by Dan | Aug 11, 2011 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Out hiking last year in Colorado, Sarah and I spent a lot of time hiking. We would continue to climb, come around a corner, only to see another hill to climb. On and on it went. When we would get to larger open areas, the view was incredible, and well worth all of the effort. The fun, though, was in the “climb”. The adventure involved with it, the time we got to spend together, the solitude and peace. Life is all about the “climb”. We all have daily “climbs”, we keep working on things, and eventually have an end goal in mind…but it is the experience, the “climb” we go through to get there that is the adventure. Exercise is a lot like life…we have our struggles, we have our good days and bad days, but the end goal is what we are trying to achieve…a healthier, more enjoyable life. Enjoy life, enjoy exericise.
The views and accomplishments that we achieve, and see, are all well worth the effort we put into it. There is nothing in life worth having that comes easy. The more we work at it, the more we appreciate it as well. Enjoy the adventure along the way. Remember one key point: “Success: A Journey, not a Destination!”
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1416
by Dan | Aug 7, 2011 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
The weather is very nice today…looked like rain earlier, but now nice and sunny. Went out for a walk with Buddy…people out on the lake tubing, boating, fishing, people out walking, families out riding their bikes. Great time to think. Everybody was having the same idea. Overall, what does it take to motivate you? We all have different interests, and we all need to take care of our health…but what are the driving forces for you? What is it you want to get out of exercise? This is where you have to look deep inside you to get the answer that is going to help you. Once you do this…
…then watch the fireworks take off! You will feel much better. You will have more energy. You will be happier! Getting to that point is what is tough though. As I go with the blog here for a while, I am going to touch on motivational ideas, places to go, suggestions that may help “fire you up”. We are all different, and certain things will motivate some, but not others. That is the secret. So, the first lesson…don’t give up! Don’t quit looking for that trigger that is going to change your life, and/or motivate you. Good luck! If you have any suggestions….PLEASE let us know so we can post them. Maybe some other people may be triggered by your thoughts or suggestions. If it worked for you, why not for others?
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1412
by Dan | Aug 6, 2011 | Equipment, Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Like Mother, like Daughter! Here Sarah is getting ready to ride along on the bike to keep Megan company for her run. It helps having a training partner to get you moving. Sarah had run earlier with me as well, but cut it a little short so she could go finish with Megan. Megan normally is the swimmer, but the season is now done as of last week, and she is starting to figure out the importance of cross training to stay in shape, and in the long run, will help with her swimming.
So everybody…whoever you can get…a friend, family member, pet…who can help get you motivated and out the door…take advantage of their help! We all need a little boost once in a while, and it helps for all of us to stay healthier. Especially family…who else can you count on more to help get through tough times, and to keep us going? Have a good weekend…enjoy the weather!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1411
by Dan | Aug 2, 2011 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
The State Swim meet for SD was this last 3 day weekend down in SF. Lots of kids! Very hot and humid. Here is Megan on lane 5 taking off for the backstroke. Tons of kids swimming, and lots of parents screaming!
Here is Megan leading in the backstroke. If only I could swim like her! Swimming is a great form of exercise, and when we have access to a pool here in town, it is one form of exercise to take advantage of. I had a patient in today who started swimming earlier this year. He had neck and back pain and was overweight. He could not swim one length of the pool to start with, which is 25 meters. He now has no back or neck pain, swims a couple of MILES at a time, loves it, and has lost over 25#! If something is worth having or fighting for, then you have to make the effort to keep going. If he had quit at the beginning, nothing would have changed. You have to find your own motivation, match it to your abilities, and work at it! It will be worth the process. Good luck!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1407
by kelsey | Aug 2, 2011 | Exercise, Heart Health
A recent review published in Circulation, the American Heart Association’s journal indicated that even small amounts of activity (10-15 min/day) are good for your heart. Current recommendations are to get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of high intensity activity most days of the week. This review found that those who do this will have a 14% lower risk of heart disease compared to those who are sedentary. If you engage in twice the recommendations (300 minutes) you will lower your risk to 20% and if you do 750 minutes/week your risk drops even more to 25%. Thus showing more is better, but something’s better than nothing!
Our body’s were designed to be able to be active and move around and Dr. Dan is a true testiment to this! As you track his exercise days, his risk for heart disease based on his exercise routine is very low. Myself on the other hand do not get as much activity as he does. My goal is to get 3-5 days a week in of moderate-high intensity activity. There are times when we feel time crunched or have to tend to other obligations or responsiblities, but this review shows us that every little bit counts, so if you can only get 15-20 minutes in…go for it! It will still reduce your risk of heart disease compared to being sedentary.
I have included a picture of my little furry friends that accompany me on my runs every once in awhile. Cinch and Wrangler are our cattle working Australian Shepherd dogs on the ranch and every once awhile come with me when they have extra energy to expend. Running on gravel roads in the country has it’s challenges, but there is nothing better than getting out there with fresh air and wide open spaces. 🙂
-Kelsey
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/exercise/story/2011/08/A-small-amount-of-exercise-is-good-for-your-heart/49757422/1?csp=ylf
http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=1393
by Dan | Jul 30, 2011 | Exercise, Family, Weather
Friday was the opening day ceremony for the National Softball Tournament here in Watertown. Some 58 teams, with over 800 athletes participated. It was quite the ceremony with everybody marching in and being introduced. It was great as a spectator as well.
Here is Molly’s team…Spiegel Construction, for 18 and under teams. Great weather for the tournament, and to watch as well. Lots of walking involved, not only for the athletes, but for all of us parents and spectators getting back and forth to all of the games. We were getting just as tired as they were. Lots of fun, and memories to last forever.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1404
