Fitness

Rancho San Antonio County Park hiking trails in Cupertino

 in Fitness  tagged family / hiking / hiking gear / outdoor fitness / summer 2020 by
rancho san antonio perserve hiking trails cupertino review

Rancho San Antonio Park is a large Santa Clara County Park with a series of hiking trails, and a small farm. I have always wanted to hike there, and we finally did!

We took our family hiking at Rancho San Antonio County Park on a Saturday morning, when we thought it might be slow. We were mistaken! This is a popular park, and the multiple parking lots fill up quickly. I recommend getting there well before 9am if you want an easy time finding a parking space.

Although the park is heavily trafficked, it is very large, so it can accommodate a large volume of hikers; even during this time of social distancing.

Rancho San Antonio County Park hiking trails are set up to ensure social distancing. The county made the trails one-way, so you cannot turn around and go back. Get ready to hike!

The one-way trails are a gift, and a curse. If you get tired, you have to keep going; there is no turning around and going back from where you came from. Luckily when my kids saw the one-way signs, they were mentally prepared to gut it out. They did the whole hike!

We were out there for two hours, and hiked roughly four miles. It was really fun, and a very pretty hike. While there wasn’t an abundance of views, as there are on other trails I have covered, there was a cute farm, known as Deer Hollow Farm, and lots of trees. We loved the large amount of shade on these trails! The shady trails are perfect this time of year.

The one-way trails may end at a different parking lot than the one you started at. Don’t worry, all the parking lots are in a line, so you can easily find your way back to the lot where your car is parked.

The terrain isn’t very steep, this hike is more sloped; making it ideal for families with children, and anyone who isn’t into steep hikes. I would say this is an easy hike, but right now, it is long-so bring water and snacks!

There is a mask ordinance in the State of California, so you will need to wear a mask while hiking Rancho San Antonio Reserve hiking trails. I like to hike while wearing a balaclava which is easy to pull down around my neck when no-one else is around. You can wear any mask you are comfortable hiking in.

Rancho San Antonio County Park hiking trails are easy to find. Take the Foothill exit off 280 and head west. Turn right onto Cristo Rey Drive and drive a couple minutes until you see the large sign. Then you can enter the parking area and find a lot with open spaces. You can’t miss it! It’s easy to find 🙂

Have you hiked on the trails at Rancho San Antonio County Park in Cupertino? What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Home fitness capsule 2020

 in Fitness / Home  tagged adidas / bx glow / fitness gear / summer 2020 by

From left: home fitness kit c/o BX Glow (under $70!) / black workout tee / black leggings /

not pictured: yoga socks / yoga mat / running shoes / beach towel /

Working out from home a lot? Me too! Although gyms in our area are open for outside fitness, I still find myself working out from home about three times per week. I feel like if it is something I can do from home, I would rather stay put than spend time driving to the gym and dealing with disinfecting everything. Right now, it is still safer to workout from home than go out to the gym; no matter how clean it is.

Fortunately, my gym implemented an online class schedule back in March when we all went on lock-down. The schedule is continuing, even though the physical gym has re-opened. This is great news for members who, like me, have found working out from home feels safe and convenient.

The classes I have been taking from home include TurboKick (cardio kicking-boxing), The Drop (an interval training class), and Pilates (which requires equipment.).

Yikes! Equipment! If you belong to a gym like me, chances are, you don’t own home fitness equipment. So I was incredibly thankful when BX Glow sent me this fabulous home fitness kit. It has everything I need for strength training at home, and better yet, everything the online Pilates class from my gym requires for class. Love that!

The BX Glow “Pure Energy Fitness Kit” includes 3 resistance tube bands with interchangeable ankle bands, handles, and a door anchor. The kit also includes two ankle 1 lb. ankle weights, and three resistance loop bands. These are all much-needed items for a complete home workout! Loving it!

My weekly fitness routine incorporates outdoor fitness at my gym, and online classes from my gym. Here is what I am doing to stay fit this summer:

      • Monday: TurboKick online
      • Tuesday: Singles tennis at my gym with my teenage daughter
      • Wednesday: The Drop online
      • Thursday: Lap swimming at my gym
      • Friday: Pilates online (requires equipment-I use my BX Glow kit)
      • Saturday: Hiking with my family
      • Sunday: Outdoor yoga at my gym with my Mom. (We stay six feet from each other. My gym created pods to keep everyone properly social distanced during fitness classes-it’s awesome!)

I’m loving this routine, and have fallen in love with working out outside. I bring my laptop into the backyard so I can take the online classes outside. I also love how my gym has classes, cardio equipment, and weight equipment outside. I think it would be awesome if they continued to keep things outdoors; even after the pandemic ends. It’s really nice to be outside!

For working out at home, the perfect home fitness capsule should include the BX Glow kit, fitness attire, athletic shoes, a yoga mat, a beach towel, and of course, a space in or around your home with enough room to move around.

Shop my home fitness capsule online:

What are some of your favorite home fitness routines?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Summer 2020 swimwear capsule

 in Fitness / General Fashion  tagged beach / capsule wardrobe / casual style / summer 2020 / swimsuit cover ups / swimwear by

summer beach outfit ideas

Summer swimwear capsule from top left: straw tote (customize your own saying!) / black swimsuit / blue tie dye swimsuit / hat (old, also love this one) / black flip flops / denim cut-off shorts / grey v-neck tee / gold chain bracelet / bold gold earrings /

Things are starting to open up-a little bit! There are a few beaches near me which now allow us to sit and relax on them. In addition, lap swimming is allowed for fitness at my gym. So for summer 2020, I opted for two one-piece suits so that I can swim laps for fitness, and also use them on the beach. Love utility!

While these suits are one-piece, and can be used for lap swimming, they are also super cute! As a former competition swimmer, I am picky about how a one-piece suit fits because I need to be able to do all four strokes in it, as well as safely do a flip-turn between laps. These two suits fit really well, and they don’t move around on you. So while they look like fashion suits, they can double as lap swimming suits. Love that!

If you are in the same boat as me, where gyms are still closed but lap swimming is open, check out my swim workouts! There are seven workouts to get you on your way to swimming for fitness!

Of course a straw tote is perfect for the beach, and it will complete a swim or beach look. Add a hat to the mix, and your fabulous self has arrived. 😉

Shop my summer 2020 swimwear capsule online:

Are you excited to get back in the pool and swim for fitness, and also get back on the beach this summer to relax and enjoy some sun? I know I am! I can’t wait to close my eyes, and listen to the ocean. It’s so calming, and exactly what we all need right now!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy