Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Vacation Packing: Clothes, Sunscreen and Smooth Fitness? {#SmoothBlogger}

Smooth Fitness logo
My husband and I took a little vacation recently and the break from the routine of daily life did wonders for my mind and mood. I know that I'm not the only one who can use a change in scenery or a designated time to relax to make me feel more like a human being again!

When it came time to plan our trip, I let my husband go into travel agent mode, as that's the role he does best. My role, on the other hand, is to pack my suitcase and get on the plane, all the while listening while he talks about sights that we'll see and places that we'll visit. The combination really plays on each of our strengths — his organization and my laziness — and has resulted in more than one stellar vacation.

This time when we headed to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, I knew that the focus was to take in the beauty that both places had to offer and that we would be walking around enjoying the views... but clearly I must not have been listening when I was told just how much walking that would truly take (and just how many hills would be included).

In Vancouver we walked to see the bridges and ocean from various viewpoints...

Vancouver ocean

...totem poles in Stanley Park...

Vancouver totem poles

...and back and forth across the 450 foot long Capilano Suspension Bridge and the surrounding 27-acre park.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Let's just say that by the time we arrived in Whistler, I should have been ready to sit for about a week to recover.

Instead, we walked from end to end through Whistler Village while shopping, dining and having our own athletic daydreams in Whistler Olympic Plaza...

Olympic rings

...and followed that up with the most awe-inspiring trip to the top of Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. While much of that was spent riding the chairlift or gondola (if you ever visit, you've got to try the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola) thousands of feet up in the air...

Whistler Mountain

...we still ended up doing quite a bit of hiking to get to the very top.

Whistler Mountain Peak

Which was amazing.

If you've ever wanted to feel as though you're on top of the world, this is the place!

mountain top
Mind the signs, though. You don't want to find yourself falling from the top of the world!

When we finally made it down and had time to reflect, I could only think about the breathtaking views and the complete difference in this terrain as compared to what I typically see outside my window in the Midwest. It's just not that often that I look out and see the ocean or a mountain, you know?

The thing that I didn't find myself dwelling on (although I would have thought I would) was being tired. Exhausted. Sore. I spend a typical day hanging out with my kids or sitting in front of the computer, so why weren't my legs aching to rest for a month after all that walking and hiking?

And then I remembered Smooth Fitness and the Smooth CE 8.0LC Commercial Elliptical Trainer sitting home in my bedroom. After having used this elliptical machine since June, it clearly has been just the right amount of work to get me in shape so that I was prepared for this trip.

Instead of collapsing into bed and nagging my husband to rub the muscles in my legs and feet, I merely gave everything a stretch and was ready for the following day's adventure.

No matter if you're training for a marathon or just looking for a way to get in shape...

Smooth CE 8.0LC Commercial Elliptical

...the CE 8.0LC can provide just the amount of workout that you need. After all, you never know the next time you're going to find yourself in the mountains of Canada, right? Don't wait to start getting yourself in shape today!



Find out more about Smooth Fitness and the incredible Smooth CE 8.0LC Elliptical Trainer on their website and be sure to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

As a #SmoothBlogger, I have been provided with a Smooth CE 8.0LC Commercial Elliptical from Smooth Fitness. However, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

3 comments:

LeeAnn said...

You didn't tell me you were going to be exercising while on vacation! ;-) You did get to see a lot, and it looks like you had a great time.

It sounds like you have really gotten into shape with that Elliptical Trainer...maybe that is just what I need.

Anonymous said...

fantastic pictures. You are lucky to be able to go on vacation. Iam jealous. Lol Lol

Emmy Coffee said...

I have heard that Vancouver was beautiful and now I see it really is! It's on my "to-see" list!