What makes you jump out of bed every morning with your super hero cape?
Since the COVID pandemic started and it colored everything in gray, we have had every reason to be more frustrated, more distressed, and accordingly less excited than before. As an extreme optimist throughout my entire life, I’d like to share three things that I practice as a part of my routines that get me excited and exhilarated most of these days.
The first routine that I practice that makes me energized in my life is working out. I especially like all kinds of activities using my legs, such as walking, jogging, running, hiking, backpacking, and even strolling slowly and aimlessly, here and there in the neighborhood in the late evening. To me, working out is like gulping down a can of Red Bull energy drink or having an extra espresso shot full of caffeine. Ironically, consuming energy is one of the best ways to gain energy. The average number of daily steps I took last year was more than 10,000, and so far this year, I have been taking between 18,000 and 20,000 daily steps. That is equal to a 90-minute-long jog or a 3-hour-long walk.
One of the tips to motivate oneself not to skip a daily workout is to use a mobile application, which can record and show one’s daily achievement. In addition, I also use a mobile app to record my daily steps. Before going to bed every night, I check my data, and it really spurs me to continue my daily commitment to working out.
Another tip not to feel monotonous with the routine workout is to find a way to push yourself out of your comfort zone. For me, I often go on backpacking trips in the mountains as high as 10,000 to 12,000 feet, and as long as 30 to 60 miles, which are strenuous and arduous hikes. After completing such challenging tasks, my excitement is doubled, and it lasts longer.
The second thing which makes me excited these days is my diet. I have been on a Ketogenic diet for almost three months now. People simply call it the Keto diet. The Keto diet is a lifestyle change in what you eat and what you avoid eating. In principle, the Keto diet is a high-fat, high-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet. This diet forces the body to burn fats rather than carbs, and it is said that it often helps weight loss. I have experimented with this diet for the last 10 weeks, and I have felt more energized than ever before, not to mention that I have lost a significant amount of fat from my body.
Another good side of this diet is to make me closely monitor what I eat. I have become very careful and strict about choosing foods at the grocery stores by checking all of the ingredients. I have tried to eat quality fat and quality protein foods, while eschewing junk foods which I used to eat habitually. One of the biggest joys from this diet is trying new recipes with healthy low carb ingredients, and this joy is commensurate with my weight loss. Stepping on a scale every morning is the moment of truth, which encourages me to stick to this routine. Your efforts with this diet never come to naught.
The third thing which makes me feel lively and vibrant is none other than the International Toastmasters Club. I joined the Club almost two years ago, and I have tried hard not to miss our Monday meetings. I have strived to give a prepared speech at least every two or three months. Also, I have endeavored to actively participate in the meetings by taking a functionary role at least every other week. I still become very nervous and feel on edge in taking roles as an evaluator or a Toastmaster. However, I have pushed the envelope to sign up myself for those roles on a regular basis.
In addition, at the club, I also love talking to the club members. So, I initiated a small grass-root gathering to read movie scripts together. We meet once a week, and check in with each other to share what’s new this week, and we read famous TV series scripts such as “Friends” together. Not only can we practice vocal variety reading scripts, but also it is a lot of fun when everyone reads each part of the Friends’ characters which are distinctive, sassy, and sometimes quirky.
In summary, workouts, Keto diet, and Toastmasters club are the three things which make me stay excited in my otherwise routine days. I’d like to close my speech today with a line from one of my favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption: Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying.
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