Still Trying New Things!

Old dog? Check.
New things? Check.

I don't really feel old. Actuarially, though, I probably "fit the criteria"... So, I'm an old dog. But I can still learn new things, and maybe that's what has been keeping me in the game (at whatever level of metaphor you want to apply it)!

My latest "new thing" as it relates to the February challenge is that I'm learning more about swimming, not just technique, but more about how to develop and train over the long term. That may sound like a disconnect, since this challenge started out under the bizarre guise of a Kettlebell challenge. But really I think what I'm learning is that I enjoy variety in my activities, and I think I'm bored of Kettlebells - well, that and they are kind of gruelling if you set yourself up to punch out 10,000 of them!

Nevertheless, back to swimming. First, I'm no swim pro, and I don't set speed records. My swim development started about 20 years ago (no need to rush things) and I first learned to improve my stroke efficiency and a few things like bilateral breathing because I wanted to do a triathlon. Since then, though, to "train", I've just done more swimming. More of the same. Guess what? I got a bit better. And I could swim a bit farther at one go.

So here I am now, a bit bored and looking to up my game, so to speak. I asked myself what would happen if I were to study swim training and actually develop a plan and then, well, train. The question is still so fresh that I can't tell you the outcome yet, but one thing I noticed right away is that it re-oriented my enthusiasm. I quickly discovered a whole world of training resources and development strategies out there (on the Internet, nestled in and around the cat videos). I decided I'd like to see some significant improvement in my swim performance, so I've started learning about how to actually train for swimming.

This is where I am on my wellness journey at the present moment - slogging away through my Kettlebell challenge as promised, but with a rekindled interest in another area of wellness. Trying this new thing keeps me motivated, and I think it will lead to some actual development of my swim skill!

Regardless of your age, keep being active, and keep learning new things. Imagine where you could be in a few months!

I'll keep you posted if I learn something REALLY cool about swimming.

And, all this swimming and Kettlebells is making me HUNGRY!!!

We're Into It Now!

We're already at Day 4 of the wellness challenge, so we're well into it. I've decided to rename February "Sore Hamstrings" month, as I have been more posteriorly aware from doing kettlebell swings. Not that I'm complaining, but I find that work tends to have an effect on you. That is an understatement, because, really, we want this kind of work (investing in our wellness) to actually improve our wellness. Which is an effect and, as I always say, "There's no free lunch."

I am always impressed whenever anyone takes a step out of the comfort zone into some kind of discomfort zone - exactly what happens when you try something new. Or when you try more of something old. So I don't shy away from saying that I encourage everyone to take on a wellness challenge that is a stretch for them - something over and above their normal activity. If you're doing a physical challenge, you will probably experience some physical discomfort as your body adjusts (understatement alert) to the new activity.

Since I'm swinging kettlebells, my biggest two challenges are (in order): keeping count during a set, and finding movies to watch. I think I'm on Hoosiers for the 3rd time! Oh - and I just finished All The President's Men, which has eerily contemporary overtones...

We are just past the mid-point of week 1, so keep your eyes focused on your goals, and keep on pushing yourself toward those goals. Discomfort is often part of growth, so take it in stride and think of the stories you'll tell your friends.

Gotta go - off to the pool!

2020! Fifth year for The 10,000 Kettlebells for Parkinson's Challenge

Welcome (or welcome back)!  Every February since 2016 we have spent the month focusing on improving wellness and raising awareness about Parkinson's Disease.

We have had people swinging kettlebells, doing gym workouts, walking, building friendships, and improving their well-being in a wide variety of ways.

Also, several thousand dollars have been raised toward Parkinson's research.

Win - Win!

We hope you can join our family for this year's challenge.  You can't go wrong investing in your own wellness!

Looking forward to hearing about your February 2020!

Richard

World Parkinson's Day - April 11

April 11th is the birthday of the English physician Dr. James Parkinson.  His 1817 essay, An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, was the first to describe the condition later to become known as Parkinson's Disease.

World Parkinson's Day is a global public awareness campaign, so we are highlighting that today.