Author: Rick Roop

There are many ways to help with weight loss and fitness. Healthy food recipes, doctors visits, aging considerations, New Year’s resolutions, beach vacation travel, visual improvement, shed unwanted pounds, and decrease clothing sizes just to name a few. There are protein diets high carb foods, pre- packaged dinners, and pre-payed diets that may help out. Lots of medications making headlines helping people out to alleviate obesity. However, the most effective way to successfully lose weight might be hiding deep inside of yourself. The strongest component for fitness could be the engine running within your spirit.

It all starts with living for something or someone. Being a witness for the community, and thoughts that you can make a difference in the world that you live in. No one has the opportunity that you have to show off great accomplishments. No one has your abilities nor do they share your weight loss fingerprint. This could be your chance to win with weight loss!

Try something different like eating a banana instead of a high calorie food. Maybe a salad for lunch instead of a processed meal at work. For dinner, red meat is replaced by a bountiful serving of fish. Raisins as an evening snack makes you feel better. All of the mentioned above is for a cavalier memorial thought for someone or something else other than yourself.

The hesitation or minor affliction experienced by sudden life changes opens up the real you. No longer are you needing rescue to find weight loss and fitness. All you have to do is remember why you’re doing this. The infinite purpose uncovers the real you and the power inside of you that enables you to experience weight loss and fitness.

I feel that it was the most powerful ingredient for me thus far with weight loss recovery. Just remember that it’s all just inside of you. 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

The essential ingredient for successful weight loss is a competitive spirit. The chance for weight loss winning, and seeing yourself on the podium increases your success. The crowd cheers as you weigh in on the scales. The audience sees you wearing a smaller clothing size, and your appearance is looking great. Walking to work gives people a chance to take a second look. Friends from the past mention how young you look, and what secrets you have. All of these listed ingredients helps you to be a weight loss fitness champion.

When I was a child I had three brothers who were very competitive. I was the oldest then I had three brothers, two years, four years, and sixteen years apart. Age really didn’t matter seniority not accepted, and looks not considered. There was one thing that was common, that was to be in first place. Competition was not mean, and winning first place did not seam to be wrong. Winning was something to do it was a goal sought after every day. Sometimes it was basketball 🏀 baseball, kickball, or riding bicycles we were competitive. It was fun and very entertaining peaceful but competitive.

Completion ventured out to other members of our friends and family. We had a huge field on our property where our community of friends and students played football. We called it Roop Arena. We had a basketball court where our cousins came in from Indiana to play games. It was a full blown basketball tournament. It was inviting and fun also competitive.

No one had a cell phone way back then. We didn’t have live tv streaming no computers or internet. There were no distractions to keep us busy, just our school attendance and homework. Yard work chores cutting grass and garden tending. So much of our time was spent at home and around each other. We had prime opportunity to interact as humans not virtual interactions. That’s why I feel that competition training at a young age helped to prepare us for competitive weight loss.

Every one likes to look in the mirror to see their self as someone good to look at. We want the best opportunity to attract friends with ease. We want to be liked when visiting restaurants, church, schools, public events and to look our best while attending. If you want to lose weight and increase your fitness, competition could be the key to your success!

I love riding my bicycle on a clear blue sky day. I enjoy seeing the puffy clouds in the sky surrounded by colorful mountains tops and green grass. I like the temperature to hover around 80 degrees making it not so hot or to cool. The wind needs to be calm not blowing to much so it doesn’t disrupt the level of my bicycle. These conditions are what I call a clear blue sky ride.

These perfect riding conditions do not come around very often so I try to take advantage of them while they last. There is no promise of tomorrow being so nice no guarantee that I’ll be around to participate in riding outside in beautiful weather. I may not be physically able to ride,run, or walk again in these conditions. I could be somewhere else in a different environment keeping me away from serenity.

For these reasons, I try to take advantage of every opportunity when it comes to riding my bicycle. There are many days that I cannot ride. Maybe it’s the weather the hectic schedule time of day or season of the year. When it’s winter it becomes very cold resulting in months of delayed rides. In the spring it can rain the whole week long and in the fall summer time who knows what may come along.

