I think that part of the reason why so many of us dread exercise is that we feel like working out = weights, machines, treadmills, and stuffy indoor gyms - which are not so inviting in the summertime! I have nothing against the gym, especially in the colder months when the outdoors are less inviting. And some fitness classes can be great! But in my opinion, when it's warm, nature is our best gym. Fresh air, the blue sky above our heads and sunshine (or cooling rain drops) on our faces can never hurt, and there are so many fun things to do to change up the routine and have fun while moving our bodies! We can't get down on ourselves for getting sick of the same old gym routines day after day - so let's have fun instead!

And remember - as soon as we shift our focus and goal to feeling alive, healthy and energized rather than a goal of weight loss or looking a certain way, exercise becomes enjoyable.

Outdoor Activity Ideas

Kayaking or paddle boarding - these are both great for your arms and core!

Hiking! I love using the app AllTrails to find new places to explore. It shows you all of the trails near your location and rates them as easy, moderate, or hard and notes how long the trail takes to walk so you know what you're getting into!

Go for a walk, bike ride or a jog somewhere pretty. I love to bring my dog Nola for walk/run bursts, she's the perfect buddy!

Bash Bish Falls in Copake, NY! I've been going here since I was little and it is a fun, short hike to the falls with beautiful views and spots to swim.

Go for a swim - this is one of the greatest types of exercise you can get because it targets your whole body, and it's refreshing in the summertime!

Do stair or bleacher sprints - this is amazing cardio! Just find a set of bleachers or stairs and you're all set.

I created a guide for myself to follow this summer which incorporates HIIT workouts with fun outdoor activities and yoga. I have been loving HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) since the workouts only take about 15-20 minutes and make me sweat more than I have in some hour long exercise classes!

If you are interested, I would love to share this guide with you! Just pop your information into the form below and I will e-mail you the printable PDF. I got the HIIT exercises from Sarah's Day on YouTube, whose fitness and lifestyle channel I highly recommend. Monday's video in the guide can be found here and Thursday's can be found here. You will want to watch the videos first to get a feel for the workouts. Do each exercise 3x, with 30 seconds rest after you do the 4 exercises continuously, then a 60 second break between circuits. If you search Sarah's Day in the app store, you will find her app which counts for you and makes this much easier!

I hope that everyone's summers are off to a great start! Remember,

"It is what we do today that matters most."

May 27 Fun in the Sun: Ditch the Gym this Summer!