Swanson Vitamins Blog

Back To School Busy-ness!

Posted by Nadine:

I just returned from a late summer vacation to Duluth, MN. What a beautiful area—I almost didn’t want to come back.  Lake Superior is truly stunning in the early morning, covered with fog, before the rest of the world has really woken up.
 

Next trip, I hope to watch the sun rise, and get some training in. I managed to sneak in a lakeside run, and a few walks, but the majority of my time was spent relaxing in a very quiet neighboring town.  It was also in anticipation of school starting up this week. In the midst of relaxing, I pondered how I can be a better parent during the back to school busy-ness that can consume our lives at the end of August.

Make Exercise a Family Activity

Posted by Rex:

Well, my goal to get back into shape has officially turned into a family endeavor.  The most ironic thing is that it has nothing to do with adventure racing.  It has to do with Roller Derby!  Yes, Roller Derby!!!  Not me, but with my wife.  With all of the talking I’ve done about adventure racing, I was really hoping that my interest in it would have rubbed off a bit so we could start training together a bit more.  But it hasn't, yet. Not to say I blame her. Adventure racing isn’t for everyone.  The good news is she found something active that she absolutely loves in Roller Derby.

How To Fit Training Into a Hectic Life

Posted by Nadine:

I believe I’ve temporarily solved the big question on HOW to fit training into my life: scaling back, simplifying and reevaluating priorities so that I can do my best in the Adventure Race - the one in October - and the ongoing one known as life. Miriam Webster defines "adventure" as: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks; an exciting or remarkable experience. So far, they both sound about right...

Discovering The Two Keys (or challenges) For Successful Weight Loss

Posted by Rex:

When I started blogging here on the Swanson Vitamins Blog, I told everyone I was going to be honest. I said I would talk about the good and bad about my progress to do an adventure race and get into shape. 

 
For those who have been following regularly, you know that a few weeks ago I found out I wasn’t going to be able to do the adventure race, because it fell during the same time my comps for graduation were scheduled.  Prior to that in my training I had been a man on a mission - no setbacks at all and a lot of dedication.  To not be able to participate was a real letdown, but I had made up my mind to keep training.

Long Time, No Blog - I Found a New Race Partner!

Posted by Nadine

Last time you heard from me was last month, after the Tour de Cure. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I hope. There have been a few big developments since then.

I found a teammate for the Adventure Race, a fellow employee, Terry F. Terry has worked at Swanson Health Products for 11 years and held various positions in our fulfillment center. She is currently a member of our purchasing team, as a Purchasing Assistant.

Terry is also a very active individual. She practices Yoga twice a week, plays volleyball & softball, and enjoys riding ATV's and snowmobiles. She shares my love of the great outdoors, which makes her an ideal partner! And while this is certainly huge news, something else popped up that I can't ignore...

Personal Training: You Gotta Find What Works

Posted by Rex

Alright, I will be the first to admit I have never been a big fan of personal trainers.  When I started getting into training originally quite a few years back, I did just about everything on my own.  I was extremely motivated to make the change because of personal things going on in my life at the time.  I took the time to learn about exercise and the human body.  In fact, I even took a few college classes on it. 
 

Every chance that presented itself for me getting a lifting partner to work with usually ended with me going back off on my own in a few weeks.  At the gym I was going to succeed or fail on my own.  I didn’t need or want the help from someone who was going to charge me $$ just to sit and tell me “just one more rep” and talk to me the rest of the session.
 

Tour De Cure Bike Race - Inspiration on the Trail

It was the perfect day! I got to include my family, raise money to help people, spend time with some dear friends, be active, be outside, eat really good food from Texas Roadhouse, and have a reflexologist work on my feet after the ride.

I’m happy to report that I didn’t require an ice bath after the 32 miles of biking. I’m sitting quite comfortably in my cubicle, actually.

 
The friends who invited me to join the Tour De Cure are Leslie and Jayson. They both participate in tri- and duathlons. Leslie is also a Boston marathoner, and Jayson is an avid cyclist. They have truly been my inspiration in being active, setting and achieving goals.
 

I'm On The Juice...Yeah, You Heard That Right

“Juicing!  I started juicing!!”  I found out that probably wasn’t the best thing to say in such an abbreviated manner...out loud...to a bunch of people who are familiar with lifting. After there was an awkward pause, some strange looks and even a few concerned expressions by multiple people standing around, it kind of dawned on me that I really should have probably explained myself a bit further.
 

Adventure Off (for now) On To Plans B & C!

For those of you who keep up with the Swanson Bloggers, you know that this connects to Rex’s last post. To those of you who admire only my posts, here's the disappointing deal: Rex is unable to participate in the Adventure Race that sparked our blogging experience.

 
I am slightly disappointed, but still look forward to participating in an Adventure Race with Rex next June. But this begs the question: So now what? I must come up with a new purpose for my blog, rather than just rambling about my own summer objectives, which are a bit different than Rex’s. 

Life Threw Me a Curveball...but Training Goes On!

I found out this week that Comps, which are required for my graduation for my Master’s Degree in December, fall right during the Adventure Race in October. So, that means I have to pull out from the race in Oct. It is a really big bummer, as both Nadine and I were really looking forward to it.  
 

Does it mean I’m done training or Nadine’s done training? Very far from it! So it’s off to plan B. Basically this doesn’t conclude for me until I have gotten in shape and participated in my very first Adventure Race.

Not completely insane, but perhaps just a little bit crazy. . .

More accurately, a lot of crazy. I’m about to get a crash course in distance biking. However, I welcome the challenge. The biking portion of the Adventure Race is 30-40 miles, why wait to get started?

 

I was invited to join a friend’s team for the Tour de Cure, which is a series of fund-raising cycling events held in 40 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

 

At first, I wasn’t quite sure about doing it. The minimum amount of funds needed to participate seemed like it might take more time to accomplish than I had available.  Let’s not forget that I have very little experience road biking, which was another piece of my hesitation.

Why Do I Train? Why Do I Sweat & Go Through The Pain?

For me this has really become a private journey of self discovery.  I am going to be turning 34 shortly and this is something I need to do for myself and my family.  I use to be in stellar shape, sporting a 6-pack  and being in the best shape possible only about 5 years ago.  Now I've found between getting my Master's degree and work, I am behind a computer most of the day.

 

As a result, my weight has increased to a point where I could conceivably have health issues further down the road.  Okay, the realization is I will have health issues further down the road.  This lifestyle is just not acceptable for me anymore, nor is it fair for my son and wife who need to know that as a father/husband I will be around for many years to come.  

Adventure On!

Year 2009 is proving to be the year for new adventures: sandbagging a record flood, running a half-marathon, and the adventure race that my friend and co-worker, Rex, and I are training for, which serves as the basis of yet another adventure….blogging.

Team Swanson Laces Up and Buckles In to Take on Adventure Challenge

This is the story of two people, one man and one woman, who decided to add some excitement (and maybe a little bit of stress) to their lives by teaming up and taking on an extreme adventure race through the wilderness of Wisconsin. I am thrilled to be able to present to you the Swanson Vitamins version of “The Amazing Race.” Buckle up…it’s going to be an awesome ride!