I want to start off by saying “thank you” to Modern Drummer for letting me write this blog and to the readers for reading it! I first noticed the increasing need for a healthy immune system when I was touring with my previous bands Breaking Point and 12 Stones, as I would get sick in the vans and busses. I remember pulling over in the middle of the night to get Theraflu. Since I’ve joined Saving Abel, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with keeping a healthy immune system and staying in better shape than before, and it’s worked. So far I haven’t gotten sick once! Whether we travel by airplane, van, or bus, there’s always something I do to increase my odds of staying healthy on the road.

First, I try to eat better by not eating junk food all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll splurge every now and then, and I have an insatiable appetite. (I eat a lot!) But I don’t go in and order the Big Mac with large fries. Instead, try a grilled chicken sandwich with coleslaw and a Diet Coke. Or my new favorite: instead of sweet tea (which I love, being from Memphis), I’ll get a half-and-half tea. Then there are the dreaded middle-of-the-night truck stops….

Next, supplements help, whether it’s an immune booster or vitamin C. If your staying in hotels, utilize the fitness room. I usually do a mile on the treadmill, ten minutes on the stair-stepper, sit-ups, and weightlifting. Also, in your hotel room, use the edge of a chair to do dips. Advertisement

When we travel in a bus, I have a routine. I’ll go on a short run, which is a great way to explore whichever city we’re in, and I like to jump rope, usually doing five sets of 100. Then I’ll prop my feet between the trailer wheels and do sit-ups, four sets of twenty-one, alternating between touching my right elbow to my left knee, left elbow to right knee, then both in the center. Next, I do weights. We have adjustable weights on the road, which are fantastic, and I’ll do bicep curls, hammer curls, military presses (standing), and finally, an exercise where I do push-ups followed by an equal number of military presses—while kneeling—from ten down to one (ten push-ups followed by ten presses, then nine and nine, eight and eight, etc.).

All of these are things I use to stay in shape while on the road and to keep a strong immune system, so that I stay healthy, don’t get sick, and play to the best of my ability. Also, I think I’m about to do the ViSalus 90-Day Challenge. We’ll see how that goes! I hope to see you all out on the road!

 

For tour dates and more visit www.savingabel.com.