Diary of a Network Geek

The trials and tribulations of a Certified Novell Engineer who's been stranded in Houston, Texas.

11/10/2008

Hitting the Cardio

Filed under: Bavarian Death Cake of Love,Criticism, Marginalia, and Notes,Life Goals,Life, the Universe, and Everything,News and Current Events,Personal — Posted by the Network Geek during the Hour of the Tiger which is terribly early in the morning or 5:52 am for you boring, normal people.
The moon is Waxing Gibbous

I hate it when the doctors are right.

No, I don’t have cancer again or anything like that. No, I just hate it when someone, especially a doctor, tells me that I can’t do something and they turn out to be right.


HeavyBag

Originally uploaded by Network Geek

In this particular case, I’m talking about running and my knees.
I was pretty well prepared to ignore my oncologist’s advice against taking up running because I’m tired of having even a small gut, even at my age. I know, as I creep up on forty, I should lower the bar, drop my personal standard and just accept that I’m probably always going to carry a “little extra” weight. Except, I just can’t. I hate the pudge that’s built up around my middle. Also, according to an article I read in Men’s Health while I was in the hospital, that “spare tire” could have been part of the reason I actually had cancer in the first place! So, one way or another, that gut has got to go.
Running may be out, but I know aerobic exercise is the best way to drop that weight, so I’ve been walking. Four days a week, weather permitting, I walk. The past month or so, I’ve walked at least a mile and, by my calculations, up to a mile and a-half most of the times I’ve been out. And, that’s good, but it’s not taking the weight off fast enough for me and, well, just not really enough to satisfy me in general. I feel the same about bicycling, though that might still be better than just walking. Not that I’d stop walking, but I feel like I need something more. So, as you can see in the picture, I got my old heavy bag out of the garage and cleaned it up.

Back in the “old days” when I was in something that resembled good shape, I hit the heavy bag twenty minutes, or more, at least three times a week. Of course, I also did some weight training with dumbbells and push-ups and sit-ups or crunches in the morning five days a week. But, I know it was going after that heavy bag that got me and kept me in shape. Thankfully, I still have some of the callouses and the bag gloves and wraps to start up again. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ve got to do something. Besides, I did like being in shape. I seem to recall more than one woman I knew at the time appreciated it, too, and well, my long-time readers will know, nothing motivates me like the opposite sex.
If you’ve never tried it, boxing and kickboxing are great ways to stay in shape. I wasn’t overly lean when I did it, but I certainly carried a lot less weight in general and fat in particular. I mean, I wasn’t like a cast member from 300, but I know I looked better than I do now. Also, I eat better now than I did when I was in my late twenties and thirties. I’m no vegetarian, but I do try to avoid eating whole boxes of Twinkies, no matter how much I love them.

Well, I guess there’s nothing to it, but to do it. So, I’ve got the heavy bag out there and my bag gloves are by the back door. I only managed three minutes after my walk on Sunday, but, well, I’ve got to start somewhere! I’m sure if I keep at it, I’ll be back to twenty minute workouts in no time!

7 Comments

  1. i’ve been working out regularly too, and i don’t know why, but it’s made me irrationally angry to feel like the only one torturing myself day in and out. THANK GOD you’ve joined me.

    Comment by kat — 11/10/2008 @ 7:06 am

  2. The best part of cardiovascular exercise is that it couter-acts depression! It also makes you feel powerful, useful, and hot! Don’t quit!

    Comment by Cheri — 11/10/2008 @ 10:39 am

  3. Well, Cheri, that’s a good thing because the rest of this month is probably going to be pretty brutal in regards to depression for me. Not to mention next month. Though, of course, the main reason I’m doing any of this is to look hot and pick up chicks. Really, when you get right down to it, that’s pretty well how civilization formed, guys trying to score chicks. Sad but true!

    No, Kat you are not alone. I think I stopped running before any reports of Godzilla crushing small children under foot were filed, but only time will tell.
    As of yesterday morning, I’d dropped about 25 pounds. That means I’m a svelte 211. I should be an even svelter 185. So, you’ll have a tortured companion for some time to come.

    Comment by the Network Geek — 11/10/2008 @ 12:14 pm

  4. Hey Wii-boxing is pretty good too, and the closest thing I have done to real boxing. Though I did get very inspired one day and bought boxing gloves. Some sort of idea that M and I would “spar”. Hahahahaha. never took them out of the packet….refuse to admit defeat by getting rid of them though!

    And hey, I’m sure you’re quite spiffy already when it comes to “the ladies” 😉

    Comment by Dataceptionist — 11/11/2008 @ 6:48 pm

  5. Well, opinions vary as to my level of spiff and, frankly, I have no idea how I seem to “the ladies” at all. Just when I think I have a handle on that, I’m proven wrong in very demonstrative ways.

    Comment by the Network Geek — 11/11/2008 @ 10:20 pm

  6. Tips for impressing the Laydeeze*
    -When appreciating a womans body, avoid staring at breasts overly long (ten minutes tops)
    -When appreciating a woman’s conversation, do not grab her ass and squeeze, saying :nice filly:
    -When attempting a “pickup” do not ask if you can “download into her hard drive”

    Well my work is done here! HAHAHAHA

    *tips may or may not be actual tips

    Comment by Dataceptionist — 11/11/2008 @ 11:07 pm

  7. Hey, I was married, you know! I know the “make eye contact” rule quite very well, thank you. In fact, I was just explaining to one of my nephews how peripheral vision works and why it was your friend.

    Comment by the Network Geek — 11/12/2008 @ 12:21 pm

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