by CASSIE MCINTYRE
CTFashionMag.com
It’s June and we’re about halfway through the year. It’s around the time when we start becoming uninterested with our regular routines and our fitness schedules. We begin to say things like, “Oh I’ll start fresh on Monday” and “It’s okay, I can skip the gym this one time” but do we really know why we are starting to make these excuses? It’s because we’re bored. Don’t worry the summer is just beginning and there’s plenty of things to keep you fit and active this season.
Here are some tips to keep yourself motivated this month.
Get outside! The weather is getting nicer and there are plenty of outdoor activities for you to try. Go for a walk or a run when you get home from work. Nothing is better after a long day than “walking it off.” Walking for at least 30 minutes everyday can help you de-stress and help you stay in shape. Ask a friend or your significant other if they’d like to join you. It’s not something you have to do every day but if you’re getting bored with going to the gym and being inside a change of scenery might be just what you need.
Go for a hike. The hiking trails are nice in the summer because most of them are shaded, they’re not too crowded, and many of them are pet friendly. There are plenty of places you can go and explore that are local and not too hard to find.
With Sleeping Giant State Park being closed until further notice (from the storm this past May), here are some other places you might like to try this summer. Talcott Mountain State park in Simsbury is a short hike to the top with beautiful views and a great place to bring the family. Kent Falls State Park in Kent is another great trail with waterfalls and picnic areas. West Hartford Reservoir in West Hartford is a great place to go running and hiking. And Buttermilk Falls in Terryville is a great trail to hike along the waterfall. A change of scenery in the great outdoors is what you might need to get your motivation back on track.
Go for a bike ride. Biking is a great source of cardio and a good alternative to running. The great part about getting into biking is you don’t need to be a serious cycler to do it. Cycling is really taking over in some of the surrounding towns. I’ve noticed more and more people out on their bikes and with the Farmington Bike path in Farmington open I can see why. There are a ton of river trails close by that are easily accessible with parking. The Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire is one of my favorites and it’s a great place if you also want to roller blade, run/ walk, and take your pet.
Yoga in the parks! Yoga is back this summer with some free outdoor classes hosted by a lot of the local studios. I love going to these classes. They’re super refreshing after a long day at work or if you simply just need to de-stress. They pop up all over Connecticut so I try and stay connected to when and where they’re happening through Facebook. Hartford Sweat is hosting Yoga Flow On the River Wednesday’s June 6 to Aug. 29 from 6 to 7pm at the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. West Hartford Yoga is hosting WHY in the Parks at Eisenhower Park June 20 to Aug. 22 on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and they also have WHY in the Parks at Beachland Park from June 17 to Aug. 26 on Sundays at 10 a.m. I recommend bringing a mat, towel and a water bottle if you’d like to attend these classes and again check in on Facebook or call the studios for more information.
Overall, the beginning of summer is not the time to get bored with your fitness activities. Don’t get stuck indoors this season. It’s fun to venture outside and try new things.
Cassie McIntyre is a NASM certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and nutritional coach at The Edge Fitness in Bristol.
