Physical Funness for the Motion Starved

Fit more fun into your fitness while exploring the outdoors.

Tag Archives: attitude


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If your brain wants to do it, your body will follow

Ridin' in Iowa

I had just picked my Dad up from the Oakland airport.  It was the day before Thanksgiving 2008 and we were en route to Redding some 3 hours away.  As my Dad squirmed uncomfortably in the passenger seat of my Mini Cooper he said to me, “I’d like to ride my bike across Iowa. I heard about this organized ride that goes from the west side of the state to the east. It’s only 500 miles. I think it would be a nice thing to do. What better way to see Iowa, and it’s flat all the way. How hard can it be?” I said… great idea Dad, if you start training now you should be ready to do the ride by next year. Dad said… “Next year, I want to do it this July.” I’m not sure if I actually laughed out loud but I know I did in my head.  I thought, he had completely lost his mind. My Dad, in his early 70’s is very fit and very tough, but not a cyclist. He owns a bike but it’s a cute little 40 lb bike built for riding to do errands around town. Certainly not meant to ride across an entire state. All I could say was… Dad, I really think you’ll need more time to train for this event. 500 miles with 7 days of riding and camping along the way is a long week.  It’s not as easy as you think and by the way, Iowa is not entirely flat! Not by any stretch of the imagination!

In spite of almost zero training, in July 2009 we did the ride across Iowa, Ragbrai as it’s called. My Dad, Paula and Me. I went to keep an eye on them, as I was the only one with a clue as to what we were getting into. After the first day, both D & P were praying that the following days would be easier. They were not, there were lots more hills and rain and wind but they took it one day at a time and were thankful to see the end of each day.

In the end they both pulled it out. Failure was simply not an option for those two. They had a goal and they made it happen. It was amazing and I was incredibly proud to see them finish every day leading them closer to the end of the ride and to the reaching their massive goal.

My point – You can do anything you set your mind to. That was made clear to me in Iowa that July. We’ve all heard impressive stories of things people have done. Why not see what you can do?


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Unbitter!

Valentines day is next Monday. Personally I’ve never really cared much about Valentines Day. It’s one of those days that never seem to meet up to your expectations. I am starting to get a little annoyed lately though, I keep hearing this ad on the radio for something called “The Bitter Ball.” It’s for folks without Valentines.  While the name is funny I really hate thinking about spending a perfectly good day being bitter. Bitterness gets you no place you want to be. I also heard someone on the same station ask, “who came up with Valentines Day anyway?” With that I decided to do some looking into the history of Valentines Day.

As usual, there are a bunch of legends and stories so who really knows the truth. The bottom line is, Valentine was a priest who became a saint because he helped people, not because he was some over the top romantic or sex god. Most notably, Valentine married soldiers who where banned from marring because Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage. Saint Valentine is also said to have healed a blind girl while he was in prison waiting to be executed. Just before his death he wrote a note to the former blind girl that said, “From your Valentine.” And, there you have it!

Rather than stewing up a big ol’ batch of bitterness this Valentines Day, I suggest that we do something nice for someone we don’t know.  Like Saint Valentine. You can be anonymous if you like. Think of it as a social experiment. (You can still do this even if you have a “real” Valentine). It doesn’t have to be big, all you have to do is take the guys in the mailroom at work something nice, or pay the bridge toll for the car behind you (I love it when people do that for me!). Buy the person in line behind you at the Starbucks their coffee. They don’t have to know you did it. Just give the cashier an extra few bucks and tell ‘em what to do. Take the dogs at the animal shelter some biscuits! How easy is that!

If you make someone feel good it will make you feel good. Just try.

Start thinking about your plan…I’ll check in on you later.


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Letting go is hard to do

It’s hard to let go of things.  Especially those things that you really like but that may not be good for you. When you let go of something there’s always the fear that you’ll miss what you’ve released and there may be no going back.

Here are a few things you can let go of without worry, do your body and soul some good.

  • Play catch – With a friend or against a wall by yourself.  It’s good for concentration, coordination and your pecs.
  • Toss out all the things in your closet that don’t make you feel “alive” (That’s what Oprah says – did you know that Oprah just found out she has a half-sister? Drama!).
  • Go to a pub, have a pint and throw a game of darts.  Darts are hella fun and a good way to meet some new friends.
  • Horseshoes – Golden Gate Park just finished fixing up their Horseshoe Pit. Again, good for the coordination, who cares if you don’t know how to play.  Just go toss some shoes.
  • Time to compost all the old stinky food in your frig.  Clean out the frig and clean up your diet.
  • Play around with taking your hands of the bars for a few seconds the next time you go for a bike ride.  If you’re a little nervous just hold ’em right over the bars.  (Obviously don’t do this on a busy street!). This is fantastic for your core.
  • Batting practice – Find a batting cage or just head for the local ball field. They’re all over the city.  Swinging a bat (even if you miss) is great for the whole body!
  • Fling a Frisbee at the beach, play a little volleyball, badminton, the list goes on. The weather is perfect right now!


