Our First Visit to Jensen Lake Trail

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 2

Lebanon Hills, Jensen Lake Trail

Originally, the weather forecast predicted thunderstorms. We delayed our hike due to some destructive storms we’ve had recently. I wouldn’t want to be halfway through a hike and have the children out in bad weather. The weather was partly cloudy but mostly sunny throughout the morning, and extremely humid from all of the rain. Since a storm seemed unlikely after all, we struck out for an afternoon hike.

Jensen Lake Trail is 2.1 miles. All trails rated it as an easy trail. (All Trails Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/jensen-lake-trail) It took us about 2 hours to complete the loop. The more experienced hiker could easily finish it faster. There was a guy who passed us going the opposite direction three times!

The kids really enjoyed this trail and would love to go back another time. There was also a large park that we did not check out because it was too hot and we were exhausted. We were all proud of ourselves for pushing through and finishing the trail, despite the heat.

If you’d like to visit the Jenson Lake Trail, check out their website for more information:
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/LebanonHills/Pages/jensen-lake-trailhead.aspx

Have you been to Lebanon Hills before?

Check out our video!

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Week: Day 1: Workout At Home
Next Week: Day 3: Hay Creek

June 14, 2017June 21, 2017

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 1

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 1, Day 1

Today was the first day of our workout challenge! I have been looking forward to this for quite awhile and I’m so glad we planned it. Exercise sometimes needs a bit of reminder and motivation.

I’m going to be completely honest. I did not wake up early to work out. I slept in. It felt great! I won’t be doing this for the hiking days, because I want to head out before it gets too hot.

My first workout was actually not a workout video, but cleaning the living room. The kids and I took a break to do a bit of reading together. After that, I ended up working on dishes lunch, laundry and then the living room again.

Mr. Awesome was all set to work out with me. Princess wasn’t a bit interested. I pulled up a kids workout video on youtube (https://youtu.be/McD6_oOWs-M) and set up my camera. Then we got to work!

I have to admit, I am out of shape. Running around with the kids, taking care of a family of six and having a restrictive allergy diet keep me pretty slim, but not of this can replace a good workout.

Right away, I was struggling. I could feel my heart pounding, I was out of breath. I tried to keep going but when the video stalled and crashed, I was relieved to be done. I gave up for the day. Maybe next time we’ll get through the whole video.

I feel a bit self conscious putting my workout online, but hopefully it will motivate you to get moving yourself! Even if it is only for a little bit, like me. We’ll work up our stamina and be fit bodies in no time!

Tomorrow looks like thunderstorms, so I’m disappointed to delay our hiking plans. We might head out later in the day if the skies look clear. If it is storming, we’ll give the youtube video another try!

What did you do for exercise today?

5 Week Workout Challenge
Next Week: Day 2: Jensen Lake Trail

June 8, 2017May 8, 2018

5 Week Workout Challenge

It’s almost summer! With one week of school left for my kiddos, planning summer activities is a necessity. If the summer isn’t planned, it flies by and nothing much happens. For the last few weeks, I’ve been working on our calendar and researching activities.

Cat and I thought it would be great fun to have a 5-week workout challenge. The little ones don’t really care what we do, but they love to be outside and active. In order to keep all of us happy, I filled the calendar with primarily hiking. Hiking is something that gets the body moving, the heart pumping and offers a change of scenery. It can be done by anyone, young or old

We’ll also have days for indoor exercises at home. This can be pilates, weight lifting, workout videos or another favorite workout activity. If someone has plans to join us, maybe we’ll move our exercise plans to an indoor location, like the Mall of America for speed walking.

Hopefully, by the end of our 5 weeks, we’ll be feeling healthier and happier. Plus, we’ll get the joy of exploring the great outdoors instead of being cooped up inside.

Our “week” is a little unusual. We will not be doing a Monday through Friday week. Sundays and Mondays are our days off. Tuesdays through Saturdays are workout days. Our goal is to workout 3 days Minimum weekly. Anything more is extra credit!

I found a great app called All Trails which helps find local hiking trails. It gives the length of the hike, maps, altitude, level of difficulty and more! I suggest you check it out to see what’s in your area!

Check back to see posts about our adventures! Hopefully, we’ll inspire you to make an adventure of your own this summer. Go out and enjoy nature!

Week 1
Week 1, Day 1: Workout At Home
Week 1, Day 2: Jensen Lake Trail
Week 1, Day 3: Hay Creek
Week 1, Day 4: Minnehaha Falls
Week 1, Day 5: Spring Lake Park

Week 2
Week 2, Day 1: Workout At Home
Week 2, Day 2: Old Mill Park
Week 2, Day 3: Challenge at Home
Week 2, Day 4: 2nd Plank Challenge

Week 3
Week 3, Day 1: Hastings Riverwalk
Week 3, Day 2: 1st Convention Day, Rochester
Week 3, Day 3: Covered Bridge Park
Week 3, Day 4: 4-Year-Old Adventure

Week 4
Week 4, Day 1: Morning Workout
Week 4, Day 2: Fort Snelling
Week 4, Day 3: Night Walk Date
Week 4, Day 4: Afton State Park

Week 5
Week 5, Day 1: Schaar’s Bluff
Week 5, Day 2: Kawishiwi Falls
Week 5, Day 3: Norberg Trail

Do you have a workout plan this summer? What’s your favorite type of exercise? We’d love to hear about it!