench step-ups (alternating) × 10 total

  2. Elevated push-ups (hands on bench) × 8–12

  3. Split-stance (B-stance) hip hinge × 8/side

  4. Bench triceps dip or incline plank hold × 30–45s
    Optional load: toss a couple water bottles in a backpack.

Circuit B — Trail Mix (EMOM 15–20)

Every minute on the minute, rotate through:

  • Min 1: Walking lunges × 12–16 steps

  • Min 2: Band row to a post or rail/bodyweight row × 12–15 (6–8 if bodyweight)

  • Min 3: Hill or stair effort × 45–60s
    Repeat 5–6 rounds.

Green training habits: Shade + SPF, refillable bottle, stay on paths, quick tick check if you’re in grass, and pack out what you pack in.

🍑 Fuel — Late-Summer Produce Meals Cheat Sheet (PDF)

Seasonal, protein-forward, and fast. The PDF has the build-outs; here’s what you get:

  • Tomato–Corn Skillet + Eggs
    One-pan, 5–10 minutes. Breakfast-for-dinner with a solid protein anchor.
    Boost: add extra egg whites.

  • Charred Zucchini & Corn Lemon-Herb Salad
    Crisp-tender (no soggy ribbons), bright lemon + herbs.
    Add-ins: rotisserie chicken breast or quick skillet shrimp.

  • Grilled Pepper & Bean Pitas
    High-fiber, portable, big flavor (pesto or chimichurri).
    Add-ins: spiced ground lamb/beef/turkey folded into the beans.

  • Melon–Cucumber–Feta + Salmon
    Hydrating, salty-sweet, 5 minutes flat.
    Add-ins: grilled or tinned salmon (+ omega-3s).

  • Eggplant “Caponata” Bowls
    Speedy skillet version with chickpeas; perfect for batch prep.
    Add-ins: sliced grilled chicken on top or stirred in.

Why seasonal wins: better taste and nutrients at peak ripeness, lower cost/less waste, shorter supply chains—and you still hit 25–40g protein/meal without a ton of effort.

👉 Download the Late-Summer Produce Meals Cheat Sheet (PDF)

🧠 Mind — 10-Minute Gratitude Walk

00:00–02:00 · Arrive
4-in/6-out breathing as you settle your pace. Shoulders drop.

02:00–06:00 · Notice
Five-senses scan—name one thing you can see, hear, smell, and feel each minute.

06:00–08:00 · Appreciate
Call out three specifics you’re grateful for (people, moments, or “my legs carried me today”).

08:00–10:00 · Connect & Close
Send a quick “thinking of you” text or set one tiny intention for tomorrow. Head home lighter.

Try This Week

  • Do Circuit A or B twice, outside.

  • Make two meals from the cheat sheet.

  • Take two 10-minute gratitude walks.

If this helped, share your ECO WINS in the comments—favorite outside move + market haul. Want these playbooks early each Tuesday? Join the newsletter.

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Tiny Triggers → Big Wins: Habit Stacking That Actually Sticks

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Recovery Is a Skill (No Wearable Needed): A 60-Second Readiness Check, Sleep Snacks & a Wind-Down That Works