Have you Tried…??? 

Many times, we get caught up in doing the same daily routine over and over again.

Our comfort zone is, well… comfortable.

But, sometimes change is good… especially when it comes to exercise.

It is good to make your body wonder what is coming next.

That is one of the reasons why HIIT training is so beneficial.

So, since summer is almost here, I have added a couple of different ideas and ways you can get out there

and get your fit on!!

Stand-Up Paddle-boarding!!

Wow!

It was so much fun gliding through the water so quiet and peaceful.

I could see all the way to the bottom of the lake.

Also, it is a great core workout… especially when a boat goes by and you have big waves coming at you

Balance…balance…balance

(PS… Yes, I am using a windsurfing board! Two uses for one board  )

Wake Boarding!!

This particular day I had swam for a couple of laps and went up

to our cottage to get into some dry clothes.

My (7 year old) son had been practicing and getting used to standing up on the wake-board

for a couple of weeks near shore and he was ready to go out behind the boat.

Everyone had been nagging me for weeks/months/years

to try wake-boarding and I really had no interest.

It wasn’t that I didn’t think I could do it. Heavens NO!

I can do anything I set my mind to.

The problem was that my mind was telling me

“you are a bit klutsy and a broken leg will not be a fun way to spend the rest of your summer”

So as I was in the cottage, changing into my dry and very warm clothes,

my heart finally told my mind to SHUT UP and go for it!

I thought, “my 7 year old son is about to do it,

he is scared but he is going to try and that is very brave of him.”

And so I put my swim suit back on and marched down to the water

and looked my son in the eyes and told him,

“buddy, because you are SO brave and I am SO proud of you to try wake-boarding behind the boat today,

I am going to try it too!”

(and my mind said, “did you just say that outloud?)

He had the BIGGEST smile on his face and said to me, “You can do it mama. I know you can!”

Those words made my day/year/life

(As he turned to walk away, I think he also muttered the words…

“it’s easy, so don’t worry.” Yeah, easy)

He went first and popped right up out of the water effortlessly, time after time.

He had a blast. He is a natural.

He must get that from his dad

And so, as I tried to get up on that wake-board, time after time,

with GALLONS of water rushing up my nose and in my face

I FINALLY DID IT!

It was cool. It was hard. It was fun.

It was a great feeling to overcome a fear and especially, NOT GET HURT TRYING!

Entering a Race!!

I have been a runner for quite a few years now… mainly for fun and exercise.

Okay, so some may call that a jogger but… whatever

This picture is actually from my second ever 5k race at an Oncology Conference in Vancouver.

I raced really hard.

All I wanted was to come in under 28 minutes and set a new PR.

I set a PR at 27.34

It felt great to accomplish another goal.

PS… after I did this race at 6 am,

I walked back to my hotel,

took a shower,

walked 1/2 mile to the bus depot,

went to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge

took the bus back to the city to the Outdoor Market,

walked around there and enjoyed a DELICIOUS lunch

(BTW… This is from my pre-Gluten Free days)

After I ate lunch and explored a bit

Oh look… I found a couple of Stand Up Paddle-boarders!

I walked about another 3 miles,

rented a bike

and rode 8.85 miles around Stanley Park.

After returning my bike, I walked a mile back to my hotel and…

COLLAPSED!

What an AWESOME day!

Vancouver is SO BEAUTIFUL!!

So… as summer approaches, get out there and try new ways to stay fit.

You never know what adventures you will find your self taking

AND… you will probably have a LOT of fun doing it too!

What different ways will you enjoy your summer

and get your Fit On???