These days I’ve been carrying a 30-pound weight in my backpack on my walks to and from work. It serves to add a bit of exercise to my otherwise normal routine. To get a modicum of strength and cardio training during those 20 minutes of walking. And all it takes really is a few taped up bricks. I of course did not go the cheap route. I instead spent nearly $300 on a new backpack and a weight that fits in it perfectly.
I don’t do things half-arsed.
Rucking the 30-pound weight made me realize one thing: people of a larger size (read: fat) essentially carry around this weight all the time. They don’t get to take the weight off once they arrive at work like I do. The increased pressure on the joints and the back is significant. I certainly feel it in my knees and shoulder area. This is what it would be like if I were 30 pounds heavier. Which I was, way back in my college days. The freshman 15 gets to us all.
And I’ve been determined since then to live a lean and healthy life. Sort of ironic that in finding a new way to exercise, it has also reminded me of how I used to be. That is some built-in motivation! What I am looking forward to is taking the 30-pound weight on long hikes. It’s a great and easy way to add some difficulty to some of these hiking trails that lack heavy elevation.
Lift heavy things.