Summer is almost here! Are you ready to show off a little more arm and a little more leg? It’s never too late to get started toward a path of feeling better and looking better! It just takes one step, one choice and one decision at a time to begin to get into a routine and form a new habit! One way to help you get started is to plan for an event! The summer is my favorite time of year as there are hundreds of thousands of events all over the country you can train for and participate in! I encourage my clients to pick events that inspire them or are for a cause they believe in. This not only gives you some incentive to help you train so you can finish, but also a higher purpose of doing so for a great cause and others in need. From Alzheimer’s to MS and different types of cancers, to pets, kids, homelessness and food banks, there are lots of options for you to choose from. Here are some clever ideas to help you join the cause, for you and for others!
Summer of Giving:
Each year I save up the money I might normally give throughout the year to charity and tag it for the “cause” events I participate in during the summer. My goals is 2 events per month and I love the not only the incentive of participating for myself, but also the higher cause and of course the challenge of finishing itself! What a great way to give back while giving to me too!
Vacation for a Cause:
Turn a summer vacation into an event for a cause. I had one client decide to take her family to San Diego for a Sea World adventure vacation. Before booking the vacation, she found a 5K in San Diego for the local animal shelter. She signed the whole family up and used the trip as an incentive for everyone to get healthy and stay active during the months leading up to the big trip. She was amazed to discover that her kids where more excited about the big event in San Diego than Sea World! What a cool way to incorporate living healthy, with giving back and a Vacation!
Reunion for a Cause:
Summer is a hugely popular time of year for family reunions. This year, why not tie in an event for a cause the whole family can do! What a cool way to give back while sharing quality family time. Get Family t-shirts made and turn the event into something really special! Most events have non-competitive portions such as a kids fun run or a family 1 mile, so everyone from strollers to walkers and wheelchairs can participate!
Active.com and Competitor Magazine are excellent resources to help locate events or you can stop by a specialty running store, bike shop or exercise equipment store to check out events in your area! What a great way to jump start your summer fitness regime, and also help others in need…do it for you, do it for your family and do it just beCAUSE you can!
