Train For Life = The House On the Hill - At the Farm - From About HALF Way Up the Hill
I’m not a runner.
I do not race.
I’m not training for tough mudder.
I’m not trying to lose weight. <I always pine for 5 pounds lighter, but not enough to give up half-and-half, nuts, or chocolate.>
I will never be a fitness model.
So what’s the point?
I was reminded of the point during the big move to the “Farm”.
I loaded and unloaded carloads of boxes up and down stairs.
Twisting. Lifting. Carrying. Lowering.
Engage the core. Weight on the heels.
“Pressing” these boxes above my head onto shelves.
“Squatting” with these boxes.
“Stepping” with these boxes.
“Deadlifting” these boxes.
Repeat.
For days.
And then there’s the hill.
Yes the house is on a hill. A pretty steep hill.
I am up and down this hill several times each day.
<I’ve thought about doing mini sissy slow sprints up the hill… but I haven’t actually tried it.>
I schlep the full trash cans down the hill each week.
Stabilize with the legs. Weight on the heels. Strong core. Strong lats. Strong butt.
I have to be strong, or the cans would gain momentum.
And THAT would be very scary….
I did not hurt myself during the move. And I am strong enough to maintain control of the beastly trash cans down the hill.
THAT is the point.
There was one day that my legs were tired. I KNEW that I could not safely continue moving heavy boxes.
The memory of my freak lower back injury is fresh, and I never want to hurt myself like that again.
When I was tired, I either stopped or asked for help.
And I knew my body well enough to know when that time came.
These are my gifts from doing a few Cindy’s, pulling out the kettlebell during football, squeezing in some pushups at work, and trying to be CONSISTENT about getting 20 minutes of movement and functional strength moves into my daily routine.
Train for Life. That is the point. For me anyway.
<Plus… I’m a nicer person when I exercise….>
YES YES YES AMEN SAME!!
when I was interviewed a few mths ago they seemed…annoyed? when my response to “what do you compete in?” was LIFE.
Miz recently posted..It’s about *real food.* Finally…
that is SOOOOOO funny (but kind of odd too). I would think that any health-wellness-fitness folks would TOTALLY get it.
But then… I guess I don’t get some folks too.
But I get you… and that’s what counts :)
PREACH IT SISTER!!!
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RAISE YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND SEE THE LIGHT!
I believe! I believe!
You are awesome. What a good reminder. I’ve injured myself quite a few times just doing casual chores.
ragemichelle recently posted..Whore Boots Update
Oh dear… I have tweaked a joint or muscle or two on chores. And it SHOCKS me! Geesh… doesn’t my body know better? xoxo
It’s the mindset Kris, and I love yours. That healthergizing attitude is infused in everything you do and THAT is the secret to lifelong fitness ;) xo
I love your words! healthiergizing – BRILLIANT! Thanks so much Heather!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Training for life!! It is SO true!!
Rachel @RunningRachel recently posted..FitSpiration Friday!
Funny cuz I was thinking of YOU! I think having young ones can keep us strong – dang – my nephews are HEAVY and I am deconditioned for tossing them around. That said – I am still up for a romp & a wrestle & an airplane ride… But you gotta be strong for that – ha!
AMEN! and I can feel your pain moving… it is a great workout and we’re all training for it…life… LOVE IT!!!!
Tara Burner recently posted..Tips How To Have An Eco Friendly Green Valentine’s Day
oh dear lord. we’re moving offices too this week. say WHAT? I am krazy… I would have never planned this…oh wait… I’m the boss… I am sorta responsible. YIKES!
yep you’re krazy but would you be any other way ;)
Tara Burner recently posted..The Run That Almost Didn’t Happen
hee – you must be careful with those trash cans on hills! we live on 2 acres of flatness, but my dad lives on a huge hill… I’ve been taking care of his trash cans each week, and especially if it has been raining, wow those cans can get away from you fast! :D
I love this, train for life. I grew up competing and always on a team or two of SOMETHING… even up to just 2 years ago I was regularly running races. I like training for…the every day!
Kris recently posted..cooler cleanse
train for the every day… LURVE this! oh dear.. slippery little cans… they DO worry me – mostly because the hill is steep and I have a Lucy-esque way about many things that I do. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if a mishap with the cans would be as funny as Lucy setting her nose on fire. Ok… maybe… xoxox
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That would be my answer too & like Mizfit!!! Let’s see people get to our age – well, I am older BUT ya have to be able to do for yourself as ya age & Kris – you just proved it! Train for life!!!
I have competed in things in the past. I can’t say never BUT for me, I need to make sure this bod stays healthy long term & at 54, I have things I have to be careful about. Does not help me to compete just to compete & then get injured.
Love this post!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Nike Says YES!
YES! Safety first chca! It’s funny, cuz I’ve never really thought about “getting older”. I’m 44 – and relatively young/immature in many ways – ha! But…… it’s been crossing my mind. And the value of safety, energy, independence, strength, balance, endurance is all taking on a different meaning. So yes! Yes! Yes!
A-freaking-men!! How funny that I didn’t realize it until you wrote this. Well, I mean I did, but you put it so perfectly! Thank you!!
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I just LURVE how we connect in all sorts of unexpected ways… like… we connect, then we realize how/why we connect. It is wonderful, eh?
I LOVE this! My answer is usually “sanity”
Coco recently posted..Are You This Badass?
LOL – did I mention sanity? I did loosely refer to being nicer… but what I meant was, working out gives me half a chance to not be a total krazy hag. xoxo
Love this! I do it because it makes me feel good. When I’m done:) And just the fact that I do it:)
Karen@WaistingTime recently posted..When Life Gives You Lemons, Blog About Lemonade
oh sistah… the BEST part is when we’re done… and yes, the fact that we DO it, sooooo counts and actually makes me feel pretty good :)
This is such a great post Kris, love it! I think that especially for those of us who aren’t runners, it’s easy to fall into a rut of “why am I doing this? I’m not training for a race.” But like you’re doing here, we remind ourselves that there are other reasons to keep a fit, healthy body. I’m no longer trying to lose weight and not competing for anything other than a long, healthy life and self-pride :)
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YES! Long, healthy, & happy life – well said – thank you Cara!
What a great example of WHY we log in all of that time at the gym – to live life to the fullest. Congrats on seeing how your fitness is paying off in the real world outside of the gym. You are strong!
I work with kids that attack – being strong and fast helps me protect myself, other kids/staff and when I they run, I can chase them and catch them. I also train for competition and love the podium.
I am 58- please fill up the grocery bag, to the top. No help to the car necessary!
At some point we all get the fact that being fit allows us a larger world. More we can do; less we can’t do. Looking better is a prime motivator for most people. But ultimately it’s the ability to function in life in a body that does what we ask of it. Go Kris!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..No Posts Were Found!
It’s funny, cuz I’m not a girly girl. Never have been. Never wanted to “look” like a badass, rarely wear lipstick. So I gotta plug into the the motivation that gets me – and being STRONG is become quite the gook :)
Having a beatiful house such as yours, and with the surroundings so peaceful and clear, heck! I would gladly do what you are doing now……….. Anyway, it will be a great exercise for me though!!!
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