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Feelin’ good Friday!

Happy anniversary!

“Never make someone a priority when they only make you an option.” That’s what my friend Chef P said to me recently. While CP was referring to my personal relationships I realize that this rule can be used in terms of just about anything in life.

For instance, exercise. If you’re not getting back from your routine what you’re putting into it, then it’s time take things to another level or venue. Don’t stick with the same old thing just because it’s easy. If it’s not working than stop torturing yourself. Try something new.

Food, same goes. If you’re on the latest hipster diet and it’s stopped working or you feel like shit, time to rethink your approach. Sure, all diets help you loose at first but then progress starts to peter off. If you’re going to work hard at something find what works for you and will keep working.

As always give whatever you’re doing, in whatever corner of your life your absolute best effort. You never want to look back and wish that you’d tried a little bit harder.  If things start feeling uneven or out of balance, it’s time assess the situation and either rework your current mode of action or come up with a new plan.

With that, here are my suggestions for some interesting weekend adventures.

  • Sea lion Walking Tour Pier 39 – To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival to PIER 39, join Aquarium of the Bay Naturalists for free educational sea lion walking tours. Daily at the top of the hour from 11am-4pm Friday – Sunday.  Meet your guide at the Sea Lion Statue by PIER 39’s Entrance. If you feel like cruising the Aquarium after you will be treated to a 50% discount.
  • Belly Dance Basics – Sports Basement does it again, designed for those new to belly dance, this class will provide a basic understanding of Middle Eastern dance movements, technique, and shimmies! This class will get your heart rate up and your hips shaking. Saturday 10:00am – 11:00am, Bryant Street Store.
  • Ice skate at the Shark Tank – The official practice facility of the San Jose Sharks, in San Jose starting Saturday at 7:30 pm. Skate to your hearts content to all the hits, plus score tons of free stuff from 997 NOW.
  • Rent a rowboat and then take a hike in Golden Gate Park – When was the last time you went boating on Stow Lake?  I’ll bet most of you have never been.  That’s a shame.  It’s a lot of fun and good exercise! Take advantage of this nice weather and go for a row and then hike up Strawberry Hill for an added punch. You don’t have to be all mushy in love to do this sort of thing. Take some friends and do a little racing.

Make me proud! See you Monday…


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Funkytown

When you’re in a funk it’s easy to get stuck in despair and sink deeper and deeper into it. I know, I do it all the time. I love making myself feel bad. Why? Who knows? I’m sure with years of therapy and a bunch of money I could procurer someone to sort me out but that’s not my style. Too easy.

When you’re down emotionally and feeling like shit, you usually look pretty bad too. In turn, this keeps you from doing the things that make life happy and healthy. Am I right? You don’t get out as much and you wallow in sadness, eating and drinking all those things that make you feel better. My boyfriends Ben, Jerry and Mr. Kendal Jackson have weathered many dark days by my side.  As much as I love those boys, in the end they just make me look and feel worse.

If what’s going on in your world is making you feel sad, then get outa that world.  I’m not suggesting that you run away from your problems or move to another country.  I’m suggesting making a concerted effort to add a new circle to your current world. Do something that’ll give you a fresh, new point of view. If you do the same things and see the same people all the time then nothing will ever change. Find something new right outside your front door.

It doesn’t have to be a big deal. If you don’t normally hike than drive yourself to the sticks and go for a hike. Go with a hiking club if you don’t want to be alone.  Yea, I know new things are hard.  It’s a lot of effort and frankly meeting new people can be difficult when you are in a mood. I mean, what if you meet some freaks? The last thing you need when you’re sad is a bunch of freaks to make you sadder.  Just make the effort, if you meet some freaks then you’ll have a good story. I guarantee you’ll feel better, freaks always make you feel better about yourself!

For fun...start by taking a look at this video. It’ll make you laugh if nothing else. Please!


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Goal Setting Kelley style

If you are the type to set New Years resolutions or goals then you have done so for 2011 by now.  If not, then maybe what I have to say will help.

Like with everything there’s a ton of information out there about goal setting.  Everyone has a plan. Frankly, it’s not hard to understand but it’s not all that interesting either. All you have to do is figure out what you want and then make it happen. To make it happen you simply need to acknowledge the truth about what you’re willing to do, and willing to continue to do, for as long as it takes.

Example: My goal is to become lighter and fitter. However, I know that I like to eat a lot of food and drink wine. That’s just the way it is and I’m not willing to revise that for very long. Because of that, it’s easier and smarter for me to ramp up my exercise routine then it is for me to make a big change in my eating habits. Fortunately, when I start working out harder or more often, I’m less interested in drinking a bunch of wine and eating all the food that comes with it. This system works for me, as it’s something that I can sustain for long periods of time. Years and years rather than weeks or months.

