The weather outside is getting nice at this time of year so go outside and “Play”. Run, swim, bike, hike, whatever. Just be active with something that will get your heart rate up.

You do not have to go on a crash diet in order to lose weight, just be aware of what you are taking in and how much. Swap out the biscuit in the morning for an apple, make your afternoon snack some nuts or celery, and not a cookie.

The real trick is “Keep it Simple” and sooner than you think you will see the results.

A little about me.

My name is Todd Mayer. I have been a Clarksville resident all my life. I have three kids. As they got older and more active I started researching ways to stay in shape, so I could keep up. We have raced motocross and mountain bikes, played soccer and tennis,  and we love all of the outdoor activities (wakeboarding, water skiing, hiking, camping etc.)  So I tried out several different programs at home to stay in shape including  running, weight lifting, biking, etc. I researched several different fitness programs and found that the best combination is strength training and cardio together in one workout, and this is  the easiest fitness program to stick with.

I see alot of people that are in poor shape, and overweight.  Our country is one of the worst in the world for obesity and diabetes. So I made it my mission in life to try and help others deal with their weight and fitness problems. In March I opened the Boom-Fit, a  30 minute workout center in Northeast Clarksville. Boom-Fit combines fast pace anerobic machines with aerobic recovery stations for a complete body workout in just 30 minutes. We are the first CO-ED facility of this kind in this area, and have the lowest monthly fees of any gym in Clarksville. We want to help you make a difference in your life!

Does it get any better than this?

Looking for a scenic bike trail, horse riding trail, or a walking trail? What once was a railroad bed running between Nashville and Clarksville was turned into a beautiful, fairly level and almost completely paved trail. It is perfect for biking, hiking, power walking or a leisurely stroll with the intent of observing nature’s best offerings. You can find it all on the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail.

Local enthusiasts, Kitty Madden (l) and Beverly Fisher (above) invited me along for a early spring flower identification walk. We walked approximately four miles, though the trail runs at least 7.5 miles. With flower guidebook in hand, Beverly Fisher identified many of the spring flowers that we spotted along the trail.

The Cumberland River below gives a home to many species of birds, from native bluebirds and bright yellow goldfinches to ruby hued cardinals, several species of woodpeckers, bluejays and owls, and shore/marsh birds including heron and cranes.

It is a bit difficult to see the Chapmansboro Road turnoff so you may want to note that when I map quest searched it, it said that it is 21.5 miles from the start of Ashland City Road (Hwy 12) to Chapmansboro turnoff. (maps at end of this article)

For more information, visit http://cumberlandrivertrail.org/

Photos by Debbie Boen

They meet on New Year’s Eve at 9 p.m. to walk in the New Year.

The group pictured above joined others in walking walked three to four miles of downtown Clarksville, starting at McGregor Park, using the walking bridge that crosses Riverside and the other sidewalk “trails” created for downtown. They walked up Dog Hill, admiring some of its historic houses, then over to Public Square with its eternal flame and memorial to the soldiers.

They paused to peek in the shop windows along Franklin, then trailed down to Riverside on 2nd Street, over Riverside and across the walking bridge before ending back at the park. A walk in frigid cold, led by fast walker Suva Bastin, left all feeling exhilarated at the end. When the trail ended at 11 p.m., leaders Suva (front red) and Jack Bastin (front blue, white hat) invited all to their house for treats.

The following morning, New Years Day, Suva and Jack met with 16 people at Montgomery Bell Park for an eight mile hike. By lunchtime they had stopped by a small lake where experienced trail members brought out their picnic blankets and baby cooking stoves. Served to all was a meal of hot black eye peas, cornbread, hot mashed potatoes and desserts like fruit cobbler. Lemonade and hot chocolate, enough for everyone, appeared out of someone’s backpack. No trash was left behind.

Friends of Dunbar Cave President David Boen has done the late night hike three times, and eight-mile hike twice. He said of the leaders: “Jack and Suva’s love for hiking and the outdoors has been an inspiration to me ever since I met them.”

Besides Tennessee Trails, Jack and Suva Bastin are also very active members of Friends of Dunbar Cave and the Audubon society. Jack is a member of a wood turning club and he often does demonstrations at fairs. Tennessee Trail enthusiasts include people like local hero, J. R. Tate, who has hiked the Appalachian Trail several times.

You don’t have to be an expert to join in these walks. To warm up to this healthy active group who really appreciate the beauty of Tennessee check out their web site at http://www.tennesseetrails.org/ and hike towards health.