Three years ago, I posted about our date at the Nashville Shores Treetop Adventure Park. Since that time, I have wanted to go back again, but it hasn’t worked out. So when I saw that they had reopened after COVID-19 (with new policies and fewer spots per time slot) and were offering a 50% discount, I purchased two tickets. It was sort of a “pre-anniversary” celebration.
High ropes courses are something that I really enjoy. They are adventurous and provide great exercise but are still very safe (at least the ones I have been to are). My family went to a really great one several times while I was growing up, and although the one in Nashville doesn’t quite measure up, it’s still a blast.
Mr. Handsome was happy to go with me, but he isn’t a huge fan of treetop obstacle courses. He says he doesn’t understand the appeal.
“There’s no point to it,” he explained to me. “It’s like, we create this course just to mimic real terrain and then climb around with no purpose. It would be one thing if you had to climb a tree to cut it down or cross a waterfall while being chased by a bear.” I’m usually the practical one, but his view on this subject is certainly more practical than mine. He still had fun though.
Anonymous
I’m with Handsome. People evolved to live on the ground not in trees. Besides, I don’t trust ropes, hardware, and wood to hold me up. So you can have my ticket and my time slot!!
Margaret
Wow, Ellie, you surely are trim and fit looking for a mom of a year old baby! Well done.
Ellie
Aww, thank you, Margaret! 🙂
Anonymous
Do you have a workout and meal plan?
Ellie
I don’t have a particular meal plan, but my goal is to eat healthy the majority of the time. I try to eat at least 3 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruit each day. When I’m hungry, I try to find healthy snacks, like nuts or low sugar granola bars (Trader Joe’s has great ones.) I also read the ingredients lists of all the food that comes into our home, and I rarely ever buy things with artificial flavors or colors or preservatives. We don’t usually have soda or other sugary beverages in the house. When I need a treat, I’ll make a smoothie or mix some juice (without corn syrup or added sugar) with sparkling water. All that being said, Mr. H and I do enjoy sweets. We both like dark chocolate, so that’s a lower sugar content, and I make sure to buy the chocolate without fake ingredients. I’ll bake cookies and other treats from time to time, but we don’t keep that sort of stuff in the house on a regular basis because we know that when it’s on the counter, it’s hard not to eat it. We really enjoy coffee, whether it’s decaf or caffeinated, so we usually have a cup of that per day. Neither of us takes sugar in our coffee, but we do like a bit of heavy cream. I think it’s just really important to do everything in moderation. Choose a few things that really make you happy (cream in your coffee, chocolate, etc) and find ways to make those treats as healthy as possible (eliminating fake ingredients, etc). And then try to train yourself to see fruit as a treat. Frozen fruit that is slightly thawed in the microwave (so you’re not chipping your teeth) is a great reward.
As far as exercise goes, my goal is to exercise 4-5 times per week. There are a lot of great YouTube videos (I like Blogilates) and DVDs (Walk away the Pounds).
Hope that helps!
Ellie
Anonymous
So so helpful! Thanks so much, Ellie! 🙂
Anonymous
Wait til middle age and change of life hits… Everything you thought you knew about taking care of your body could completely not work any more. Even if you were thin all your life, things can change no matter what you do. It’s easy for some to stay thin in their 20’s and 30’s. Try it in your 50’s and 60’s though.
Ellyn
Great nutrition advice Ellie! I am also a Trader Joe’s fan 🙂 I also stay away from artificial ingredients but tend to overindulge on treats such as chips or ice cream. Good idea to train yourself to see fruit as a treat. Frozen raspberries are my favorite 🙂
Anonymous
How do you eat frozen fruit? Do you keep it out for a specific length of time or heat it in a microwave? I know it’s a silly question but I haven’t yet explored frozen fruit.
Ellie
Not a silly question at all. 🙂 I just put it in the microwave until it’s thawed enough to be a little soft but still cold. That takes about 20 seconds in my microwave but it would vary depending on your microwave strength. Blueberries are my favorite to eat this way.
Ellie
M
Just looking at that made me scared. I be afraid of falling.
Ellyn
I see Mr. H’s point but at least you had fun!
You two are a beautiful, and very brave, couple! 🙂
Regina Shea
I’m a big chicken so I’ll keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, thank you very much. Now my oldest daughter loves doing stuff like this. Such a brave little lady.
I’m glad you two had fun.
Anonymous
It’s been a while since I’ve come on here and I’ve been catching up on your posts. I really enjoyed the “hot date” post from Mr H. It’s hilarious!
Anonymous
It’s been a while since I’ve come on here and I’ve been catching up on your posts. I really enjoyed the “hot date” post from Mr H. It’s hilarious!
Anonymous
I guess the point could be getting some outdoor exercise and enjoying nature
Anonymous
I’ve only been on one high ropes course. It was great fun mostly, but there were a couple of moments I was a little scared I was going to fall.
Anonymous
Mr H. must sympathsize with the hard work done to make that event. And he can’t quite wrap his head around why anyone would do that. But I always think of all the different kinds of hoops people jump through to turn out a profit. Maybe there is money to be made from jumping through all of the hoops of creating this and selling tickets to do it. If not then maybe there is a mystery.
Anon
Surely you don’t think people would put together a place like this with no need to make money? Haha I don’t think so.
Anonymous
Look at the people getting chubby from doing this virtually in video games. At least doing it really is exercise as well as fun. (Also why two grown men bat soft balls around the living room!)
Anne
That looks like so much fun!!
Anonymous
I keep regular soda in my house just incase my blood sugar goes low and it helps.
Justine Kessner
LOL I get it now High Ropes=High Hopes, like U are trying not to think how danger, about the fun, cool, when I bunggeed, at Whistler Bungee, I never thought about the danger, just the fun too!!!! Sometimes we are similar!!! I love U 3!!!