Whether it’s a job, family or money, we all face challenges that stress us out in life. James Botts, an Inventory Control Specialist with TTM, says there was a time when the ups and downs of life pushed him to the limit.
That’s when he committed to living a healthy lifestyle and learning to channel his energy.
“I read an article in a magazine and I started getting heavily into it,” Botts said. “I started getting books on subjects and started reading the latest literature.”
Botts started running on a regular basis but herniated a disc in his back.
“That kind of messed up my health progress for a little while because I couldn’t do the things I was used to doing,” Botts said. “So, I had to change my routine.”
He then committed to walking and weight training and has been doing it consistently for approximately 10 years. Every day, he takes 15,000 steps around the Service Building Annex. Weight training is on the schedule for Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“I go out on my lunch break,” Botts said. “I also do it before and after work, which is a great way to take stress off because for me it’s like meditation. You just go out there and let everything go for a while.”
Botts stacks his meals with protein and usually eats eggs or a protein shake when he gets home. A half an hour later, he eats another meal featuring healthy fats, like nuts. A big meal closes out the day.
But his fitness fascination doesn’t stop there. A couple years ago, Botts added intermittent fasting to his routine. This willing restriction takes place five days per week.
Botts also drinks water, mixed with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, in the morning, as well as green tea.
“That just works for me,” Botts said.
This winter, even snow won’t stop him from achieving his goals.
“I have a ski mask for when the wind is too bad and heavy clothes that I can put on when it’s really bad,” Botts said.
Family involvement, though, is a work in progress. His 14-year-old son is autistic and on a strict diet as a result.
“He doesn’t get gluten and he doesn’t get dairy,” Botts said. “In our house, it’s a lot of fruits, vegetables and meats.”
But, it’s not just family members that he’s urging to follow in his footsteps. He’s also urging other A&P staff to try living a healthy lifestyle.
“Get involved in nutrition,” Botts said. “Know what you’re putting into your body. It’s so easy to just cut out high fructose corn syrup. That’s one of the keys to improving your overall quality of life.”
Ohio State urges students, faculty and staff to thrive in a healthy workplace environment. For more information about Your Plan for Health, visit https://yp4h.osu.edu(opens in new window). Please consult your physician or medical professional before committing to a new health-care regimen.
Note: This article was originally published October 29, 2019.