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January 4, 2016

How to Make Exercise More Fun

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Interested in being more active this new year? Here’s the secret: to make exercise more fun, turn it into a social outing. 🙂

You guys know I’m all about this – and as I was looking through my photos from the past week wondering what to share today, I realized a lot of them had one big thing in common: they were social fitness dates! There’s no better way to make sweating fun, trust me. Give it a shot! Here’s what I’ve been up to on the fitness front over the past week.

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New Year’s Eve

I spent the morning of New Years Eve working, then met up with my friend Heather for a walking date!

dietitian on the run

We strolled for about an hour, chatting away, before grabbing lunch at our fave, Sweetgreen. 🙂

sweetgreen ballston

I did a little more work that afternoon then met up with my high school best friend Jenny for a run! Jenny just had her second child a few months ago and is working to build back up her running endurance. She hadn’t run more than 2 miles since the baby was born and asked if I’d run with her to help her break through the plateau. My pleasure! 🙂

falls church va running trail

It was really fun to run with Jenny and get some one-on-one catch up time with her – rare with 2 little ones! She’ll be in town for a few more weeks and I’m so happy to have her here. We ended up running 4.1 miles – she crushed it! Proud of you, Jenny! Doesn’t being distracted by talking make the miles way easier? 🙂

IMG_0537

New Years Day

The weather was nice and Matt and I decided to take advantage with a tennis date! We hadn’t played in ages – so fun. 🙂

Saturday

Long run day! As you know, Matt and I have a half marathon coming up in 2 weeks (here’s more info about what race we are doing!), and we had our last long run on the schedule for Saturday: 12 miles!

mt vernon trail running

We had a BEAUTIFUL day for the run, and we both felt way better than we did for last weekend’s 10 miler – yay.

I took Matt on one of my favorite big Virginia waterfront/downtown DC loops. Monuments and scenery galore!

reagan national airport running trail

running the national capital

The nice scenery made the miles go by quickly, as did the weather. There were randomly TONS of tourists downtown, though – it was so crowded! I guess everyone else was enjoying the weather/end of the holiday season, too.

running the lincoln memorial

I ended up timing it perfectly – 12 miles on the dot!

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Half marathon, we’re ready for you!!

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Also, for your viewing pleasure, I found this on my camera when we got home. Lol! Thank you, Matt.

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Sunday

Yoga was in order! I met my friend Karen for a morning CorePower yoga date, and we enjoyed a really nice, restorative heated class, followed by a coffee walking date so we could catch up! We decided to give the lattes at Dog Tag Bakery a try – good coffee for a good cause (proceeds support veterans) – thumbs up!

dog tag bakery georgetown

I closed out the weekend with one more walking date – it was too nice out yesterday to miss out, especially since I knew a cold front was coming today – this time with my friend Ashley! Ashley was flying off back to Oregon last night, so we met up for a stroll before she had to leave.

IMG_0069

We walked out at Lake Anne, a really cute area in Reston with trails and shops that’s near where her family lives. Fun to explore something new!

lake anne walking trails

And there you have it! A fun week of social fitness. It felt good to get so much fresh air after being cooped up inside a fair amount over the holidays due to the gross weather – and it was fun to combine social time with active time, too!

I’m back at the office downtown today getting caught up – better get back to it! Have a great day, my friends!

Are you a social fitness fan? How have you combined social time with active time lately?

A couple announcements before I go:

  • My friend Sarah Waybright, a fellow DC area Registered Dietitian, is leading a meal planning and prep workshop on Sunday, January 24 in DC! It sounds great and would be perfect for any of you looking to up your nutrition game in the new year (in an easy, sustainable way).

MesshallflyerFB

  • If starting a blog is one of your new years resolutions, check out my page on how to start a blog – BlueHost, the blog hosting provider I recommend in that post and walk you through how to get set up on is having an awesome new years sale now through the 9th with super cheap hosting – so get on it! 🙂
- anne
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15 comments
  • Lindsay Krzepkowski
    January 4, 2016 · 3:51PM:
    I *love* how happy and positive you are in these posts! Your enthusiasm and love for life totally come through and are inspiring! I'm amazed at how active you are, and this post serves as a great reminder that being active could be something as simple as a walk or yoga class with a friend. I'm up in Canada so we're not as lucky with the temperatures, but that leaves activities like snowshoeing to be discovered!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 4, 2016 · 4:06PM:
      Thank you for this sweet note! Walking with a friend is one of my favorite forms of fitness - so fun and simple. :)
      Reply
  • Ash Diamond
    January 4, 2016 · 5:18PM:
    I couldn't agree more. Even when the going gets tough, workouts with friends make such a big difference! I'm meeting Theodora for a run class tomorrow at Mile High!! :) Have a great week!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 4, 2016 · 5:56PM:
      Wish I could join you ladies! Have fun!
      Reply
  • Michelle Kornfeld January 4, 2016 · 6:19PM:
    I would love to attend a meal planning and prep workshop. Let me know if there is going to be any in the North Carolina Raleigh area. Thanks
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 4, 2016 · 6:31PM:
      Unfortunately she's located here in DC... I'm sorry you won't be able to join! I'll let you know if I ever hear of any in NC!
      Reply
  • Mary
    January 4, 2016 · 8:04PM:
    Back in Los Angeles, pretty much all of my social activities were just that- activities! Running, walking, hikes, surfing, rock climbing, biking, you name it. Then I moved back to Rhode Island..... Lots of eating and coffee dates. Shoot! I need to get better about that!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 5, 2016 · 10:56AM:
      I always say "if you plan it, they will come" - in my experience people are usually up to do fitness-related dates, you just have to be the one to plan them!
      Reply
  • Melissa @ Mango About Town
    January 4, 2016 · 8:19PM:
    I love combining social time with fitness especially if it's an activity that gets you outside like hiking or snowshoeing (something I'm dying to try!!).
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 5, 2016 · 10:55AM:
      Yes, LOVE hiking - and snowshoeing!
      Reply
  • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
    January 4, 2016 · 8:58PM:
    I love working out with friends! It makes the time go by so quickly. And I find myself more accountable because I don't want to cancel on anyone.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 5, 2016 · 10:55AM:
      Exactly, same here!
      Reply
  • Kelli @ Hungry Hobby
    January 5, 2016 · 9:05AM:
    Workouts are 100 times better when anyone else is involved! DOn't get me wrong, I enjoy a good long run by myself some times, or pumping out a quick 20 minute workout when that's all I have time for.... but workouts are still more fun and productive for me when they are shared with others (friends or strangers!) Looks like you had a great week!
    Reply
  • Jen@bubblyrunner.com
    January 5, 2016 · 10:10AM:
    Looks like your 12 miler was on the Mt.Vernon trail--my favorite long running route! I love running by the monuments, it's such a fun way to play tourist while getting my run in. I start my half marathon training this week!
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 5, 2016 · 10:54AM:
      Yes, we started on the Mt. Vernon trail and then did a huge downtown loop around the tidal basin, mall, etc., and back over Memorial Bridge! So fun! Enjoy your training!
      Reply
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about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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