Summer is halfway over, and if you’re anything like me - some days feel like Groundhog’s Day. We’ve done the same thing day after day, and we are ready for a CHANGE UP! We asked the ladies in the Mother’s of Fitness Facebook Group (come join us!) to share some of their favorite summer activities to do as a family. So whether your kids are 6 months or 16 years, here are some universal, fun ideas to do with your kids on these hot summer days!

 

Water, water, and more water!


Photo courtesy of spy.com

Even if you don’t have a pool or lake/beach nearby, there are still so many fun water activities that you can do! Here are some of our favorites:

 

  1. Kiddie pools! An inflatable kiddie pool is a great way to cool down. Bonus points if you add in a kids basketball hoop or bring a water table into it!
  2. Set up a sprinkler. Any other parents have some incredible memories as a kid running through the sprinklers? Get silly and grab an umbrella or rain boots, and have some fun while running in the water.
  3. For the older kids - a homemade slip n slide! Tarps or plastic drop cloths work great, are super cheap, and incredibly easy to set up.
  4. Find a splash pad in your neighborhood to visit.
  5. Play with water balloons or water guns!

 

Get CREATIVE!


Photo courtesy of jugglingwithkids.com

Here are some great activities to spark the creativity in our kiddos:

 

  1. Set up an art station! For older kids, set up a mini easel and let them paint/draw to their heart’s desire! For younger kids/toddlers, a great option for “painting” is dipping a paint brush in water and painting on cement. This is one of those God-send CLEAN “messy fun”activities that really doesn’t leave any mess at all!
  2. Sidewalk chalk - perfect for all ages.
  3. Art projects! These can vary a ton based on age - but things like making necklaces, paper mache, making a card for a grandparent or family member, making a collage, etc are all ideas to start with.
  4. Depending on the age of your kids, bake or cook together! Kids LOVE being involved and helping to measure/pour when possible (and safe, of course).

 

Play Outside

Photo courtesy of thefamilydinnerproject.org

One of the obvious favorites, get outside when the weather permits. Here were a ton of favorites listed in the group:

 

  1. Go for a hike!
  2. Visit a neighborhood pool or park.
  3. Lawn games at home or at the park! Favorites included washers, flying kites, softball and kickball, cornhole, etc.
  4. Visit a local zoo or farm.
  5. Find local orchards where you can pick apples, peaches, etc.
  6. Set up a scavenger hunt around the yard or neighborhood (this can be done indoors too on super hot days!).
  7. Plant a garden together.
  8. Have a picnic dinner during sunset.
  9. Go fishing!

 

Other Fun Ideas…

Photo courtesy of delish.com

  1. Play tourist in your own city! Check out places you have never been before.
  2. Make ice cream, popsicles, or smoothie bowls together.
  3. Take a walk or ride bikes in a different neighborhood
  4. Have a camp out (in the living room or backyard)
  5. Visit a Farmer’s Market and pick out fresh produce together.
  6. Take a trip to a museum or aquarium.
  7. Play hide and go seek.

 

What are some other favorites you would add to this list?

 

Molly Tilove

@mollyeledge

Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman 

From local 5ks to hikes in far-off, exotic destinations, many of our planned fitness challenges have been added to the list of canceled activities this year. Initially, it might be disheartening to have to remove these events from your calendar, but don’t lose hope. Many competitions and challenges are simply moving to a virtual platform so attendees don’t have to experience fitness FOMO. 

Check out these five fun, fitness-related challenges for the summer and get your fitness fix! 

 

C O N C L U S I O N

Whether you’re supporting a fundraiser or attempting to push your own physical boundaries, these virtual fitness challenges will have you motivated and staying fit during a time of many competition cancellations. These challenges are perfect for both beginners who are just getting started on their fitness journey as well as professional athletes who are looking for another sport to add to their repertoire. Join the league of other virtual athletes and start working towards your goal today! 

Cover photo courtesy of @the_goodish_traveler
Additional images courtesy of @pandapaddle and @aravaiparunning


 

About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.

You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @the_goodish_traveler or her website: TheGoodishTraveler.com

 


> > > Stay well.


Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman 

Summer vacation may look a whole lot different for many of us this year—with beaches closing and tourist destinations no longer receiving visitors—but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still make the most of this season. Whether you’re redecorating your meditation room or paddleboarding out on the lake, check out these cool, unique products that’ll help heat up your summer! 

Homemade Finds

While many of us are spending our quarantine time redecorating and decluttering our space, the purchasing of homemade products has made a huge resurgence lately. From websites such as Etsy, Uncommon Goods and UK-based website Folksy, to Bali-based co-ops, you’ll be sure to find some useful items you’ll love. Artisans post anything from shibori dyed beach towels to custom pet-themed plant pots for sale on these creative websites. Discover a unique conversation piece to add to your space! 

Wearable Summer Trends

The days are getting longer and the temperature is rising which means it’s time to get outside! First, check your local CDC recommendations on whether you’re able to safely enjoy some fun outdoor time before you venture out. If you’re permitted some time outside, we’ve found some products that are able to handle kayaking down the river or getting in some surf. These trending summer products are down for the ride! 

Products to Splurge On

Sometimes it’s nice to purchase an investment piece to add to your lifetime collection. While expensive on the front end, these products should last for some time and save you from having to repurchase the same product over and over. So whether you’re sitting by your backyard pool or traversing some serious peaks, check out these timeless outdoors inspired products. 

C O N C L U S I O N

Getting creative with our summer plans is going to be a must this year, with many traditional modes of recreation canceled or postponed. Hopefully you’ll find something fun, creative and useful in our carefully curated product list to help jumpstart your summer adventures! Please stay safe and be kind out there, everyone.

All images are the property of respective brand, all rights reserved.


 

About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.

You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @the_goodish_traveler or her website: TheGoodishTraveler.com

 


> > > Stay well.


Say "goodbye" to the days of feeling stuck between achieving your summer fitness goals and having a cocktail with friends. Now, thanks to the Keto-Rita, you can say "yes" to both! Here's our recipe for a sugar-free summer treat that will change the way you think about staying on track with your macros through all your social engagements this summer.


Meet the Keto-Rita, your perfect macro-friendly summertime libation! Made with FITAID ZERO, it's naturally sugar-free and happily sweetened with Monk Fruit and Stevia. Each can contains only 5 calories, NO sugar, no artificial sweeteners—only the good stuff & essential vitamins and nutrients your body never knew it could get from a cocktail. Looking and feeling your best while having a little fun has never tasted so good!

(Yields: 1 serving)

1-2 ounces of premium Tequila

½ ounce of Cointreau

½ can of FITAID ZERO

Squeeze of fresh lime

Ice (on the rocks/blended)

Coarse salt (optional)

1. Pour half a can of FITAID ZERO into a large glass.
2. Add desired amount of Tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice.
3. Pour over ice or blend (with additional ice).
4. Serve with a salted rim (optional).
Enjoy!

110 calories per SINGLE-SHOT serving:
17 Carbs, 0 Protein, 0 Fat
•        •         •
180 calories per DOUBLE-SHOT serving:
29 Carbs, 0 Protein, 0 Fat

Learn more about the new sugar-free Recovery Blend FITAID ZERO and shop now at LIFEAIDBevCo.com/Zero

Image result for instagram iconFollow us on Instagram @fitaid and follow our hashtags: #FITAIDZERO #KetoRita


> > > Live well.

 

By: Nikki Dagot | June 2019

It’s finally summertime! Many of us wait all year for pool parties, beach days, camping and outdoor fun with family and friends. Personally, I love summer because it’s so easy to get outdoors and find a variety of exercises to help you reach your fitness goals while enjoying the sunshine: a jog along the beach, laps in your local swimming  pool, a friendly tennis match, or attending an outdoor yoga class. 

I want to start off by saying I am not the healthiest, most active person out there. But I thoroughly enjoy being outdoors, feeling energized, and paying attention to how both my mind and body feel. Do I go to the gym daily? No. Do I eat sugar? Yes (I love cookies). But life is about balance and feeling healthy on the inside.