If we begin to talk about weight loss and fitness we need to think that our efforts are very similar to riding on a blue sky day. There are not that many days to be had, and we need to take advantage of those beautiful days to eat healthy and to practice a healthy lifestyle. Treat everyday like it’s your last. Wake up every morning like it’s a blue sky day and it’s your day to experience weight loss and fitness. 🚴‍♀️

Runner in the rain can be scary. Heading out to get a workout in when it is about to rain can be troublesome. Getting caught in a downpour while walking in the woods can make me hesitate. However, some of my greatest experiences have been running in the rain.

I have often thought about the negative consequences of running in slippery conditions seeing that I could fall or trip injuring myself , maybe a visit to the doctor. I think about water soaked clothing that has to be peeled off, phones that have to dry out, and water creeping into my eyes. My bicycle chain dissolving into rust. Helmet slipping off, and sunglasses that fog up. Expensive shoes that I paid dearly for are now deformed by the muddy water. All of these things mentioned above produce and sometimes they happen.

I have missed many great opportunities for a workout because of fear. The rain never came the clouds disappeared, and the sun came out telling me that I did not complete my running goals.

I can remember well my first big bike ride in the rain. I can still see the rain filled potholes in the road. I still feel the vibration under my wheels from the roadside wash out close to the river. The smell of incoming precipitation coming from the sky remains. I had signed up for the century ride ( 100 miles) and the weather was sort of iffy. I was cautiously optimistic that we would be safe. I thought it would be fine.

I always had apprehensions about getting caught in the rain on my bike running or walking hiking. I was checking the weather watching the skies observing the forecast to see if it was clear to go. What would I do if it started raining what would happen how would I get in the dry or get back home.

Many times I had close calls making it back home before the wet weather arrived before the clouds rolled in. I can remember well the celebrations that I had because I had made it home just in time.

However, it was not so bad as I thought getting caught in the rain. It was unlike what I perceived or dreamed. It was sort of fun and exciting seeing that I completed my goal of riding, running, walking in the rain. You see sometimes fear was my biggest inhibitor not the rain.

When I think about running it causes me to pause ever so slightly. Sometimes I just decline from physical exertion. Thoughts of sleeping feels just fine. Maybe it’s the weather, time of day, tiredness, work, life, slumber makes me stay in bed.

However there’s plenty of energy when Christmas running events come around. There’s the jingle bell run, jingle run for hope, Santa trot, Christmas dash at cove lake, many others around this is to name a few.

Christmas running events are so festive providing a huge lift to attendees who want to celebrate the season, and inspire many to join in with holiday run walking events.

These walking running 5K events make me want to dress up in Christmas attire. Maybe it’s an elf shirt, snoopy Christmas socks or red hat maybe blinking lights. it’s a given excuse to be me in the Christmas spirit.

I am amazed when I see other runners wearing all sorts of Christmas costumes. Some as Santa, the grinch, reindeer , snowman and many others. I think it’s the excuse to be you! to dress up.

Christmas 5K events are for everyone including walking and runners alike some on strollers with the family and kids gathered around. There’s is no pressure to win the race no emphasis on going fast. No need to hurry in a festival event. Everyone is a winner when coming across the finish line and everyone is applauded after completion.

If you love the Christmas spirit at this time year, consider signing up for one of these events in your community seeing that that it’s a great way to raise money for a good cause, and you never know you might become a runner 🏃

I have noticed that there are many commercials on tv that advertise cosmetics, shampoo, skin lotions, anti wrinkle cream, special vitamins, miracle potions just to name a few. I am sure that these work very well. However, nothing works as well as old fashion weight loss fitness according to my experience.

I observed through many years of trying to loose weight that nothing really worked that well for me. Protein diets of red meat, eggs, shakes with peanut butter, bacon, burgers, whatever you want.

My diet tasted really well, and I enjoyed eating the meals everyday. Easy to find fast food that was affordable quick and easy. Quiet fun to experience. However, I could not lose weight. I did not slim down no fitness experienced. Possibly I gained weight. Blood pressure went up health scores went down. I am hopeful that this works for many people but not for me.

