It's the last day of 2010. How did we do this year?
As I look over my spreadsheet that records my exercises for the year, I must say I did pretty good. Despite starting the year with surgery on my head for skin cancer, I lifted weights for 86 days of the year and worked out my cardio system for 148 days of the year with a total of 338.4 miles.
When considering the year in review, I endured a few injuries with my shoulder fracture being the worst and my ankle & knee sprains being the least disturbances. There were lots of days for vacation and rest, yet overall I am very pleased with my progress. I feel stronger and healthier today than I have in many years.
The main items for this year are the faithfulness of my God, commitment to my goals, and working around or adjusting my exercise to disruptions. When I work out, I spend time listening to Bible studies which builds my spirit as I'm working on my body. My spirit will live forever, my body maybe another 40 years (if I live as long as my Dad did). While I'm extending my physical life, I must not neglect my spiritual life.
Likewise, my goals for exercise must be more than just looking good or being healthy; they have to be more than personal. My goal is to be here on earth for my wife and kids, to love them as God requires me to do. When it's raining or freezing cold outside, this goal gets me off the couch and out there.
Lastly, blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken when they are bent. The year has had it's challenges with physical injury, travel, and other disruptions. I have had to modify and adapt my workout to fit the changing climate of my life. All working to complete my goals.
How did you do this year? What are you planning for 2011? I'm still focused upon my goals; weight is not one of them. I tell you why next time.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Illness and Exercise
I have just recovered from a week of illness. Maybe being older has given me wisdom, but I have learned that when illness comes, rest is needed. There is no need to exercise when it may prolong an illness and rest is always good.
The bummer part is that I supposedly started my vacation last Friday. However, due to commitments to other peers, I worked the weekend and a few days this week. Thank God that my boss was kind enough to convert some of the vacation days to sick time to compensate so I could have the PTO next year. Needless to say, the work was completed, my illness has subsided, and I'm ready to get back into my exercise routine.
I know this sounds like a silly concept, but many I know continue their exercise routine right though an illness. This can be done for the younger crowd (30 something and younger), but for those of us who are older, we have to have a longer view in mind. We need to let the illness take its course and allow our bodies to build up the immunities needed to fight the illness; that takes rest.
When I say Rest, I don't mean going to the golf course or playing ball with your kids. Rest is sitting around and doing nothing; sleeping as much as possible. Personally, I find it difficult to sleep at night when I'm sick, so anytime during the day when I can sleep, I do it. As such, my illness was a firm four days instead of a drawn out two or three weeks of dreaded battle which results in a half effort on everything. Today, I am ready and fit to start exercising at full speed again and when I go back to work, I will be able to give 100% of my abilities.
The bummer part is that I supposedly started my vacation last Friday. However, due to commitments to other peers, I worked the weekend and a few days this week. Thank God that my boss was kind enough to convert some of the vacation days to sick time to compensate so I could have the PTO next year. Needless to say, the work was completed, my illness has subsided, and I'm ready to get back into my exercise routine.
I know this sounds like a silly concept, but many I know continue their exercise routine right though an illness. This can be done for the younger crowd (30 something and younger), but for those of us who are older, we have to have a longer view in mind. We need to let the illness take its course and allow our bodies to build up the immunities needed to fight the illness; that takes rest.
When I say Rest, I don't mean going to the golf course or playing ball with your kids. Rest is sitting around and doing nothing; sleeping as much as possible. Personally, I find it difficult to sleep at night when I'm sick, so anytime during the day when I can sleep, I do it. As such, my illness was a firm four days instead of a drawn out two or three weeks of dreaded battle which results in a half effort on everything. Today, I am ready and fit to start exercising at full speed again and when I go back to work, I will be able to give 100% of my abilities.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Caught by surprise
Last night I was looking at my eyes in the mirror. In order to do so, I had to slightly lean over the sink at a right angle (eyes aren't that strong anymore). When I backed away, I caught an image I had not seen before. A decent looking shape which was my torso.
