An apple and 10 wall balls a day keep the Doctor away!

Coach Pat said do the movements and put forth 75% effort. You have 5 minutes to get it done. I picked up my 14# wall ball at 4 min 55 sec. I knew I wouldn't finish in the time domain. Just then he shouted "keep moving until your finished, complete all the movements!" I finished at 5:21 That was round one of three. We were to do it again, same movements with added effort each round. I counted each pull as I pressed my feet as hard as I could into the rowing machine. Focused on pulling strong and breathing, anxious to get off the rower and pick up my barbell. Man, how I love the barbell. I surprise myself even now thinking about it. Each rep count I feel butterflies. Butterflies of joy and excitement to get back to the bar. It's getting harder and harder to breathe but I still keep moving. I paced it better the second time and somehow finished in 5:06. Now I still have to do it again. One more time at 100% effort. Standing there,  trying to catch my breath and thinking where can I improve? How can I shave off any time from this? Where did the rest time go? 10 seconds... 3, 2, 1.. Here goes everything. I moved as efficient as possible. Broke up the barbell movements and the kb swings in effort to not get too out of breath. Swung my arms as hard as possible in the box jumps. As I picked up the wall ball for the final of the seven movements, the clock read 4:40. I didn't see what anyone else was doing. I was totally in my zone and finished in 5:04. Whew! 2 seconds faster than the previous round. I felt the buzzing in my head and my body was a bit trembly. I just lay there for a minute overwhelmed with pride and accomplishment.

Afterward, I stood up. A sweat outline imprinted the shape of my back on the floor.  Wow that was fun! It's moments like this one that reinforce my decision to make this a priority in my life. I only wish other people experience this feeling within themselves. The buzz that ignites a desire to be a better person, to take care of myself and encourage others to do so as well.

It's funny that CPJ said today "do 10 wall balls and eat an apple every day for the rest of your life. You'll live better and longer" I believe this to be true.

I stopped at Shop Rite on the way home from the gym. Why is there a bench in the bread aisle? As I thought about the bench and it's odd placement a man sat down on the bench. At first I was curious why he would take the load off in the bread aisle. That's when it occurred to me! He needed to take a rest! Slightly annoyed by this and increasingly saddened as I thought about it more and more. I realize the man on the bench could probably not do any wall balls never mind 10 of them and he most likely would never even try.

Before you become the man on the bench in the bread aisle, start with an apple a day. When that is so easy and you do it without any thought, then try a few wall balls. As the wall balls become easier and easier increase the quantity to a minimum of 10. Then do it every single day.

Methodical Movement for Fitness and Health

As I am pondering this quote from Plato -

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it."

I love this quote. I live this quote. I teach this quote.

I identify with this because it means so many things and yet is such a simple way of approaching life, habits and fitness. For me it instantly takes my mind to exercise. Physical fitness is a baseline for all humans to strive to achieve. It also enables a person to do many things such as move around, take care of yourself and take care of others that you care about. Additionally, physical fitness provides a person with capability to participate in activities. Activities such as hiking, running, jumping, playing ball are just some of the basics. Then, there's a love of fitness that provides a person with a higher platform to perform more advanced activities. Then, this spark, this ability to understand what a body is capable of,  this love of fitness, then translates out into life. It supports activities like organized group sports, individual sports and activities that challenge the body and the mind.

Once you find yourself at that place, where you are training for the love of fitness, only then.... you begin to embrace the quote. Apply this methodology to your life. You need to move your body to respect your body. You need to fuel your body to demand activity from your body and improve yourself. You need to respect your body as  your vehicle to navigate this life. You can demand so much more of your physical being than your mind convinces you of. This is a lesson and a test. You take from it what you put in and you get back what you deserve. If you continue to move you will stay in motion, if you stop moving the momentum will be lost. You can begin again but it is more difficult each time. So it's better to slow down, take a breath and keep moving.

Your body is meant to move. It doesn't have to be fast it just needs to go. It doesn't always need strength but you will find strength. It doesn't need to always be sweaty but then you may break a sweat. It can be fun and it almost always is. It can improve your life in so many ways. It's return on investment is inmeasurable.

Try it... I challenge you! 

Dear Rich and Julie, An Expression Of My Gratitude...

Dear Rich (Roll) and Julie (Piatt),

It always means a lot when some one takes a moment to send a thank you card. Especially when it is for something that you did or gave to them,  just because, without any motive and without looking for something in return.  You acted because you wanted to be nice, helpful or because it made you feel good and brought you joy and happiness. Now it's my turn. I am sending you a thank you letter. I can't begin to express to you my gratitude for how you have both helped me. This is not the first time that I have reached out to you. You read my email/question on your podcast and discussed some realities around my issue at that time. You suggested making decisions and taking actions towards my goal.  You had a conversation about how it was possible to make changes and take step towards the goal without making it a complete all or nothing situation. After I listened to the discussion, I realized that I had been doing exactly that! My eyes and heart were suddenly wide open. Here goes... because then I jumped! I did it ! I took the leap of faith, with quite a bit of pre-work (to enable my family and I) to continue to survive. That was about 6 months ago and here's where I stand.  I am studying holistic nutrition at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition,  and just launched my business called TheGreenMindProject.com  which is for holistic health and lifestyle coaching. Additionally, I am coaching CrossFit at two locations and working at a near by vacation resort where my job is to take guests on hike/kayak tours!! Seriously? If you told me a year ago that this would be my life I never EVER would believe it. I have eliminated most sources of stress in my life. I started a (sort-of) regular meditation practice,  and I just want to help people find ways to fulfill their passions. I don't mean in fairy tale glorified way, to be honest, I did give up a great paying job and had to make sacrifices to do so. I just mean there are ways for anyone and everyone to become un-stuck.  Furthermore, in the event that I feel any doubt creeping in, or start to worry about the future, I just listen to your podcast and keep the faith. In such a short time so many opportunities and doors have opened that I choose to see the serendipity.  From the bottom of my heart I thank you for all that you do. I truly love this life!
With Gratitude,
Kris