I have not been blogging here much lately, but that doesn't mean I have been "vegging." I am doing my internship at the YMCA in Wilkes Barre.  I am working with the Membership Director which covers a lot of area. She takes care of various duties from the front desk to member services. I have been given a membership for my troubles and sometimes work out there. Other times I work out when I get home. I am doing a blog chronicling my experiences there as a sort of running resume, and I am not too worried about keeping up with two blogs. The Y has some good programs and many people like to work out with others. Sometimes the company is nice, sometimes I like to go off on my own. It doesn't really matter as long as you are happy and you keep going further.

"Y" not be fit?

I'm doing my Internship at the Wilkes Barre YMCA. I am working primarily with the Membership Director. She wears a few different hats. She does a little Public Relations, runs the Front Desk, coordinates many of the Day Events, and works with all of the Other Directors. Since I started a couple of weeks ago, I've worked with her, the Aquatics Director, Wellness Director, and Camp Director. I need over 300 hours of working there to graduate in May with my Masters Degree in Sport Management.

This is an unpaid internship but I do get to use the facilities. I am free to use any of the equipment and participate in any of the classes.

"Y" not work out?

The weather has been pretty warm. Mostly in the 40's & 50's for the past few days, although we did get a few inches of snow last week, today is all but gone. Tomorrow, it is supposed to snow again. Just an inch or two, but snow nonetheless. I like running as it is snowing. Not falling down on slick sidewalks, but there is something peaceful about the snow falling around you as your body finds it's pace and your legs pump in a gentle rhythm. By the end of a few miles a nice sweat is going and in the end you can't help but to feel like you accomplished something. On top of having better blood pressure from the exercise, studies show that enjoying nature can lower blood pressure even more.

Go in the Snow

Day 1: Today was the 1st day of my internship at the Wilkes Barre YMCA. I am fairly certain that I am the oldest intern that ever graced their halls, and may even be the oldest intern ever from ESU. That does not really bother me. I know there are many people older than me in better shape, but there are also many people younger in worse shape. I do what I do regardless of what the world does, or expects. I want to have fun during the rest of my life. I know to do that and to be active I have to be in at least fair shape. I can't worry about what others are thinking about my running, or about my push ups, or about my internship. I am not in college at this age for any one's approval. I am there because if ignorance does not have an age limit, learning should not either.

So today I started my internship. In a few months I should graduate with my Masters degree. After that who knows, and who cares. I do what I think is right for ME. I suggest that you do the same.


I gotta be me: good; bad; or indifferent.

Lunch: I am not a dietitian, nor am I a nutritionist. However, I do read about nutrition from time to time. Now that we are embarking on a new year, many people will be taking up new eating habits (at least initially). Some will over do an over due change. This to the left, is my lunch for today. I did not pre-plan to take the picture, it is a normal lunch for me. I know that it is hard to see because I am a better runner than a photographer. The meal consists of one chicken thigh (baked), a little bit of mashed potatoes and some mixed vegetables. My meals are fairly simple. I try to eat more vegetables than protein and more protein than starch. I do not recommend high carb or low carb diets, being vegan, or anything else. The best diet, I feel, consists of: "anything in moderation." I do not run away from pizza, dessert or alcohol. I do like my vegetables, and do not like them slathered in cheese. So, as you chase down what you think your perfect weight is, remember the same food that you ate last year in smaller portions is a change for the better, and when you throw in some exercise (I did do 5 miles this morning), then it is a better change. One last thought, the definition of a calorie is a "unit of  energy."

Food for thought & for fun


Snowy Days: It snowed a little more yesterday, perhaps dropping  5 inches or so.  I guess that is what we get for living in northeastern PA. It was a bit windy and cold but there is no getting out of shoveling. Scranton has about 80,000 people, many of which will be shoveling today. Not all though. Some local residents will refuse to obey the law and of course no one will enforce it. Some businesses will plow their parking lots onto their sidewalks, and no one will enforce that either. Kids will be walking to school in the street because sidewalks are snow covered. Some people will gain a few pounds in the next few months, maybe because they are a little lazier in the winter, but maybe because they are unable to get around. And, while some refuse to participate in society by shoveling, some older Americans will be shoveling and have heart attacks because shoveling snow and cutting grass is the only exercise they get. I prefer to be in good enough shape to shovel, to cut grass, and to complain until things get better. Just the kinda guy I am.

You owe it to yourself to be fit, and to society to care.

Cheeseburger in Paradise: Aside from being the day dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ, tomorrow is Jimmy Buffet's birthday. I am not pointing that out because he is a 66 year old Adonis, or even because he runs or workouts ( he may, but I don't know). I only mention it because he truly does put himself out there as an example of someone that enjoys life. It is on my "bucket list" to get to Key West, Florida, and of course to have a cheeseburger there probably with a beer (maybe a margarita) and enjoy that cheeseburger while in paradise. In addition to enjoying life personified by Jimmy Buffet and Ernest "Papa" Hemingway in the bars of Key West, I plan on being in good enough shape to walk around town (probably NOT do the legendary bar crawl). To do things on your "Bucket List" you need to be able to walk. You need to be in good enough shape to get around town: to see the lighthouse, to go into the shops; to take in the history and the fun. Checking something off a bucket list that you only half do is cheating yourself. To enjoy something fully, you need to be capable, you need to be at least a little fit. Maybe tomorrow after the presents, after giving thanks, you might want to go for a little run or do a few push-ups or sit-ups, and perhaps have a drink and toast Jimmy Buffet.

 

Eat, drink and be merry, but give thanks FIRST.