More Buff News

[cadfael]

I had an exceptional workout today! I've been using a machine that kinda simulates steps and gets your arms involved. Good cardiovascular exercise.

I set the timer for 30 minutes, 10 minutes longer than usual and began the workout. Well, early on I thought of my experience riding horses. My goal then was to minimize any negative effect on the horse that I might cause, and maximize any benefit that I might have. While I want to practice this, the effect was amazing.

Obviously, I had to substitute the machine for the horse, but my goal was the same: to make it and I act as one. I was able to go into a very light trance state and get a workout that did not over-stress my poor, old, overweight body. In fact, I was able to exceed my target heart rate of 130 bpm and achieve a 145+bpm rate and feel as if I could have worked much harder.

Then I did some light weights to work on abs and lower back, then back to a treadmill for a 10 minute walk to cool down slowly.

I am pumped. I am buff.

Comments

You had a cute butt

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

even when you were squishy.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Go, Bill! Yes, you are pumped, you are buff--go, go go! I loved reading this entry and have read it three times so far since you posted it. You express that feeling, that joy and aliveness that good cardio and good exericise brings.

I love that you are doing this. Do you want to exercise together at the Family gather? I can be flexible as to time of day and designated activity/ies.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I am very impressed with your ability to advocate for yourself in our health care system. It's designed to make sure that chronic, not-easily-explained conditions like yours remain undiagnosed, and those who persist in trying to resolve the problem usually burn out fast. Hurray for your acupuncturist! I haven't had direct acupuncture more than twice, but Chinese Traditional Medicine has a very good track record for chronic problems like the one that you are grappling with right now.

My central concern is how to support your efforts without endangering you. It would be rotten as hell to exercise with you, only to push you into a seizure or some other ugly event that could have been avoided by adopting a moderate approach to exercise to allow you to build strength over time.

I agree that we should adopt an approach that has two parts. I usually get up ridiculously early and do some racewalking, jogging, or walking alternated with jogging firts thing. Then, if I have time, I'll do weights, or walking, or something else. I like the idea of continuing to get up and do a short jog/run/racewalk first, and then joining you for a slower paced workout later. I love to walk with friends! Evening walks with Ken or a friend are too few in my life. I would be happy to join you for your workout at whatever level you feel comfortable. Since I will have already met my own workout requirements, anything we do will be a bonus for me. : )

I also have some technology that I'd like to offer you to try out if you are interested. I have a heart rate moniter that could be easily adjusted to fit your specifications so that you could see exactly what level of effort is required to put you in an aerobic workout zone. I can teach you to use it easily, and then you'll know something about what kind of effect you can get at what pace.

I also have a pedometer that i can put on you; it's an extra, of very good quality, and if you like you could use it during the family gather to check your steps. Or you could just use it to log your steps, calories burned, etc. while you jog or walk.

I also have two small 1-pound weights designed to be tied into the laces of your shoes. IF you have good joints, wearing these while WALKING or RACEWALKING can kick your heart rate up enough to give you aerobic benefits without forcing you to stress your joints by jogging or running. I can bring these with me and we can try them on your body and see if they give you any benefit.

Of course, all this may simply be too much trouble, and I would understand that as well. Lots of people do not like to deal with too much technology when they work out, and i respect that position. The truth is that I am a fitness geek, and I know most normal people are bored solid by the work-out relatedstuff that excites me.

Someday soon, I will get certified as a personal trainer. Until then, I'm afraid my friends will just have to put up with me.

Think about what you want---what you really want to do---and tell me honestly as soon as you know. I will be happy to work with you at the level that you are most comfortable, and frankly, I like the extra incentive that planning to exercise with a friend gives me.

Take care,

Sabrina