As we approach the end of the year and contemplate resolutions for a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, I'm curious about how my fellow tech enthusiasts tackle one of our common challenges: staying physically active amidst a predominantly sedentary tech lifestyle. How do you get motivated, and what routines or activities have you found effective in maintaining your physical and mental wellbeing?
This past year, I took a somewhat unconventional path for someone in our field—I started learning ballet. As a software developer and writer, I never imagined donning ballet shoes, but it's turned into an incredible journey. Ballet offers a unique and powerful blend of discipline, mental focus, and physical intensity that's not only improved my health but also brought a new dimension of creativity and performance into my work and personal life.
I've shared my experiences and the surprising benefits I've discovered in a Medium post titled "Why I Started and Keep Learning Ballet at 40+." As New Year's Eve prompts us to reflect and set goals, I hope my story of embracing ballet might inspire you to consider new, perhaps unexpected, ways to stay active and engaged.
Here's my story: https://medium.com/geeky-regimen/why-i-started-and-keep-learning-ballet-at-40-14ee0663b25e
On the eve of a new year, I'd love to hear your strategies and stories. How do you balance the demands of our tech careers with the need for physical activity? What unexpected hobbies or passions have you pursued to stay active and how have they impacted your life?
I also tap dance. It's a very technical and movement-dense dance where different combinations of steps are put together and can be in different styles by varying the rhythm and body movements.
Sailing is my new passion. Dinghy mainly and also some yachting. Dinghy racing combines adventure, a thrilling workout (pulling the trailer and the core workout of hiking) and STEM split-second decisions in a race like computing a self-driving car. Also great for mental health and like a support group as through yachting I've met career changers who are running away from depression.
I’ve done it for the past 5y. The first 2 were the hardest. This year I run over 500mi (and in Mar & Apr I practically didn’t run). This is just to say that the key is consistency, if you can make it a habit then it’ll stay a habit.
Run works for me, but bike or push ups might be an alternative if you hate running.
If you start from 0, account for your growth. For example if you can’t run 1mi now, don’t set your target to 1mi/day. Set it to 2mi/week or so. To give you a sense, when I run I typically do 5mi, so I only have to run twice a week to stick with my goal, and I can catch up if I fall behind.
This year I’m prob trying 10 pull ups/day, just for a change. (I’ll keep running oc)
Tip: you don't need gear or even shoes to run, just run to the office or chase the kids.
The key thing is finding people to be competitive and supportive with. My partner has been an excellent source of motivation as we are both very competitive in outdoing each other in time and power.
10 miles in an hour, do it a few times per week, you'll be on top of your self.
I also tend to walk everywhere.
As soon as I finish working it is training time. When I'm busy or out for a few days I take the push up bars with me. Sometimes I also do some push ups while working.
Some of it's fun, but a lot of it really is just unpleasant exercise. I hate it, but I stick to it for the positive side effects. In my mind, the only way to it is to do it.
Classes provide structure and a community. Maybe not too different from ballet.