I found out that the secret to finding a new you was not found in artificial ingredients. The solution to growing old did not come from human made hands. Goals of losing weight and fitness did not come from a recipe. The key to a younger look is seen inside of ourselves. Willpower, inspiration, and purpose can give you energy to eat right, exercise run walk and live longer look better! Health and beauty aids are great, but the best improvement comes from within 👩🧑

Everyone enjoys birthdays. Everyone likes to receive gifts, free birthday dinner, and cake on your day. What better way to celebrate your day than a simple walk, hike, run,jog, or bike ride. The distance can be customized to reflect your age. If you’re 30 you can walk for three miles. If you’re 25 you can ride for 2.5 miles. Maybe you have just turned 50 that means you can jog for 5 miles. You can determine what distance is best for you.

Start preparing for the great day that is fast approaching. Make a thoughtful attempt to train for this big birthday. Tell all of your friends and family about your planned activity. Communicate on social media.

Imagine the accolades that you will get from birthday miles. Getting older might be something to look forward to not a date for hesitation. Imagine the possibilities. You could inspire others to do the same. Perhaps fitness just happens because of birthday miles.

After successfully completing birthday miles, and celebrating your great day you are now ready to share your experience. Please tell us about your day and the activity that you decided to sign up for @ rickroopfitness.com

Sometimes I wonder how this guy came into being. What he was made of, where’s the list of ingredients, and who stirred the pot 🥣. No one has ever asked those questions, no one has really investigated why I did such things. What was my motivation, and where it came from. My only reasoning might be obtained from competition between my brothers community family faith and friends. The friendly competition made me stronger and helped me engage with others likeminded. I was enabled to face challenges much better considering I had a real life experience. Maybe this helped me to loose weight and try fitness?

I can vividly remember being raised with three brothers who were very competitive. Constantly racing on the bicycle, climbing up a wall or rope, possibly running in a field nearby. A lot more activities, this is just to name a few. We spent the entire day racing running wrestling jumping lifting and exploring all the time somewhat continuously.

Sometimes I won, sometimes I did not. It was all just fun, we did not cry or give up we just proceeded to the next activity better luck when the next game comes. I was not rewarded by merit alone or given first place for sympathy. We did not get a boost head start at the beginning of a activity, nor did we get special coaching. Everyone got an even chance to win, and to get a chance to stand on the podium. It was equal opportunity to get attention for a great effort and for trying.

I feel that this spirit resonated through out the entire communities in our generation back then, and the bond that it created never left my person. When we went to school it was there. On the school bus 🚌, at the play ground, at church, and in the home 🏡.

All of the above mentioned reasons is why I answered the bell when I was faced with weight loss fitness opportunity. Maybe it was all of the connections spent on days of competition with my brothers. I think it was community construction 🏗

One day while riding on a century (100 miles) bike ride in Kentucky, thunderstorms appeared and it started raining ☔️ profusely. It was really bad⚡️potholes could not be seen, vision was seriously blurred, raindrops in my eyes, water soaked clothes, unstable braking and shifting, unsure traction, cold hands. Riding a bike in this environment was a little dangerous. Life threatening and I was nervous. This was something that I had never done before. Not something that I wanted to do. However, I saw other cyclist riding in this monsoon. I saw that I was not alone. I was not by myself, and I heard deep inside a loud statement! If he can I can.

As a result I continued to ride through the lightning the massive downpour, and the dangerous conditions. I pedaled on my bike because I competed against someone else, and I was just as good as anyone. I can do this! Eventually the sun came out at mile 80 and I completed my ride right along side my riding companions.

Maybe it was the environment received in my childhood. Maybe it was our generational attributes passed down by our community family and friends.

If you look above and see my before and after weight picture in the about section in memorial fitness, do not say that I can’t do that. Say

If he can I can

The spark plug inside of your cars engine gets your car moving down the road towards your destination. Without the spark, you could find yourself resting beside the road waiting on a ride or waiting on a tow truck. A spark from a flint rock can start a much needed fire when camping in the woods or surviving in the wilderness when lost.

The spark of imagination gets your day going with the anticipation of a brand new day. The alarm clock wakes you up to get you started for the work day. When you are hungry your stomach growls telling you it’s time to eat. Listening for the sound of the spark is a essential element when functioning in life.

Searching for cause, and explaining why we react to certain thoughts or spark ideas is unexplained and sometimes complicated. When we notice such occurrences it’s a mystery. No one really knows how this happens.

