Livingston County Area Rich in Outdoor Exercise Opportunities

Looking for a change of scenery when it comes to your workouts? Or maybe even a new challenge to recommit yourself to your health and weight loss goals this summer? It's very easy to get jarred off track with the kids off school and family vacations. It seems like it should be even easier to get in a good workout when the weather is so nice and yet many of us slack this time of year. I've come up with a few ideas to help keep you in shape this summer, maybe try something new and have some fun while you're at it!

Summer is here so take everything you do outdoors. Why drag yourself to the basement to jump on the treadmill or lift weights? It's boring in the basement, not to mention, it reminds me of all the cleaning and organizing I need to do.

• Instead of the treadmill, take your next jog outside. Kensington Metro Park is just around the corner for most of us. They have a great path with markers for how far you've traveled. Plus the scenery is breathtaking!
• Tired of just "jogging" ... time to kick it up a notch and try a 5K. No need to break records (unless you want to), but just being a part of something bigger can be exhilarating enough to give you a little extra umph! in Brighton offers a free running clinic every Thursday at 6 p.m. Groups run every week and have speakers talking about various topics. It's a great way to change things up and meet new people.
• Outdoor boot camps are another great way to mix in a new workout while enjoying the outdoors. Working out in a group also helps you keep push yourself. We don't always work as hard as we should when we're all alone in the basement. My fitness studio — — offers a free fitness boot camp every Saturday at in Brighton Township. There is an 8 a.m. co-ed session and 9:15 a.m. ladies only session.
• Hop on your bike this summer. Again, Kensington has an eight-mile loop that connects to Island Lake State Park to add even more mileage. Hometown Bicycles has a great incentive based program this summer when you buy a bike. Check out there blog for more info. Also, look into Tour de Livingston and train for their 10, 28, 38, 62 or 100 mile bike trips on Oct. 9th.

Set some new challenges for yourself this summer, train for a 5K or bike trip. Change things up, get outdoors ... enjoy the sunshine. The key is keeping it fun! I would love to hear what you do to keep yourself motivated to workout in the summer.