Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in Paso Robles Wine Country can be a daily struggle! Let’s face it, there are so many delicious temptations. Hear from a few of Paso Wine’s fitness junkies: Drew Nenow, ONX Wines – Ali Rush Carscaden – 15 Degrees C Wine Shop & Bar and Kim Mulligan – Harmony Cellars on how they stay fit and healthy.

Photo credit and awesome wine “exercises”: VinePair

What healthy activity or fitness-focused hobbies do you take part in? My main mode of fitness is metabolic conditioning like Crossfit, but I take a lot more pleasure in outdoor activities like hiking, running, and beach volleyball. Nothing gets the job done like a 12 minute, ass-kicking Tabata, but nothing beats being outside AND getting a good sweat in.

Do you prefer being active in the early morning, after work or mid-day? As much as I hate early mornings, I prefer getting my workout in before work. And it really comes down to how little I trust myself to keep a promise of getting it done in the afternoon. Also, my wife and I are parents to a wonderful 10-month-old daughter, so the morning before she wakes up is prime time for personal development.

How does your fitness routine play into your business? As I mentioned, it fits into my work life by dragging myself out of bed when it’s still dark out, and with a strong cup of pour-over. Luckily, winery life tends to give winemakers plenty of reasons to be up before the crack of dawn so it’s not like I’m not familiar with that time of day. Also, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by other fitness-minded co-workers at ONX, so the general culture maintains a commitment to making time for it.

How do you balance drinking great wine while still staying fit? Wine is hardly my nemesis when it comes to staying in shape. In fact, it’s been shown that moderate wine consumption can actually promote heart and gut health so the two really go hand in hand. Now beer, on the other hand, is likely my biggest foe. Living life in balance is really the key to any healthy lifestyle; too little of something you like the more prone you are to fall off the wagon and binge while too much of something almost always has a negative consequence. My wife is an amazing dietician that treats her body like a temple, but she will be the first one to suggest we get dinner from Taco Bell from time to time.

Do you have a wine reward after a great workout? Nothing beats a crisp and refreshing glass of ONX’s Sauvignon Blanc-based Field Day white wine to cool down, but I honestly don’t reward a good workout with wine. The reward is really in the natural endorphins you get from a good sweat.

Do you have any fitness activity you’d love to try or be more involved in? I did a lot of backpacking in my early 20’s and haven’t had as much time for it in the last few years. Here on the central coast, we live close to some incredible places to just spend a few days out in nature, and it always gives me perspective for the world I live in when I remove myself from it. Something about removing all the noise around you brings clarity to the things that really matter. As soon as our little one is walking, I think this activity will be making a come-back.

What is your number one tip in maintaining fitness goals while still drinking great Paso Wine? What I try and center my fitness journey around is a focus on consistency rather than perfection. When it comes to working out, people get discouraged and give up when they miss a few workouts. Or when it comes to nutrition, one unhealthy meal often turns into a binge. What is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being okay with being human from time to time. Taking a rest day or satisfying a craving is not a bad thing so long as you follow it up with a step back towards your goals. Also, find activities to stay healthy that you truly love! If you hate running, don’t run to stay in shape. Research one of the many forms of exercise on the interwebs and try new things.

What healthy activity or fitness-focused hobbies do you take part in? I love to enjoy the beautiful Central Coast, hiking, biking, and  surfing.  I am also a part of the Central Coast Yoga and Pilates community and go to hot yoga and or pilates multiple times a week.

Do you prefer being active in the early morning, after work or mid-day?  I’m a morning person for sure!  Get it done early and then you can play and have a glass or two of wine with lunch.

How does your fitness routine play into your business? I get to work around 7:30 A.M. every morning, then take my son Shea to school, then go to yoga or pilates and am back at 15c by the time we open.

How do you balance drinking great wine while still staying fit? I consider wine to be a healthy beverage!  As long as you balance it all out with eating healthy and working out, you can enjoy wine.  I love the European philosophy of life.  I also feel that it’s super important to choose wines that have been farmed and or made using natural practices.  At 15c we carry a lot of organic, natural, biodynamic and sustainable wines.

Do you have a wine reward after a great workout? I try to wait until lunchtime but love weekend mimosas and beverages with brunch.

Do you have any fitness activity you’d love to try or be more involved in? I wish I had more time to surf!

What is your number one tip in maintaining fitness goals while still drinking great Paso Wine? BALANCE is key: working out, eating healthy, drinking and spending time with your family.

What healthy activity or fitness-focused hobbies do you take part in? Running, Swimming, Hiking, Yoga/Pilates. My exercise routine all started with running. Running has always given me an intense natural high. Now that feeling extends to my exercise routines.

Do you prefer being active in the early morning, after work or mid-day? Definitely early morning.

How does your fitness routine play into your business? I exercise before I go to work at Harmony Cellars because it makes me feel invigorated all day long.

How do you balance drinking great wine while still staying fit? Well, of course, I reward myself with wine at the end of the day. I exercise daily; so, my wine reward is continuous.

Do you have a wine reward after a great workout? No, because I exercise in the morning… and I drink wine in the evening.

Do you have any fitness activity you’d love to try or be more involved in? My next fitness goal is to put biking into my exercise program.

What is your number one tip in maintaining fitness goals while still drinking great Paso Wine? I feel that the key to a good fitness routine is to find an activity that you love. Since exercising burns calories, my regular fitness routine enables me to have that extra glass of wine or add dessert. I have been running almost every day since I was in my thirties. Since I am now in my sixties, I mix up my exercise, but I still LOVE every minute!