Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

This summer, I was invited to participate in Raise.com’s “Summer Fit” campaign.

I love to stay active during the summer so I was delighted to get involved with their

“Summer Fit” campaign.

I live in an urban environment, so finding a patch of green is especially satisfying for me.

Sure I belong to a great health club, but in the summer time I prefer to get my exercise

outside in the sun as much as possible.

The summer season is short, so I try to make the most of it!

On a typical day, I love slip on my Fitbit and race walk outdoors on warm summer days,

especially in natural environments like parks bursting with the glories of nature–majestic trees,

flowering plants, a variety of natural surfaces and especially outdoor art–so I decided to write

about that today!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Sometimes I am lucky enough to get out of the city for a few hours to explore nature at its finest

in places like the Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, New York.

But usually I make the most of the glorious patches of green in my own hometown.

Of course, people watching along the way makes the experience even better.

I travel light but I have all of my essentials: sneakers, sunglasses, a cap, iPod, breathable exercise

apparel, a light back pack with a stainless steel bottle filled with filtered water, keys, nontoxic

sunscreen and a little cash in case something interesting catches my eye!

Come along with me through this photo tour of my favorite places to walk for fitness.

Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting “Summer Fit”

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

I love walking all over the city, but when my friends decided to drive upstate to spend

a day among the trees, picnic in the park and explore amazing art, I was thrilled!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

My idea of a magical day is getting out of the city for a few hours to bask in nature and explore

the incredible outdoor sculptures at the Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

My idea of a magical day is getting out of the city for a few hours, bask in nature and enjoy phenomenal outdoor sculptures at the Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley.

One of the world’s leading sculpture parks, Storm King Art Center has welcomed visitors from

across the globe for fifty years.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Against the backdrop of Storm King Mountain to the east and Schunnermunk Mountain to the

west, more than 100 sculptures and installations created by some of the most acclaimed

artists of our time are carefully sited across 500 acres of fields, hills and woodlands.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

After a 5 mile trek across Storm King Art Center’s dramatic landscape which includes farmed fields,

natural woodlands, lawns, native grasses, wetlands and water, this rustic bench was a welcome site.

My Fitbit logged each step and I met my daily goal.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Closer to home, the magic continues in some of our lovely, local city parks including

Madison Square Park which is a mecca for extraordinary sculptures and installations.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!
One of the best things about walking in my city is the abundance of prints, paintings, crafts

and sculptures dotting the urban landscape, providing a welcome break from the dull

and muted tones.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

A pop of color. A bold shape. A surprising form. Art awakens the senses and adds something

special to a ordinary day!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Of course, watching others walking, running and biking through the streets is also inspiring.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

Fruit stands and farmer’s markets dot the city, making it easy to get fresh produce daily.

And I love to top off a day of walking with a cup of fresh-pressed green vegetable juice

from one of my favorite organic cafes, One Lucky Duck!

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

It was a good day and my Fitbit is happy that I exceeded my daily goal by walking 7 miles.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

All in all, it was a good week for fitness!

I exceeded last week’s steps and walked and exercised a total of 31 miles.

Picture This: Enjoying Art, Nature and Getting "Summer Fit"!

With bike paths, waterside running paths, parks and easy access to healthy foods, this city makes

it easy to get “Summer Fit”!

About Raise.com

Raise.com is a marketplace to buy and sell gift cards for all of your fitness needs.

They offer branded gift cards on their site to help you with your workout purchases–whether

it be for gear, clothing, footwear, or even technical gadgets.

My Favorite Fitness Essentials

I browsed Raise.com and found several gift card brands that I like to use for fitness apparel,

sneakers, sunglasses, hair and skin care,  sun protection as well as music players

and downloads.

Gift cards from many of my favorite brands were all there including GAP, Macys, Sephora, Sears,

Aveda and Whole Foods.

It’s so convenient!

Want to Learn More?

Use the links below to visit Raise.com’s homepage, buy gift cards page and the sell gift cards page:

http://www.raise.com/
http://www.raise.com/buy-gift-cards
http://www.raise.com/sell-gfit-cards

 

What are you favorite ways to get “Summer Fit”?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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