About Jennifer Hughes
Ottawa City Editor Jennifer Hughes has an ongoing love affair with design, art, fashion and food that began many years ago with redecorating her dollhouse or staging impromptu Barbie fashion shows. Now she unearths the best of the above in our vibrant capital city.
Well, it’s that time again. Time to get back on board the fitness train.
I’ve recently started the push toward eating healthier, simply by cutting back drastically on treats (no small feat with young kids around, but hey, it’s not good for them either, right?). I’ve amped up my veggie, fruit and fibre intake (turns out Fiber One isn’t half bad!) and am currently trying to drink way, way more water. Seems I’m often terribly dehydrated by the end of the day, so throw in nursing a small baby and my body is like the Sahara.
I’ve mentioned my love for pilates before. I really (really) need to get back at this, as it makes a world of difference for me.
I don’t plan on rejoining my gym right away, but that doesn’t mean I can’t work more activity into my daily routine. Next week will see me starting to walk my oldest to and from school every day, which is a good thing. However, the walk is short so I don’t think I can count on that for my daily workout.
It seems everyone in the world is a runner nowadays, but I have to admit, I don’t think I ever will be. Hiking is more my speed, especially with the onset of cooler weather that will inevitably arrive this month. Gatineau Park is one of my favourite places for this, but just about any walking trail will do. Add in the upcoming fall foliage and I’ve found some extra motivation to take a trek. (Bonus: baby strapped on will add more weight resistance.)
But with all new (or renewed) activity, a new pair of shoes is in order. I think the occasion calls for a slightly rugged pair of new trail shoes, don’t you? I like these Salomon Exit Peak models ($159) from MEC, if for no other reason than they’re pink. And if new shoes aren’t motivation enough to start something, I don’t know what is.