Tag Archive for: vote

Exercise on the Wild Side

/in /by

Here are a few observations and comments about exercising on the wild side.

  • “I think I may walk around the yard and talk to my cow.” You know, if it gets you moving, I’m all for it—you do you. I did not talk to the skunk I met on the sidewalk. I took to the street, and we parted as friends.
  • Take a 1½- to 2-year-old to a trampoline park. Watch them run toward the steps; catch them before they fall down the steps; repeat over and over and over, because they never seem to get tired. It’s a naturally occurring HIIT workout.
  • Go to the gym and just lift the weights you want to lift. No order. No schedule to keep. Just do a few random sets of whatever takes your fancy. Take a long shower and you’re done.
  • Back to the trampoline park—get your steps in while the kids jump. Didn’t even realize what the women were doing completely independent of each other; looking at their watches gave them away.
  • Dance. Put on some music and go for it. If you normally bike for 45 minutes, dance for 45 minutes instead.
  • From social media: “Do the thing you can do instead of beating yourself up over not doing the thing you’re not doing” is honestly life-changing, even lifesaving, advice. I agree. Sometimes, you just have to say, “Well, that’s good enough.”

What we think about structure and uniformity to our schedule is important; having a schedule and sticking to it relieves you of the need to decide what you’re going to do every day. But some of the time, we just have to think outside the box, shake things up, and go a little nuts. Every time Riley says, “I’m bored,” Paula says, “That’s your fault. Find something to do.” If you get bored with your workout, change it. Sometimes, you’ve got to lose the structure and get a little wild.

Finally, I misjudged the number of voters; I promised to do 10 push-ups after every 25 voters in my precinct, and we had over 500 voters Tuesday. By the time we got to 250, my shoulders were shot, so I substituted 10 squats; I did 100 push-ups and 100 squats over a 14-hour day. Still felt sore the next day.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Election Day: Get Wild!

/in /by

Today from coast to coast, there are primary elections being held—five today, including Michigan, and about a dozen more the rest of the month. It’s not just the U.S.—it looks like Iceland, Kosovo, U.K., and Zambia have elections this month, and there may be more I’ve missed.

I’m a Michigan election inspector and will be working to make sure everything is done according to the book—and it’s a thick book. Wherever you live in the U.S., take the time to vote for the candidates you support. All the people involved in elections are doing their part to make sure we have a free and fair election. Do your part and vote today or when your primary is scheduled. That’s our voice and we have to express it.

Then go do something a little crazy with a workout. Do jumping jacks at a bus stop. Go up two flights of stairs and then get on the elevator to go to your floor. Race your grandchild across the yard. Play catch with a football. When a meeting is over, drop and do 10 push-ups. Just do some sort of movement that is out of the norm, that is safe, and within any restrictions. I’ll start by doing 10 push-ups after every 25 voters in my precinct. I hope to break 100! Let me know what you did and I’ll put it in Saturday’s Memo along with some of the responses I got via email.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Vote!

/in /by

I’m an election inspector here in Michigan, so I’m spending today verifying that voters are registered to vote in this election. Paula and I already voted via drop-off ballot. My only message is to vote in any election that’s conducted in your area today.

  • Vote if the only thing on the ballot is a millage issue for schools or public projects.
  • Vote if it’s a governor’s or state official’s race.
  • Vote if it’s for a position on the county or local commission.
  • Vote if it’s for a position on the school board.
  • Volunteer as an election worker; the pay isn’t a lot, but the company is great!

There are two things we value in the U.S.: one is freedom and the other is the right to vote. Today is the day to demonstrate both. If you want a workout, walk to your polling location if it’s a reasonable distance; drive if it’s not. Today is a day to do your job as a citizen.

Vote. And if you don’t like any of the candidates, find a candidate you can work for—or you could run yourself next time. Democracy is the ultimate do-it-yourself project.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Vote!

/in /by

I wouldn’t normally recommend skipping your exercise, but I’m making an exception: if your exercise time is the only time you can go vote today, choose voting.

The health of our country is an important element of living a healthy life; we all need to be committed to keeping the U.S. system of government healthy.

What are you prepared to do today? If you’re in the U.S., I hope you’re voting. Readers in Canada, India, U.K., and elsewhere: stick to your exercise plan.

Dr. Chet