Plant Based Athlete

Jun

03

10,000 Steps A Day Keeps Me Motivated

Back in 201, when I did my first wellness challenge, one of the requirements was to get 10,000 steps a day for each day of the challenge. It was an 8-week challenge but it got me in a habit that I refuse to break.

I feel the 10,000 steps is a good reminder that I have to keep moving. I have a sedentary job. This is part of the reason that I became morbidly obese. I carried around 350 pounds of weight not realizing what damage I was doing to my body. The little of exercise I did do during that time was not enough to break a sweat and certainly didn’t lead to any weight loss.

I don’t ever want to go back to those secondary days. I remember sitting all day and by the time it was the end of the work day, I stood up. I remember that my legs did not want to move at all. They felt heavy and stiff. I was always hoping co-workers wouldn’t see me as I was most likely limping until my legs were finally strong enough to move.

That first wellness challenge showed me how such better I felt by moving. I didn’t need to be chained to a desk for several hours. I still have the same job, but the difference is I get up every hour. I take the stairs, I walk around the building, take the walk to the further rest room. I wear the Apple Watch and it reminds me to stand every hour.

Before the Apple Watch was launched, I kept a pedometer with me and would keep it in my pocket. I love the Apple Watch; t keeps me motivated. I want to close the 3 rings every day. For those who aren’t familiar, Apple designed this watch to keep you active. It has three rings that you can complete every day: Move, Exercise and Stand. For the stand ring, that means you have to have stood up at least a minimum of one minute each hour for 12 hours. Obviously, the exercise one is based on the amount of activities you are doing and move calculates the number of calories you are burning. The technology is awesome, but as I indicated earlier, even with the pedometer that I used to keep with me,

I made a lifestyle change to not be sedentary and it worked. Along with my healthy plant based eating, I have kept the 150+ pounds for over 10 years. I like how I feel, I like thee fact that I am on zero beds. The plant based foods gives me energy and the exercise keeps me fit. I know that 10,000 steps a day was not scientifically proven as the target number but it works for me. I can only recall a small handful of days (probably less than 5) when I did not get the steps. It was either because I was sick or knee injury. Other than that, I have never skipped a day. Same with my diet. I don’t ever intend to go back to my fast food days, and eating junk food at my desk. Health is too important!

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Apple Watch Plant Based Athlete Vegan Athlete

Jul

31

6 Mile Walk/Run Tomorrow!

Rich H.

Healthy Eating & Nutrition Exercise Endurance & Competition

Tomorrow, I am participating in the Tour of the Litchfield Hills event. There are a variety of options to participate. The big part of the event is the bike race. I decided to try the walking event. I chose the option with the most miles, that being 6.2 miles. It goes to a great cause too, as the money they raise goes to the Cancer Care Fund of Litchfield Hills. I was able to raise over $200 for my walk in addition to the entry fee.

Many of you probably remember the swelling I was dealing with a few months back with my knee. I’m happy to report that it has not swelled in a while and it seems to have recovered. I did a lot of physical therapy and I can'’t say enough good things about PT. The therapists get to the root of the problem and they know just what exercises to focus on for healing. I found out my hip flexors were week along with my hamstrings being extremely tight. They exercises to strengthen those areas has helped so much.

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Vegan Runner Plant Based Athlete Vegan Athlete

Jul

16

Plant Based Workouts

Rich H.

Weight Loss

It’s more than about muscle, vegan gains has to do with health. For me, my plant based journey is always about my health, just as much as it is for the welfare of animals. I feel equally passionate about both. So this shirt is one of my favorite shirts to wear at the gym. As you can tell, it got a lot of wear and tear!

I want others to know how good being plant based feels, how muscle growth can be achieved, how weight loss is possible, how having energy to compete is races is easier on a plant based diet. I have been plant based for 9 years now, but completely one hundred percent vegan since September of 2016. I have never regretted it as I feel better than ever. I was not feeling great when I was 350 pounds, as you can imagine.

Rich works out 5 days a week as a plant based athlete.

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Vegan Athlete Vegan Gains Plant Based Athlete Vegan Bodybuilder

Nov

13

Still Working Out Without Going To The Gym

Rich H.

Healthy Eating & Nutrition Exercise Endurance & Competition

I stopped going to the gym about a month ago, when the COVID numbers started going up again in my state. I feel like it's too risky to go as I worry about getting others around me sick. II don't want to be a carrier and have the guilt if other people were to catch it from me.

I miss the gym but I do like running outside. It gives me a chance to plan for my next race. I'm planning on doing a virtual run for the Manchester Road Race again this year

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Vegan Runner Vegan Athlete Plant Based Athlete Manchester Road Race Virtual Race

Aug

30

One Year Since My Abdominoplasty

Rich H.

Weight Loss Healthy Eating & Nutrition Exercise Health & Fitness

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been one year since my abdominoplasty (commonly known as a tummy tuck). This was a procedure that I put a lot of thought into and was something I waited 5 years to do. I have absolutely no regrets doing it, as I gained so much more confidence since then.

For 5 years after my incredible 150 pound weight loss, I worked hard trying to tighten my abs. I did everything, from machines that heat the skin as a way to tighten, special creams, wraps, you name it, I did it. It wasn't just the ugliness of the skin that bothered me, but also the irritation that went along with it. I would get itchy and irritated in that area. I also hated the flopping sound it would make when I ran as I would feel embarrassed by it.