While cycling the NCR Trail last week with two biking partners, we chatted with Al the cyclist as he pedaled alongside of us for a way, bogged down with a sleeping bag and bike bags attached to a rear rack. Describing how he had just returned from a 500-mile bike trip - solo - beginning in Baltimore City to Henlopen, New Jersey, and was returning to Baltimore, he said he would be home for a week before leaving on a cross-country bike ride - solo. Across the country!?!? The longest distance I've pedaled in one day was 100 miles in The Seagull Century - and I was proud of that!
We were awed. Here we had just finished cycling 14 miles and felt accomplished. Then along comes Outstanding Al the cyclist to tell us his accomplishment and plan. Pretty much what we did felt like an itty-bitty blip on the bike trail.
But that's okay - we were moving.
Snippeteer Barbie's son, Joel, is currently paddling down the entire Mississippi River as I type, with three other teammates as they attempt to break the Guinness World Record for paddling the fastest down the river - the record to beat is under 17 days. They paddle nonstop, all day, all night, take turns sleeping, and are halfway done!! Can you imagine doing that? I cannot. I paddle around in my kayak for an hour or so on the intracoastal, and my arms are tired.
But that's okay - I am moving.
Snippeteers, we may not be able to compare our exercise-related movements to cycling across the country or trying to break a Guinness world record on the Mississippi River, but at least we're moving! Whatever you're doing ... walking, swimming, Zumba, golfing, yoga, jogging, surfing, biking, tennis, pickleball, rowing, ping pong, volleyball, walking the pup, gardening ... it's important to move.
Movement has long term health benefits for all ages. It is good for strengthening muscles, which in turn improves stability, balance, and coordination. Movement also helps build more durable, denser bones.
If you're sitting all day working at a computer, they tell us to get up at least every two hours and MOVE. Taking short brain breaks during work time have been shown to have real benefits: reduce stress, anxiety and frustration; increase attention and productivity; help make it easier to focus on important tasks. Standing burned 0.15 calories more per minute compared to sitting! Experts now say you should start standing up at work for at least two hours a day. Research has shown that kids learn more quickly after they've exercised.
So don't worry about planning a two-week river excursion, breaking any records, or trekking across the country on two wheels, simply GET UP AND MOVE! Right where you are!
I know I like to move it, move it ... you like to move it, move it? Here's a little inspirational music to get you moving! (click image)
