This year I have been focusing on living a healthier lifestyle and focusing on being more active. I’ve had some great progress and then days where I just don’t want to do anything. At the end of the day, I know that I want to keep active to continue to live a healthier lifestyle, for myself and my kids. When summer hits here it’s sometimes hard to keep up that motivation. You want to enjoy the sun and the beach (with a drink or two in hand) and not necessarily be inside a gym. That’s why I’ve put together a list of ways to keep active this summer.
I wrote a post at the start of this year sharing more specifically some changes I have made that allowed me to lose weight and live healthier. Read post here.
Photography: Julie Christine Photography
Be Outside
With the summer comes great weather. We’re quite lucky to experience such beautiful summers, but that, of course, comes with a cold, wet fall and winter. Make the most of the weather and get outside.
Some of our families favorite things to do are explore the many different lakes and rivers around The Fraser Valley. We head into the city of Vancouver and love visiting Stanley Park and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. We are so blessed to live in a place like BC that is literally overflowing with beautiful outdoor destinations for everyone in the family.
Health
Health is a huge factor in keeping you motivated to stay active. If you’ve been following my journey, you know that it’s all about the small changes and not necessarily about an end weight goal.
When I am focusing on my health, eating habits and daily exercise I notice a difference in how I feel about myself. It relates back to self love and putting that time into me.
One small thing you can do to set your day up for success even starts with stretching in the morning. I put together an article that was featured in I Like Her Style magazine, sharing a set of morning stretches to start your day off on a positive note. See the full issue here.
Just Move
While there are so many fun things going on in the summer, it’s hard to keep yourself accountable. There are so many great charities that can help you stay true to your fitness goals, while you can help them help others. International Justice Mission is one that has started a cool campaign called Just Move that keeps you active while helping the world!
The concept is simple, you chose a goal you want to achieve, whether it be swimming 100 laps in the pool, doing the grouse grind every weekend or completing a half marathon. Then you share through social media, email, text, however, you like to talk to people and they can sponsor you. Through sponsoring the money raised helps put an end to slavery and violence for children and their families in need of rescue and restoration.
Personal Growth
This year I completed Tough Mudder. It was something I didn’t think I would be able to accomplish, but knew it was something I wanted to do and went for it. I had so much fun and it was such a personal growth moment for me.
I pushed boundaries I didn’t think I could and proved to myself that I’m physically stronger than I think I am, while at the same time knowing I want to be a whole lot stronger still.
It all started when I randomly signed up for a women’s soccer league just over a year ago now and noticed how much I was missing being active regularly in a team/group setting.
This month I am running a half marathon, that I should be training more for. But, it’s another personal growth moves that I am excited to tackle.
Keep Busy
Staying active to me means keeping busy. It’s something great that I can do with my kids that doesn’t include eating out at restaurants or going to the movies. It teaches them a healthy lifestyle as well.
Some things that we have done this summer are explore the local waterparks, like Big Splash and Cultus Lake Waterpark, go on walks, explore local lakes and rivers as well as travel to different local destinations like Victoria, Sunshine Coast and Mayne Island to name a few.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, soak up the sun and be inspired to get active.
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