Motivation Monday - Be More Spontaneous

Summer is halfway over! School supplies is littering the isles of stores while anxious shoppers are happily throwing binders, folders, pencils, and whatever else comes along with school supplies into their carts. Before you let summer get away from you, plan one summer bucket list item each week, the simpler the adventure the more likely it will get checked off your list.  

We strapped on the nike's and headed out the door to hike this little golden gem of a waterfall, it was easy and fun and we made an adventure out of it. 

Tips for the ultimate spontaneous summer adventure: 

•  Look for places close to home. No one has time to jet off to some tropical island, be a tourist in your own city. 
•  Say YES more! You won't regret it. 
•  Keep days open for anything. 
•  Hang out with people you normally don't see. 
•  Put your phone away. 
•  Take a walk without a destination...but try not to get lost. 
•  Keep a good attitude and an open mind. Adventures may not always turn out the way you hoped....it's spontaneous keep things light. 
• Start tomorrow, just do it. 

We want to see your spontaneous adventures, share them with us on IG #ourkindofpretty 

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Motivate Me Monday-Believe In You

Never miss a Monday, is workout advice you'll hear over and over. But what happens when you do. Duh duh duh. I do my best to workout most days but last week I missed Monday. I missed Tuesday and Wednesday. But when I forced myself outside for a bike ride on Thursday evening I found motivation I had not been looking for.

I was looking for a shoe we had lost earlier that morning on a walk so I rode up and down several streets looking for it at the side of the road. It never appeared so I took a different route and as the sun set, I came upon a father, mother, daughter team out for a walk. They had workout clothes on and as I passed by Dad was giving Mother and Daughter a pep talk of sorts as he told them that they needed to "just do it.""You can't be worried about others watching you all of the time, because they aren't. They just aren't. No one is watching. No one cares. They are busily doing their own thing," he said.

I rode by them again moment later not realizing it and they were jogging this time. So the Fathers talk must have worked either to motivate them to run or they just wanted to get away from him. Either way they were running.

Farther on my ride I came across a park designed like a giant bowl. Steep sides gave way to an open field and I noticed a couple with a stroller and a dog at the bottom of the steep slope. They were taking turns running up and down the hill for exercise while the one at the bottom watched the baby and dog, and encouraged the other to keep going.

While I sat, stopped for a breather, bikers, runners, skateboarders, and walkers of all ages, genders, and fitness levels passed by on the trails. None, if any, of them had "perfect bodies" achieved from perfect diets and perfect workouts. But they were out, exercising, making the time to add fitness to their day. I don't know what their fitness goals are but just being out and about with them motivated me to keep going with mine.

Too often we hold ourselves back, not willing to try something new or continue on the path we are on because others might be watching and judging. We feel silly working out while not having the body we see on Nike ads,  or we just plain old don't feel like it. Stop placing limits on yourself. Start small. But, start. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, because you are your biggest fan and ultimately have to keep yourself going. Get out there with the rest of us and our imperfect selves, look around and be motivated by everyone who is putting in the effort and trying their very best when they feel like it and when they don't. Don't worry about who is watching. They may take a glance at you but they don't care. Encourage those you can, be a motivator when opportunity presents itself, and most of all be present. You are motivating others and are part of the great outdoor team whether you realize it or not.

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Motivate Me Monday - What your Body is trying to tell YOU

Your body tells you quite a bit if you give it a listening ear. But, we aren't talking about body temp, hunger, thirst, or sickness. Those body cues are easy to pick up on and for the most part easy to fix while other things our body, mind, and heart are telling us we either miss, or choose to ignore, or set aside for later. Time to stop putting off what you know you need to change. Take a minute or two every Monday to listen to the cues your head and heart want you to know about your health and well being and be bold enough to make the changes you need to.

Pursue a Passion

Having a hobby or interest is more than just a way to kill time. Taking up a hobby relieves stress, helps combat depression, keeps memory loss at bay, and opens up countless social circles to you as many hobbies and activities can be done as a group or have communities both online and in the "real world" to connect you to others. So whether you an amateur or have been at it a few years. Keep at it. You'll be a happier more relaxed version of yourself after spending a little bit of time away from your everyday responsibilities.

