How often do I walk or run?

I’ve got a full gym just off my kitchen—stairmaster, treadmill, pulley system, dumbbells, vibration table—the works. In theory, I could train every day and never leave the house. In practice… most days I don’t. The only problem with having a gym in your house is “you have to use it” Some days I do. Most days I just walk by and think, “Maybe tomorrow.”

But I stay active in other ways. I cut my own grass on three acres with a walk-behind mower. I walk many fleamarkets weekly, I carry split & firewood, climb stairs, and do all the little things around the house that keep me moving. Even my three cats—Bonny, Clyde, and Bingley—manage to turn ordinary days into mini agility drills, whether it’s chasing them out from under the couch or stepping carefully around them during a stretch.

Over the last six years, I’ve found that staying active isn’t just about me—it’s about everyone around me. When my family and friends see me taking care of myself, eating well, and making an effort to stay in shape, it motivates them too. My son-in-law, without me saying a word, lost over a hundred pounds. My wife and daughter and others close to me are making changes in their own lives—working out more, eating better, feeling healthier—just by seeing me take action.

I’ve realized that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s contagious. The effort I put in, even if imperfect, seems to spark something in the people I care about. That ripple effect—seeing loved ones make small improvements in their own lives—is as rewarding as any personal milestone I hit on the stairmaster or while mowing the lawn.

Exercise, movement, and health aren’t about perfection. They’re about consistency, example, and the quiet impact it has on the people around you. And if cutting grass, lifting weights, or walking a few extra steps each day inspires someone else to make better choices, well… that’s motivation enough to keep moving.