Springing Past Covid

 

         Well we are a little more than halfway through May, staring at Winter in the rearview mirror.  Hopefully, we are seeing the worst of Covid-19 in that same mirror.   With about 50% of the population getting vaccinated, we are moving in a positive direction, returning to some semblance of normal.

      It's time to start getting back to doing the 5k and 10k runs I missed during the pandemic.  I am not a "virtual" run kind of guy.   I like to show up, pick my t-shirt up, pin my number on and talk with the other runners.  Socialization is an important part of life for everybody.  During the pandemic, we really lost that part of our lives.  It is time to get it back and do something good by raising money for some very worthwhile causes.  

     This past weekend I did my first race in two years and raised some money for a local playground.  It was nice to catch up with some people I haven't seen in awhile.  Moving forward, I plan on lacing up my sneakers, getting some sunshine, catching up with more friends and building some miles.

     

  Vaccinated and Moving Forward.  -Dan   

        

Covid's Not In Control

 Friday evening my wife, I and some of our friends attended a concert by Jimmy and the Parrots at the Steel Stacks venue in  Bethlehem.  It was an event at which people kept the "social distancing" rule, everyone had a mask on while walking around and took it off to eat at their table. We talked and laughed, she sang, and we were out in the fresh air.  We even saw the International Space Station as it made it's way over the Steel Stacks that were all lit up.  

       This year has been quite tough to keep your physical and mental health going strong.  It is, however, a year that getting outside and participating in outdoor activities has been more important than ever.  Walking, running, cycling are all good ideas to get moving on your own or with your family.  Heading out to farmer's markets, sunflower fields, apple orchards and pumpkin fields --just walking around will make you healthier.  Grabbing some fresh produce and sunflowers is just an added benefit.  

      It is important to keep moving no matter what your age or physical status. You can do chair exercises if you can't walk, you can walk if you can't run and there is always something you can do to make yourself stronger.  It is important to walk or move when you are 60, if you want to be able to do it at 65. 

      Socializing is also important for your mental well-being.  Do it safely, be smart and wear a mask. Your mask protects me, my mask protects you and we all live safely and get along.

Don't Just Sit There

     We look forward to vacations every year.  This year, everything seems to have changed.  We don't know when we will be out of quarantine and we don't know when things will open back up.  Outside for us now means wearing masks in public and social distancing.
      No matter what is going on outside, you still have to take care of yourself.  Getting out for a run, bike ride or walk can make you feel better, clear your head and help lower your anxiety. Reading books and magazines or watching self help videos can expand your knowledge base.
       If you don't want to go out, you can ride your exercise bike, walk up and down your stairs,  or put some music on and dance.   It doesn't matter what you do as long as you are doing something daily to take care of yourself.  Don't just sit there for all the hours in the day, your muscles need to move and blood needs to flow.  If you work from home, every so often you need to get up and walk around your house.  It is important to not be so sedentary.
   

"Keep on moving and stay well."

Social Distancing

     I went for a run the other day and came across these women catching up on life. They called themselves the “Real Wives of Greenridge,” who indicated they were waiting for a wine delivery. Actually, they were waiting for a local radio station to play a series of songs. The station plays the songs inviting listeners to go outside and sing along to shake loose the webs that are brought on by the “cabin fever” of self-isolation from COVID-19. The “real wives” are maintaining social distance while still interacting with friends. It is important to keep in contact with others and to socialize (within certain parameters) to maintain some small aspects of mental and physical health. Of course, you could just go for a run and enjoy nature.

Socialized Distancing

Frozen Yoda

Winter is in full swing and it is cold outside. If you’re waiting for warmer weather to exercise, soon enough you’ll be complaining that it is too hot. Fitness is a 12 month a year commitment. There are always things to see, things to do and ways to enjoy life. Yesterday we went to a “Winterfest” in Stroudsburg. There were ice sculptures but little else going on. We did, however, find a new place for lunch. The atmosphere was good, the food was good, and the beer was better. While we were out in the cold, walking around and seeing what was going on in the world, many people in the area were sitting on their couches, griping about the cold and making their lives more miserable. Hot or cold, get out, see something new, do something that you like and enjoy life.

“Enjoyable life is”

Approaching 2020

      As we approach the end of the year, we think about resolutions and changes that we may be intending to make for 2020. With Christmas and all of the parties, the cookies, the candy and the drinks...we may have overdone it just a little bit.  However, that's what makes the holidays great, good times with our family and friends. 
      The sign behind my head really sums up how you should approach the changes you wish to make.  Just take it day by day.  You need to take small steps and make a plan that works for you.  Don't try to change everything all at once, you may become discouraged quickly.   If you decide you would like to lose some weight, do what is right for you.  Not everyone can follow the Keto Diet, but may do well with Intermittent Fasting.  Some people like the flexibility of Weight Watchers and all of the choices while others think that counting all the points just makes it difficult. There are many options out there but we all know, if you burn more calories than you take in you will lose weight.  You have to look at your daily routine and decide what fits into your lifestyle
     Becoming more active is a good goal to strive for.  Little changes may increase your flexibility and improve how you feel.  It will also help you to lose weight and burn those calories. Small changes in your daily routine including walking, taking the stairs, riding a bike or lifting some small weights over your head while watching TV.  They may lead to bigger changes like running, jumping on a trampoline or hiking.  Do what you can, it will make a big difference in your life.


One day at a time...

Fairly Fit

    Yesterday my wife and I brought our signs and crafts to a Christmas fair in Bloomsburg. We both make things out of wood and sell them at fairs and shows a few times a year. It doesn’t make us rich, but it does add up a little and it gives us something to do. Do you have to be an Adonis to get up before dawn, carry totes of merchandise from the cellar, load the car, drive an hour, then unload the car and set-up tables and all? NO. However, you can’t be a couch-slouch either. It’s pretty far from the most physical job I ever had, but it does take a certain degree of strength, flexibility and physicality. I hope that I will always be fit enough to maintain that type of lifestyle (even if I hit the lottery and never choose to do another show again). We should all find ways to keep fit enough to be active. Running, or walking, lifting weights or doing calisthenics: DO SOMETHING. If you can’t think of anything to do, load a few totes with chunks of wood and carry them up and down the steps.

Fit, Fun, Active