by Dan | Feb 10, 2013 | Equipment, Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Weather, Wellness/Health, Winter
When I got up this morning and looked outside, I knew I was not going to be able to run outside. Out here, there was already about 7 inches in the driveway. So I did go out and blow snow, and some shoveling, but was kind of dreading having to do a long run on the treadmill. Some days, no problem, but other days, it can be a chore trying to fire up to do this on a treadmill. I had just gotten back last night from a conference in the Black Hills, and ran hills out there. Well, not really hills, more like Mountains! I was still sore, and the thought of trying to knock off 12 miles on the treadmill was not my idea of a really good time. So I decided to bike instead. At the pace I set, I rode 36 miles on the bike, which when converted over based on the speed, was equal to just over 12 miles.
By doing the biking, it allowed my legs a little more recovery time from doing the hill workouts in Deadwood. Sometimes, you just need to listen to your body, and make adjustments. Next time, it probably won’t be an issue to be on the treadmill, but the outside option for me will always be first. Running outside is just so much more enjoyable, and you can look around, and the time goes by so much faster. Just remember, you can come up with an alternative way to exercise before saying you are not going to do anything that day. Be creative. Some people I know, Jill and Steve, ran their 11 mile run outside this AM. More power to them! In South Dakota, if we let the weather dictate whether we will exercise at all, whether inside or outside, we would not get much done. Stay positive! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1964
by Dan | Jan 6, 2013 | Equipment, Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
I got a great Christmas present from Sarah this year. The Nike+fuelband watch. It calculates how many calories you are burning while doing activity, counts how manysteps you take, and can even be used as a regular watch.
Here it shows how many steps I took on this particular day. It attaches to your computer by USB, and you can register it to yourself, with your weight, height, and age. You can keep connecting to the computer and it will continue to keep a log/journal of your activities–steps taken, calories burned, on a daily basis.
You can have it set for different goals, and once you achieve them, it lets you know that you have made it that day. It is a great way to keep track of all the activity you do for the day. You can use when you are actually doing exercise, or wear it all day long so you have an idea just how many steps you actually take in a regular day. Very convenient, and useful. You are doing walking everyday, why not count it besides! Keep moving everybody!
Maybe this will help me actually keep track of the number of consecutive days. Somewhere in the last 2 months I started going backwards instead of forwards, and have been listing the days 100 less than it should have been. My consecutive days should actually as of today be 1928. Now to keep track more closely as I go.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1928
by Dan | Sep 3, 2012 | Equipment, Exercise, Family, Holidays, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. You are all appreciated! Labor Day has also come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. You need to get out and enjoy the weather while you can.
As posted by Tori Simon, this was the Paint the Town Pink 5k run/walk this last friday, August 31. You can see Sarah, #106. It was a little windy, but a great night to get out and join others to work together for a good cause, helping to raise money and awareness for breast cancer patients. We think we may work hard and need time off, or work hard exercising, but you need to put yourselves in these patients shoes, and then you will realize what work is, and the struggles they go through. Joining in on a walk/run seemed liked the least we could do.
The weather will be changing soon. Before long, it will get colder, and getting outside for exercise will be tougher. You always have the option of using exercise equipment inside, but there is nothing like being out in the open, enjoying the fresh air, and having a lot better scenery to look at. Here you see my family all working out on exercise equipment on our last vacation in August. If we can’t be outside, we find alternatives. Staying fit is important to our family, and we want it to become important for you.
Exercise is our Labor “of Love” Day, today and everyday! Keep moving everybody! Hope you had a great Labor Day off!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1803
by Dan | Mar 18, 2012 | Equipment, Exercise, Motivation, Weather, Wellness/Health, Winter
Here I am saturday morning, after going out for a 40 mile bike ride. It was in the mid 50’s when I went, drizzling, and very foggy. With all of the melting that is has been doing, the mud was flying. But, it felt so good to be outside riding again, instead inside. By the time the sun was really coming out, so was the wind, so it was drying the mud fast. Here is a close up view:
You can see all the mud on the bike, and on it, it was getting pretty dried on. I felt like a little kid playing in the dirt! Spent part of the afternoon cleaning off the bike as well. Mid to upper 70’s for weather in mid March–I don’t remember the last time this has happened. I am taking advantage of it, and enjoying it for as long as the weather cooperates. You all need to do the same. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1634
by Dan | Dec 4, 2011 | Equipment, Exercise, Motivation, Weather, Wellness/Health, Winter
Yes, it is getting colder outside, but we still have no snow, or very little. Here Sarah is getting ready to go out this sunday morning with Buddy for a walk, who is ready anytime! You just have to be smarter about what you wear.
Here is a close up of Sarah. She has several layers on, and the face mask and hat. She went out with Buddy for a 3 mile walk, or about 45 minutes time, and did fine. You still have the options of doing exercise indoors, but there are times when you just need to get out, and have other things to look at. Take advantage of the no snow yet. It will be coming! Have a good week coming!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1529
by Dan | Nov 13, 2011 | Equipment, Exercise, Weather, Wellness/Health, Winter
With the weather starting to turn cold, you can still exercise outside, you just need to have the right gear on. Here, I am an underarmour beenie hat on that helps keep moisture off of my head when I am sweating, and helps to cut down on wind penetration.
The jacket is a goretex jacket, which when it is cold, and especially middle of winter, I won’t go outside to exercise without it. It blocks the wind, yet breathes, so when I am sweating, it helps keep the mosture off of me to prevent staying cold. The mittens I have on are also goretex, and keeps them very warm.
The winter tights work well to about 20 degrees, then the goretex pants go on, for the same reason as with the jacket.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is dress in layers, and have the base layer that is next to your skin be of a material that will help keep the moisture off of your skin: underarmour, polypropylene…not cotton, as this keeps you cold and holds the moisture against your skin, so you lose heat faster.
Remember, you can still exercise outside when it is cold, either running or walking, but you need to be smart, and dress appropriately.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1508
