Too Much of a Good Thing?

One would think that if you had to be addicted to anything, exercise would be your best bet.  Well, that is very much not the case.  Knowing I had just a month until my vacation, I thought I'd add in some extra workouts so I can stun my husband on the beach in my bikini (funny though, I don't think he is doing the same for me).

During that same "extra workout" time, I had two ear infections that I just couldn't kick, a slight fever, aches, pains, fatigue, you name it.  I was just Miss Cranky Pants!

After seeing my GP several times with no diagnosis, changing the carpet and bleaching the floor in my workout room fearing we might have some mold, and adding even MORE exercise thinking I need to just get out of my "funk", I set out to see an old friend who is a medical doctor.  Turns out there was nothing physically wrong with me.  We chatted a bit to catch up and he suggested I do a little soul searching and google over exercising.  I did just that and lo and behold, it was me!  I am suffering from over exercise.  Never heard of such a thing.  I won't go into all the details as there are so many websites out there dedicated to the topic, but now that I'm off exercise for a few days (and feeling kinda mushy from the fatigue), I got a little sentimental and started looking at some old pictures and then came my revelation...

Turns out I don't think I ever feel as young, healthy, happy and serene as I do when I'm out doing some active adventures with my kids.  And some of these activities burn serious calories yet are disguised as pure, unadulterated fun!  Sometimes we forget that there is more to getting fit than just pumping iron and participating in crazy ass cardio routines.

I will spend the next few weeks enjoying more of these "exercises" with my family in place of my hard core routine.

Tubing on an open river.  Pick the right place and this can really be a cheap thrill too.  We did this a few weeks ago on the Delaware out of Frenchtown, NJ with The Hot Dog Man.  Soooooo much fun and great exercise when you pop out of the tube every once in a while to swim around (not to mention the strength exercise involved in hauling your middle-aged behind back into said tube after the swim).  Trying to keep tabs on three kiddos (one of which wasn't my own) in the wide open river kept that blood pumping too.  :)

You can stop on an uncharted island to discover some previously unidentified species.

Or, just act silly!

Water's a little too chilly?  Why not man a raft with some paddles (man, your arms will BURN the next day)?  We chose this option last year when the weather was pretty cool for an August afternoon.

You can take off your shoes and try to outrun some waves.

No nearby water sports?  How about a treasure hunt around a local lake, pond or park?

Tell the world to take a hike and then take one yourself, you'll feel "on top of the world."

Best of all, head out and work for your food (even better when it involves climbing a tree, of course)!

Fresh is best!

Size matters when it comes to pumpkins much more than your waist size.  Always pick one that you cannot possibly carry (a pumpkin that is).

The real recipe for true happiness?  Working together towards a common goal.  Teamwork.

Most importantly, don't forget to just lay back and relax,

Admire the beauty that is around you,

And keep in mind what is truly important (hint: it's not calorie counting and achieving those 6-pack abs)...