Hi all,
I've been mulling over starting a blog as a way to express my thoughts about various professional issues and personal interests and Free the Yolk and #SummerofMOVE has spurred me on to get started with the #PreachItTeachIt Challenge. It goes something like this: "Imagine if everyone knew as much about the amazing power of having a body that MOVES often and well...Simply tell your story..."
So here goes, the start of my new blog (I had to really think hard about the title, but I settled on "Doing my Part" because that's a big reason for my involvement in the profession. I'm just one small town PT trying to make a difference in my little corner of the world, by showing up, carrying out various tasks, and living our core values. Essentially, I'm doing my part.
Which leads me into my personal story of becoming a fitness convert. I would love to tell you that personal fitness has always been an important part of my life. That I have been a life long exerciser with a consistent effort. But somewhere along that the way, this was moved down the list of priorities for me. I could list the usual excuses, but let's just say I lost my way.
Growing up, I was always active, but I was never really a true athlete (despite my love of sports.) I tried playing baseball, but couldn't make the throw from catcher to pitcher and was terrified of fastballs. I loved basketball and spent hours in the driving shooting, but I pretty much got schooled on the court and spent a lot of time on the pine. I had a bicycle in my youth, but it was cheap, poorly maintained, and minimally used. But overall, I managed to stay pretty active, but despite my lack of sporting ability.
As I entered and progressed in undergrad, the exercise started to wane, as I spent more time studying and socializing. Plus I discovered the wonderful beverage called beer. Gradually, my weight grew. I know this is probably a familiar story. Then I was accepted in PT school. We had a very active class, so much so to the point where I really couldn't keep up. Between ultimate frisbee, football, and volleyball, I was really out of my league. Further confirming that I was no an athlete. It was disappointing at the time. I also started developing my frequent back and knee pain around that time. I was even told not to participate in these higher impact sports. I did purchase a Schwinn mountain bike, using it to commute to class. So I was giving it some effort, but the intense pressure of just trying to survive PT school did limit my exercise.'
But if I thought PT school was tough, the adulting kicked into high gear when I graduated and started working. I no longer had the environment and social support that encouraged exercise. I had to learn to balance work life while developing a relationship with my wife and later three children. My weight ballooned and exercise was very minimal. My back and knee pain was worsening and had now developed high blood pressure and GERD. Headaches were also getting really bad. I knew that something had to change.
So I changed my diet and did the low carb thing. Lost 50# and went off my BP and GERD meds. I purchased an ElliptiGo and started exercising more. Life was good. But, I struggled staying with the low carb lifestyle as an avid homebrewer and realized that I still wasn't in great cardiovascular shape.
Deep down, I knew that I needed to be a better example as a PT. Plus I was getting close to 40 and knew that I would not be able to continue as long as I wanted to without adding some exercise.
The turning point for me was taking Adrian Louw's Intro to Pain Science Course in 2015. Moderate aerobic exercise was a key component. I started looking into the CDC guidelines for aerobic activity. Was I getting the recommended 150 minutes a week. Nope. How could I encourage my patient's to complete this, if I wasn't at least doing the bare minimum. Plus there still was the chronic headaches and continued, though not as severe, knee pain.
So I started to commit to least 150 minutes a week. I started off with 20-25 minutes on my ElliptiGo.
Soon though, I was doing 45-60 minutes. I started feeling like I was accomplishing something. As a result of my new conversion to fitness, I started noticing things like greater ease going up and down the stairs, fewer headaches, and almost no knee pain. My the other surprising development has been upstairs. My mood has improved with a better/more positive outlook at work. My relationship with my wife has improved (in all areas). I have even seen benefits with my spiritual life. I really think the mental benefits from regular exercise are pretty three times as great as the physical benefits. The good chemicals produced by my brain during exercise have really been a game changer for me.
