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Michael McManus of Saving Abel

Michael McManus of Saving AbelI 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.

 


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