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Finding Time to Work Out

Getting out hiking is just one way to improve health and life.

I consider myself a gym rat. That is, if I had the time and fewer responsibilities, I would be spending maybe a couple of hours a day working out. That would include a good 35-45 minutes of aerobic work and then some strength training exercises. As it is, I manage to get to the gym 3-5 times a week for roughly an hour.
Things get complicated though when work decides to change starting times. Prior to last week, I was working out after work. This was affected by things such as having to work overtime. I could work up to a half hour of overtime and still do much of my workout. However, they changed our work schedule and now I go in an hour later. No working out after work. Now I have to get up at 5:00 and basically head straight to the gym. I'm not used to getting my body awake and moving at that time of day.
Ultimately it's a better fit if I can do it, because it tends to regiment me. They have been talking though about changing time again to coming in a half hour earlier. This would make it tough to get to the gym either before work or after.
The thing is, making time or finding time is the key to any ultimate success, and no matter what happens, I will get to the gym somehow.

Diet and Longevity

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the relative healthiness of white bread as opposed to whole grain breads. Her thought was that it that there wasn't much difference to the relative nutritional content of both breads. After researching that, I found that most "experts" agree. It appears that with the fortified flours that are used in white bread these days, there isn't much nutritional difference. The main difference appears to be in fiber content, and of course, you can get enough fiber elsewhere, and maybe we shouldn't be eating all that much bread in the first place. But what if we do? What kind of bread is best?

I like to look at real world examples for my healthy choices and one of the best examples of a healthy lifestyle was Jack Lalanne. Lalanne was prominent health guru of the 20th century. He is known for his feats of strength and vigor well into his old age. One of his favorite sayings was "if man made it, don't eat it", emphasizing eating food that were as close to nature as you could get them.

If we apply this to bread, then whole grain breads are healthier, and grains themselves, even better.

That kind of thing is emphasized over and over again in studies of the longest-lived peoples on earth. Simple foods, no preservatives or additives, lots of veggies and fruits. It's that simple.

Exercise as a Longevity Factor

Most people are aware that exercise prolongs life, or at least, prolongs how long you will live in good health. It doesn't need to be going to the gym. I recently read about a 105 year old man who spent much of his time dancing. Hiking, walking, jumping around in your yard, chasing your spouse around the room--all of these things add up to a long and healthy life, provided you don't catch some dreadful illness. However, eating right and exercise help even in the case of cancers and some other diseases. They give your body a chance to fight back. We know that not all illnesses can be helped by good nutrition and exercise, but in many cases, they can.

One Final Thought

Good relationships such as friendships and marriage are also key to longevity. Try to find good associations and get together frequently. Not only will you increase your likelihood of living longer, it will be a blessing in your life.

Fall photos in Utah

Looking down at Silver Lake from the trail to Twin Lakes

For the past several weeks, Ann and I have been making forays into our local mountains to try and see the fall colors. It has been dry this year, and there was a marked effect on those trees and shrubs that usually turn red--they were quickly turning brown and dropping their leaves. Still, here and there, were pockets of extreme beauty. The quakies, as usual, were awesome. Thursday (October 4) was likely our last day to get up there before the snow falls and leaves cascade to the ground to make a smell that only wet leaves can make. Branches will then be bare until spring's newness once again refreshes them with spectacular greens. Our first drive was up Provo Canyon, but as early in the season as we went, there was little color to speak of. We didn't even take a picture.

Looking down Big Cottonwood Canyon from the Guardmans Pass Road

Our next drive took us up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Guardsmans Pass. We followed the spectacular scenery down the other side into Midway.

Looking out toward Heber and the smoke that was coming from
several fires, including the one near Spanish Fork Canyon

Our third trip was up the Alpine Loop Road in American Fork Canyon, where again the quakies were amazing. On this trip we saw a small herd of deer and a flock of turkeys--and again, some incredible scenery.

The scenic beauty of Utah's peaks changes almost daily. In fact, daily there are more reasons to go up and see the changes, more reasons to have adventures. As we continued driving around, we realized that without all the duties and responsibilities we had in our lives, we would likely stay up there much longer.

Near the back side of Mt. Timpanogos and looking in the general
direction of Sundance ski resort.

A gorgeous landscape looking toward Deer Creek.

We caught these turkeys on the road in front of us. I got out to
take the pic and followed them.

After a while they got skittish and headed off the road.

And headed for the hills.

I hadn't gotten out for much hiking at all this past spring and summer, so on Sunday I got out for a few hours and hiked up to Twin Lakes, up Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton.

Silver Lake near Brighton, Utah.

Twin Lakes area

Looking down on Silver Lake and Brighton lodges

It was a short, but steep hike, and breathtaking in its beauty. I looked around for good spots to picnic, but without company and since there was a lot of people around, I just headed back down the trail after pausing a few moments to take in the scenery.

Someone pointed out this big boy along the trail on the way down.

Last Thursday, October 4, we made it up Little Cottonwood, and again, we were amazed by how picturesque it was.

The following pictures were all taken in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Absolutely stunning. Now there is snow up there and the leaves will be dropping off. But it was an adventure while it lasted, and with winter coming, there will be more and different things to see. It's always Beautiful.