Finding My Way Back

It's about time that I post an entry that I authored, don't ya think?  I think so.  So here I am - hopefully this will stop the ragging I've been getting from certain people at the box.....ryansammarc....

So where have I been?  In the most basic terms, I've been surviving.  I'm not going to make this entry a pity party woe is me post but I'm just being honest.  I miss my dad.  So fucking much.  I spend most days vacillating between still being in shock that he's gone to feeling angry and robbed to just wanting to curl up in my bed and cry.  I tend to do that more times than I care to admit.  There's not much that I can do these days that doesn't somehow remind me of my dad.  It's difficult.  So, with all of that, updating this blog hasn't been the first thing on my mind but I do realize that life does go on.  It has to and that's what he would want for me.

In the last few months, I've found solace and comfort between the walls of a big ol' building filled with bumper plates and boxes, tractor tires and testosterone driven men.  Most people may think that the endorphin rush you get from a good workout would lift anyone's spirit and I'm not denying that's part of the appeal.  However, deep down I know that the reason I find myself drawn to that incredibly hot building is not just for the high but also....mostly....because of the people.  Many of the individuals that make up the heart of that place are part of my family and they have become some of the most important people in my life.  My coach, my fellow athletes and their families have come to mean more to me than I can describe, have embedded themselves in my heart deeper than people I have known for decades.  We laugh together, we sweat together, we make fun of each other and push each other, we listen to Toto (over and over and over and over).  We come early and stay late.  We leave it all on the floor - blood, sweat and tears, energy, emotion and elation...it comes out in the purest form inside those four walls.  So, in my first post back from what has felt like the depths of hell, I just want to say thank you.  Thank you to my team - my family - who have gotten me through these past few months.  Thanks for not letting me give up and for making me laugh yet allowing me to cry.  Most of all.....thanks for being you.

Hello?? Anyone Out There??

Um...hi.  Remember me?  It's been awhile.  Since my dad died, certain aspects of my life have been very difficult.  Sleeping isn't always that great and creativity has taken a real hit.  When I write anything, from blog posts, to journal entries to pieces of a ::whisper:: book project I'm attempting, I like to get absorbed in it.  I like to lose myself in it.  Feel the flow, if you will.  That hasn't been happening lately.  It took me three days and nearly 8 hours to write two 500ish word articles for the magazine I contribute to on work-related topics.  Yes, you read that correctly.....eight frickin' hours.  Life isn't all sunshine and lollipops lately, but I'm doing my very best day after day to get back there. 

Because I haven't been able to get a complete post together quite yet, I'm giving you guys another guest read.  Mike Manning emailed me awhile ago after finding my blog.  He labels himself as a fitness and healthy living enthusiast and for some reason liked what I was putting out there!  He asked if he could author a guest post on how fitness and eating healthy can specifically benefit frequent travelers and those on vacation.  Because I've obviously NOT been doing my job of unloading my foul-mouthed musings on you, I thought I'd let you hear what Mike had to say.  Mike has started his own blog, which you can follow if you'd like to keep track of his health and fitness journey.  Thanks for contacting me, Mike!

**************************

Easy Ways To Fit Exercise Into Your Travel Schedule

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, you can expect to endure a number of inconveniences and stresses during your trip. Delayed schedules, hurried meals and milling crowds can make travel exhausting and uncomfortable. Continuing your exercise routine while you travel can help you to weather these problems with a better attitude. Travelers can find a number of ways to keep themselves fit while on their journey.

Fitness Apps

The invention of smartphones has allowed travelers to have a multitude of helpful applications for their diet and fitness needs. These apps can be quickly downloaded onto your phone to allow you to check calorie counts of popular dishes from restaurant chains, plan running routes, track time, and find hiking trails. Other apps can help you find bike-friendly routes or inform fitness-buff friends back at home of your current progress. Many apps have a combination of features that can help you stay focused on your fitness goals no matter where you roam.

Fitness Retreats

While you are away from home, you can enjoy the flavor of a region while still sticking to your fitness training by joining a fitness retreat. A yoga retreat in a serene setting, a longevity retreat at a local diet and spa center or retreat that features outdoor activities can put a new spark in your exercise routine while allowing you to interact with others of the same inclination. They can also get you into closer contact with local mindset and natural landscape of the area you’re visiting.

Relieving Travel Stress

Stress is a common problem during periods of travel. Business meetings, tight flight schedules, changes in daily activities, erratic eating patterns and finding your way through unfamiliar environments can make people keyed up and out of sorts. Exercise is the best way to relieve common travel stress and regulate your mood. 　Maintaining your normal exercise level will allow you to have a better night’s sleep and keep your sunny disposition intact. Pack exercise bands and yoga clothing to help you unwind in your room after a busy day of travel.

 

Researching Your Options

Before setting out on your travels, do a bit of research on the hotels in the area. Some may offer more in-house fitness options for your needs. If swimming gives you a good workout, make sure the hotel has a pool and find out if it is indoor or outdoor. My specific fitness needs are that I like to workout early in the morning as to not disrupt my day. On a recent trip to Maui I used a travel site in order to see which hotels offer complimentary 24-hour gyms. Here I used a list of Maui hotels to discern whether I could get my early morning workouts in with their facilities.　See if the hotel has any running or hiking trails nearby. The concierge may be able to tell you if a local by-the-day gym is in the neighborhood. They may also be able to tell you about local spas or fitness retreats that are in the area. 　This preparation can help you to enjoy your visit more.