Whoever said "keeping fit is good" should be shot!

[Cranky]

I biked 68 kilometers today and I am fit....for a wheelchair! Okay, whose stupid idea was it that said we need to keep in shape? I mean, what's wrong with a protective layer of fat? Our cave dwelling ancestors had to join the teamsters and work overtime to get that nice, soft layer of insulation and here we are, doing hard labour to get rid of it. Tell me, whose smarter? Plumb Neanderthals or us?

Anywho....

What are you guys doing to keep the Temple Of Love in good shape?

[jkr]

Someone steal your car HA?

I think we're around the same age. About 20 years ago I used to run a lot and finished 6 or 7 marathons, Can't remember exactly how many. With a lot of training I manged to finish 3 of them under 3 hours.

Now I walk. If I don't need to carry anything heavy on the way back I will just hoof it. And I have been on a vegetarian diet for the last 4 years as well.

[Skilly]

Bah .... I hate exercise. I recently quit my gym (Nubody's). But that was because it was going to cut into my golf time soon enough. And I go geo-caching to get my walking in.

I only exercise so I can eat ... I love food too much. I really could lose some weight, but I am not going to crucify myself to do it. If I die, I want to go out happy. So, Lord, if you are listening ... my preferred way to go is "On the green, after sinking a 30 foot birdie putt, and throwing back a beer (with a bag of chips) I just won off my golfing buddies"

[Cranky]

skilly said:

I only exercise so I can eat ... I love food too much. I really could lose some weight, but I am not going to crucify myself to do it. If I die, I want to go out happy. So, Lord, if you are listening ... my preferred way to go is "On the green, after sinking a 30 foot birdie putt, and throwing back a beer (with a bag of chips) I just won off my golfing buddies"

And here I was, thinking that man want to go with a smile after then 7th go round with the neigbors wife!

Ball hockey in winter and cycling in summer! Don't consider either of them "work". But I have to confess, the nagging little pains are getting annoying. I use to shrug them off but at 53 they seem to hang around for a day or two afterwards.

Anywho....

I could never take to golfing. Besides torturing my short attention span, it requires way too much skill to be satisfying. Let's face it, if you miss the putt, you can't hit, check, slam, elbow or take any other "corrective" action. Unlike ball hockey.....or "hammering" on a bike.

[Cranky]

jkr said:

Someone steal your car HA?

I think we're around the same age. About 20 years ago I used to run a lot and finished 6 or 7 marathons, Can't remember exactly how many. With a lot of training I manged to finish 3 of them under 3 hours.

Now I walk. If I don't need to carry anything heavy on the way back I will just hoof it. And I have been on a vegetarian diet for the last 4 years as well.

20 years ago? That's like what? Seventeen? It's funny how much harder it gets QUICKLY. There is hardly any physical difference between 20 and 35, then by 40 you get the first "messages". Like running out of breadth zipping up the stairs, or sweating after any short work effort. Then by fifty, the "nessages" aren't so little anymore.

Bah.....

Jkr, if we don't get back into half assed shape and control our weight NOW, we are doomed by 60.

[jkr]

habsaddict said:

skilly said:

I only exercise so I can eat ... I love food too much. I really could lose some weight, but I am not going to crucify myself to do it. If I die, I want to go out happy. So, Lord, if you are listening ... my preferred way to go is "On the green, after sinking a 30 foot birdie putt, and throwing back a beer (with a bag of chips) I just won off my golfing buddies"

Ball hockey in winter and cycling in summer! Don't consider either of them "work". But I have to confess, the nagging little pains are getting annoying. I use to shrug them off but at 53 they seem to hang around for a day or two afterwards.

Anywho....

I could never take to golfing. Besides torturing my short attention span, it requires way too much skill to be satisfying. Let's face it, if you miss the putt, you can't hit, check, slam, elbow or take any other "corrective" action. Unlike ball hockey.....or "hammering" on a bike.

I thought we were around the same age - now I know we are exactly the same age.

I share your opinion of golf. I like going to the range & hitting a bucket of balls but I don't have the patience or skill for a round of golf.

[CentreHice]

Running. Anywhere from 5 to 10 kilometres per outing. Just about to start up again after taking the winter off. Gotta get rid of what I call the "Santa suit"...that over-all layer that appears just after the holidays.

Tried treadmill and stationary bike....too boring. My son was training to run a half-marathon a couple of years ago, so I took up running....and I don't mind it at all.

[seventeen]

To me, running for running's sake is pure boredom. I hate running with a passion. I'm still playing soccer at 52 (I'm so much younger than HA). Doesn't make sense, you say? Soccer's not running. It's soccer. Running is a byproduct, not an end in itself. Scoring a goal.....that's the, well, goal. I have a game each Monday evening. It's like old folks home, more foolish grey haired guys pretending to run around a field. At least I still don't have a pear body shape, like a lot of the guys I play with. That must be why I can still outrun them. I love playing soccer...one of the passions of my life and it coincidentally helps to keep me from getting too overweight (I could lose about 15 lbs though and then I'd be bloody svelte). Running without the soccer?....bah.