Tuning out all other distractions, ignoring certain sights and sounds is very helpful in hearing the spark. The spark is quite, calm, and subdued. A spark idea is not molded by inanimate objects or consuming profit. The spark idea comes from human thoughts.

Listening to a spark idea or thought is very helpful when trying to lose weight and trying to find fitness. Inspiring thoughts can come to your mind telling you the words yes you can rather than don’t try. Think I’ll sign up for a 5K walk or running event maybe a memorial charity helping someone in need.

Fitness and weight loss begins with a spark idea or thoughtful imagination to get the process started. You can be the next person standing on the podium 🏃‍♂️

The first step starts with a visual observation of the surrounding landscape. The terrain, elevation, obstacles, traffic, distance, all are important when taking the first step.👟

We learned to walk as a child by taking the very first step. Mom and dad may have been there to assist, but it was you who had to take your very first step. Making big decisions in life requires thoughts, planning, and cautious turns. learning to walk as a child is part life and growing up is quite normal and learning is also required. Successful navigating life requires thought imagination and planning. The focus involved in successful weight loss starts at the beginning and knowing that the beginning is just as important as the finish line.

Learning how to take the first step towards weight loss is a memory reflex skill that helps tremendously when trying to achieve weight loss goals. This memory reflex skill is just as important as running your first 5K , 10k, or marathon maybe even more important. That’s because it’s your decision to take the step, and the memorial reason for doing so. This establishes the reason for learning the step. The step gets you from one place to another, and gives you a reason .

The reason being, it’s your decision to get on the wagon towards recovery. The efforts related to what’s inside of your spirit person helps tremendously and could result in long term weight loss fitness success.

Freedom is not just a word we use in a song or in a book, it’s a way of being, a state of mind, perhaps a natural feeling. A thoughtful simple solitude. A guided healing of the heart Appreciative confidence!

I have been fortunate to have found a peaceful meaning for freedom while in the Gap. I have been fortunate to have lived here near the Gap and give credit to the location for my recent weight loss, cycling, running, and hiking activities. I hope that you will find the same here in the place called Cumberland Gap , Tn

From the sand cave and white rocks in Lee county, Virginia, to the town of Cumberland Gap, there are plentiful opportunities to find serenity, beauty, friendly faces, discovery of one’s self, and physical fitness. The Gap is where you will find purpose and opportunity. It’s in the Gap!

There are no busy interstates or busy pathways. No crowded greenway or crowded walking trails. Just the ability to explore your personal goals without a distraction. To be able to spread your wings in all directions look up and just fly.

Sure there are numerous trails to be found inside of well trafficked areas within diving distance or a short commute. A very scenic opportunity. A day trip off work. A bucket list hike for taking photos. A festive fun event. Nice different and strenuous. Sometimes very scenic absolutely picturesque. A lot of fun, and very entertaining. Everyone should experience this. However, a trip to the Gap is prescribed. Often ordered by myself to get away from the crowded highways. The freedom accompanied by a peaceful feeling seems to be the remedy for what I need. My mind and body needs a vacation. Time to get away from the stress of everyday life. Time to refresh 😌

Here is a list of my detox locations that helps me to restore in the Gap!

My favorite hike in the gap is the tri-state marker a place where you can see all three states standing in the same spot at the same time. Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia!

Riding my bicycle or running walking through the old train tunnel is a must for individuals who want to go from the Gap to the city of Harrogate through a tunnel and onwards to the campus of LMU.

The pinnacle ride on my bicycle 🚴 A tough climb going up, but fun going back down!

The greenway from the town of Cumberland Gap to Harrogate, Tn About 4 miles

The Iron furnace located very near the Gap town, is a great place to walk or enjoy a trail run 🚶🏃‍♀️

The sand cave is like an tropical oasis secluded in lee County, Virginia. I usually take a lunch with me to eat after completion of this hike🌴

In conclusion, if you want to detox from the from the pressures of life, come to the Gap to find comfort, relaxation, and fitness 🚴‍♀️

1 Yogurt: comes in many flavors. Eat this first thing in the morning in a meditation prayer for others to wake up feeling refreshed.

