by Dan | Feb 1, 2015 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health, Winter
I said on my last post how tough Hills can be for running. Here I am at the top of one, and the sign in the background says “Moon Mountain”…How appropriate…it flet like we ran to the moon!
Here is Sarah…of course, some of us felt a little better after them. It was a good thing I took the picture several minutes later after she was able to recovery!
The scenery there was very nice. Getting to watch all of this kind of made the Hills a little easier to take.
It is always easier to do a workout with other people as well.
My true training partners…Steve, my marathon partner, and of course Sarah, my forever running partner. It always make adventures somewhere else that much better when you can explore it first hand out running. Some of these places we would not see had we not been out on foot. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2683
by Dan | Oct 26, 2014 | Diet, Exercise, Food, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
You only turn 50 once, so you better make it count when that time comes. I try to be health conscious and stay fit, but sometimes, you need to splurge a little. When I came into work on Friday, my staff had the place decorated for my 50th birthday, and my nurse Chris made this cake for me.
About the only candy I will eat is peanut M & M’s, and she made this cake with it covered in them! The top was a carrot cake, and the bottom was marble. She did a great job. This was the best cake! Here is a close-up view of it.
Did this cake have a lot of calories? Yes. Did it stop me from eating several pieces, including over the weekend. Not on your life! You need to enjoy these types of things in life when it comes along. If you eat these type of things in moderation, then you can have them, and enjoy them without guilt. If we restrict ourselves too much, then we end up crabby, and depressed. I will make up for things with my diet after this, and I still exercise everyday so I can have these “good things” in life. So can you! It is OK to reward yourselves once in a while, but then get back on track, and take care of yourself. For me, I just told myself “I only turn 50 once, so take advantage of it”. That is truly what life is about. Enjoy it! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2585
by Dan | Oct 23, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Nick has been having a much better senior year since his first cross country meet this year where he collapsed 300 meters before the finish line. Now, he is getting ready for the State Cross Country meet this coming Saturday. He is starting to get back to his usual self. Here is his last weekend with Molly and I at Tucks. One proud sister here, and another proud sister Megan, back in college in Virginia, who wished she could have been home for this too.
He has overcome a lot these last few months, and as I posted last week, our first obstacle for all of us to overcome is OURSELVES! We could not be more proud of you Nick.
Mom, Megan, Molly, and I are behind you all of the way. Mom and I will be cheering at the course, and Molly and Megan cheering from afar, but we will keep them posted. Go for broke in your final high school cross country meet. Do your best, and leave no regrets behind. This may be your last high school cross country meet, but your family will be cheering and supporting you forever. We love you. Families live together, support each, stay fit together! Good luck, but have fun, and enjoy your last State meet! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2582
by Dan | Sep 27, 2014 | Exercise, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Yesterday, September 26, was the official completion of my 7th year of consecutive exercise days, and went on to begin year 8 today. I still have as much enjoyment now as I ever did. I still have to plan everyday when I am going to exercise, and what type of exercise for that day, but it is a habit. A very enjoyable habit. I can’t see myself doing it any other way. Whether biking, running, walking, lifting weights…and even swimming…I thoroughly enjoy staying active.
My exercise has taken me on many adventures, and with many different people. I would not trade it for anything! Hopefully the adventures still keep coming, and with other people as well. How far can I go without missing a day? I don’t know, but we will all be finding out together. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2556
by Dan | Sep 22, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
My girls turn 20 today! Both in their own worlds now. One at SDSU in Brookings, and one at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. One swimming, and one trying to keep running, and both trying to figure out their future life. We all have challenges every day, and for us “older individuals”, we know how challenging and stressful this time in our life can be. You may be away at school learning, but they, like all of us, need to remember one thing: Spend your life learning how to live!
They are still trying to figure out their ultimate destination, but who isn’t? We all continue to learn, and to learn by our mistakes. Life is continuously changing. That is what makes it such a fun adventure. Happy Birthday you two! Stay focused, have fun, live and learn. Mom and I are always here for you!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2551
by Dan | Sep 14, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Nick participated in the Augustana sponsored high school cross country meet yesterday. First race since collapsing 300 meters before the finish line 2 weeks ago at the Canby meet at night. What a scare! He had been sick with an upper respiratory infection for over a week, and it was very humid out that day and night. He also has an exercise induced asthma component, but had used his inhaler prior to the race, as usual. With all of this together, he pushed himself to the maximum, and over did it. When he was not coming to the finish, I took off looking for him, but couldn’t find him. As I was running back to the finish line, the PA speaker announced “Dr. Reiffenberger to the ambulance now!” Nothing like a dead sprint to the ambulance! When I got inside, he was “out of it”. He vomited multiple times, and was pouring in sweat. He does not remember what even happened. He lost 10# that night, and took it easy for the next 2 weeks, trying to gain his strength back. Yesterday was his first day back to racing. He was very nervous. He came up to me off at the side 5 minutes prior to the start and told me he was not sure he could do this. I just reinforced to him to just do his best, that it did not matter his time, and he had to prove to himself he could do this.
Here he is coming down the home stretch to the finish line yesterday. Was he happy with how he finished? No. Was he happy with how he felt? No. But he finished, and safely. I applaud him for having the courage to come back and face his fears. He overcame them yesterday, and hopefully now he can keep moving on. This may have just been “a race” yesterday, but this is what life is all about. We all have challenges we have to face in our life, or have fears we have to overcome. We have to be willing to go out of our comfort zone, and face them head on, or risk being ruled by those fears forever. This part was far more important than any race. I could not have been more proud of him that I was yesterday! Way to go Nick, and take on your challenges and fears head on! That is a lesson for us all…things we want do not come easy. Staying fit and doing exercise is never easy, but you can do it, and gain the benefits from it in many ways. Thanks for teaching us a lesson Nick!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2543
