Still Going

I should have been blogging, but at least I have been running and biking and working out. I have been pretty busy this summer. Working, working out, and getting away a little. I also got married this summer. A few weeks ago, Joann and I went to the beach to do a 5K to help fight colon cancer. I have another 5K next week for breast cancer. You don't have to be a great athlete or really even a good one to make a difference. You can contribute by taking part, by walking or running or volunteering at these events. When you do that you feel good about yourself and you surround yourself with active, fit, caring people. And that is a good thing. So I suggest that you run a little, walk a little, stretch a little, and do whatever you can do to make your life better, and to help make others' lives better.

Help yourself by helping others  

CrossFit:  I'm watching some CrossFit competition on ESPN. I am not officially a Cross Fitologist (that must be a word, I used it properly in a sentence), but I do like the concept. They propose to train any combination of several exercises. The idea is to be prepared for anything at anytime. I do try to mix it up a bit, doing calisthenics, or running, biking and/or walking with my weight vest. I do not do what they do and I am NOT as structured as they are, but I do admit that some of them are in phenomenal shape. I am not giving excuses, but I do not really want to be in phenomenal shape. I want to be in good enough shape to enjoy life. That means having a fairly strong cardiovascular system. Being strong enough to pull myself out a window if the house is on fire, and being fit enough to walk to see something while on vacation and fit enough to tie my sneakers. Some consider Crossfit to be a cult. Cult is short for culture, a sameness among like-minded people. Some consider classical music or going to the opera as a sign of culture. It all seems like semantics to me. Do what you want, whether that is  listening to Ravel or doing burpees and hopefully you'll be fit enough to enjoy that activity for years to come.

Fit for living, fit for life. 

Crunches: It is really nice running weather for me. If I ran faster or farther, I might want it to be a little cooler, but it suits me fine. I went for a little run around town today. I can only run in town on Sundays without getting aggravated by the cars parked on the sidewalks. They are still parked on the sidewalks on Sundays, but there are few people around to complain to, and that keeps my blood pressure down a bit. So anyway, I did my run of about 5 miles then as always; stretched, did a few push-ups and a few crunches. We were dog-sitting today and it almost looks like the dog was trying to do them with me. She opted out of the run. It is important to move and get some type of exercise to maintain a degree of flexibility and fitness. When all that is taken care, I also think it is important to be able to a few push ups and crunches. Crunches will help strengthen your core and your back, which will decrease back pain. A strong core will also help with balance and overall fitness.

 

Don't be "rotten to the core..."

CALORIES: I know that this may be hard to believe for some of you, apparently I was wrong, about calories anyway. It has been traditional thinking that a calorie is a calorie, and that to lose weight you only had to burn more calories than you took in, or eat less than you used. I have been doing a little reading lately that contradicts that, somewhat. There is a little more to it. You not only have to burn more calories that you take in, you have to burn more calories that you metabolize. It almost seems like the same thing, but it is not. Certain types of calories, or calories from certain foods metabolize differently and break down in different areas of the body (i.e. liver, pancreas, etc.). How they break down effects insulin output which in turn effect how a calorie is utilized. There is a lot of information on this subject and I have not even begun to scratch the surface, but it seems obvious to me that at least at face value, a calorie does not always equal a calorie. Fuel is not just fuel, it is more like comparing a gallon of diesel fuel with a gallon of jet fuel; the same but not the same. To really enjoy life and have a high quality of life I do still say though: " anything in moderation."

 

Eat to live, don't live to eat.

 

 

BACKWARDS: There has been some literature published lately, based on studies over the past few years that seems to show walking backwards greatly enhances muscle development and coordination. Some studies show that each minute (or step) going backwards is the same as 10 going forward. I'm not sure about all of that but I do try to go backwards from time to time. Another study that I read a while back indicated that one of the causes of knee trouble was unequal development of your hamstrings from your quads. I do walk much slower going backwards which I feel I need to do since I am walking on a treadmill. I really do not want to get launched out the window which is behind the treadmill. One note about NOT using a treadmill. If you walk outside, walk carefully. When you walk backwards and trip, you have a very real chance of bashing your head open on the sidewalk. If you do fall, tuck your chin against your chest. Mix it up a little and have have fun. You are walking for your future.

Back to the future.

Beautiful Weather: It has been been very nice weather for the past few days. Upper 60s to mid 70s, a little breeze: perfect. I don't run that fast so I like it a little warmer. If I ran 5 minute miles or so, I might like it a little cooler. For me though, this is nice. I like to run in town, but with all of the cars parked illegally on the  sidewalks, I just get so aggravated that I have to go to Nay Aug Park. You get the occasional person that leaves their dog crap laying around, but it is generally a calmer run. Going by this veteran memorial is nice too. You also get to see some smiling faces that are happy to see winter gone, kids running around or on the playground equipment, and a few kids of all ages riding bikes or walking. Now is your chance to get fit for the summer. Enjoy.

Don't "PARK" yourself indoors....

Great weather - It was in the low 70s yesterday so I had to venture out for a nice run around town. I have been doing most of my running inside for the past few months. I have to admit I got a little spoiled running and watching television. I know I always say the important thing is to move, but outside stresses your body a little differently then indoors. A benefit is getting a alittle vitamin D from the sun. For you nutritionsts, I know the sun doesn't actually give vitamin D, but it converts this or that to allow the body to use vitamin D. Since I am NOT a nutritionist, I am sticking with my original statement that I got it from the sun. In addition to catching a few rays; going up and down sidewalks and up and down hills helps burn more calories than just treadmill running (some say 10% more, but they probably do not live in Scranton). Plus you get some fresh air and can interact with people. All in all with the sun and the fact that is was a Sunday morning with little traffic, it was a very enjoyable few miles. I highly recommend it.     

 

Catch some rays, you can run slow to do it.