Relax every 90

We are on the go go go all the time time time. Slow down, take a breath, put down your phone and just relax. Your to do list will be there when you have had a break. When you are constantly on the go  you not only miss out on some of the best moments of life, your stress levels are higher, your body hangs on to unwanted weight, and you feel plain old crappy. Experts say that our bodies work best in 90 minute increments so give it a try and go hard for 90 minutes and then take a breather before you dive in to your next task whatever it may be.

Get on the Right Trail 

Have you taken up biking or barre classes because it is the hot new thing and secretly you hate it? Do you need to make a career change, go back to school, or take the plunge and run with that great idea you have been thinking about for ages? Or are you on the right trail but on it with the wrong people? Ever heard that we come to resemble the 5 people we spend the most time with? It's true. Think about your life, fitness goals, and people in your life every Monday and see if you need to change trails. A simple change can make an enormous difference in your day to day life and happiness and health. 

See the Big Picture  

Whether it is losing weight, getting in shape, family problems, work trouble, or anything else you are struggling with, try and see the big picture. The whole view if you will, instead of just the next few feet in front of you. In regards to health and fitness, so you miss a workout or two, or have a day of bad eating. Start fresh tomorrow and get back on track. As with anything one or two mistakes are not what defines you. Dust yourself off and try, try again.                                                          

Work and Wait and Work Some More

While we are no experts on the complete process of how a butterfly becomes one, we do know that those things in life you are working toward require hard persistent work and patience. So if you are on the path to losing weight and getting in shape, realize that one; it doesn't happen overnight and two, it requires work on your part, and not just here and there. Put in the time and you'll see the results you want.  

One of our favorite quotes comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson and you have probably heard it before, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do so has increased." So keep at it whatever your goal may be and it little by little it will get easier and you'll see the changes you have been so eagerly waiting to see. 

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Motivate Me Monday - Why Bike?

As a kid my bike may have been my most used possession. I lived on that blue beauty, circling the neighborhood with my friends and siblings until we were called in for dinner or bed. Riding on dirt hills in vacant lots, to the local snow cone shack, to taking them on vacation with us to the Colorado mountains we didn't realize the amount of exercise we got on those bikes. At the time they were merely a way to get from point A to point B, and they were fun. So we rode.

Years later biking is one of the trendiest sports of the moment. Said to be one of the most effective workout you'll ever do, here are a few reasons why I started biking again and why you should consider adding it to your workout if you haven't already.

Torch Calories
            Because it requires the use of the largest muscles in your body, (your legs) it will torch calories like you wouldn't believe.      

Better Bike                  
                                Better bike, than drive if you can. Look for ways to swap a few car rides a week with a bike ride. Bike to work, to do errands, or take the kids to the park. You'll save gas, burn stress, and work in a workout while getting your to do list done.        

Just for Your Joints
                        If for no other reason, bike to give your joints a rest from higher impact workouts you may be doing. Riding will put less stress on your knees, ankles, and spine than jogging or walking. Ensure your seat is set properly. Your knee should bend just slightly as you pedal.  

Pedal Smarter      
                            Find a hill and get to the top, a few times if you can. Standing up while pedaling will engage your triceps and core as you work to stabilize yourself on the bike and reach the top. End result means great tonging for you.

Explore Easier

How well do you know your surroundings? Biking lets you truly explore the area you live in with a much wider radius than merely walking or running and will give you a new perspective that driving won't and can't. So hop on a bike and find a new park, trail, or lookout spot that you may not realize is so close to home. 

Sleep Soundly

Stanford University asked a group of insomnia sufferers to bike 30 minutes ever other day. The bikers  time required to fall asleep was reduced by half, and their sleep time increased by an hour. For those with trouble sleeping like myself this is one of the biggies for me. Biking will put you to sleep!

Family Fun

You can bike on your own for a workout and use it later for a family ride, or attach a bike trailer to your bike and make that workout double the burn by including little ones that are more than happy to come along for the ride. I love that biking can be done on your own when you want or as a fun family activity. It is also a great date for you and the hubby to workout together and see the sights while you enjoy each others company.