[franko]

seventeen said:

To me, running for running's sake is pure boredom. I hate running with a passion.

With you there. I need some purpose for my activity.

I'm still playing soccer

Find that about as boring as running. Back and forth, maybe touch the ball every couple of minutes, stand around and look around until someone happens to put hte ball your way. Better than baseball, though.

at 52 (I'm so much younger than HA).

You guys are so old!

Hockey (though I didn't play this winter). Basketball (though I didn't play this winter).

No wonder I am out of shape.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

seventeen said:

To me, running for running's sake is pure boredom.

I stopped most of my cardio (running) when I left the service. I was running with the troops for 23 years and enough was enough.

Now when I go (haven't been running in a year) I use it as time to myself.

I hate running with a passion.

I used to sprint up until '98.

I'm still playing soccer at 52 (I'm so much younger than HA). Doesn't make sense, you say? Soccer's not running. It's soccer. Running is a byproduct, not an end in itself.

Like you say, it's soccer that's the passion. The byproducts look after themselves after that.

Scoring a goal.....that's the, well, goal. I have a game each Monday evening. It's like old folks home, more foolish grey haired guys pretending to run around a field.

Sounds like a good time.

At least I still don't have a pear body shape, like a lot of the guys I play with. That must be why I can still outrun them.

I guess you don't adjourn for beers and burgers afterwards. Call it a balance thing.

I love playing soccer...one of the passions of my life and it coincidentally helps to keep me from getting too overweight (I could lose about 15 lbs though and then I'd be bloody svelte). Running without the soccer?....bah.

Great to have passions. I'm still competative but not as much as I was in my younger years. When growing up my passions changed as I got older. They included sports like sprinting, broomball, football, judo and a game called chess. Can't burn too many calories playing chess, granted, but it can burn you up it you let it.

Nowadays I have hobbies that take keep the fat off, though not as successfully as a few years ago. Golf is up there and I have a multi-speed bike I use to work up a sweat (unless the family is with me). Haven't been to the gym in about six months but that's coming back. That was a good physical and socialable workout.

But, as where things were competative a few years ago, it's beer and burgers on the BBQ after golf.

Running? Might get into it again. But it won't be as foolish as it was in the military. No appearances to keep up in front of the troops these days. Now I'm more concerned if I have enough sun screen and liquids for the golf course.

Cheers.

[Polarice]

I'm a gym freak, I get up at 4:14am and go to the Gym before work.

I do 35 minuets of cardio a day except Saturday and I do 4 different exercises 3 sets of 6-10 reps per body part.

Monday: 5 min Cardio, Beiceps, then 30 mins of cardio at the end.

Tuesday: same cardio - Triceps.

Wednesday: Chest

Thursday: Back

Friday: Shoulders

Saturday: Legs - I do 9 different exercises for legs because there are so many different parts to do. Then I'll do a filler like a set on chest or back while my legs are recovering, then I do 50-55 minutes of cardio, any more than 60 minutes of cardio and your body will start to shut down to conserve energy, so you won't lose any weight after 60 minutes.

In the summer I usually back off to about 3-4 days a week, because I play baseball and golf and at my age I find it too much.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

polarice said:

I'm a gym freak, I get up at 4:14am and go to the Gym before work.

I do 35 minuets of cardio a day except Saturday and I do 4 different exercises 3 sets of 6-10 reps per body part.

Monday: 5 min Cardio, Beiceps, then 30 mins of cardio at the end.

Tuesday: same cardio - Triceps.

Wednesday: Chest

Thursday: Back

Friday: Shoulders

Saturday: Legs - I do 9 different exercises for legs because there are so many different parts to do. Then I'll do a filler like a set on chest or back while my legs are recovering, then I do 50-55 minutes of cardio, any more than 60 minutes of cardio and your body will start to shut down to conserve energy, so you won't lose any weight after 60 minutes.

In the summer I usually back off to about 3-4 days a week, because I play baseball and golf and at my age I find it too much.

Do you find it much of a social, PI?

Cheers.

[CentreHice]

I didn't say I loved running...

I just don't mind it...after the 1st km, that is. I do a lot of intervals too...quarter-speed up to full-speed (for me). I always feel better after I'm finished...knowing that I did some good and didn't keel over during the process. And there's no beer afterwards with buddies....that's later.

I'd much rather play ball hockey....but I can't afford to get hurt. Some of those guys are still way too competitive...they haven't won their "Stanley Cup" yet. Same reason I quit playing pick-up ice hockey. I had a 56-year-old hook me around the neck because I got around him. Don't need that.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

centrehice said:

Some of those guys are still way too competitive...they haven't won their "Stanley Cup" yet. Same reason I quit playing pick-up ice hockey. I had a 56-year-old hook me around the neck because I got around him. Don't need that.