2 Eggs: are full of protein. The building blocks for muscle strength. Prepare these for increased mobility.

3 Whole wheat toast: with less sodium and more fiber. Consume as a remembrance of those who are homeless 🏡

4 Raisins: Powerful antioxidant to help fight cancer. For those going through chemotherapy 🍇

5 Fish: A heart healthy food that is great for cardiovascular strength. A happy Friday food 🐟

6 Peppers: I have been eating peppers as a probiotic for years, and have lost weight as a result. They can be hot. However, I attribute the agitation as an remedy, and a thought for those in service 👮‍♀️👮

7 Avocados: I eat these at Mexican restaurants. It’s a nice way to make friends where avocados are grown 🥑 Mexico 🇲🇽 Great healthy eating

8 Apples: I like peanut butter spread on a few slices of apples Good for fiber and protein. Eating apples are healthy plus a tribute to the well known planter Johnny Appleseed

9: Grapes: Good for everything including bone health and energy production. Great for energy before memorial Walking or a 5K 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️

10 Banana : This fruit is good for recovery ❤️‍🩹 they remind me of Bicycles fun to eat and fun to ride 🚴‍♀️ A tribute to our childhood 👦

If you see me out in public riding my bicycle 🚴‍♀️ or 🏃‍♀️ running in the park 🌳 it’s the foods mentioned above that have helped me to enjoy these activities!

When it comes to weight loss, we often have to come up with inventive ideas that motivates ourselves to have success. Most ideas come as fresh thoughts while riding a bike, walking, or running 🏃‍♀️. Maybe when you are in a resting mood. Also, driving on the road to work or home. My latest thought has propelled me even more. The strongest desire to live has given thoughts of longevity, and the reality of finality. Will the last meal that I eat in this life be made with a healthy substance? Will it be filled with unhealthy ingredients. Tomorrow is not given or promised. Today is now and where you are. Today is opportunity now. I have control right now to change the future for weight loss and fitness. Maybe tomorrow! Check out my coaching video below 👇

Perhaps a favorite weight loss recipe would work better. Maybe a membership would suffice. Possibly a trip to a relaxing spa. It’s mostly what works for you. It’s what motivates you to be successful in weight loss intervention. Mostly I tend to lean on my own personal feelings, or glean from given thoughts. When we dream about our next step or think about tomorrow. We think about an opportunity to accomplish at that given moment.

When I first started cycling the stars seemed to align together for my chance to experience a life change. Tomorrow is not here yet. Maybe this is your best chance to eat the healthy meal Today!

Relaxing outside watching nature on my day off work not wearing a watch or checking on social media, I noticed a change in my demeanor. Seeing and listening to the sounds of the living, I saw how relaxed my spirit had become. I was able to think, feel, and see much clearer than before. Fresh words of inspiration came often. Song writing came easier. Visions of blue skies and clear waters were appreciated. Quietness sought after and anticipated. I saw the rabbit hopping through the field in search for the perfect blade of grass. The squirrel 🐿 carrying a swollen mouthful of nuts in route to the highest oak tree, and a song bird whistling through a branch trying to attract it’s sought after mate. If life could be this simplistic why am I in such a hurry? Maybe nature is just as happy as we are. I go to work to get stuff. Nature wakes up for fun.

When it comes to weight loss and fitness, all we really need is ourselves. The passion of life can propel our successful walk towards fitness, our fantastic dreams of youth can inspire discipline, and visions of longevity most likely connect. However, life has obstacles placed in front of us to keep us at bay. Profiteers want us to work for them. Owners want to control.

Put down distractions, cell phones, and social media. Watch the rabbit, the squirrel, and the bird to see how simplistic they are. Listen to yourself and the creative energy that you have. You never know how easy weight loss and fitness will be.

Retirement came on an familiar date this year my 65th birthday. This day was not planned it just happened. No one advised me to do so nor did anyone suggest. I just thought it would be sort of cool, and it was my way to celebrate growing older.

My friends gave lots of accolades and congratulations. Social media posts were greatly appreciated. Birthday retirement party at work was very fun, Angelo’s was terrific and Gatlinburg on Saturday was memorable. I was able to ride my favorite chair lift, walk the streets of historic Gatlinburg, and eat at a nice restaurant in Gatlinburg with my wife. Latter that night while walking the streets of Gatlinburg, the words whispered in my ear explaining how fortunate and blessed I was to have a birthday. Possibly things could change in the future, but for now it was a great day.