 Beginner Tips:

• Don't wear Jeans. Any cotton, spandex, nylon pant or short will be better for your buns on the seat than jeans. BELIEVE me. 
• Bring water. You'll need it. End of story.
• Start Slow. You may be feeling good and overdo it your first ride leaving you less likely to stick with it because you are so sore. Start easy and work up to longer rides. Give yourself time to get used to the seat of a bike.
• Dress in comfortable clothing that moves easily.
• Let someone know where you'll be riding and when to expect you back. 
• Sunglasses
• A hat or some type of undo for your hair if it is long. You won't want it blowing all about.
• Get started. Don't let the spandex covered bikers aplenty intimidate you off the road or trails. Give it a try no matter your skill or experience. 

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Motivate Me Monday - Dive on In

Pool Workouts 

Hit the public pool early or late and odds are good you'll catch a glimpse of water aerobic folks bobbing up and down over there in the deep end. Ever tried it?  A few summers back we were diligent about hitting the am classes and we LOVED it. Why? With the resistance of the water it is a fantastic workout if you do the moves right. Being in the pool keeps you cool in the hot summer months. Finally, it's fun. We are no swimmers but trying to figure out the equipment and moves while bobbing to the left when you should be going right, make for a workout packed with laughs. Which in the end up is quite a bit of fun and distracts you from noticing just how hard you are working those beautiful muscles! If you'd rather go it alone and not attend a class here are some great toning moves and exercises you can try on your own and still receive the benefits of a pool workout.

Tone In the Pool: Water Aerobic Exercises

20-Minute Water Workout

Thinner Thighs With Pool Exercises

Kayaking 

An upper body dream of a workout, similar to paddle boarding, moving yourself through the water with your own strength gets the arms burning in a good way. While we tend to only kayak on vacation as that is usually the only time they are available to us we look for any opportunity to take these little one-man vessels out and about. Because Kayaking and Paddle boarding are becoming more popular you may have easier access to them. Rent them, take a class, or go in on one with a friend or sibling. 

Surfing/Wake Surfing 

While we would love to claim this photo is one of us, sadly we are not that proficient in the art of surfing. Yet. But, we keep trying. (One of us did take the photo so that counts for something right?) From maneuvering the board to paddling out, and finally to getting up on the board at just the right time only to be pummeled by a wave and be back to square one we fully understand why surfers have near perfect bodies. Your muscles are constantly in motion and always left guessing what they'll be needed for next. Surfing is a full body water workout that will leave you truly ripped should you stick with it. It is also a good workout to be on the lookout for sharks that might see you as a tasty treat. Wink wink. For those of you like us that are landlocked and can't try surfing as often as you'd like... look for similar sports like long boarding, snowboarding, and wake surfing that will work many of the same muscles. You can also look for indoor surfing locations that are popping up all over the nation. You purchase a set amount of time and you can surf on their simulated waves.

Tubing
Not a workout you say?  Sitting down while being pulled by a motorized boat you say? Uh no. Have you ever been bounced off a tube and tried to get back in to one of those giant inflatable donuts while bobbing in the water, your arms too weak from hanging on to pull your body weight up into it for yet another run? It is HARD. While it's not going to burn major calories or sculpt like surfing, you will get a mini workout from your efforts to stay on, get on, and swim back to your tube. Plus it is fun, and you might get a six pack from all the laughs. (We said might.)

Wakeboarding 

If you ski or snowboard you know that Waterskiing and Wakeboarding are similar and provide a similar full body workout. Wakeboarding requires arm and leg strength as you must hold the rope, pull yourself up, and remain standing while cruising through the water. We realize that this may be a hard sport to try as not everyone has access to the equipment or a boat but do a little digging. We have noticed several wakeboarding parks opening up that simple require you, your swimsuit, and a ticket. They provide the board, life jacket, and rope system to pull you on a course that will allow you to wake board. Not your style? Get a group of friends or family together and charter a boat for the afternoon. They'll bring the equipment and the boater know how and you can simply enjoy your day on the lake.

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