It's been three years, but I'm beginning to see definite changes in my physical shape. My son was sitting on my lap a few weeks back and commented that my belly is smaller. Using his hand while gesturing, he said "Dad, your belly has gotten smaller, it used to be out here." holding his hand about an inch away from my stomach. Looking in the mirror was a similar response, there were defined shapes of my arms, shoulders, chest and my belly has decreased. All benefits of my commitment and God's grace.
Remember, my overarching goal is better health so I can be here on earth for my wife and sons, that's it. Many years ago, God convicted me that my lack of taking care of his temple (my body) was wrong. I prayed about it many times and tried to start a program of walking, but they ended in failure due to the pain in my hips. Finally, in desperation and at the advice of a doctor, I started taking supplements, specifically Glucosamine/Chondroitin and MSM. This combination works directly on the cartilage which I had destroyed in my hip (acetabular) fracture [when the socket of the hip joint is broken] back in 1990. I know the studies are not conclusive on this supplement, but it works for me; I no longer have that intense pain that would make me hold my breath to endure it. Therefore, let's just conclude that better health is my goal so I can be an active participant in my wife's and kids lives. This goal is what gets me to exercise when it's raining or freezing cold, it pushes me when I don't feel like going through the second circuit, my goal keeps me from giving up when I'm exhausted from a hard day of work stress.
God has blessed me over the last three years. While the first six months were walking only, I have progressed to a full blown exercise regime. One key item is that I listen to Bible teachings by Chuck Smith (c2000, c3000 & T4000 series Chuck Smith Teachings) during my exercise. Walking while listening to Chuck has been great for my faith and has built my spirit up for the benefit of my wife and kids (and everyone else). I listen to him on my iPod while I'm lifting weights too.
While the shape of my body is pleasing, I recognize that it will die. I have resolved that there are fewer years ahead of me than behind me; I have passed the half way point of my life span some time ago. Exercise has its benefits, but my focus is not what I look like, but how my improved health can benefit others. Looking good is cool too.
It's been three years, but I'm beginning to see definite changes in my physical shape. My son was sitting on my lap a few weeks back and commented that my belly is smaller. Using his hand while gesturing, he said "Dad, your belly has gotten smaller, it used to be out here." holding his hand about an inch away from my stomach. Looking in the mirror was a similar response, there were defined shapes of my arms, shoulders, chest and my belly has decreased. All benefits of my commitment and God's grace.
Remember, my overarching goal is better health so I can be here on earth for my wife and sons, that's it. Many years ago, God convicted me that my lack of taking care of his temple (my body) was wrong. I prayed about it many times and tried to start a program of walking, but they ended in failure due to the pain in my hips. Finally, in desperation and at the advice of a doctor, I started taking supplements, specifically Glucosamine/Chondroitin and MSM. This combination works directly on the cartilage which I had destroyed in my hip (acetabular) fracture [when the socket of the hip joint is broken] back in 1990. I know the studies are not conclusive on this supplement, but it works for me; I no longer have that intense pain that would make me hold my breath to endure it. Therefore, let's just conclude that better health is my goal so I can be an active participant in my wife's and kids lives. This goal is what gets me to exercise when it's raining or freezing cold, it pushes me when I don't feel like going through the second circuit, my goal keeps me from giving up when I'm exhausted from a hard day of work stress.
God has blessed me over the last three years. While the first six months were walking only, I have progressed to a full blown exercise regime. One key item is that I listen to Bible teachings by Chuck Smith (c2000, c3000 & T4000 series Chuck Smith Teachings) during my exercise. Walking while listening to Chuck has been great for my faith and has built my spirit up for the benefit of my wife and kids (and everyone else). I listen to him on my iPod while I'm lifting weights too.
While the shape of my body is pleasing, I recognize that it will die. I have resolved that there are fewer years ahead of me than behind me; I have passed the half way point of my life span some time ago. Exercise has its benefits, but my focus is not what I look like, but how my improved health can benefit others. Looking good is cool too.
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