Make it your Lifestyle

Make it your Lifestyle

  I read an article in Triathlon Life magazine, the magazine published by USA Triathlon, entitled "Is Triathlon Recession Proof." It quotes a New York Times article suggesting the sport of triathlon may be "recession proof." The article was published in late 2008 (I was throwing out some magazines and found this one in the stack) but it still seemed to ring true. My ideas about the sport were confirmed when they said that triathletes just seem to make it a part of their life. Some race directors even saw 20% percent of their race attended by college students. 

 

   Why does this still happen in an economic downturn? Because these people make it part of their lifestyle. They make it part of their every day life. Do want you to become a triathlete? You bet I do. I also want you to hire me as your coach, but that is for another day. What I really want from everyone is to make doing something active part of their every day life. "Use it or lose it" has been scientifically proven. Lack of activity is a greater cause of arthritis than is activity. Lack of activity has been linked to early death. Early Death! I like living even it is just to my next race.

 

   Maybe you have a child or a grandchild you would like to live to see. maybe you want to see what feels like to be 60, 70, or 80. If you don't like what feels like in your 50s then you can do something about it. Start moving in your 50s. Hey, you might find you like it. Sure their are some minor aches and pains involved with being active but they are just from actually using your muscles and go away in a few days. The aches from not using your muscles last much longer, not to mention to the side effects of the meds you have to take to alleviate the pain.

 

Some simple steps:

1. Go for walk as fast as you can. Don't panic when your heart starts to beat fast, it is normal.

2. Buy some exercise clothes. New materials can help you stay warm in the cold, cool in the heat.
3. Find some friends to exercise with. Triathletes like associating with other healthy people.

4. If you don't like competition, don't go to compete. Exercise can be done for its own sake, but having something to aim for makes it better.

5. Smile when your exercise. It has been proven to make it hurt less, and grimacing can age you prematurely.