That’s why I am a big fan of setting up smart, attainable goals for myself, especially during the summer when there are so many extra activities, food and fun that can distract us from our fitness goals. There’s no need to get extreme with your workout plans, especially during a season when your days are often jammed packed with outdoor activities to help keep your body moving. Currently, I have been going to the gym a few times a week, stretching, and going on walks around my neighborhood. When I start to feel too tired, I remind myself that even if I do something active after work for 20-30 minutes, it’s better than nothing so that’s a “win.”

HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR
Summer Necessities for a Healthy, Active Lifestyle:

  1. Attainable nutrition & fitness goals are a MUST. Make a plan, keep it simple, and you’re more likely to stick to it so you can crush your goals this summer (which always gets me about setting new goals)!
  2. Workout clothes that I feel confident in! Because when you feel better, you move better and live better. Summer goal: feel good about moving your body.
  3. My favorite kanteen or water bottle filled with ice-cold water to help me stay hydrated. 
  4. An upbeat playlist on my iPhone to help get me pumped up to crush my workouts.
  5. An ice-cold FITAID ZERO as a macro-friendly post-workout treat or a refreshing 5-calorie soda replacement.

When it comes to nutrition, one smart addition to my grocery list this summer has been items that taste great, are refreshing and satisfying yet won’t blow my macros out of the water. That’s where FITAID ZERO comes in! It’s only 5 calories, 1g of carbs, and helps my body recover properly after I finish a workout. It’s also the perfect soda replacement or mixer when served ice-cold on a hot summer day. Bonus: it’s made without any artificial sweeteners, NO sucralose, NO aspartame—happily sweetened with Monk Fruit & Stevia, made with only the good stuff your body needs (glutamine, glucosamine, BCAAs, electrolytes, CoQ10, turmeric, quercetin, green tea extract (for 45mg of natural caffeine & energy), vitamins C, D, & E, and B-complex).

SUMMER SNACKIN'

If healthy eating is a challenge for you, here are some snacks and meal ideas I find fast and easy to help stay on track during the summer. Light and refreshing is key for those hot months, and meals that are easy to prepare so that you’re not wasting too much time in the kitchen are always a plus! Reach for fresh fruits, veggies, granola and nuts—all great snacks for outdoor adventures—as well as smoothies that you can take with you on the go! I also love a quick salad or wrap you can throw together — tuna, chicken, or veggie & hummus for a vegan option. Don’t forget that with summer, comes BBQ’s, pool parties and picnics. Be sure to treat yourself every now and then because life is all about balance. 

Wishing you a safe & healthy ACTIVE summer!

About the Author: Nikki Dagot is a 28-year-old food blogger who lives in Orlando, Florida.

You can follower her on Instagram @repeatandeat or on her blog at: www.repeatandeat.com


 > > > Live well.

Hunter McIntyre is Forging Greatness on the Road to a Wildcard Spot at the 2019 CrossFit Games 

Follow Hunter's journey as he trains with top CrossFit Games athletes and trainers like Jacob Heppner and Chris Hinshaw. Watch latest episodes, learn more and sign the petition to help #GetHunterToTheGames!

Visit the website here.

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The Deeper Side of Coaching

As the coach of some of the fittest athletes on Earth & a successful box owner, Ben Bergeron shares the five phases of coaching which are imperative to the development of a great coach.

Read Ben Bergeron's full article here.

 

Top-5 Nutrition Trends

Simple but true, these healthy habits shared by a registered dietitian are a good reminder to us all of how to make the most of our summer goals.

Click here to read the full article.

"You can dominate one aspect of life, thinking that's what you were created to do. But we were created to have that approach in all aspects of our lives. Too often, we put 100% of our focus in only one area of our life and let other areas slip."

—Aaron Hinde

As Many Reps As Possible

Devoted father, husband and former Fittest Man on Earth (2008), elite athlete Jason Khalipa reveals the invaluable life principles that helped him and his wife dedicate every minute of their lives to their daughter Ava's battle with leukemia. He has developed the "AMRAP Mentality," a proven system that will help you discover your why, focus on what you can control, work hard, and ultimately blow past your goals. Be prepared to dream big, dig in your heels, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.

Check out Khalipa's book here.

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AH

HindeSight  |  No. 7