29 Ways to Workout at the Park! Plus: I Climbed to 13,000 Feet!

Every mom knows that working out with kids is tough but it doesn’t have to be all work – check out my slideshow on Shape.com “29 Ways to Workout at the Park” for ideas on how to use your local park for a fun and free workout. (Kids totally optional but they do add some extra resistance!)

 

This was my fave pose from that workout! Yes Gym Buddy Allison has her son with her in the port-a-potty!

 

And because I’m still on vacay, I had to share with you guys what we did yesterday: Gym Hubby, me and ALL our kids hiked to 13,000(ish) feet! It was a total rush and also kinda surreal – it left me breathless in more ways than one, especially considering where we live in Minnesota is only 900 feet above sea level.

Here’s my four-year-old and I at the very top! He liked it I swear. Either that or he’s passing out from lack of oxygen. Whatevs.

 

Even Jelly Bean insisted on climbing the rocks herself. (With help from Grandpa of course!) She screamed when we pulled her off to go back down.

 

My sister and I part way up with some of the kids. I was SO STINKING PROUD of the little guys! My seven-year-old even ran part of the trail with me.

 

It’s hard to show exactly how high 13,000 feet is… but wow, seriously. Just wow. If you ever get a chance to go to the Rocky Mountains, do it!!

I miss you guys! We’ll be home and regular posting will resume next week!

 

29 Comments

  1. Congrats on your climb!

    And on your Shape feature!

    Woo hooo for both!

    The biggest thing I’ve climbed lately is the stairs in my 4 story house. I think I do about 347 steps per day, give or take 🙂

  2. Yay, the Rockies! Aren’t they unbelievable? Our law grad was held at the Banff Springs Hotel, looking out onto the Rockies, it was so pretty. I love the mountains so much.

    The lack of oxygen is sort of weird to get used to (the first time I just kept thinking ‘I need to be doing more cardio, I cannot breathe, and I’m just walking uphill’). I notice that I’m a WAY better runner when I go to visit my parents Ontario than I am here in Calgary…I swear, it’s totally the oxygen.

    Do I note Miss Jelly Bean climbing mountains in a SKIRT!? I’m unbelievably impressed by not only how cute she is, but also how hardcore she must be to climb mountains wearing a skirt! Adorable.

    Happy Canada Day to all the GFE Canadian readers!

  3. I view the fact that all of my family, my husband and 4 kids exercise on a regular basis, as one of my biggest feats in fitness. Look at all the great fitness training that you have already done with your young children! And, as usual, such sweet pictures of them.

    🙂 Marion

  4. Very inspirational, as always. Blessings to you all!

  5. Beautiful place you guys went to, I miss the mountains. I use to live in NV before where it’s full of mountains, and I didn’t appreciate it at the moment. Now I do and sadly don’t live there anymore.

  6. Wow, it’s beautiful out there. 🙂 I’m glad you’re having a great time and that the WHOLE family made it out for the hike.

    Have a great 4th of July weekend!

  7. The mountains are so beautiful!!! I’m glad your family is having such a nice vacation!

  8. FUN!!!!!!!
    So glad you guys are enjoying!

  9. It looks like you’re having an amazing time! Last summer we went to Glacier National Park and a group of us hiked the High Line trail. It was brutal, but so worth it. Enjoy yourself 🙂

  10. Charlotte, absolutely breathtaking pics & beautiful family pics!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing & you & family are amazing!!!

  11. Ahh, love Jelly Bean’s face in the first picture. She looks thoroughly critical of her position in that photo, hahahaha!!

    We went to the Rockies last summer – went to a college friend’s wedding in CO and stayed for a few extra days. Our little brood did one of the “easiest” trails to a smaller waterfall at one end of the park. We couldn’t believe how cold it was up top and how hot it was at the bottom. The car got a major workout!

    Love the Shape feature, too! Have fun!!

  12. Glad you and the family are having an awesome vacation! And the porta-potty shot is too funny!

  13. I know this feeling…I have even cried at the top of several mountains. Good on you and your family for doing this. Good on you!!!!!!!

  14. The breathless feeling that comes with altitude is both surreal and a little bit scary. The first time I felt it, I had to remind myself to stay calm and not panic. It’s bizarre to gasp for breath like that. I’m glad you and your family enjoyed the climb!

  15. Ditto about Jelly Bean hiking in a skirt! What a girl!

  16. Wait, where is this at? This is amazing!

  17. I alwways make use of the local park for my training sessions….clean air…brilliant, great blog

  18. okay, that last picture makes me think that Julie Andrews is going to come running over the hill any moment now!! GORGEOUS!

  19. Nice Blog, great photos, amazing scenery, great for fitness!!

  20. You can’t beat a lungful of clean fresh air and a view to go!

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