Staying Active and Having Fun

With most gyms closed, many out there are changing up their workout routines. Personally, I have not been a member of a gym for almost three years because I prefer getting outside for a walk or a run. My favorite workout spot is along the Dunedin Causeway because it is right outside my door. Unfortunately, it is a favorite spot for many people, and the last few times I went for an evening walk, I found it difficult to maintain safe distances from people.

As a result, I started looking for creative ways to workout at home on those days I don't wake up early enough to walk before everyone else. The free app Zombies, Run! is something I have used in the past. As the website describes it: "Run in the Real World. Become a Hero in Another. Only a few have survived the zombie epidemic. You are a Runner en-route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their home."

This app turns your run into a game, and who doesn't love games? If you are able to get outside for a walk, jog, or run and stay safe, this app will add a new level of fun to your daily workout. There are over 200 missions, and the app has made many of them free right now in light of current events.

If you are unable to get outside everyday, they have added some new stay at home missions. Essentially, you're all stuck inside because of an increase in zombie hordes outside (a little relatable, yes?). The 30-minute workout includes beginner and intermediate exercises. The first mission includes a lot of dance breaks (and who doesn't love dancing?!) with some other at-home exercises mixed in.

If you are interested in downloading the app and adding a new level of fun to your workout, download at the links below. Have fun!

Living that Tower Life Like Rapunzel

Although many of you have been practicing social distancing since the weekend, today felt like the first real social distancing day for me. I should have been at work at 6:00 am this morning to process shipment. Instead I slept in this morning and started wondering what in the world I would do all day and for the next couple weeks. That's when it hit me that all of us are about to experience what life was like for Rapunzel trapped in that tower. On a happy note, she provides lots of great ideas of what you can do to pass the time.

Here are some suggested activities to do to pass the day per Rapunzel:

• Sweep 'til the floor's all clean
• Polish and wax
• Laundry
• Mop and shine up
• Sweep again 

Once done with all those chores, Rapunzel provides some more entertaining items on her activity list:

• Read a book...or maybe two or three
• Add a few new paintings to your gallery
• Play guitar 
• Knit
• Cook
• Puzzles
• Darts (be careful!) 
• Baking
• Paper mache
• Ballet 
• Chess (and so many other games!)
• Pottery 
• Ventriloquy (ummm... okay...)
• Candle making
• Stretch
• Sketch
• Take a climb
• Sew a dress
• Brush and brush and brush and brush your hair 

Rapunzel starts her day at 7:00 am. I used to do that, but then we changed the clocks. Now, I continually wake up after 8:00 am. First task to tackle on this self distancing journey: getting back to the 7:00 am wake up routine.

Once I finally dragged myself out of bed, first on the agenda was getting in some exercise. I dusted off the old Nintendo Wii, popped in the Michael Jackson Experience, and started dancing the morning away. Per Rapunzel's suggestions, I also should have stretched... I did not...

Next on the list was cooking. Today, I decided to tackle Keto friendly chocolate chip waffles. They were Mickey shaped (of course!) and delicious. The recipe was from Simply Keto by Suzanne Ryan, and you can order her cookbook from Amazon. By the way, if any of you are missing the Disney theme parks and Mickey shaped waffles, you can buy the Mickey waffle maker I own from ShopDisney It makes 6 waffles at a time, and they are the exact size and shape as the ones sold at restaurants throughout Disney resorts. A little piece of Walt Disney World and Disneyland right at home!

By the time I was done with breakfast, it was about 10:30 am. Oh goodness, this was going to be a long couple of days. I know there are many of you reading this who are totally content laying around watching Netflix all day. I am not that person. Based on past experiences (i.e. 7.5 week medical leave), I get bored easily. I work two jobs partly because I just always need to be busy with something.

Luckily, I work in a small office which means I ventured into the office for a bit to stay motivated and up to date on all the changes happening rapidly in the real estate industry as a result of COVID-19. Don't worry, even with only 2-3 of us in the office, we still practiced social distancing...

 

(Side note: I have also determined that makeup is not necessary at this time.)

