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.