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Week 1 - April 20, 2020
Thank you for signing up for Step it Up!
The program officially begins today, which means that it's time to start keeping track of your activity. Make sure to submit it here by next week Wednesday to be entered into our weekly prize drawing!
We are thrilled you are joining us on this 8 week journey! So far, we have 800 people signed up for the challenge. We hope that this program keeps you motivated during these uncertain times. Join our Facebook group here to stay connected and share great at home fitness tips and resources, or favorite things you’ve done outdoors on your own.
One of our favorite components of Step it Up! are the group walks and adventure series activities. We are excited to offer them to our participants once we are safely able to gather – stay tuned for details on group activities.
Scroll down to see our weekly health tips - parks to visit, strength and flexibility movements of the week, and suggestions to keep your mind and body feeling great!
Important note about Parks and COVID-19
If you are visiting a park during the shelter-in-place order, please adhere to the special COVID guidelines that are in place. Parks are not places to congregate at this time and social distancing is absolutely necessary. If the park you are visiting is very busy (lot is full), please choose a different location to visit or come back later in the day. Please note that all restrooms and playgrounds in Ottawa County are currently closed.
Sign up for COVID-19 updates from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health
Click for the state and local COVID-19 resource list.
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Connor Bayou is part of the Grand River Greenway and offers gorgeous views, hiking trails, an area to launch a kayak, and is a trailhead for the paved and accessible Idema Explorers Trail. From here you can bike or walk the 4 miles to Riverside Park.
Connor Bayou has both natural surface and paved trails. It is stroller and wheelchair-friendly.
Connor Bayou overlook
Did you know? Herman Miller adopted a segment of the Idema Explorers Trail that runs through Connor Bayou, as well as the parking area near the M-231 pedestrian bridge. Last fall they planted thousands of native plants near the M-231 trailhead not only beautifying the area, but creating a pollinator waystation there as well! Read the story here.
Bysterveld Park encompasses a beautiful 70-acre parcel of natural area generously donated to the County by the late John and Josie Bysterveld. Construction on Phase I of the park was completed in the spring of 2006 and includes two miles of nature trails, a picnic shelter, playground, catch and release fishing pond, a grass picnic/recreation area, a restroom facility, and parking for 75 vehicles. All of these amenities are ADA accessible. There are many splendid natural features that can be found on the park property, including rolling hills, wet meadows, wetlands, and woodland areas.
Bysterveld Park
Movements of the week from EcoTrek Fitness
Each week we'll feature a movement, but you can find an 8.5x11 print out of ALL of the warm up moves by clicking here. Also available as a half page 5.5 x 8.5 page here.
Videos of the individual movements and the full warm up can be found here.
  
Rethink your drink
Water has always been the best option to fuel our bodies and brains… but sometimes you want a little more flavor!
Craving the bubbles? Try Lacroix, Spindrift, Bubly, or Perrier to get your carbonated fix! All of these have 0 sugar added and are tasty too! Maybe you want somethings different? Here is a list of recipes for refreshing infused waters you can make from home. Healthy eating tips are kindly provided by Ottawa Food
 
5-Minute-or-Less Meditations Anyone Can Squeeze into Their Schedule
Many of us don’t meditate for the same reason we don’t pursue so many other worthy goals: We just don’t have the time. But if we can spare a few minutes every day to brush our teeth or apply makeup, surely we can spend the same amount of time on a practice with proven mental health benefits. Starting with an extremely brief guided meditation could be the gateway to a deeper, more involved practice. Here are 10 five-minute-or-less meditations even the greenest beginner can squeeze into a busy day.
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