Summer is near and it’s time to get outside and get moving. Since I love spending time outdoors I thought I would write a blog on the different ways you can stay fit and have fun this summer.
Enjoy!
1. Go for a nature walk or hike!
Bring the kids, pack a picnic, and explore the great outdoors! One of the reasons I love living in Ottawa is because all of the great hiking and walking trails. Plan your hike ahead of time by researching the trail online. Most public trails have information concerning the degree of difficulty, length of trail, and additional activities offered. If you live in the East End of Ottawa I strongly suggest visiting Mer Bleue’s Bog boardwalk. Learn about Canada’s wetlands as you walk the 1.2km interpretative trail. Want to burn more calories? Extend your stay and walk the 6km trail through surrounding forest.
2. Take a walking tour of the city!
Though travel may not be in your cards this summer, who says you can’t be a tourist in your own city? Most big cities have walking tours that you can join for a relatively decent price (many offering discounts to families). See the sites that your city is famous for and learn the stories behind them, all the while burning calories! Most walking tours last anywhere from 1-2 hours and run throughout the day during the summer. They are a great way to get to know your city, as well as get some fresh air.
And for those of you who like to be spooked check to see if your city offers a Haunted Walk tour. Get exercise while following your tour guide through the dimly lit streets and stop to hear scary ghost stories along the way. Booooo!
3. Go to the beach!
For those of us living in Ottawa, going to the beach isn’t something we do often. But why not pack a picnic, some towels, and volleyball and head to the water. Swimming might not be an option, but burn calories by walking along the shoreline, or playing a pickup game of volleyball. Just because we don’t live in California doesn’t mean we can’t act like it!
4. Join a summer sport’s league!
Joining a sport’s league is a great way to meet new people and get fit! Go online and search for adult recreational sports teams in your area. In the summer months there are a variety of outdoor sports you can join. Volleyball, flag football, golf, kickball, soccer, softball, and ultimate Frisbee are just some of them offered in the Ottawa area.
5. Row, row, row your boat (gently down the cannel)!
In the warmer months consider joining a rowing club to get fit and be social. Do it recreationally or competitively, but prepared for team work! Ottawa is a prime place to join a rowing club, the Rideau cannel runs through the city’s core making it accessible to people coming from both the east and west end of Ottawa.
6. Go Bicycling!
Most cities have rentable bikes located throughout the city. Grab a bike and ride off into the sunset.
7. Find your zen!
Find a yoga centre that holds classes outside. We all know how beneficial yoga can be, breathing in some fresh air while doing it is even better.
8. Go to a water park!
Your kids will love you for it, and there are two great water parks in the Ottawa area. Where does keeping fit come into play? Walking from the parking lot to the park’s entrance is exercise enough (haha), not to mention all of the swimming and stair climbing you will be doing.
9. Try something you’ve never tried before!
Be adventurous go rock-climbing, zip lining, whitewater rafting, or paintballing. These types of activities get your body moving in a non-conventional way. Be safe though! Go online and find out where you can safely experience your wild side.
10. Put your walking shoes on!
It’s nice out. Get out and get moving. Walk around your neighborhood or go downtown for a stroll around the city. And when walking isn’t enough jog around your block to your favorite playlist. Summer is only here for so long. Enjoy it!
Note: For those of you who live outside of Ottawa there are plenty of outdoor activity resources available online. Play tourist and visit sites like tripadvisor.com. Sites like this list a variety of activities available in your area.
Do you have any other ideas you can add to the list? Let me know below!
