Quote:


I heard an interview once with Frank Sinatra (interesting guy) which sums up kicking the smoking habit nicely. The interviewer asked him if he had ever tried to kick the habit. His response........ "stopping smoking is easy, I've done it a least 1000 times".

I agree with what was said earlier, about how keeping in shape isn't about living longer, it's about living better. You don't have to be an endorphin junkie to appreciate being able to DO whatever you want, whenever you want. Pickup game of hockey? Backyard football? Impromptu wrestling match to determine who gets shotgun?

Done. No problem.

Of course, having the stamina to make portages and paddle all day without forcing a layover the next day is a plus, too.

The hard part for a lot of people is finding the time to make fitness a part of their daily life. The answer for me came via bicycle - I'd ride to work or school every now and then, then I'd ride more, then I'd ride for fun, and the next thing I knew, I was logging 2,000+ miles each year, and buying studded tires so I could ride through the winter while my poor pickup just sat in the driveway. I even rigged up a home-built canoe trailer, so I could haul my canoe to the fishing spots without having to drive. I saved a lot of money on fuel costs, and was able to get back into decent shape, and the only thing I had to do was add a little time to my commutes.

Now, my work commute is often in excess of 700 miles, so the bike has become far less practical; and when I'm at work, I can't leave the site to go riding whenever I want. It's like jail, being cooped up in a trailer/lab/office for 30-40 days at a time. So I had to start something different.

I've been amazed at the kind of full-body workout you can get with just a set of dumbbells. I train with high reps + motion for endurance and stamina, as opposed to trying to "bulk up." Using these cheap Wallyworld dumbbells I can work almost every muscle in my body, including the core. Paired with pushups, various lower back / abdominal sets, and a cheap doorway pull-up bar, I can get a great workout without having to make a special trip to a gym, which isn't an option out here anyways. A few hours every day, or every other day depending on laziness, and I'm able to stay in shape while I work without messing up my schedule.

But if you're thinking about getting in shape, my first advice would be to buy a bike. Ride for fun, ride to work, ride to the store. It's a lot easier on the knees than running, and you can make your ride as demanding or as easy as you want. Stop in your local bike shop and ask questions, ride a few different types of bikes, find what you like, and they'll be more than happy to set you up with a bike that will last you many years.

If you want to start a weight regimen, my advice would be to start small. Do pushups and situps at home, just a few here and there, and let your muscles get used to daily demands. Then just keep it up, and start adding reps/sets when you feel ready. Work your way up to using weights - the beauty of dumbbells is you can add or remove weight as you go along.

But the most important thing is: don't stop. You don't have to work out every day, but don't let yourself go without it for too long, or you will find yourself starting over and getting discouraged. The post-workout soreness will go away faster and faster as time goes on, and you'll find yourself having more energy and a better attitude in your daily life.

Just my $0.02

  Once again Akula proves himself wise beyond his years

jimmar wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 3:48pm:

I typically walk 5 1/2 to 6 miles (sometimes longer) 3-4 times per week, year round.  As often as possible, I pick mountain biking trails in the area because they typically have more elevation changes and are rougher (need more "foot work") than other trails in my area.  Starting about 3 months out, I start carrying a day pack.  Each week I add more weight, but try to stay at the same time as my "non-weighted" time.  (BTW:  Re-using plastic water bottles by refilling them with tap water is an easy way to add weight to your pack in at virtually no cost.  By the time you get to 6-8 of them, you may need to change to something else, but its an easy way to "ramp-up".  I used to add rocks, but you'll occasionally get one with an uncomfortable point stabbing you in the back ... and you can't drink rocks if needed.  Of course, I've thrown in other things too, e.g., ankle weights, etc.).

Another thing I've done with my mountain bike is to "de-tune" it a few months before a trip (take out a little air, add some "drag" to your brake, etc.) Small changes in the efficiency of your ride can make a significant difference in your workout over a 15-20 mile stretch

dd

1 -- bike -- 25-30 miles at a time, looking for hills. the years I've been able to do that a few times a week was the easiest Quetico trip ever.

2 -- walk -- lots of it. Closer to trip I throw 30 to 50 lbs. in pack. If walking along roads, I step up and down on curbs, small walls and obstacles. And I try to walk in uneven grass to strengthen ankles.

3 -- paddle -- this is going to sound really stupid, but for me it works. I have an in-ground pool. In the months leading up to the fall trip, I stand in the shallow end with a plastic paddle (no, not my good Bending Branches), and I paddle. Hard. Fast. Deep. Until ... I ... can't ... lift ... my ... arms.

Then, thoroughly whipped, I do some "resistance" type stuff (submerge paddle completely, horizontal to ground, and with two-handed grip try to "swing" it through water like a baseball bat).

Again, it looks stupid. But it kicks my asskey, so I don't give a hairy rat's butt what the neighbors think. Besides, I usually paddle in the wee hours of the night, when it's a bit chilly, so on top of solitude I get to mentally prepare myself for paddling while cold.

Oh, and I've been known to put my canoe on my shoulders (the heavy aluminum one, not the Wenonah) and step up on bench and top of picnic table and down again, over and over. Helps quads and back.

Looks stupid. My kids laugh. Who cares.

-- kypaddler