In 2016, I biked an ~800 combined miles (Elliptical-trainer & hybrid bike.) I purchased a Giant ATX hybrid and really like it for the varied road conditions in my region. I also started a little challenge on birthday last year and set a goal of walking/biking the equivalent going around the outside edge of both Michigan and Wisconsin by end of 2017. At the time, I felt it was a great aggressive goal (nearly 3900 miles). I started a bit slow, but have really picked up my mileage in this summer. I am now at over 3600 miles and will easy meet my goal. For this non-athlete, it is a high accomplishment. I've also seen my estimated VO2 Max improve from 39 to 49 ml/kg/min. I'm still not the slimmest guy out there, but I getting much fitter.
I'm not going to say it's been easy, as I often work out at night after my wife and kids go to sleep. My quads do get sore, but I really do love being my my bike. There is a freedom that exists when I'm cycling. The silent sport aspect of cycling aspect means there are now teams to worry about, no coach/trainer to please. Just a man and his bike. I can maintain my own pace and do not have to compete with others. I'm just competing with myself. I get some much needed "me time" and can use the ride to help organize my thoughts. I took my 40 years, but I've finally determined that cycling is my key to improving my MOVE.
I hope that this is helpful to whoever reads this. I believe strongly that if I can make a positive health change through exercise, specifically cycling, others can follow suit and start to see the positive benefits as well. Start slow and build. YOU CAN DO IT!
Finally, I'd like to think Mike Eisenhart for organizing the SummerofMOVE. This has been a really fun program to be part of. I am over half way through my goal for 1000 miles on the bike (over 9 weeks) and his enthusiasm played a part in setting this goal. I'd also like to thank Megan Mitchell for drafting me on the #MotionisLotion team (I'm still geeked about being a 1st round draft pick as I was usually one of the last kids picked in school), as well as all my teammates and those on Twitter that have encouraged me. Thanks to all!
I've been mulling over starting a blog as a way to express my thoughts about various professional issues and personal interests and Free the Yolk and #SummerofMOVE has spurred me on to get started with the #PreachItTeachIt Challenge. It goes something like this: "Imagine if everyone knew as much about the amazing power of having a body that MOVES often and well...Simply tell your story..."
So here goes, the start of my new blog (I had to really think hard about the title, but I settled on "Doing my Part" because that's a big reason for my involvement in the profession. I'm just one small town PT trying to make a difference in my little corner of the world, by showing up, carrying out various tasks, and living our core values. Essentially, I'm doing my part.
Which leads me into my personal story of becoming a fitness convert. I would love to tell you that personal fitness has always been an important part of my life. That I have been a life long exerciser with a consistent effort. But somewhere along that the way, this was moved down the list of priorities for me. I could list the usual excuses, but let's just say I lost my way.
Growing up, I was always active, but I was never really a true athlete (despite my love of sports.) I tried playing baseball, but couldn't make the throw from catcher to pitcher and was terrified of fastballs. I loved basketball and spent hours in the driving shooting, but I pretty much got schooled on the court and spent a lot of time on the pine. I had a bicycle in my youth, but it was cheap, poorly maintained, and minimally used. But overall, I managed to stay pretty active, but despite my lack of sporting ability.
As I entered and progressed in undergrad, the exercise started to wane, as I spent more time studying and socializing. Plus I discovered the wonderful beverage called beer. Gradually, my weight grew. I know this is probably a familiar story. Then I was accepted in PT school. We had a very active class, so much so to the point where I really couldn't keep up. Between ultimate frisbee, football, and volleyball, I was really out of my league. Further confirming that I was no an athlete. It was disappointing at the time. I also started developing my frequent back and knee pain around that time. I was even told not to participate in these higher impact sports. I did purchase a Schwinn mountain bike, using it to commute to class. So I was giving it some effort, but the intense pressure of just trying to survive PT school did limit my exercise.'