On the other side of the coin, my friend Jacks is better about cutting calories than she is about ramping up her exercise routine.  Jacks does not like to sweat, it messes up her hair and that’s important to her. With that, she’s happy to eat half portions and cut out alcohol completely rather than partake in high impact exercise. Jacks prefers low impact movement like shopping/walking and Pilates to keep tone.  In the end this combination works for her, she remains light which makes exercising more tolerable and less sweaty.

Does this make sense?  Jumping into a big calorie cutting and/or exercise program is hard for everyone.  Why not try a different approach?  Be honest with yourself. What are you really willing to do to reach your goal? Don’t forget to consider your lifestyle and the things in life that you enjoy like spending time with your kids or happy hour with your friends. You may be able to get where you want to be by suffering for a while but can you keep it up? Be smart and be honest.

Lastly… a quote from George Hincapie (the absolute hottest pro bike racer who ever lived)…

“Enduring those cold and rainy training days are the days that help you reach your goals.” (Remember that when it’s nasty outside.)


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I may be bad but I’m perfectly good at it

If you’re going to do something, anything, do it to the very best of your ability. You may find that no matter how hard you try, you just aren’t good at some things. Don’t let that stop you, do them anyway.  Just be sure to give it 100%.

For instance, I know that I can’t spell.  I have never been good at spelling. It used to really bother me. My mom was an english major in college, my step mother is a former teacher, my father is “type A” to the 10th degree and my brother has both athletic abilities and spelling skills.  It seems everyone can spell but me. If you’ve been reading my blog then you know that I can’t spell.  All I can say is I’m sorry. I wish I could spell better but I simply cannot. I’ve spent years stressing over my poor spelling and holding myself back because of it. I realize now that it’s just one of those thing that I need to come to terms with. Like having a big nose.  I’m over that too.

Rihanna (you know…the singer) says, “I may be bad but I’m perfectly good at it.” I love that.  Acknowledge who you are and then be the best you can be.


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Shake it up!

Shakin' it up in Iowa

Routines are good. We all need some structure in our lives. However, keeping to the same old routine becomes boring and eventually stalls your fitness.  Getting outside of your world or comfort zone can be exciting, stimulating and even frightening.

As part of your effort to have an amazing 2011, I propose that each of us tries something new at least once a week.  It can be a new food that you’d otherwise pass up (like the okra curry recipe I’ll post tomorrow), asking someone to get together who you might otherwise dismiss. Go trampolining, get a new hairstyle, buy a sexy plaid workout top rather than the usual solid. Why not go for a ride on 40 lb cruiser bike instead of that carbon fiber racer you covet. Believe me you’ll get a workout!

Challenges don’t have to be big they just have to be something you wouldn’t normally do.  Something that will take some effort and maybe some guts.

Here are some examples.

  • While waiting for my friends on the street the other night, I let a scruffy man with a golf club sing me a song. When he approached me I didn’t look away or get angry. I stood there, let him sing his strange song, I smiled, shook his hand and give him a dollar (sure I wanted to rush home and scrub my hand but I remained calm). I did something a little frightening, but something good. (Fortunately, he used his club to illustrate his song rather than smash me over the head with.)
  • My friend Mo just signed up for 2 weeks of early morning yoga classes.  She’s normally the high speed, marathon runner, bike racer type. Now, one day into her yoga challenge, she’s not convinced it was her best move, but that’s the challenge. She’ll end up crushing the yoga class, but she doesn’t know that yet.
  • Normally I don’t eat much red meat especially meats that seem more like pets than dinner. Rabbit, lamb, veal. But a few weeks ago I had some lamb.  Initially I panicked when my date ordered it and immediately started working on my escape plan. Instead I dug deep and give it a try. In the end I didn’t like the lamb one bit, but I tried it and I learned not to do that again.
  • The big one. Last summer I rode my bike the entire length of Iowa with my Dad and Paula.  It was completely insane as we had not trained for the almost 500 mile ride. However, we all survived and the experience was beyond amazing! We learned that in fact there are no limits to what you can do.

The point I am attempting to get across is that when you challenge yourself you end up surprising yourself. You learn things, you meet new people and you find out what you’re made of. The confidence you gain encourages you to keep trying more and more, new and exciting things.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…it’s all about the stories. In the end all you have are your stories so go out and stir things up!


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Celebrate the simple things

Got a cat or a dog?  If you do, then you know that every time you come home from being away for even half an hour they’re always excited to see you.  Even in her last days my dog Kyle would leap out of her bed and jump up and down wagging her tail when I came home.  Every cat I’ve ever had has been right there at the door the second I open it. Every time! Life tosses lots of bad attitude our way.  Why not be like our pets and celebrate the simple things. It can’t be that hard.