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Affordable Health Care

I have a bad back from a mountain biking injury I sustained when I was 21. Every so often, the problem really flares up. Right now, for example. (Two words: vitamin I.) During the month of May, I traveled to three events on behalf of Get Out! and when I wasn’t driving, I was sitting in front of the computer. I supposedly prioritize my health, so I make sure to get some sort of exercise a day, even if it’s walking uptown (about a 15 minute walk from my home in the small college town of Athens, OH) and back.

The problem is, a half hour walk cannot undo the *entire rest of the day* spent in front of a computer. The result? I haven’t ridden my bike in two weeks and I had to cancel (postpone!) a climbing trip to The New last week. So much for prioritizing my health.

I have a friend who is also an entrepreneur. He’s gained 40 pounds in the last couple of years. He doctor recently told him he’s pre-diabetic, which is really, really bad news no matter how you look at it. He’s cut out the beer, but still isn’t getting any substantial exercise.

Exercise. It’s something a lot of people don’t enjoy. If exercise means going to the gym, I don’t enjoy it either. I don’t even like yoga. It’s usually inside and it’s kinda boring. I enjoy hiking, biking, looking a wildflowers, taking pictures, rock climbing, canoeing and other things like mountain climbing. The great part is that I get exercise while I’m doing these things. I love it when a plan comes together!

It’s not only ironic that my activity level has decreased since launching a webzine about outdoor adventure, but it’s also not acceptable. So I am squirming through this period of inactivity to get myself back to the point when I can go on some super long-ass hikes, bike rides and climbing trips. And then I am making a promise to myself to not get this inactive again. I thought I “couldn’t afford” to take time away from the magazine to get out and have fun. Turns out, I can’t afford not to. Neither can you.

I hope the destinations, clubs and events on our site will inspire you to get out and take care of yourself. For some of us, it’s the only affordable health care we’ve got.


-Mary
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