But if I thought PT school was tough, the adulting kicked into high gear when I graduated and started working. I no longer had the environment and social support that encouraged exercise. I had to learn to balance work life while developing a relationship with my wife and later three children. My weight ballooned and exercise was very minimal. My back and knee pain was worsening and had now developed high blood pressure and GERD. Headaches were also getting really bad. I knew that something had to change.
So I changed my diet and did the low carb thing. Lost 50# and went off my BP and GERD meds. I purchased an ElliptiGo and started exercising more. Life was good. But, I struggled staying with the low carb lifestyle as an avid homebrewer and realized that I still wasn't in great cardiovascular shape.
Deep down, I knew that I needed to be a better example as a PT. Plus I was getting close to 40 and knew that I would not be able to continue as long as I wanted to without adding some exercise.
The turning point for me was taking Adrian Louw's Intro to Pain Science Course in 2015. Moderate aerobic exercise was a key component. I started looking into the CDC guidelines for aerobic activity. Was I getting the recommended 150 minutes a week. Nope. How could I encourage my patient's to complete this, if I wasn't at least doing the bare minimum. Plus there still was the chronic headaches and continued, though not as severe, knee pain.
So I started to commit to least 150 minutes a week. I started off with 20-25 minutes on my ElliptiGo.
Soon though, I was doing 45-60 minutes. I started feeling like I was accomplishing something. As a result of my new conversion to fitness, I started noticing things like greater ease going up and down the stairs, fewer headaches, and almost no knee pain. My the other surprising development has been upstairs. My mood has improved with a better/more positive outlook at work. My relationship with my wife has improved (in all areas). I have even seen benefits with my spiritual life. I really think the mental benefits from regular exercise are pretty three times as great as the physical benefits. The good chemicals produced by my brain during exercise have really been a game changer for me.
In 2016, I biked an ~800 combined miles (Elliptical-trainer & hybrid bike.) I purchased a Giant ATX hybrid and really like it for the varied road conditions in my region. I also started a little challenge on birthday last year and set a goal of walking/biking the equivalent going around the outside edge of both Michigan and Wisconsin by end of 2017. At the time, I felt it was a great aggressive goal (nearly 3900 miles). I started a bit slow, but have really picked up my mileage in this summer. I am now at over 3600 miles and will easy meet my goal. For this non-athlete, it is a high accomplishment. I've also seen my estimated VO2 Max improve from 39 to 49 ml/kg/min. I'm still not the slimmest guy out there, but I getting much fitter.
I'm not going to say it's been easy, as I often work out at night after my wife and kids go to sleep. My quads do get sore, but I really do love being my my bike. There is a freedom that exists when I'm cycling. The silent sport aspect of cycling aspect means there are now teams to worry about, no coach/trainer to please. Just a man and his bike. I can maintain my own pace and do not have to compete with others. I'm just competing with myself. I get some much needed "me time" and can use the ride to help organize my thoughts. I took my 40 years, but I've finally determined that cycling is my key to improving my MOVE.
I hope that this is helpful to whoever reads this. I believe strongly that if I can make a positive health change through exercise, specifically cycling, others can follow suit and start to see the positive benefits as well. Start slow and build. YOU CAN DO IT!
Finally, I'd like to think Mike Eisenhart for organizing the SummerofMOVE. This has been a really fun program to be part of. I am over half way through my goal for 1000 miles on the bike (over 9 weeks) and his enthusiasm played a part in setting this goal. I'd also like to thank Megan Mitchell for drafting me on the #MotionisLotion team (I'm still geeked about being a 1st round draft pick as I was usually one of the last kids picked in school), as well as all my teammates and those on Twitter that have encouraged me. Thanks to all!
Good for you, Ed! Les and I are looking at setting up our own exercise program now that he took the plunge and actually retired! We will probably implement a daily walking program. We are looking forward to spending that quiet time together! Blessings! Mari
ReplyDeleteHi, Ed! Nice to hear your story, especially the effects exercise have had in your life. This is really encouraging.
ReplyDelete