All of the celebrations that occur at birthday parties are reflections that we are getting older. This doesn’t mean that we are withering away, it means that our biological clock is ticking. Some see it as a huge negative. Some get severely depressed. Others look forward to the final destination.

Sometimes we shy away from making friends with older folks. Possibly walk on the other side of the street, look upward, or glance at the skyline. Shy away from community centers, and refrain to visit seniors. Maybe it reminds us how short life is, and how temporary happiness can be.

We like to look for perfection. The chase for something in the the past is wanted. A new package, Christmas or birthday gift. That’s what I want! something unattainable. If it doesn’t fit I can take it back. If it doesn’t groove just move on.

We often gravitate towards physical appearance as fulfillment. Rarely do we see age advancement as success. The travel towards advancement is measured by external not introspection.

However, there is a great abundance of gold in persons who accumulate emotional memories. Empathy held inside these folks create such a strong desire to live. They live for those who have not, and for those who are no longer with us.

The older we get, it seems like we collect more emotional memories. This gives us reason and purpose to carry on. Gives us meaning with aspirations to live for something fresh and new. To create attributes from ourselves as gifts for others.

Getting older means that we can have thoughts of empathy. Sometimes these feelings cause us to accomplish great things. To climb high mountains, to ride intently, and to fly higher. I can remember well on a scheduled bicycle ride with my friends at the Cumberland Gap Park, I heard someone say, today we can ride for my cousin who is sick. I had the thought that every ride was memorial. I can dedicate my efforts to be for those who can not ride. In memory of those who have passed. A cause, a charitable thought that gives us purpose.

I started to think of ways that I could accomplish memorial weight loss riding and running fitness. As a result, I came up with a phrase that inspired my efforts.

Ride for those who can’t. Inspire those who can. Maybe you can use the philosophy to 🚴

Fresh means a new start a new direction and a new purpose for life.

When we wake up in the morning the first thing we do is take the first breath of alertness for the new day. It’s very important to take this breath seeing that it’s vital for living.

Our bodies need pure oxygen to accomplish healthy living. Air that is not filled with pollution is best. Air enters our lungs then passes through our entire circulatory system to create hemostasis.

When it comes to weight loss, I often hear individuals who plan for changes in lifestyle. A change in eating habits and a path for greater activities.

New aspirations for fitness means a starting point ground zero. There is tremendous opportunity seeing that any movement would be elevation. We must first take a new breath to start the day to live. A new breath to live tomorrow, and a systematic breath to survive each day.

If we want to experience weight loss and fitness, it’s just like taking a breath in our lungs every day. It becomes habit forming. Repeatedly accompanied with every minute of the day. Without the breath we could not survive we would not be able to communicate with family and friends, nor could we enjoy the small things in life.

However, there is a chance to change to take a new fresh breath to start all over again. If we want to acquire weight loss and fitness, treat your efforts just like a fresh new breath 🫁

Relaxing outside watching nature on my day off work not wearing a watch or checking on social media, I noticed a change in my demeanor. Seeing and listening to the sounds of the living, I saw how relaxed my spirit had become. I was able to think, feel, and see much clearer than before. Fresh words of inspiration came often. Song writing came easier. Visions of blue skies and clear waters were appreciated. Quietness sought after and anticipated. I saw the rabbit hopping through the field in search for the perfect blade of grass. The squirrel 🐿 carrying a swollen mouthful of nuts in route to the highest oak tree, and a song bird whistling through a branch trying to attract it’s sought after mate. If life could be this simplistic why am I in such a hurry? Maybe nature is just as happy as we are. I go to work to get stuff. Nature wakes up for fun.

When it comes to weight loss and fitness, all we really need is ourselves. The passion of life can propel our successful walk towards fitness, our fantastic dreams of youth can inspire discipline, and visions of longevity most likely connect. However, life has obstacles placed in front of us to keep us at bay. Profiteers want us to work for them. Owners want to control.

Put down distractions, cell phones, and social media. Watch the rabbit, the squirrel, and the bird to see how simplistic they are. Listen to yourself and the creative energy that you have. You never know how easy weight loss and fitness will be.