Live It Up by Shaking It Up!

Imagine if the experiences of your life were bottled up, labeled, and stored like spices in a spice rack. What kind of selection would be found in the spice rack of your life? Is it stocked with an array of diverse flavors akin to ginger, allspice, oregano, fennel, or cumin? Or do you simply rely on predictable and completely comfortable salt and pepper?

A 20-mile training ride.

Whether you are more of a “salt and pepper only” kind of a person, or someone who has had to build additional levels to your spice rack to accommodate the experiences of your life, the spring season is a great time to shake things up and try something new. Consider it your next “Live it!” challenge.

Psychologist Dr. Alex Lickerman says trying new things has a variety of benefits. The four primary benefits he lists are:

Developing courage
Preventing boredom
Finding something new to enjoy
Enabling personal growth

Late last summer I made the goal to become a triathlete. Although I had lived a fairly active life — including a handful of running races — I’d only swam or cycled for fun.

My first triathlon body markings.

After signing up for my first sprint triathlon (350 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run), I focused my training on swimming and cycling, as they were largely new territory for me. As I trained I realized how much I loved the diversity in my workouts. I also learned that I had a long-lost love — cycling. I felt like a kid again rushing down hills with the wind in my face.

Race day welcomed a huge rainstorm, but thankfully only the swimming portion of the race was cancelled. Although my triathlon became a “biathlon” it was a great success. I even ended up getting eighth in my age division.

This winter, at 19-weeks pregnant, I competed in all three events during an indoor “super-sprint” triathlon (250-yard swim, 8-mile bike, and 2-mile run). Although pregnancy has put my race days on hold for a little while, I have my eye on a couple triathlons I hope to compete in this fall.

Celebrating the “Tri-ing for Two” finish with my husband.

It’s safe to say I’m glad I added the “triathlon spice” to the spice rack of my life. I’m happier and healthier when I train regularly and I love meeting new people at races and sharing our nerves, excitement, and triumph together.

No matter what the “new spice” you add to you life is you’ll definitely live it up by shaking it up. Be sure to tell us what you’re going to try. Need some ideas for new things you can try? Take a look at the list below:

Learn a musical instrument
Volunteer in your community
Cook new recipes
Be fit in a new way (lifting weights, an aerobic class, or a new sport)
Learn a language

“Live it!” is a What’s Up, USANA? series that focuses on simple ways that you can live life to the fullest. It is also the theme to USANA’s 2013 International Convention.