HINGHAM — Officer Ryan Finney of the Hingham Police Department runs a tight ship with respect to his health and fitness routine. From his multi-tiered exercise regimen that consists of weight lighting, HIIT workouts, and standard cardio, to a low carb intermittent fasting diet, if you’re planning on making a break away from a bank robbery in Hingham anytime soon, you better hope Officer Finney isn’t on your trail.
To get more of an idea of how Officer Finney, 25, 6’6”, stays in top physical and mental shape, read this Q&A News Link Live’s Editor-in-Chief Genevieve DiNatale had recently with the officer:
Genevieve DiNatale: Can you describe your physical fitness routine? How does your career influence your workout schedule and activities?
Officer Finney: My physical fitness routine consists of strength, cardiovascular, and speed training. The strength training routine I follow consists of upper body and lower body workouts targeting all large muscle groups. For cardiovascular training, I focus on longer endurance running as well as “HIIT” (high-intensity interval training) style workouts that focus on high intensity for shorter intervals. For speed training, I focus on footwork precision and hand-eye coordination drills. In regards to my workout routine and my work schedule, I work a 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. shift which I have been able to routinely accomplish all necessary tasks such as workouts and daily errands, etc. I have found that on a regular night, after shift, I am able to fall asleep by 1 a.m. and get seven hours of sleep before waking up around 8 a.m. My day then typically follows the schedule of a workout, daily errands/activities, and back to work for 4 p.m. It is important to note that the profession of law enforcement is anything but routine. There are many nights that you do not get to go home right after your shift has ended or the needs of the department must come first in light of public safety. With this being the case, I have found that prioritizing my rest, exercise, and diet have allowed me to accomplish my job through unordinary times.
Genevieve DiNatale: What does your typical daily diet look like? Are there specific nutritional guidelines or plans that you follow to maintain your energy levels and overall health?
Officer Finney: My typical daily diet consists of two meals that are eaten between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Because of my work schedule, this eating window has been beneficial to me in both energy levels and maintaining a healthy weight. I will finish my daily workout typically around 11/12 p.m. which will be followed up by the first meal of the day. This meal consists of protein (typically eggs) and fruits. It should be noted that my workout is completed on a “fast” which I have found beneficial to controlling my weight and overall figure. My second meal will then be eaten anytime before 8 p.m. as I navigate the time to eat while at work. This second meal consists of either beef or chicken and a vegetable. Yes, I do finish my second meal with a couple pieces of dark chocolate. As noted previously, I eat two meals a day between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. and fast for the following sixteen hours. In regards to energy levels and overall health, I have found for myself that consuming protein in every meal, fruits and vegetables, no added sugars, and minimum carbs, give me what I need to feel energized and perform to the best of my ability throughout each day.
Genevieve DiNatale: What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain mental wellness given the demands of your job?
Officer Finney: Strategies I use to manage the stress of my job, I would put in two categories to include while on duty and off duty. On duty, I have built little habits that help me manage stress.
These consist of little things such as focusing on myself, pressing fingers together, chewing gum, and controlling my breathing. The main goal is to find something I can focus on that is slow paced and is unnoticeable to those around me. Off duty, I have hobbies that give me mental clarity to separate from the job such as exercising, golfing, swimming, and spending time with my dog.
Genevieve DiNatale: What kind of support systems do you have in place, both professionally and personally, to help manage the physical and emotional demands of your work?
Officer Finney: I have a multitude of support systems in place that help me manage the physical/emotional demands of the job both professionally and personally. Professionally, the police department I work for has excellent outreach programs available to officers. These programs can be accessed following a critical incident or any incident in which an officer may need to speak with others rather than attempting to compartmentalize the incident internally. I believe it to be very important for officers to attend these meetings and express their emotions/thoughts rather than trying to fight their thoughts. In my personal life, I have prioritized the relationships I have with family and friends. These personal relationships give me an opportunity to have an “outside the job” point of view for any emotions or outlying thoughts that may linger with me off duty.
This article is sponsored by Wellpoint, formerly UniCare. UniCare has rebranded to Wellpoint to emphasize its commitment to whole health rather than traditional “sick care.” This shift reflects a broader understanding that whole health encompasses not just physical health, but mental, emotional, and social well-being and a comprehensive approach to living well, something Sergeant Gordon exemplifies in his daily life.
What is Wellpoint (formerly UniCare)?
For almost four decades, Wellpoint has exclusively served the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission, supporting the health needs of state and municipal employees, retirees, and their families who receive health coverage through the GIC. Wellpoint’s dedicated indemnity model, the only one offered through the GIC, gives members the freedom to access care without referrals. Under its new Wellpoint name, Wellpoint will continue to serve GIC members exclusively. Learn more at wellpointmass.com.