While working at the office, the news was released that the Governor of Florida was ordering the closure of all bars and nightclubs at 5:00 pm today, and restaurants were required to a max of 50% capacity. With the tide of things so quickly change, we ventured out for a late lunch at our favorite spot, Clear Sky Draught Haus, across the street for what may be the last time for a while. On the way back to the office, we continued to be in high spirits and channeled the Beatles when in the crosswalk (also worked great at maintaining acceptable social distances).

Once I returned home in the late afternoon, I knew I would be home for the rest of the night... no place to go, right? So it was time for some at home pampering! While relaxing with a face mask, it hit me that I won't be opening boxes upon boxes for a few weeks which means I could paint my nails and not have it be a waste of time! #Bonus!

I decided one way to make good use of my extra time was to work on finishing projects I started but never finished. So after months, I am excited to announce I finally finished knitting a pair of baby booties. Those cutie only took me about as long as it takes a human to grow a baby. So... win?

As you can see, my day was a mix of activities and work. As of now, it is my plan to get through the next few weeks without going crazy. Take note that I am finishing this blog post at about 7:00 pm. The rest of the night will be a usual evening for me, though. Relax, watch some TV, read a book, play the ukulele, color, and do a Soduku puzzle or two. The secret is out... each night I channel a 6-year-old and a 60-year-old. #sorrynotsorry

How was everyone's day of social distancing? What fun activities did you do today?

Stay strong! Be safe! Wash your hands! Don't touch your face!

No Gym Membership? No Problem!

It’s the start of a new year and new decade which means many of you came into the year with goals to eat right, exercise, and get healthy. It’s also halfway through the month, which means many of you have probably already dropped the ball on your goals. 

I understand how you are feeling. Eat right, exercise, get healthy. It all sounds simple enough. It’s not easy. If it was, everyone would do it. It can be so overwhelming. My first piece of advice: stop trying to do everything at the same time. When you try to do everything, it’s overwhelming, and after the first setback, you feel like you failed, think “what’s the point?”, and give up. Keep it simple, pick one thing first. Do that one thing for a while and then add in the second thing. The results will follow, and you’ll be motivated to keep going.

Today’s focus is on exercising outside the gym. There are people that love the gym. There are people that tolerate the gym. There are people who hate the gym. I am somewhere between #2 and #3. By no means, do I love the gym though. It’s smelly and stuffy, this time of the year it's crowded, and after running 45 minutes on a treadmill, I’m always a little bit let down that I am still in the same place. For this reason, I cancelled my gym membership years ago and took my workout outside. 

One of the reasons I moved to Florida was to be able to enjoy the outdoors all year round. I know there are people out there who like the cold. I am not one of those people. Although, on those brutally hot summer days of Florida, running outside is not at all appealing - there is still the pool though. 

One of my favorite workout locations is the Dunedin Causeway. It’s nearby, and the views are always amazing. Those ocean views never get old and are way more appealing when compared to staring at a TV above a treadmill every day of the week. It’s a great place to walk, run, or ride a bike. The views, the salty breezes, the people all around - it rarely even feels like working out. 

Another great place to get in a workout is the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail. The trail covers a distance of 38.2 miles and runs between Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg. It’s a great place to take your bike, walk, run, or even inline skate. It’ll take you through some great areas such as Downtown Dunedin where you can stop and explore the town after your workout. 

The trail does take you through some urban areas and busier intersections, so proceed with caution. Thankfully towns are continually enhancing those crossings to keep bikers and walkers safe. In September 2019, the City of Dunedin in a cooperative project with FDOT, Forward Pinellas, and Pinellas County added a thermal traffic sensor to the trail crossing on SR-580. The thermal imaging detects pedestrians and automatically activates the flashing lights. This location is one of three in Florida, and if successful, I am sure more will come in the future. 

As you begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle, start by doing what your mom always yelled when you were a kid - Go Outside! Enjoy the fresh air, the views, and more while exercising, and the best part of all? It’s free. No contracts. No monthly payments. 

Here in Florida there are countless places to get outside and workout. What are some the great places near you? Share in the comments!

As always, have a magical day!