Staying physically motivated while out on the Race!?

Many people have been asking in what ways I am staying active while out on the race.  You praobably have many other questions as well whether you are on the race, going on the race, traveling alone or just curious.  Yes, it is very hard to stay motivated on the World Race.  After 6 months of traveling and living in all different conditions it's easy to want to "let yourself go."  You see others always eating chips, drinking soda, being really tired after a long day of work, and don't want to do anything.  It's tough, I have been there!  I still go through it all the time.  It's hard to stay motivated.

We get caught up in long days of traveling that exhaust us.  We work all day and all we want to do is rest.  We want to eat comfort food that reminds us of home.  And many think it's impossible to stay active in the living conditions we are in.  

Us with Ipoh Bug soccer team!!  This month we spent doing sports ministry with youth playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, running and so much more!  Such an amazing time and way for us to be active.

I am here to tell you that there are many ways to stay active while on the race!  First, I have found that having a friend (accountability partner) is really important.  You are more likely to do something or be somewhere if someone else is counting on you.  Wouldn't you agree? It's also more enjoyable doing it with someone else.  Motivate eachother and set goals at the beginning of each month for what you want it to look like.  You are more likely do be consistent if you have a goal in mind.

Every person enjoys being active in different ways.  If you like sport activities, that's great.  Some like to run, grab a partner and go. Some like aerobics; get some videos on your hard-drive or download them and do kickboxing, zumba, salsa dancing or yoga. Look into renting bicycles where you live (one of my absolute favorites!) or walk instead of taking transportation. Think of ways that don't seem like exercise and natually change your habits.  

Some like weight training.  Let me tell you, you can be creative with anything around the world. Yes, you men can still keep muscle. I find myself using my backpack and putting heavy things in it: wearing it on my back, using them as free-weights, like kettle bells and medicine balls.  I use bricks, and even heavy  tools we have used for doing physical labor.  One of my favorites is a kids playground.  There are monkeybars and soccer goals for pull-ups/chin-ups, and so much more!  I get excited about these creative things!  I use a jumprope all the time and a resistant band that I brought with me that weigh very little! (so worth it!)  
I had to remember that it is not the same as what I am used to back home, but I can do with what I have!  That's how we all have to think about it; instead of doing nothing at all, what can I be doing?
I am currently doing a 6 week workout combination of "The Spatacus Workout".  This one is great for cardio and strength all together.  I do the Spartacus Workout 3 times a week and the days in between I try to do more cardio/core training (which could be running, doing interval/tababta workouts/interval jumprope, sometimes yoga/pilates)  I will put 2 examples of one of the Spartacus Workouts on here so you have an idea of one.  

SPARTACUS WORKOUT #1                                          SPARTACUS WORKOUT #2

                          40 seconds each exercise  10 seconds rest        3 Rounds
*Goblet Squat                                                                      *Dumbbell Hangpull
*Mountain Climber                                                               *Dumbbell Reverse Lunge
*Single Arm Dumbell Swing                                                *Single Arm Dumbbell Swing
*T-push up                                                                            *Thrusters
*Split Jump                                                                          *1 leg/arm Dumbbell Row
*Dumbbell Row                                                                    *Dumbbell Chop
*Dumbell side lunge/touch                                                   *Plank to Push-up
*Push-up Push-Row                                                              *Dumbbell Single leg Deadlift
*Dumbbell Twist Lunge                                                        *Burpee
*Dumbbell Push Press                                                          *Squat Jump

You can do these anywhere!  (If you need weights, which I use for all spartacus workouts I use my backpack or anything I have)  A lot of these you may not understand what the exercise is.  (I had no idea what some of these were)  There are examples/videos of all these exercises at www.trainerjosh.com  I love reading and getting ideas from Josh.  Make sure that you check out his site and read more about physical exercise, food and other interesting things!