What is your definition of an attractive body?

A lot of women like to be super skinny, but I don't want a child's body. I want a woman's body that is extremely fit. - Ashley Greene

I couldn't agree more, Ashley. Strong is the new skinny!

When girls talk about being in shape, then they often aim to become as tiny as possible. I've really never understood that tendency. To me a healthy body is a strong, vital and energetic body.

Here's to importance of a healthy fitness concept and the magical power of watersports!

@surfermarly keeping in shape through watersports

Staying in shape through watersports

During my yesterday's surf session I had a nice conversation about fitness with one of the other surfers paddling around. That inspired me to write this article.

We both agreed on the effectiveness of watersports. Especially surfing is one of the most integrated sports of all.

When you paddle out into the Ocean in order to catch some waves you will enjoy a great challenging workout no matter how many waves you ride in the end. The moves you excecute will hit your shoulders and your back while trying to jump up on the board. They mainly get at your core and legs (quads, hamstrings, glutes).

While the pros probably burn more with their fancy tricks and big-wave surfing, newbies can count on shredding around 208 calories an hour catching waves. (Source: shape.com)

Now considering that an average surf session might take about 2-3 hours, you can easily burn 600 calories in one afternoon.

That's equivalent to 1.5 donuts with sugar if you need a reference :-)

To prove the effectiveness of surfing, I digged out some pictures from the time when I started. Now comparing them with my latest photographs, the body transformation is really appreciable:

Yet my major success doesn't lie in the fact that I can wear a smaller size now. What really counts is that: I've become much stronger!

Physical strength is one of the core drivers for mental balance.

If you feel healthy, vital and energetic, your overall behaviour will mirror that. That's why trained people tend to show an especially developed self-esteem.

I swear that I'm much more confident now than I was back in 2013.

Sports make you confident and prepare you well for life!

This life requires tough sailors who don't give up when the first heavy storm hits them hard.

That's why I can only recommend everybody to find their favourite type of sports - and then practice it as often as you can.

One of the most important things about sports is surely that you fully enjoy doing it. It doesn't make much sense if you actually don't like to go to the gym but then force yourself to do it anyways.

There is an activity designed for everybody in this world. You only need to find yours.

Stay healthy and strong, steemians!

Hugs & kisses, Marly -

Thanks for your valuable time!
This blog was launched at the end of July 2016
aiming to provide stories for open-minded
people who enjoy living on the edge of their lives,
stepping out of comfort zones, going on adventure,
doing extreme sports and embracing the new.
Welcome to the too-much-energy-blog!

PS: Don't forget that this is a troll-free zone.

Original content. Quote found on pinterest.com.