Happy Monday Bike Ride to #WeWork Minneapolis Love your life!!

Bike Riding Salad Eating Meditation following Dad - Calling all parents to get in shape

I just had this picture pop up on my Facebook Timeline. It was from the last Breast Cancer / Attaboy ride. I rode in most of if not all of both of these rides which are no longer happening in Minnesota. It seems fitting for a couple of reasons. The picture is mostly Jaycees and I get to be president of the Minneapolis Jaycees this year. And second I friggen hate cancer! We need more cancer riders until we find a cure.

I have been biking to work as often as I can. From my house in SLP to the Capella tower in Mpls and back is about a 15 mile round trip ride. I will often add in some weight lifting before I head home so I get a more full workout in we have a Steele Fitness in my building I get to use for free. What I find is that working out seems to keep getting harder and my motivation keeps getting pulled to other things. The changes of being a parent of 4 never cease to amaze me. Right when you think you are around the bend with kids and your life might be getting back to something more normal then the next thing changes. What a wonderful journey!

I am realizing that I need to control my weight more through what I put into my body than the amount of exercise I do. I need to eat more salad and lean meats and less of just about everything else. I don't have the time and my joints cant take the pounding that once kept weight in check. Here come the changes!

To keep calm in the face of family and work stressers I have been doing some meditation. More in the form of guided breathing and self centering. 4 in breaths and 8 out, repeat for a couple of minutes.I journal when every I can, mostly at night and in the morning. I try to always write out 3 things I am thankful or grateful for in detail. Its good to keep in mind what we have and not compare to what we dont have.

Fall is coming so my routine will switch again. Kids in school and back to activities. I will pull out my SAD light soon to fight the energy draining effects of the dark months in the North. If you don't have one I suggest them to everyone. Why not have more natural energy because of light?

With school starting I will also need to watch what I eat at meetings. I am going to be on the SLP ECFE advisory council again and a couple of other local boards. Look for family friendly events I will be sharing in the future.

Lots going on but I need to slow down. We all need to focus more. I hope your life journey and weight is progressing the way you want. Thank you for being part of my journey.

Cheers,

Gabe

Getting Older and Stronger with Kickboxing, Rock Climbing, Running and Biking.

Well heck I havent posted in a long time. I started a new job the end of 2017 and I did not do my weight any favors. I work out of the WeWork in the Capella Tower in Minneapolis. I love we work but they have really good snacks all of the time. Like gourmet pizza and cookies and high end appetizers. Like all the time every week. I gained over 20 pounds my first 3 months on the new job and have since taken that off.

I am keeping in shape doing the YWCA triathlons over the winter as well as Kickboxing once a week with my daughter. My oldest son discovered that he likes rock climbing so we started to do that at Vertical Endeavors in Mpls. I am also training for my 12th Red Ribbon Ride to end HIV and AIDS. The ride will be 103 miles the first day.

I have been cutting out all of the junk food as of late while increasing my running and walking outside. I am going to start bike commuting as many days a week as I can July 1st. As far as my diet goes I have been cutting down my coffee intake and taking apple cider vinegar in the morning and at night. Seems to be good for the health. My wife also started selling essential oils so I find myself using those daily for multiple different things. They seem to help and I want to be as natural as possible.

The kids are in the middle of a crazy amount of summer activities but we are finding time to keep tight as a family. I love the idea of Hygge and try to bring that into daily life as much as possible. We eat dinner as a family. No screens at the table and I light a candle. We talk about the week and our personal high and low points. Everyone is heard and we can help as a family if needed. I am also trying to take time every day to be mindful of how I am feeling and journal about what I am grateful for and be very specific.

In our fast and every speeding up lives we need to cut through the clutter and excess and do what really matters. To me that is my personal health and spending time with my direct family and close friends.

What matters most to you?

I would challenge you to back off on social media and screen use. Pick up a paper book and go for a walk outside. Look closely at new flowers and weed a garden. It will make you feel more connect and part of the world.

Cheers,

Gabe