#YOLO

You Only Live Once.

This past Saturday, my friend Lisa directed her first 5K for our good friend Tim  The race went off without a hitch.  Lisa did most of the leg work on her own, and I'm super pumped for her!  A good amount of money was raised for Tim and hopefully next year's race will be even bigger. 

There were people who showed up who read about the race in the local paper or heard about it from a friend and wanted to participate because it was for such a great cause.

The reason why I say YOLO, is because Tim was paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident a few years back.  He lives his life to the fullest.  He does more in a day than most people who have the ability to walk without any issues do.  He's up at a crazy hour to go hit the pool working on his functional movements, then goes to PT with his trainer Erin.  He then goes home and crawls as much as he can.  Works on standing up with no hands.  What did you do that could possibly compare to his day?  At mile 90 or so on the bike in LP, when I was assesing how I felt and if I could start to push the last miles (up hill), I though about Tim and said, he would be pretty stoked to be out here doing what I'm doing.  I threw my head down and pushed.  This isn't meant to put anyone down, but really, when you look at someone like Tim and watch what he does day in and day out, people should be inspired.  He's one of the few people out there that look forward to Mondays (I do as well)!  Why do people hate on Monday's so much?  I've mentioned this before, instead of complaining about it being Monday, how about you plan to do something new on Mondays.  Instead of waiting until the new year to make that resolution to get in shape, start now.  That P90X you started in March, but only made it half way through, well start it up again. Or that Insanity workout you only got to week two, well, when is a better time to pick it back up and complete those 9 weeks. (The Insanity workout is awesome by the way, it's what got me off my butt and started moving again).  Many people choose laziness over activity.  Why?  Yes, this is a legitimate question, why do people choose to sit on their butts and do nothing, when they could be moving and doing something!  The week after LP, Steve and I had an entire week off from swimming, biking and running.  On Thursday we were going bonkers.  We felt more sluggish and tired than any other day of the year.  It's proof, that if you always use the excuse I'm tired for not going to the gym, well, the more you use that as an excuse, the more tired you get! 

This is a post that's more about asking yourself if you live your life to the fullest.  We can all say we have no regrets, but do we?  Do YOU?  Did you want to go for a run yesterday but were too tired?  Do you wish you ate a little healthier but think eating clean is too expensive and too much work?  Do you wish you spent more time with your family and friends?  What did you do yesterday, what will you do today?  Not only for yourself, but perhaps for someone else.  However, since you only live once, if you want to be a little bit selfish, I'm someone who says go for it.  This may sound a bit mean and rude, but really, YOLO! 

You don't have to go out and train and finish an ironman, hell, you don't even have to go run your first 5K.  Do something everyday for YOU.  Everyday, take some time for yourself.  It can be small or big, as long as it's for you.  We all deserve that each and everyday. 

Is there a trip you've been wanting to go on for a while?  A race you've wanted to do?  I am someone who would encourage everyone to start getting more fit.  Afterall, look at this map  It shouldn't be shocking, America is a fast food nation.  At work, each Friday, one of the managers brings in 100 munchkins.  Really?  How about bringing in a basket of fruit instead!  At the race on Saturday, I realized that Tim is probably one of the most fit guys I know.  He eats as clean as possible, probably more so than I do!  I wish more people in America had his work ethic.  He should be a reason to start moving and groovin' in life. 

So get up and go.  YOLO.