Diary of a SONAMover & Changemaker
By Daniel Smrokowski, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger- SO Illinois
My weekly SONAMove Challenge journey began eight weeks ago. During this time I tracked my daily exercise. I am grateful that as Special Olympics athletes, staff and Unified partners we came together to actively get moving. In the past year our regular sports and competition were either ceased, slowed, or in other words, changed from the norm. This is how the SONA Move Challenge came at a time that helps us to actively think and get moving. The alternative could be to sit on one's couch and turn to countless streaming television series and films.
This SONA Move Challenge began for me when I, along with my fellow SONA SSIGM’s, were invited to join a Unified team of SONA staff — the SONAMovers & Changemakers team was born!
As I was deciding which movement exercises to do during this 8-week virtual exercise challenge, I had an initial thought of trying yoga, cycling rides, or perhaps some of the School of Strength or Fit5 exercises and going on daily walks. I really wanted to do a combination of all these exercises. A combination of all these exercises is the best option as you are actively moving and working out all parts of your body.
Probably because of my busy work schedules and commitments, I settled with the simple — but still beneficial — daily walks. The occasional 30-minute walk helps to get moving. But I took my exercise to the next level: longer walks. I would walk for an hour to two hours. Or during my spring vacation at the end of April, I would walk for about 5 hours with my girlfriend Georgia.
I hope you will join me as a SONAMover and Change-maker. Together we can be leaders in #InclusiveHealth and motivate each other to live healthier lives. Take the pledge for #InclusiveHealth at JoinTheRevolution.org/Pledge and Check out my #SpecialChronicles Health Podcast Series to hear more health and fitness tips for better inclusive health at specialchronicles.com/Health
