***This is a sponsored conversation brought to you by Shaka Life. As always, all opinions are my own.
From the shores of Bimini to the powdery sands of Hawaii, Elizabeth Perez, founder and creator of Shaka Life says she has drawn inspiration from the ocean since she was born, which ultimately led her to create Shaka Life. Shaka Life’s mission is to express the Shaka way and all it stands for – friendship, peace, compassion and solidarity – across a world that’s hungry for kindness and calmness. Shaka Life brings this vision alive with unique, original island wear that spreads the Shaka vibe through color, shape, and authenticity. Every item is personally curated and hand-selected to create the perfect blend of style and spirit. The top in today’s post is buttery soft and the hat has been worn almost every day since I received it. Especially on long days out on the water.
Shaka Life’s motto is to “Embrace the ocean. Feel the vibe and live the Shaka Life”, and that is one motto I can get behind. I teamed up with Shaka Life today to encourage all of you to do the same this summer. To encourage you to get together with friends, enjoy long summer days and move in ways that are impossible over the long winter months. Enjoy the soothing nature of the ocean, feel the sun on your face and burn calories without spending any time in the gym.
So today, here are 8 ways to work out this summer while enjoying nature and embracing the Shaka Life!
Swimming: Swimming is a wonderful workout for people of all ages. The water offers buoyancy which keeps the weight off of your joints. Swimming helps increase your cardiovascular endurance and since you are working against water, AKA resistance, you are also receiving the added benefit of muscular strength and endurance training. Ever watch the Olympics and see a swimmers body that wasn’t toned? I don’t think so! So hop in the water and swim, float and embrace the mermaid life in all its glory.
Long Walks or Jogs on the Beach: Not only is Vitamin SEA therapeutic, but the added resistance of the sand aids in tightening and toning all the major muscle groups in your legs including your glutes! I always enjoy spending time on the shore on off-hours when the breeze is high and the sun is not as strong. Early mornings or evenings bring a different life to the beach and are great times to exercise. If you spend a long day at the beach, try getting up from your lounger every hour/hour and a half to stroll or jog for 10-15 minutes. Want an upper body workout? Try digging fast, deep holes in the sand using your hands while in a deep squat or forward bend. Not only does it make you feel like a kid, but it is an incredibly effective upper body workout!
Beach Volleyball: I could not believe it when my mom said she joined a summer volleyball league, but she did! Volleyball is a great way to create a team environment and embrace the Shaka Life. Beach volleyball has all the toning benefits of sand jogging with the cardiovascular benefits of team sports, but you can also look forward to making memories after your games. Usually, this entails a “cold one” and lots of laughs.
PaddleBoarding: Cory and I started Paddleboarding a few years ago when we moved to a home on a canal. The water in our backyard and boat access has led us on some great adventures. A paddle on a beautiful day is the perfect way to start or wind down from any day. It is such a great core and leg workout since you are standing in an athletic stance the entire time and need to keep your center of gravity on point. Not only do you work up a great sweat, being surrounded by water and nature has been scientifically proven to help you relax and be more at peace.
Kayaking: My first experience with Kayaking was when I chaperoned a class trip as a teacher. We kayaked at a state park, for a whole day and had a blast while doing it. There were times of rest and times of hard work against the current. It was almost HIIT training au natural! My brother often likes to fish off his kayak and I felt like it was a great way to explore and find the perfect place for a scenic isolated picnic. Most state parks will rent paddleboards and kayaks so make sure and look up options in your area.
Biking: Since getting pregnant, I like to keep my workouts low impact since I have some extra weight in my mid-section. Biking is a great way to explore your area, work on your cardiovascular fitness, challenge your core and tighten and tone your legs. We bit the bullet and purchased two high-quality mountain bikes this year and are enjoying novice trail rides and sunset bike rides around the neighborhood.
Surfing: So the first time I decided to try surfing, my brother put me in his wetsuit and on a shortboard and sent me off on my way! What happened you ask? The suit filled up with water. The board flew in the air and came crashing down into my face. I got a fat lip, bloody nose and blacked out for a minute. Thank you brother! The next time I tried surfing was with an actual teacher, on a longboard. We spent a little while on land before moving to the water and it was a MUCH different experience. It was fun, challenging and when I finally rode my first wave I was able to throw a fist in the air! It was a total body workout and I love it. So, if you want to try something adventurous and new. Give surfing a try this summer!
Hiking: When Cory and I visited Brazil we knew we could not leave Rio without a trip to the top of the “Corcovado”. We decided, against many people telling us, no, to hike our way to the top. It was a journey, but it was also the highlight of our trip. It was a three-hour hike that was magical. We saw monkeys in the wild, we were challenged and when we got to the top, it was breathtaking! It was a super fun thing to do together and was more about the journey than the workout, but thankfully, we burned some major calories too!
Do these 8 ways to workout have you itching for summer? It will be here before we know it so start planning! And once again, I want you to dedicate your summer to living the Shaka Life. Cultivate friendship, peace, compassion and solidarity – across a world that’s hungry for kindness and calmness.
