Finding A Hidden Gem Outside Your Gym
This is a guest article written by pregnancy weight-loss expert Chelsea Duchene:
If your gym is anything like mine, you may have noticed a new trend, new sound and an unanticipated new addition to your regular routine. It’s not the new Nike Shocks or the catchy Zumba music that’s taking storm. No, this newest addition can only be found when you open up the familiar doors to your family-friendly Kid’s Club. “Waaah-waah, ma-ma-ma-ma, waaaah!” Yes, the glorious days of spring are upon us and that means one thing for active parents: school is out and the annual summer fight for the last spot in Kid’s Club (lest you hear the dreaded words “We’re full!”) is upon us again.
As the mother of a two year old, I understand how important it is to get that workout in before a day of parks, pools, and lunch-time. This week has been filled with a lot of extra hustle-and-bustle to fly out the door a little earlier every morning in order to secure a spot for my daughter in the club. The idea of a reschedule or (gasp!) missing a workout is not an option for my no-excuses mentality, and it shouldn’t be an option for you either. So, after taking a look at the desperate mothers in the club and one look at the near-fainting kid’s club attendants, I decided I was going to hit the town and find some family-friendly options that we could all enjoy together. After all, why should we fight for the inside of a sweaty old gym, anyways? We live in one of the most treasured areas of the country—Orange County! Lets get moving, outdoors!
As always, I remain a fan of the idea of carrying your baby, so grab yourself a supportive baby carrier or backpack, and take advantage of the added benefits of your little one’s extra weight. If you have children who can hike, get them some supportive shoes, a map, and some water and together you can reach new limits. Never hit the trails unprepared; bring water and some quick energy such as raisins and almonds in a fuel belt so you can keep your load less bulky. I am personally a fan of Water Collection by Fuel Belt.
My daughter and I hit the trails of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park about 10am and hiked for an 1.5 hours (45 minutes each direction) to find a hidden natural gem called “Barbara’s Lake.” It remains one of the county’s only natural lakes. In addition, my daughter and I both were fascinated with the cotton-tail rabbits, squirrels, lizards, ducks, quail, and hawks, each boasting their newest additions to their own families. The variety of colors covering the mountains made it an excellent educational opportunity as well. The park features 6,800 acres of coastal canyons and ridgeline views and 91 miles of both flat and steep trails. In addition, you can check in at the James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center so that you can make sure all members of your party are accounted for and find out what trails are recommended that day. For more information and a comprehensive list of more than 20,000 acres of protected open space in the heart of Orange County, visit http://www.ocparks.com.
Pack a healthy lunch and make your outing a half-day event. But remember, when the kids slow down, that’s your time to pick up the intensity. Add some walking lunges, sumo squats, and push ups into the mix and you’ll earn yourself a hot body in addition to making lasting memories of a beautiful day.
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