Jennifer shares how she wanted something more for her fitness and overall wellbeing, that wasn’t a gym.

Exercise and physical fitness have never been a priority for me. I am well aware of their importance but there has always been a tendency to forgo exercise if time was short.

For several years I have regularly done Zumba classes but I wanted something more to improve my fitness and overall well being.

I promised myself years ago that I would not join another gym as I had repeatedly wasted money on gym memberships as I would be too busy working to use the membership.

I saw that a friend I had recently connected with on Facebook had liked Women’s Fitness Adventures so I Googled, and it looked interesting!

There was an upcoming walk on a Sunday so I made an instantaneous decision and joined.

My thinking was that even if I only ever participated in the city walks I would at least be doing more walking than I was currently doing.

I started with a Sunday morning and a Friday night walk which were based around Southbank and the city.

I was worried I would not keep up with the group so thought in advance, that at least with those locations, if I needed to, I could drop out of a city walk and still be somewhere I was familiar with.

During these walks, ladies talked about hike training and various day and multi day hikes that they had done.

For me, I had put myself out of my comfort zone and I felt I had accomplished something by joining a group on my own and walking with new people. I started to think that maybe I could do more than a city walk.

I was then on an overseas holiday and injured my foot so any plans to do more with Women’s Fitness Adventures were interrupted for about 8 months!

I started back again with a Sunday morning and a Friday evening walk. Again I felt it was time to try something new and I put myself out of my comfort zone when I booked my first HikeAbout session.

There have been several achievements for me, from doing my first walk to going to my first local hike.

But the biggest achievement was that I did my first ever hiking holiday!

Kangaroo Island, in South Australia, was the most amazing location and even though I had been training with Women’s Fitness Adventures, I surprised myself by managing to do consecutive daily walks.

The island was so beautiful I did not want to miss anything, so some minor musculoskeletal problems that flared up did not stop me.

Another big achievement for me is to keep coming back to Women’s Fitness Adventures after periods of time where I have not been physically well enough to hike.

In the past I think I would have given up the idea of starting over again with my fitness journey when I have had injuries or health problems but there’s just something about Women’s Fitness Adventures ( the leaders and the members) that draws me back each time.

When I started back at HikeAbout after some months absence I said that I felt anxious as it all seemed so new. I was reminded that I had skills and knowledge that I had gained and it would never be the same as that very first hike.

I commenced travelling in the last 10 years after my children had finished school. I found that the trips I enjoyed the most were the ones where I was experiencing wilderness and nature so hoped that Women’s Fitness Adventures might expose me to a new way to have that enjoyment.

It certainly has done that!

I have lived in Brisbane all my life and while I had been to the Lookout restaurant and picnic grounds at Mt Cootha I had never hiked a trail!

While doing glute work, hills and time on the legs at Mt Cootha I have gained fitness but more than that I discovered that my mental health has benefited and I feel great.

I know that physical activity helps mental health but for me it is also the surroundings, the conversations with the ladies I meet and also the time spent not talking during hiking (because I’m too short of breath!) that help my mental state.

I joined on the spur of the moment after seeing a ‘Like’ for Women’s Fitness Adventures on Facebook. This has probably been the best spur of the moment decision I have made.

I joined without knowing anyone.

I have been out of my comfort zone several times but that is ok.

If you are thinking of joining just do it…don’t over think it.

There is an adventure for everyone whether it be a social event, social walk, kayaking, HikeAbout, day or multi day hike they all provide opportunities for physical fitness and mental well being.

Jennifer has been an active member since 2017 and has completed many adventures in that time.

Women’s Fitness Adventures helps women become stronger and fitter for life through an adventure that combines fitness, travel and a social connection to a like minded community.

Since 2014, Yvonne Shepherd, Founder & CEO has shared her passion of encouraging women to become fitter and stronger for life through outdoor adventures