May 2, 2019 by Scott Lindsey: One of the things that I talk to people about when they first start trying to get healthier is to set goals. Not just any goal, but realistic, measurable goals. In setting goals, you not only want to set long term goals, but short-term goals as well. You can start with something as simple as trying to do 15 minutes of exercise activity 3 times per week. Once you are consistently hitting that goal, move it to 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Then go to 30 minutes per day 3 days per week. Once you consistently meet the goal, move on to the next set goal. When I first started my fitness program, my first goal was to walk 2 miles, 3 days per week. Once I met that goal, I went to 2 miles per day 5 days per week. The goals that you set really set the tone for the entire fitness experience. Nothing makes you feel any better than the days where you meet a goal, you get to celebrate hitting the goal, and get to move on to a bigger goal. On the other hand, if you set goals that are unrealistic, it can be detrimental to your mindset and ability to achieve goals. Don’t set them too small, but don’t set them unrealistic either. I reached one of my goals this past weekend by running the St. Jude’s 5K in Nashville. I set this goal about 6 months ago, and worked really hard to train for it because I wanted to run every single step of the race, and not walk any of it. I was able to reach that goal, but if I had set the same goal by trying to run it in October after I began my program in September instead of running it in April, there’s no way that I would have been able to reach it. I would have just set myself up for failure. To set a goal, don’t set it easy, but set it attainable. Always remember, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it’s not going to change you!” I tell everyone all of the time, 90% of my fitness program has been about getting myself into the right mindset. It became a competition for me with myself. There were days where my mind would tell me that I didn’t have to put in work that day, and on other days, my legs were sore, or my knees were hurting. It became really clear to me that I could either sit in my recliner watching TV, and complain about my knees, legs, and back killing me, or I could start doing some cardio work and try to do something about it. When I first started, it wasn’t uncommon for my knees, legs, and back to hurt, but I was working toward a goal of having them hurt less, or even be pain free on most days. I read a statistic from researchers at Wake Forrest University, that stated for every pound of body weight that you lose; you have a 4-pound reduction in joint stress in your knees. As of this writing, I have lost a little over 100 pounds. That’s over 400 pounds of pressure off of my knees. It’s no wonder that they hardly ever hurt me anymore, unless I’ve done a really hard, intense workout. I’ll take that kind of sore though. In writing this column, I just want to help educate, and inspire others to know that they absolutely can do it. In September of 2018, I weighed 330 lbs, and couldn’t walk two miles around the track, much less run anything. I just ran every step of a 3.1 mile race. I am nothing special folks. There’s nothing magic about what I have done to lose 100 lbs. It’s been a lot of hard work and dedication, but I promise you, YOU CAN DO IT TOO. You just have to want it bad enough and be willing to start moving in the right direction. I would love to help you if I can. You can always contact me at the email address listed below, or you can message me on my Facebook page. Nothing makes me any happier than someone seeing me out and asking questions about my program, or what I’ve done to lose the weight, or asking what they can do to get started. Here’s to Better Health!! Email: scottpastmaster@aol.com Facebook Page: The Fitness Zone by Scott This column is about personal experience, shared motivation, and thoughts and opinion on staying active and eating and living healthier. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a physician before participating in any diet, or beginning any exercise or fitness plan.
The Edmonson Voice is pleased to welcome a new contributor to our publication, Mr. Josh Boyd, who is an avid outdoorsman and writer. While he's from northern Warren County, he has several acquaintances and family members in Edmonson County and has plenty of experience in hunting and fishing in EC. We hope you enjoy Josh's bi-weekly column and we encourage you to visit his blog, strive2thriveoutdoors.com by clicking on the header. Spring Squirrel Hunting Column and photos by Josh Boyd: As you set atop a weathered tree stump, the last remaining evidence of where a mighty oak once stood, a tree limb suddenly bobs and sways in your peripheral vision. Upon slowly turning your head to gain a better view, you notice the dead giveaway of the morning sun glistening off of the tail of a fox squirrel. You stealthily shoulder your .22 rifle and ready yourself for a shot. As the meandering bushy-tail stops to assess it's surroundings you seize upon your opportunity and make it count. As you go to pick up your downed game and prepare to settle back in atop your tree stump hideaway, a smile fueled by youthful excitement adorns your face. Kentucky's Spring squirrel season starts May 18th and many hunters young and old alike will go afield in pursuit of one of America's most celebrated small game species. Squirrel hunting is a classic outdoor pursuit and one where many young outdoorsmen and women got their start. Many adult hunters find enjoyment in squirrel hunting as it often brings about memories of their own first hunts with a parent, grandparent or family friend. Add to this the fact that squirrel makes excellent table fare and you have a sure fire recipe for an enjoyable Saturday morning in the woods of South Central Kentucky. One appealing aspect of squirrel hunting is the opportunity that it offers to get children involved in outdoor sporting activities. When squirrel hunting, it is not as crucial to be completely movement free as would be the case in pursuing many other game species. This is of great advantage when introducing young children to hunting who are likely to be difficult to persuade to set motionlessly. Squirrel hunting also commonly offers quite frequent activity which serves well to entertain the oft times short attention span of a child. Another reason that squirrel hunting is such a widely popular outdoor pursuit is that in these times of limited and ever more restrictive land access for hunters, great hunting for squirrels can be had on minimal acreage. As little as a half of an acre can yield a limit of squirrels for a crafty hunter. In conjunction with this fact, access to land for small game hunting is commonly still available. In a time where many hunters spend the majority of their outings hunting larger game such as deer or turkey, you will often find properties that nobody is currently small game hunting, although others do hunt larger species of game on the property. In these situations, many times access for the purpose of squirrel hunting can be obtained.
In a modern world full of endless stress and perpetual bustling to and from, take some time this spring to unplug, slow down, and take in all that Kentucky's spring squirrel season has to offer. As the rising spring sun shines down though the canopy of trees above, and you scan for movement amongst the limbs, you can truly gain a sense of appreciation for life's slower moments. You can reflect back to a time of yesteryear when you were introduced to the great outdoors and perhaps you yourself can pass that on to the younger generation. It is not necessarily about the success of your hunt, but rather about time spent with friends and loved ones and the memories made. |
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