Same reasons why I gave up broomball in '99. One year we had team not invited back because they thought they were the 70's Flyers. Couldn't play worth a damn, but that's not what they were there for. Too many wannabes.

Cheers.

[Polarice]

disgruntled70shab said:

Do you find it much of a social, PI?

Cheers.

Yes and no, at that hour of the morning its an older crowd, not too many honeys.

But, its been the same people for years, if someone stops going unexpectedly, like miss a couple of days in a row people start asking around. If you plan on going away for a week or two you better let someone know, lol. Its a good crowd, mostly seniors so it helps my ego a bit lol.

[Polarice]

centrehice said:

I didn't say I loved running...

I just don't mind it...after the 1st km, that is. I do a lot of intervals too...quarter-speed up to full-speed (for me). I always feel better after I'm finished...knowing that I did some good and didn't keel over during the process. And there's no beer afterwards with buddies....that's later.

I'd much rather play ball hockey....but I can't afford to get hurt. Some of those guys are still way too competitive...they haven't won their "Stanley Cup" yet. Same reason I quit playing pick-up ice hockey. I had a 56-year-old hook me around the neck because I got around him. Don't need that.

Yeah, that's why I stopped playing Gentleman's Hockey, I couldn't afford to get hurt and miss work, way too many wannabees!!

I love playing Ball in the summer, its a Men's slow pitch beer league, no one really takes it too serious, its more of a social thing, keeps you in touch with your old pals.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

polarice said:

I love playing Ball in the summer, its a Men's slow pitch beer league, no one really takes it too serious, its more of a social thing, keeps you in touch with your old pals.

Ah, the Ottawa pub league. It used to be that the lads would protect the beer coolers on foul balls and let the families fend for themselves. I used to play 3rd base and centre field.

But, the thing about slow pitch is that it can be a good workout too. For instance, your infield has to be very good ... every grounder is a bullet and given the shape of some of the city diamonds you don't always know if the ball will ricochet off something.

If you're an outfielder you usually had a good view at what angle the batter's bat was, so you got an idea which direction the ball is going.

But that took focus and it was a pub league. While we had some drinkers on the team, I usually had only one, maybe two at the most throughout a game; mainly peer pressure. But, sometimes I just couldn't play my best if I had a beer in me.

Cheers.

[franko]

disgruntled70shab said:

centrehice said:

Some of those guys are still way too competitive...they haven't won their "Stanley Cup" yet. Same reason I quit playing pick-up ice hockey. I had a 56-year-old hook me around the neck because I got around him. Don't need that.

Same reasons why I gave up broomball in '99. One year we had team not invited back because they thought they were the 70's Flyers. Couldn't play worth a damn, but that's not what they were there for. Too many wannabes.

Cheers.

And the reason I didn't play hockey this winter. For a couple of years a bunch of us rented ice time every Saturday night at 11:00 (with all the adrenaline pumping through my system I didn't get to sleep till 2 or so -- played havoc on Sunday mornings). There was "the usual suspects who were average or adequate who were out for exercise and fun (a couple of wives played too, just to learn, so that tells you the skill level of the group), and couple of friends who came in to help pay the cost of icetime. The friends were a bit more skilled, and that raised the competitive nature of the gang (I confess to having my competitive nature tweaked) and then it just got . . . well . . . let's just say the women quit playing, the skilled players took over, the test of us had to fight harder for our 2 seconds of puck time, the front of the net got hackey, and eventually it just wasn't fun/worth it any more. The idea was put to rest. We may start up again but we'll somehow have to leave attitudes at the door. Even the most gentle of us saw our rougher sides come out.

My wife and I start our days with a 45 minute walk, shine or shine (light rain has me groaning but we go, heavy rain we stay in bed for a bit longer; -28 windchill is the winter cutoff). Biking and roller blading in our greenspace parkways during the summer.

[Polarice]

disgruntled70shab said:

polarice said:

I love playing Ball in the summer, its a Men's slow pitch beer league, no one really takes it too serious, its more of a social thing, keeps you in touch with your old pals.

Ah, the Ottawa pub league. It used to be that the lads would protect the beer coolers on foul balls and let the families fend for themselves. I used to play 3rd base and centre field.

But, the thing about slow pitch is that it can be a good workout too. For instance, your infield has to be very good ... every grounder is a bullet and given the shape of some of the city diamonds you don't always know if the ball will ricochet off something.

If you're an outfielder you usually had a good view at what angle the batter's bat was, so you got an idea which direction the ball is going.

But that took focus and it was a pub league. While we had some drinkers on the team, I usually had only one, maybe two at the most throughout a game; mainly peer pressure. But, sometimes I just couldn't play my best if I had a beer in me.

