Keeping in Shape

     There are many reasons to paddle and spend time in the great outdoors.  Just being outside in the woods or on the water is therapy for me and even though I love to exercise I just don’t think of it as exercise when I’m paddling a canoe or kayak. That is why I was surprised to read about a man who decided to go tubing for exercise on the St. Croix River.

     A man who is 6 feet tall and over 500 pounds decided he wanted to become fit so he thought tubing would be a good way to get started.  Unfortunately his tube deflated when it hit a rock and the man was forced to walk.  He slipped on rocks, twisted his ankle and was not able to move himself.  Crews worked for 12 hours to free him from the shallow water by making a platorm out of tying three canoes together. He is now more determined to lose weight or find a way to pay for gastric bypass.  He doesn’t plan on taking any more tubing trips for exercise.

     What is my point?  I don’t know, I guess I just want people to be motivated to get out there and get some exercise. Being overweight and sedentary has many health risks so do something good for yourself by getting some exercise.  Find an activity you enjoy doing and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and reap benefits from it.  Hopefully you will find something to do in the great outdoors that won’t feel like exercise and you’ll be motivated to do it again.