Since having my first and only child, I have been trying to figure out how to be active, healthy, and proud of the body I am in. And it’s a challenge since being a mom, business woman, wife, friend, daughter, sister, etc. takes up all of my time.

Cape Henry Trail at First Landing State Park is the fitness trail we were on. Fitness trails like this are offered at most State Parks across Virginia.

I vowed to run at every park I visited while working and traveling.

Fail.

I picked out the bike with the cool toddler seat on the back and promised my son I’d buy it soon to show him the Virginia State Park trails at all of the parks close to us.

This bike is still at the store.

I purchased Groupons for boot camp after boot camp even going at 5:30 in the morning for weeks so there was no excuse to be “too busy.”

I actually did this fairly well but couldn’t give up my love for baked goods and fudge.

But through all my trials, I met a fitness guru who I thought may be able to whip me into shape, and intrigued me because he does most of his workouts outdoors and in parks.

“It breaks the monotony of being in a gym, in four walls, seeing the same old thing, you’re outside, soaking in some sunlight, great for vitamin D, you feel good. Then you see other people walking past you from all walks of life. Something about being outside is much better than the gym,” says Jewrell Marktoevis of Body Matrixx by Jewrell.

I asked if I could follow him while he trained a friend at First Landing State Park, and learned that even as a park’s employee, he was teaching me about the fitness trails. Take a look!

They kicked off their workout with a brisk walk, a stretch and assisted squats by way of resistance. “It’s a good way to get resistance in without having weights,” says Jewrell.

Jewrell shows his friend Rick how to do a squat on the bench.

Signs like are displayed along the trail, showing you what to do at each fitness stop. It is also perfect to teach kids about fitness and living an active lifestyle while spending time in nature.

The Overhead Ladder in use by Rick. He thought he wouldn't be able to do it but he rocked it!

Here are the other fitness stops they visited along the way at First Landing State Park. Each of which has a sign explaining what to do at each station:

Abdominal crunches for a serious ab workout.

A plank is an exercise that helps to strengthen the core, and is a full body workout when done correctly.

If you want to really work up a sweat, run in between each station. But walking or biking between fitness stations is fine too.

Pushups for an upper body workout.

Steps ups for a good leg and lower body workout.

The parallel bar works the core and upper body and is a great exercise to do with your workout partner.

Feel like a kid again and test your agility and endurance with a good ole’ tire run. This caused us a good laugh!

And if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot some critters along the way that will pose for a photo.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a trainer as a friend but the Virginia State Park fitness trails give the direction you need and you don’t need anything but you and your water bottle. And Jewrell was right. There is something freeing and special about working out outdoors. I left feeling good and a bit healthier.

Thank you to Jewrell Marktoevis of Body Matrixx by Jewrell for showing me how amazing and easy a Virginia State Park’s fitness trail can be, and to Rick Donato for being such and good sport and making it look so easy.

Learn more about First Landing State Park here. The Park is 2,888 acres with 1.25 miles of beach!

Good luck with your personal fitness journey. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing with mine. Until next time…