No. Calories Needed

My wife and I have recently started to get up at 5:30 to walk on the treadmill.  One of us will walk, the other will stretch and do push ups – then we’ll swap. It’s never easy to crawl out of bed, that early, especially when you are a night-person like me, but it’s totally worth it.

I always feel better after we walk.  It’s like my day has gotten off to a good start.  One thing that I do struggle with, however, is getting very tired, say, around 10:00 am.  I’ve tried everything I know to do – including additional exercise, eating fruit, eating protein, not eating, coffee, etc – but I still get very groggy around 10:00 am.  I’m beginning to think that it has more to do with the fact that I’m not QUITE getting seven hours of sleep – and that I really need to focus more on going to bed earlier.

I think it’s important to find the time to exercise.  With three kids, it’s fun to take a walk around the neighborhood.  That’s not always easy to coordinate (especially with a 3 year old), but the effort is always rewarded.

At almost 37, I’m looking at this whole exercise thing in a brand-new light.  Instead of trying to be some super-athlete, I’m actually looking at exercise as a time for relaxation and reflection.  Sure, it’s hard work, lifting weights and running – but it’s a great time to let-go and just “be”.  I love to put on some inspirational music, listen to some inspirational teaching, and just enjoy the time.

I guess I’d say – Whenever I make the time (find it, somehow, even when busy) to workout, to exercise, to walk, whatever – I do myself a huge favor.  It might require effort and even some inconvenience, but the benefits are of great value – both physically AND mentally.

It’s funny how making small adjustments to my workout plan can keep me motivated.

Instead of waiting until the afternoon to go to the gym – and often finding an excuse not to go – I’ve been getting up at 5 and hitting the treadmill.  This small change has created a more consistent commitment to working out and provided me with an awesome energy boost each morning.

I have also focused on eating a balanced breakfast, with plenty of protein.  I’m never really hungry in the morning, so I have to persuade myself to eat.  Once I do, I always feel 100% better.

I’ve also learned to incorporate more stretching, throughout the day.  I really focus on my lower-back and hamstrings.  I spend a good amount of time driving around each day, so it’s vitally important that I work to maintain some flexibility.

I’ve been bouncing around between a couple of eating plans – trying to avoid unhealthy carbohydrates.  December is a tough month, especially for foragers like me, so my December goal is to simply maintain my weight, while continuing to work out.

It’s amazing how different foods can put me in different moods.  For instance – about thirty minutes after I eat white bread, I feel sluggish and lethargic, but when I eat an orange, I feel energized and alive.  Silly me, most of the time, I choose the bread.  Why?  I don’t know, but it’s something I’m working to change.

Yesterday afternoon, I was exhausted, but instead of taking a nap or lounging around, I ate an orange – and took a walk.  I managed two laps around our neighborhood, baby girl and son in tow.  I didn’t break any land-speed-records, but I did break a sweat and a couple of miles.  After the walk, I felt great.  Exhilarated, even.

Our bodies were created to move, but for too long, I’ve settled for sloth.  That’s ridiculous, considering how much better I feel when I am up and active.  Insanity, of course, is repeating the same behavior, and expecting different results.  It’s way past the time that I stop being insane – and stop sabotaging myself.  Here’s to getting up, getting out, and getting going.