Why I start everyday with a workout.
Starting my day with a workout is absolutely essential. Having four kids at home, in addition to the responsibilities all fathers have maintaining a household, I make it a non-negotiable to get to the gym every morning. Not only does it boost my energy levels, but it also sets the tone for the rest of my day. Working out in the morning helps me stay focused and productive throughout my day, improving my overall mood and reducing stress. Additionally, morning exercise can enhance your metabolism and aid in weight loss. It is an ideal way to get your blood flowing and wake up your body. So, starting your day with a workout is the way to go if you want to improve your overall health and well-being.
For someone like me who has dealt with anxiety and depression, I find it helps me clear my mind and priorities for the day. I start my morning at around 6:00 A M every day as I get out of bed and quietly make my way through the house to get ready for my workout. I start every day with a shower and either a cup of coffee or a Celsius energy drink. My local gym is only about a two-minute drive from my house, so I usually get there right after opening. As any gym goer can attest to, being able to work out in a relatively empty gym is a godsend. Usually, I first settle down on a mat and use a foam roller to work out any tension or knots in my back and upper shoulder areas. After about 10 minutes of losing up, I go straight into a lifting session. Now as a hooper, I focus on dynamic movement and traditional workouts, IE, bench presses, deadlifts, squats, etc.
After about 30-45 minutes of working out, ill head to the basketball court and lace up my hooping shoes. I'll start with dynamic stretches on the court and dribbling to warm my body up. Then ill work close to the rim and make some easy jumpers to get my shot confidence up. Once I have a full lather going, sick work on whatever my point of emphasis is that day. I love working in the midrange area with turn-around jumpers over both shoulders. Finding my kill spots on the court, usually, the elbows and baseline, extended. If I'm feeling terrific that day, ill do some full-court speed dribbling into pull-up jumpers and work on my in-game ball-handling moves. I usually finish with about 25 free throws and call it a day.
I spend, on average, two hours at the gym five days a week. I have recently taken up running two miles a day, which has helped me improve my overall body composition. As I age, I've realized the importance and impact of an active lifestyle on me and how it affects all areas of my life. Consider incorporating a workout schedule that fits your lifestyle and interests. I can speak to the value it has added to my life, and it could do the same for you.