15 Fun Outdoor Fitness Ideas

Happy Friday! Is the weather going to be nice this weekend where you live? The much-anticipated spring seems like it's just around the corner. It's going to be almost 60 degrees on Saturday, and 66 degrees next Tuesday! Let's hope that'll get rid of the snow once and for all.

Is anyone else afflicted with cabin fever and is dying to do things outdoors? Here's a list of 15 fun things to do outside when the weather finally cooperates!

1. Participate in a local fun run- just enjoy the running scene instead of racing seriously

2. Go on a hike and bird watch

3. Go fly a kite! Seriously, when was the last time you flew a kite?

4. Do a coffee run with friends- meet up or pick up people along the way and end up at a coffee shop

5. Visit and explore a state park you've never been to before

6. Do yoga outdoors

7. If you live in a city with a bike share program like Citibike, rent one and tour the city

8. Play beach volleyball

9. Skip the gym and head to a park- use benches and playgrounds to do strength exercises

10. Just sit somewhere quiet and peaceful to meditate

11. Play ultimate frisbee, or just toss one around with your friends or your dog

12. Rent a kayak or try stand-up paddle boarding

13. Join an outdoor boot camp class

14. Wash your car, because it is probably covered in salt!

15. And if it's still snowy where you are, build a huge snowman or snowfort!

Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend! :)

Is it going to be winter or spring this weekend where you live? Do you have any fun ideas to do outdoors?

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Who's Your Athlete Role Model?

Yesterday, I talked about the "fitspiration" messages disseminated by the media and how it can be harmful to one's body image. Today, I want to focus on something different and discuss our positive athlete role models. During the recent Winter Olympics, we followed the athletes' stories, celebrated their successes, and was inspired by their courage in the face of adversity. I think that sports is an invaluable tool for instilling positive values, such as self-confidence, body-satisfaction, and the motivation to find the best in ourselves.

I have been reading A Life Without Limits by Chrissie Wellington, a four-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion. She is an incredible triathlete with an incredible story. Growing up, Chrissie didn't show any particular athletic prowess, but what distinguished her from the rest is her unrelenting drive. Her drive and passion she pours into everything she does was harmful at times (she struggled with eating disorders), but she was able to channel that energy into becoming arguably the world's best triathlete. She holds or held records in the ironman distance triathlons, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. What's amazing is that she won the Ironman World Championship in less than a year after she turned pro!

I find Chrissie so inspirational because of her sense of adventure and her drive to become the best she can be. She didn't come upon triathlon until her late 20's, and spent the better part of her 20's living and traveling all over the world, including Nepal and New Zealand. Through her intensive mountain biking in Nepal and her friend's encouragement to enter races, she discovered her talent for competing in endurance events. She raced a few triathlons as an amateur successfully before making the leap to turn pro. She has such an amazing life story, and has gone after what she is passionate about, including international development and helping others. 

What I learned from Chrissie:

• Don't be afraid of pursuing your passions (I struggle with this sometimes and tend to take the safer route, especially in terms of my career)
• If you love something, put your heard and soul into it
• Celebrate your body for what it can do
• Keep an open mind and you will discover your hidden talents

If you want to learn more about this incredible athlete, I would highly recommend reading her book!

Who is your role model and why?

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"Fitness" as Portrayed by the Media

This week, 2/23-3/1, is National Eating Disorder Awareness week. Today, I would like to discuss how "fitness" is portrayed in the media, especially on the internet through blogs and other social network sites. I think this is an important topic because the messages we constantly receive from these sources can be damaging to one's body image and make us feel inadequate.

As an athlete, I work out and train for self-improvement, the thrill of getting my personal best, pushing my limits, and for the camaraderie of the running and cycling community. For me, fitness means being able to perform the sports that I love. I am amazed at what I am capable of, and I make sure to take care of myself so I can keep running, cycling, snowboarding, whatever for years to come.

However, the idea of "fitness" is frequently portrayed in the media by how our body looks. Especially in women's health and fitness magazines, recipes and exercises are all about slimming down, toning the tush, fighting the flab. What bothers me about how fitness is portrayed in the media is how it's all about shaping one's body into one "fit" body type, and for women especially, increasing sex appeal. Pinterest and Tumblr are notorious for having these types of "fitspiration" posts.

Since I'm feeling rather snarky today, let's bash some of these so-called "fitspiration" trends:

So my choices are get a six pack or hide my body in shame?

I don't want to do these exercise moves so I can magically have toned inner thighs, a flatter belly and a nice ass.

I don't work out for the upcoming bikini season

My work outs are not about how many calories I can burn and the pounds I can lose

I don't need to "detox", whatever that means

I don't want to eat a dinner that's only 350 calories and 2g of fat

I don't want to eat a sad facsimile of pizza when I want to eat a real damn pizza

I don't care about your guilt-free muffin recipe. Since when did a regular muffin come with a side of guilt?

Pureed bananas does NOT equal ice cream

I don't work out for the upcoming bikini season

And please, this paleo diet thing needs to go away.

Dear god, no. I am not a cavewoman.

Anything else you want to add? 

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