INSPIRE
Do More… Than Workout 1 Hour A Day!!
Since being back from COVID quarantine, I have jumped all in to working out Monday through Friday with active weekends. After the initial beat down, I started feeling great. My eating followed right behind as I just became a bit more aware and diligent. As you start eating better and working out more, you begin sleeping better, which leads to more energy, etc. I know, none of this is new, and yes, I preach it every day, but like everyone you can fall into slumps. With new energy, I found myself wanting to do more. I wanted to be the healthiest version of myself I could be. I love my workout at noon every day, but it’s only one hour a day. So, I wanted to add more higher intensity activity to my day. Obviously, I am not talking about standing at my desk, or going for a walk, or parking further from the store. Nothing wrong with those, but I was looking for more.
It’s important to mention that I am married with 4 and 6-year-old boys, so it’s not like I just have all this free time. I have to sneak it in and involve the kids.
My 6-year-old and I started talking about mountain biking, and I quickly became obsessed with finding the proper bike for him, and then myself. Two weeks later, I found everything I needed on Facebook Market and we were off to the trails. Typically, we get in a ride during the week and one on the weekends. These aren’t casual rides; they are challenging and technical and more importantly they elevate my heart rate.
Next, I have committed to biking to work as many days as possible. It’s only 3 miles each direction, but I don’t take it likely. I start my day off with a bang. I jump on my bike and go for it. Blood is flowing and heart rate is elevated. Like I said before, I then workout at noon, and at about 5:00 I jump back on my bike for my 15-minute sprint.
So, besides biking, I usually find other activity on my paddle board, whether that’s surfing it or paddling in the lakes with my kids. Obviously, there are times when we are just out cruising, but I usually try to get some aggressive paddling in to elevate my heart rate and get a little sweat on.
Lastly, yard work. Everyone’s favorite. I like to get out when it’s really hot, mow the yard, trim the hedges, swing an axe, etc. You name it, and I will get out there and do it. I know it sounds crazy, but I love looking back at a freshly cut yard and perfectly trimmed hedges. But I also love to get out there and sweat.
So what’s the point of all this? No one would look at me and say you need to lose weight or body fat, or that I don’t look healthy. But I’m on a kick to be the healthiest version of me as possible. I want the healthiest heart I can have, and I want to be super active at 50, 60, 70, 80. There are too many fun things to do out there to be sideline by preventable diseases and other health altering conditions that come with sedentary lifestyles.
I realize not everyone can bike to work every day, but what can you do to be a better version of yourself? How can you elevate your heart rate for 15 extra minutes, 1-2 times more a day?
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