Keep Moving: 5 Creative Ideas to Get You Active This Summer
The summer is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the weather, and be more active in general. Who can resist the allure of the sunshine, anyways? Plus, staying physically active has a wide range of health benefits associated with it, such as helping to maintain a healthy body weight, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, mitigating the risk of certain cancers, strengthening your bones and muscles, and even boosting your mood.
To help you reap those benefits this sunshiney season, we’ve compiled a list of fun and creative ways to get out, get more exercise, and be more active.
Keep Moving: 5 Creative Ideas to Get You Active This Summer
A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.- Paul Dudley White
1. Go for a swim
The summer provides the perfect conditions for a swim -- whether it be in a swimming pool, lake, or ocean (or all three!). Swimming is a great full-body workout: it helps you stay flexible, fights inflammation, lowers stress and depression, and has a myriad of other great benefits. After your swim, you can even take time to lay on a float and enjoy the weather as you bask in the sun, giving you even more motivation to hit the water.
2. Play lawn games
To go along with your backyard BBQ, throw in some fun lawn games to play with your family and friends as not only something exciting to do, but also as a great way to stay active. We’re talking classic games like croquet, frisbee, badminton, and capture-the-flag as well as games with a modern twist like water balloon dodgeball or Spikeball. Not only are these games the perfect way to bond with your family and friends, but they’ll keep everyone entertained and on the move.
3. Walk your dog
You’re not the only one that wants to get out of the house this summer, your pooch probably wants to enjoy the sunshine, too! Take him or her for a leisurely walk whenever you can to both enjoy the weather and spend quality time together. This will keep your pet in shape, they’ll be happy to be outside, and it’s the perfect way for you to get some steps in. Try changing up your route from one walk to the next to get a change of scenery.
4. Act like a kid again
Who says playgrounds are just for kids? Channel your youth by hitting up your neighborhood park or playground to run around, take in the sunshine, and enjoy the playground like you did when you were a wee one. Swing around on the monkey bars, go down the slide, or swing as high as you can to enjoy a bundle of fun all while squeezing in some exercise.
5. Beach sports
The beach is a place that’s great for kicking back and relaxing, but it’s also a quality spot to get some exercise in. From beach volleyball to paddleboarding to simply running on the beach, the possibilities of ways to be active as you listen to the gentle rhythm of the ocean are seemingly endless. Lather up with sunscreen and throw your bathing suit on, because the beach is the place to do it all!
Take advantage of the gorgeous weather and sunshine in order to be more active and thus healthier this summer. You’ll love spending time outdoors and there’s nothing better than the good mood that accompanies a great workout!
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.