Exercise Challenges

Cycling: 1.5hr Japan Island Hopping Ride

I’ve been continuing to do cycling through iFit on this end. Ran into a speed bump in August with recovering from a pretty gnarly bout of poison ivy, but I’m back on and pedaling, attempting to finish up the latest iFit challenge before the 9/7 deadline. Here’s the ride I did today:

I am beyond thrilled and proud that my body was able to do this ride–and it wasn’t as hard as I had worked it up to be. It was my longest ride yet by about 30 minutes. And I did it. 🌈👍

Japan’s countryside is beautiful. I rode through bamboo forests and saw plenty of fishermen. We ended outside a Buddhist temple that (I couldn’t help but think) reminded me of Kung Fu Panda just a bit. Different countries, I know, but I could imagine Po wobbling out with a plate of dumplings in his Jack Black voice going “Sweet country, am I right? Here, take a few, trainer. Veggie ones just for you.”

I only hope one day I can do many of these rides in person, including one I did the other day in Maui. That’s something to look forward to.

Until then, ride on and write on. Ker-kaw!

Christianity: My Journey & Thoughts, Exercise Challenges

Author: Finishing the Japan Series, New Bike & New Season 🚴‍♀️🇯🇵💼

Today, I finished the 12 part Japan series. My last ride ended at a shrine near the old Imperial Palace in Kyoto. My legs are deliciously sore and I’m so proud that I finished this. It made me think of the following Bible verse:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” -St. Paul

When I looked up this quote so I could include it correctly, I read that Paul said this before he was martyred. That is really powerful.

Continue reading “Author: Finishing the Japan Series, New Bike & New Season 🚴‍♀️🇯🇵💼”

Exercise Challenges

Author: Encouragement & Exercise (Japan iFit Series) 🚴‍♀️🇯🇵

I’ve been doing a 12 part, Japan iFit Cycling series this month. It’s iFit’s challenge for the month of February. I am four workouts away from finishing. I am very excited to see what iFit mails me for completing the challenge. I’m hoping for a t-shirt but would be thrilled by a gold star sticker at this point. ⭐

For anyone looking to start exercising, here are three encouraging thoughts to consider:

  1. Exercise does get easier the more you do it. I mean this both mentally and physically. Eventually you will want to exercise. Working out makes you better and stronger, physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s a gift to your body as a whole in so many ways.
  2. Think of exercise as a privilege, not as something you have to do. I’m borrowing this from iFit trainer Ashley Paulson, the trainer leading the Japan series. This little mental switch is gold. It’s really helped me reframe my cycling.
  3. Another thing Ms. Paulson said: you will have good workouts and bad workouts. It’s okay. Give yourself grace and keep showing up. You can do this.

Continue reading “Author: Encouragement & Exercise (Japan iFit Series) 🚴‍♀️🇯🇵”