Hi Everyone!

Summertime is here, and we have so much opportunity to get out there and FIND things to do to help us beat the battle of the bulge!  We just need to get out there and LOOK for those opportunities! The article below gives you some ideas of some fun things to do this summer!!

Also, if you haven't heard the news yet....Heart Beat World has started it's very own Walking Club within our WarOfWeight Group!!  For more info on our Walking Club, click HERE

God Bless, Christi

Today's message comes from the Weight Watchers site:

Get Active in Town!
Make the Most of Your Local Parks

To find classes offered in your town, call your city's parks and recreation administrative office or visit their Web site for course offerings.

Here are six popular classes that may be coming to a park near you.  

Fitness Boot Camp
Don't let the name intimidate you. At Pennsylvania's Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Center, this was such a popular class last year that the park offered more sessions this season. Fitness Boot Camp is a progressive course that all fitness levels can participate in. This one-hour class focuses on cardio, strength, circuit training and flexibility. It incorporates props like ropes, ladders, hurdles, park benches, hills and playground equipment into the workout. Instructor Kristin Dowell assesses each student's fitness level before the class begins and after the 11th week—she's continuously amazed by the participants' fitness results.  

$160; three days a week for 11 weeks

Cardio Tennis
If you love racket sports and want to increase your stamina, Cardio Tennis will help you meet your goals. In Alabama , at the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Center , students of all fitness levels participate, and they don't have to be a Williams sister to get a good workout. This one-hour class focuses on endurance rather than instruction and technique. It features an intense cardio segment that includes ball drills and foot maneuvers done to upbeat music. Find a Cardio Tennis class near you at cardiotennis.com.  

$10 for a drop-in class session

Rowing
Now that the weather is pleasant, taking your workout on the water can be a welcome change. Elisa Porter, assistant director at Seattle's Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, said, “It's widely believed that rowing only works out your arms, but it actually tones your stomach and legs too, which makes it an excellent full-body workout.” The Seattle Parks and Recreation Center offers a one-and-a-half-hour adult “Learn to Row” class where instructors explain rowing techniques before students take a boat on the water. Check out usrowing.org for rowing clubs near you.

$97; three days a week for one month

Hydro-Jogging
If you'd rather be in the water instead of gliding on it, hydro-jogging is one of the many aqua-aerobics classes Iowa City Parks and Recreation Center offers. The 45-minute class takes place in deep water, where participants get a flotation belt, water barbells and a noodle. Students can work at their own pace depending on their fitness level. Hydro-jogging is a low-impact activity, so it's perfect for individuals with arthritis or a recovering injury. Mariah Carey even recently attributed her slimmed-down figure to a fitness regimen that includes water aerobics.

$55; 15 classes to use throughout the year

Walking or Running Clubs
Joining a walking or running club is a great way to lose your winter weight and meet new people. In Florida, the Suncoast YMCA, FL, walking club meets at local beaches and parks for weekly walks. All fitness levels are welcome, and you can easily find a member who is willing to walk or run at your speed.  

Free!

Kickball
If you're looking for competition this spring, why not return to the childhood favorite game, kickball? In Texas, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Center's adult kickball league has proven so popular that the organization is looking to expand the playing space. The league has 16 co-ed teams made up of work colleagues and friends. Games are played twice a week for 50 minutes or seven innings, whichever comes first. At the end of the season, teams compete in playoff rounds to determine a champion.

$195; one team of 10 players

Local parks and recreation centers offer an array of outdoor classes that are entertaining and motivating. Take advantage of their inexpensive prices and group activities. If there's something that interests you that isn't offered at your local facility, speak up. These centers are designed to meet your needs as a community member. Have fun this spring, and enjoy your new workout!  

About the Writer
Alexandria Stried has a master's degree in food studies from New York University. She is currently based in New York.