A Running Doc’s Life: All About Family!
It has been quite the week! I had all 3 of my kids home this week beginning on Wednesday. Megan has not been home from Virginia in over a year! We had a great week. We spent time together, ran together, raced together, and just hung out together. We need to have more weeks like this. This is what it is all about. We all need to spend more time together as a family, but we can also spend time working out and exercising together as well.
We all started out with the Hump Day 5k run on Wednesday this week. My girls fiancée/boyfriend also came and ran. We got everybody together before the event started. The girls really had a good time. They had not seen each other for awhile. We had all met out at Disney in January for their first half marathon together.
It makes me feel good when they get together again too! They had a good time running the event, doing the whole 5k together…and having fun!
Nick ended up winning the event, so did not get as many pictures of him. I was leading the race in a camel costume, and I was the one taking pictures after.
We also spent time staying active the rest of the week as well. Megan and her boyfriend Nate went running with us several times as well.
I think my exercise streak has influenced Megan. She wants to exercise everyday too! A chip off the ol’ block!
On Saturday, Sarah and I participated in the 10 mile Race for Chase. It is a team event of 2 people. One person has to run, and one has to ride a bike, and you can switch off as often as you want, but you have to start together, and you have to cross the finish line together. There were a lot of teams which were made up of one of the parents, with one of their kids. It was great to see parents out helping to get their kids active and moving. Sarah and I won our age group. Of course, we were the oldest combined age team there also! The kids took Zeus for a walk while we were doing this. The Hump Day 5k was enough competition for them this week!
The greatest part of is all was getting to spend time with them, and having them all home again…together. This has not happened for a year where we could be with them all at the same time. The family that exercises/works out together, stays together…longer!
They are all growing up so fast! It really does go by quickly. It is awesome to see how they are all growing up, and deciding what they want to do for the future. I look back at time, and see them now, and it makes me feel good that we instilled some good values in them. They also know the importance of staying active, and trying to take care of themselves. Nobody is perfect. We all need encouragement and help along the way. If you can’t depend on your family for support, than who can you depend on? Enjoy your time with your families, and make it a priority to stay active…together! Hopefully you will get to spend a lot of years enjoying each other’s company! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3952
IBS Support Group Meets Monday
Public Service Announcement:
A support group for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will hold a meeting on Monday, August 6th at 6:30pm at Prairie Lakes Hospital’s West Conference Room. Dr.Eric Fjeldheim, physical therapist with Prairie Lakes Hospital is presenting. Eric, a Watertown native, has specialized training in the treatment of chronic health conditions including chronic pain. Attendees should use the west entrance. There is no advanced registration and no cost to attend. Everyone is welcome! To learn more contact Bruce Ford at 880-5213.
I spoke with this group last year and it is a great group and support to those with IBS. If you are dealing with IBS, I encourage you to join them!
-Kelsey
Keeping active in the summer!
Activity in the summer has challenges just like winter– we often use excuses like “we’re too busy, it’s too hot out, it’s raining, etc” to not stay active. Check out the ideas below to help you stay active in the summer and make the most of the nice weather while we have it! These ideas will help you get your 30 minutes of exercise in/day.
- Swimming lessons or sports clubs are a great way for kids to get regular, scheduled physical activity.
- Take in the zoo! You’ll get to explore and check out the animals, but also enjoy a nice walk. My son Corbin loves the zoo–the picture above is of him checking out the tiger. We get great activity in at the zoo!
- Take a walk through the park! Many towns have bike trails or hiking trails that will keep you off the couch. Watertown has an awesome trail system–get out and use it!
- Most yard work is great exercise that will burn tons of calories. Try using a push mower over a riding one for exercise!
- Are you competitive? Join a softball team or go golfing. If it’s rainy outside, bowling is also a fun activity for indoors.
- Sign up for a 5k race! If running isn’t your thing, you can always grab a friend and walk together. Tonight is the Hump Day 5k at the zoo! Join in the fun!
- If you don’t belong to a gym, try exercise videos at home when the weather is acting up.
- Work your muscles if you’re on the lake or river! Waterskiing and tubing are great workouts.
-Kelsey
More Coffee Please!
Many of us enjoy one or more cups of coffee each morning and although the caffeine and wake-up call it provides may be the motivating factor, perhaps some of the drink’s other benefits can play a role in your continued enjoyment of it!
Coffee has been shown to help with brain function, perhaps prevent some diseases, and increase calcium intake when milk is added. Coffee also contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Important vitamins and minerals such as potassium, niacin, vitamin E and magnesium are also present in coffee.
One thing to keep in mind about your morning pick-me-up may be to choose wisely. Some of the fancy coffee drinks found at popular coffee shops can also contain loads of sugar and fat, which may contribute empty calories to your daily intake. When choosing a coffee drink, choose low or non-fat drinks or plain coffee, or plain coffee with milk to ensure the most benefit from your coffee.
During the hot summer months, enjoy cold-brew coffee or iced coffee as a seasonal way to reap these benefits!
-Kelsey
Reference: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/preventing-illness/benefits-of-java