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adventure-related stories

Fit Gifts for Adventurous Souls

Fitness

rock climber
Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

Fit Gifts for Adventurous Souls(click thumbnails to view gallery)

BackpackHandheld GPSSafety GearCamelbakWeekend Away

How to Pack for Winter Outdoor Adventures

Fitness

skier
For some people, the snow-covered ground is a reason to stay inside under a warm blanket. But for others, the white stuff is an invitation to be active and adventurous. If you like to backcountry ski, snow shoe, hike over a wintry trail, or go backwoods camping during winter, packing for your active adventure can be a challenge. Outside Online has some tips from the pros:

  • Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
  • Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.

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Take Your Outdoor Adventures Indoors

Fitness

indoor rock climbing wallDo you spend your summer seeking outdoor adventures? Mountain biking on rugged trails or scaling the face of a rocky mountain? While opportunities for your favorite outdoor adventures may not be so numerous in winter, you can still get your adrenaline rush indoors.

Men's Health shares four amazing indoor adventure sports centers across the country. But you may be able to find something a little closer to home. For example, in my neck of the woods there's an awesome rock climbing wall at the community center, a rowing pool at a local rowing club, and an indoor skating/biking facility just a couple hours away.

And don't forget about all the incredible adventure sports -- such as snowboarding and skiing -- winter has to offer as well. AOL Health has 11 fun winter fitness activities to try.

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Surfing your way to fitness

Fitness

man surfing
I live in the mid-west, so surfing just isn't an option. But a friend of mine lives on the coast in California and she talks about going out surfing as casually as I would mention going for a walk. Surfing seems like such an exotic and adventurous sport to me, I can't imagine it being the norm. But, oh what a life that would be.

While, I've never surfed myself, I'll admit to being a bit enthralled with the activity. It's somehow surpassed mere sport and become an out and out lifestyle for some. In addition to all of it's other perks, surfing is incredibly physically demanding. You need leg and core strength as well as balance to succeed at the activity.

If you're lucky enough to live in an area where surfing is an option, check out these 11 reasons why women should learn to surf. If you haven't hit the waves before, sign up for lessons. When you're riding the waves, know that there's one writer stuck in the mid-west who's longing to be you!

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5 rules to eat by

Nutrition & Supplements

Five things. I've got five things for you to consider as you begin to overhaul your diet -- you do want to renovate your eating habits a bit, right?

Quality:

Eat the best quality foods most of the time, like fruits and vegetables, grains, lean cuts of meats, beans, nuts, and items low in fat, dairy, sodium, and sugar.

Variety:

Branch out. Don't eat the same four vegetables all the time. And move beyond your usual wheat and rice and go for grains like quinoa, barley, and millet. Throw in a few new fruits too, like papaya, mango, kiwi, or starfruit.

Frequency:

Eat lighter meals every three to four hours instead of three large meals. Add in snacks to help maintain steady energy levels throughout the day and help control your weight too.

Joy:

Love the foods you eat. Every nutrition plan has room for favorites, even if they do fall into the junk food category. Just keep your consumption minimal and you'll be OK.

Adventure:

Try different flavors and textures, cook new recipes, eat unfamiliar foods, go to new restaurants, and pat yourself on the back for moving outside your comfort zone.

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Have kid, will exercise

Fitness, Reviews & Products

If you're an active one and feel slowed down by the little ones in your life, take a stroll over to this website and check out the Kelty Kangaroo carrier.

The Kangaroo carrier allows on-the-go moms and dads the luxury of packing up a bunch of gear, along with a kid up to 28 pounds, and heading out for a day of exercise and adventure. The tike gets to face forward while parents, or anyone wishing to tote along little ones, get a weighted workout.

The Kangaroo is not your only option. There's a bunch of carriers to choose from -- this one lugs up to 40 pounds -- and other cool products too. And while this is no endorsement -- I've never tried this and cannot testify to its greatness in any way -- it may be something worth looking into, so you and your tag-alongs can share in the fun of physical fitness.

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Looking for more than just a holiday? Here are some spots that will rejuvenate your body and soul

Motivation

I'm a firm believer that everybody needs a vacation now and then. Whether it's what some of us refer to as a "mental health day" from school, work or the kids, a couple of weeks of annual holiday from your job or even a sabbatical of a month or more, I really think that if you work hard you deserve to play hard. A bit of relaxation and the kind of physical exercise often involved with a holiday (think walking and swimming) are good for your emotional as well as your physical health.

For those of you out there lucky enough to be able to take a few weeks off and who have the money to splash out on something different, consider one of the 10 incredible vacation destinations listed here.

Located in spots as exotic as Kenya, Turkey and Brazil, and as familiar as Big Sur, CA, suggestions include holistic holidays in Greece, well-being retreats in a Moroccan spa, body-and soul-cleansing programs at Californian ashram and journeys of learning and self-discovery at Outward Bound in New Zealand. These holidays aren't cheap -- I know that I won't be trying one any time soon -- but if you can afford them, each sounds like an adventure for both the mind and body.

(Note: Prices are listed in Pounds and Euro, but are easy to convert using an online currency converter.)

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Adventurous women, this one's for you!

Fitness

If you enjoy being physically active chances are you've had at least a passing fantasy or two of doing something more exciting for exercise than whatever it is you normally do everyday, like the treadmill or the swimming pool. Ever pictured yourself hiking through the mountains or navigating a river in a kayak or canoe? How about horseback riding, backpacking, or even dog sledding? Whatever you dream of in regards to outdoor adventuring it may be closer to a reality than you think -- regular women like you and me are having fantastic outdoor adventures everyday through a place called Adventures in Good Company.

You can choose from pre-planned trips, or customize one of your own, and they'll feed you and house you and show you a good time. What are you waiting for?

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