An idle couple of days for me …apart from doing battle with Mrs mart’s new power-chair. It has to be in just the right position in relation the tailgate of the car in order to get the hoist points to line up. I’ve made a sort of ‘distancing piece’ out of copper pipe so I know where the chair has to sit on the ground.
I know this doesn’t sound much like exercise but it weighs almost 24 stone (151Kg) and heaving that thing about for a few hours is exercise to me. I could have done with you here Floydy.
Thanks Floydy, I’m also impressed with your dedication and longevity in body building. For most people exercise turns out to be a ‘Flash in the pan’ I have run with scores of runners who no longer participate either through injury (which can’t be helped) or just find something else to do. I think people like you and me are few and far between…
Dodging reversing vehicles is something that is quite rare, but one of the reasons why keeping your ears free from distractions can prevent collisions with the odd careless driver…
You’re right Floydy, it’s too easy to fall into a rut, and I’d forgot how good it feels to stretch yourself every now and then, and the beauty of just doing a mile, is it doesn’t leave me tired for the rest of the day…
Tell Mrs Floydy we’re all thinking about her and wish her a speedy recovery…
Thanks Surfermom, that chart has made me feel so much better, although hanging up my running shoes is not an option…:shock:…I’ve been lucky over the years, everything seems to carry on working despite the odd Heart Attack. It was such a shock when I had my first attack back in 2004, but even while laying in a hospital bed recovering I never doubted that I would be back on the road running sooner or later.
It was mentioned at the time that had I not been a runner the consequences might have been more serious. It’s hard to imagine a life without running but I suppose someday I’ll be ground to a halt, but until then it will be business as usual…
It’s strange how we always get back into the swing of things, Bob. I guess it’s because we are compelled to do a certain thing, as is anyone with a hobby of sorts.
I don’t actually bodybuild anymore bud, as that is nonsensical at my age, but I still employ some of the exercises and routines from those days just to keep my strength up and the flab away!
Mart, that is quite weight-bearing workout managing that chair and I don’t think anyone would disagree! http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/funny/1/weight-lifting-emoticon.gif Follow that up with some cycling and I am sure you will feel very accomplished this time tomorrow.
OGF, like you, and with luck, they will probably bury me in running shoes. You sound like a textbook on how to bounce back after a heart event.
I had never really thought about the link between fitness and heart attack, injury, illness, and surgical recovery; but it makes perfect sense. While no one is immune, the people I know who have thrived after a heart attack (my dad among them) were very fit and active going in. I had a friend who recovered (and is out playing tennis daily) from an LAD heart attack, that his doctor said would have killed anyone else. He had his event ten years ago, and my dad’s heart attack was twelve years ago.
The last time I was home, my dad (in his mid eighties) was two stories up on the roof of the house he had meticulously built thirty years ago, cutting out sections and modifying the eaves, soffit and joists to allow for a tree that was growing into the side of the house. Perhaps there is something to fitness…and not letting that birthday number get to you too much…
I was called in to speak to the doctor yesterday .
It appears my cholesterol is on the high side .
As my diet is good ( except for the I glass of red wine daily ) he says I have to give my body two alcohol free days .
There remains only one solution to this problem EXERCISE !
Normally this is not a problem but I am a fair weather walker / rider / biker and the weather has been foul .
I now have to do 30 minutes of strenuous exercise a day .
He says you must exercise unlit you can’t talk!
As I am quite skilled at talking even while riding my bike this sounds serious.
So came back from his office and went out on a brisk bike ride .
Mr M didn’t feel like putting on he new saddle so now have a sore bum.
Right I have decided to go swimming once a week .
I hate with a passion the gym
Any other suggestions ?
A home exercise bike would do the job on days when cycling outside can’t be done due to the weather. I think that’s what I’d do. To stop that being a bit boring, maybe have a TV to watch while pedalling, or play some music that gives a rhythm to pedal by.
Do you have any off-road rugged land you could cycle on? So much nicer to get away from traffic if possible. The terrain is usually more testing too.
There are also those machines advertised on some of the TV channels. The ones where fit young people always have a smile on their faces while using them. I was watching some sort of ‘twisting’ exerciser being demonstrated. I’m not sure how effective they really are though, or if it’s possible to keep grinning after a few minutes of twisting around.
Mart excercise machines are only good for hanging clothles on .
I don’t mind the rough terrain once I get a comfortable saddle !
i also have to lose weight -not much as I am within the healthy limit band but must reduce to 1000-1500 a day
Well had my breakfast two toasts with butter ( and olive oil mix) and it comes to 314 calories that leaves me a measly 686 at the lower end for the rest of the day
Some saddles are a bit more comfortable than others but I have found there is no truly comfortable saddle. They all can cause saddle-soreness, especially if getting back to riding after not doing it for a while.
I tend to try and stand on the pedals for a few seconds on downhill runs. That helps quite a bit.
How about getting a rowing machine, Muddy. You can always pick them up cheap in the local paper or on Ebay. A quick blast on that 15 mins twice a day would be quite worthwhile maybe?
Very solid workout, Mart. I am holding off until near sunset i hopes that the heat will abate by then. My goall is six miles. Now I have put it in writing have to put my money where my mouth is!
That’s not too bad. Now that the action has been mastered, try increasing the number of times it’s done over a 30 minute period. You’ll be fit in no time.
Had to wait until the rain had stopped this morning before I set off for a very testing eight mile run. It was only when I returned covered in sweat and breathing like a bull on heat that I noticed the humidity was over 60%…probably nothing out of the ordinary for Surfermom, but it certainly kicked my arse…
:-DMuddy, you are probably going to succeed at this because you immediately went out and rode your bike and are considering other exercise and diet changes too.
I am in complete agreement with mart that you should follow through on getting comfortable seat. If you do some research you’ll find that there are several options, but along with this and the next suggestion, I highly recommend that you talk to someone in a real cycling shop. Most have people who really understand the issues of cycling for people of all ages and expertise.
Another option you might consider is a bike trainer. You mount your own bike to the trainer and it allows you to ride indoors. These are particularly great during inclement weather. I would definitely talk to a bike expert, but they tend to be less expensive than buying new equipment. http://bestreviews.com/best-bike-trainers.
Another idea is to buy a yoga mat and a set of three pound weights. Whenever you are watching TV, make sure you are doing some sort of exercise. You can build muscle with a high number of repitions and low weights, and muscles burn more calories. I usually use three pound weights to do step aerobics and five pounds for stationary work (like bicep curls or overhead presses).
As for diet, if you cut your calories to less than 1200, that is crash dieting and you will be too hungry to stick with it. If you can do 1300-1400 AND exercise a minimum of an hour a day, and the weight will come off. You’ll have to do a bit of research to find some foods you enjoy that are low calories and filling - but they are out there. I agree with you that your breakfast isn’t going to help you the rest of the day. There are other options that would taste great and leave you feeling satisfied longer (egg whites, veggie omelets, nuts, oatmeal, bananas, fruit, etc.) - that would leave you plenty of calories later in the day.
OGF, I ran in typical conditions 85 F / 85% humidity…but you passed me by a whopping 2 miles…I wouldn’t even be able to see you that far down the road. Enjoy the the fresh scenery for your vacation (holiday) running; it sounds like you and Mrs. Fox are well-deserving in your getaway. Please give us a surf report too!
