I don’t know about you, but I love reading about what others are doing to stay healthy and active! It gives me new ideas for my own routine and motivation to improve. I really wasn’t planning on writing a post about health and fitness, but I believe we could all use some inspiration in this area right now! Below I’m sharing all of my favorite things related to staying healthy and active, including some of my favorite outdoor activities in Colorado!
As a fair warning, many of the things in this post will appeal more to women but of course, feel free to read along and share! And yes, a lot of these things apply to the current situation we are living in right now with Coronoavirus however, I did not want that to be the main focus of this post! My hope is to inspire you to move around and get outside, no matter what the circumstances may be 🙂
Note: All information is intended to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider. I am not a doctor, lawyer, psychiatrist, therapist, or your mother. No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis, or determine treatment for a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase using my link. It’s okay – I love all of these companies anyways, and you will too!
Favorite At Home Workout Apps
Kira Stokes Fitness App
Honestly, this might replace the gym for me! Kira Stokes is a celebrity trainer who recently developed a killer fitness app and let me tell you – these workouts are not for the faint of heart. She combines cardio and strength movements in a thoughtful way to give you a serious sweat. And the best part is that you can do these workouts anywhere! You will have to pay a monthly fee to access the content, but it is definitely worth it. She has a free 7 day trial if you are wanting to check it out. I have always had a hard time finding decent at home workouts, but these are seriously effective and are something I will be incorporating into my weekly workout routine.
To do her workouts, you’ll need some basic equipment but nothing crazy! For weights, I like to have a variety of hand weights – the lighter weights are great for her endurance workouts and the heavier weights are good for her lower body/full body workouts.
Here’s what I have in my home gym collection so far!
Nike Training Club
Nike Training Club is another great at home app with workouts that you can do from anywhere! The workouts are a lot of fun to do outside in your backyard or in the park if the weather is nice. There are tons of workout options that require no equipment but if you are looking for something to do in they gym, they have a few guided workouts using equipment too! There is a set of free content that you can access or you can upgrade to a paid plan for even more workout options. I also like to do the yoga/stretching workouts when I feel the need for them.
Favorite Colorado Outdoor Activities
I really feel so lucky that I live in a state where I can get outdoors pretty much year round! I typically work out at the gym or use one of my favorite workout apps 5 days a week and then always make an effort to get out and explore during the weekend! It’s so easy to find something active to do whether it’s a quick hike, walk or a full day of snowshoeing.
Here are some of my favorite activities and places to explore. And if you don’t live in Colorado, research hiking or walking trails in your area because getting outside is one of the best things you can do for your health in my opinion! I like to use the All Trails App on my phone for this.
Snowshoeing
If you are looking for a seriously good workout, give snowshoeing a try! I love this activity because if you can walk, then you can snowshoe! It’s really simple and the cost for gear is really low. This is is one of my go-to activities in the spring when it’s usually too muddy to hike at lower elevations and the ski resorts are closed! Check out some of these trails if you live in Colorado:
- Grand Mesa National Forest – If you’re looking for a secluded area to snowshoe on the Western Slope, this is the place! You can pick from tons of trails. My favorite is the Scotland Trail because it is well marked and not very busy!
- Estes Park, CO – This is much closer to Denver (about an 1 hour and 45 minute drive). I snowshoed here a long time ago, and we did the Bear Lakes Trail! This will be a bit more crowded but it is a great spot for beginners. Plus, the views are beautiful! It is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, where there are a handful of other great trails to explore.
- Ouray, CO – This is also located on the western side of the state, but is never crowded! I did a full post on the best areas to snowshoe in Ouray. Check it out here!
- Rabbit Ears Pass – When Nathan and I lived in Steamboat Springs, CO, we loved to snowshoe on Rabbit Ears Pass! It is fairly secluded much like Grand Mesa, and you can find some really pretty trails here! West Summit Loop 1A is a popular one but have no fear – it is rarely busy!
Cross Country Skiing
I have only tried this a few times but this is another one of my go-to activities when I can’t get out to ski! If you live on the Western Slope, Ironton Park near Ouray, CO is a great place for beginners and the views are aaaaamazing!
Hiking
This is my favorite way to stay active outdoors in the summer. I like to use the Colorado Trail Explorer app on my phone to track my hikes (what trails I have done, mileage and more). Here are a few of my favorite hikes to do!
- East Inlet Trail – The picture above is from this hike! It’s a decently long hike (6 miles one way) but the views are amazing and your ending point is Lone Pine Lake. The trailhead is located near Grand Lake, CO which is the less busy side of Rocky Mountain National Park!
- Thunderhead Hiking Trail – This is a fairly difficult hiking trail in Steamboat Springs, CO but it is worth it! The trail takes you up the ski mountain and ends at Thunderhead Lodge. In the summers, they have Sunset Happy hour at the lodge. You can easily hike up in the evening to enjoy a drink and the views (and then you can cheat and ride the gondola back down!).
- Alpine Trail – This trail is located near Silver Jack Reservoir on the western side of Colorado. This is an extremely remote hiking trail and is fairly difficult! But the views are some of the best in the state so it is worth it – just be sure to come prepared and be safe, as there is little to no cell service in this area!
Favorite Gear
I’ve really tried to upgrade my workout gear over the last few months. It’s important to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and to have items that perform well and will last! A lot of the items I own are super versatile and can be worn at the gym, at home and even during outdoor activities!
Here are some things that I’m loving right now:
I hope that these ideas inspire you to move around and get creative with your activity! Right now, I know it is hard to find things to do that are away from other people. If you do go out onto the trails, please use your best judgement and avoid crowded areas. Most places that I have recommended above are typically not very busy and would be safe options for outdoor activities (aside from Estes Park)!
Let me know what you are doing to stay healthy and active – I’d love to hear!