Cheers.

I play Second or Third, I have bad knees and can't run like I used to. We usually have the younger, faster guys play the outfield. We have a pretty good team, usually we're in the top three of the league, I'm probably one of the weaker players on our team.

I'm like you I only have one or two beer usually, sometimes during a tourney I'll have a few more, but only if someone else is driving me around.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

franko said:

And the reason I didn't play hockey this winter. For a couple of years a bunch of us rented ice time every Saturday night at 11:00 (with all the adrenaline pumping through my system I didn't get to sleep till 2 or so -- played havoc on Sunday mornings).

Never got used to the 10 PM/11 PM games. We used to adjourn to the sponsor's pub after each broomball game. You're right about the early mornings too. I remember sitting up watching stuff like "The Planet of the Apes," until 1:30 AM. Then I'd lay in bed for a while before waking up to the alarm for work. Felt good in the mornings though; however, after a good lunch it was quite a different story.

There was "the usual suspects who were average or adequate who were out for exercise and fun (a couple of wives played too, just to learn, so that tells you the skill level of the group), and couple of friends who came in to help pay the cost of icetime. The friends were a bit more skilled, and that raised the competitive nature of the gang (I confess to having my competitive nature tweaked) and then it just got . . . well . . . let's just say the women quit playing, the skilled players took over, the test of us had to fight harder for our 2 seconds of puck time, the front of the net got hackey, and eventually it just wasn't fun/worth it any more. The idea was put to rest. We may start up again but we'll somehow have to leave attitudes at the door. Even the most gentle of us saw our rougher sides come out.

Nothing wrong with that I think. So long as everyone knows the score. But, all it takes is for one agressive guy to get things going.

My wife and I start our days with a 45 minute walk, shine or shine (light rain has me groaning but we go, heavy rain we stay in bed for a bit longer; -28 windchill is the winter cutoff). Biking and roller blading in our greenspace parkways during the summer.

Winter walks aren't really the norm with us. But, we do get out for evening walks. More time to ourselves than a workout. We usually take the long way around the neighbourhood.

As an aside, I guess my competative nature is rubbing off on Dis Jr. Two weeks ago yesterday he broke his collarbone on the BMX track. That's about 3 km away from the house and he walked home with his buddies, bike in tow. When he got home he gave me "the look" where you know something's wrong.

From the time we hit the hospital to the time we left, 2 hours. As we were leaving, he said, "dad, I've starved." He even knew what he wanted ... extra large stuffed crust, meat lovers with root beer ... Barq's that is. "Guess I can make that happen buds."

If I know Dis Jr he'll be back on that track in a few weeks. He's already using his arm like nothing went wrong. God love the youth. Tough as nails and pushing on straight forward.

cheers.

[Skilly]

polarice said:

disgruntled70shab said:

Ah, the Ottawa pub league. It used to be that the lads would protect the beer coolers on foul balls and let the families fend for themselves. I used to play 3rd base and centre field.

But, the thing about slow pitch is that it can be a good workout too. For instance, your infield has to be very good ... every grounder is a bullet and given the shape of some of the city diamonds you don't always know if the ball will ricochet off something.

If you're an outfielder you usually had a good view at what angle the batter's bat was, so you got an idea which direction the ball is going.

But that took focus and it was a pub league. While we had some drinkers on the team, I usually had only one, maybe two at the most throughout a game; mainly peer pressure. But, sometimes I just couldn't play my best if I had a beer in me.

Cheers.

I play Second or Third, I have bad knees and can't run like I used to. We usually have the younger, faster guys play the outfield. We have a pretty good team, usually we're in the top three of the league, I'm probably one of the weaker players on our team.

I'm like you I only have one or two beer usually, sometimes during a tourney I'll have a few more, but only if someone else is driving me around.

I play short-stop or rover (in slow pitch)... I used to play in a fast-pitch league as a teenager. Then gave up when I went to university. Now I am trying to find a spot in a slow-pitch league. I do get to be a spare every now and then, and we have two work tournaments, but I don't get to play as much as I'd like. Problem here is most men's league's either have all the spots filled or you have to be 40 or over. Last time I tried to register they told me I had to be 35, so now I am 35 the age is raised to 40.

I used to play squash, and volleyball too. 6-7 yrs of nothing but books in university really gets you out of the local sports scene.

I was in a ball-hockey league a few years back. Got hacked, (one time too many - it was like 20 times over a 4-5 game span), then I got fed up and "got aggressive on the ball". When I got home I came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it. So I haven't played in a league in 2 years.

[habmeister]

right now i do 3 x cardio/week, 2 x weights, and i have a boxing gym i built in my garage so when i need to blow off some steam after "debating" on this site i pound the crap outta my heavy bag.

i injured myself last week doing yoga believe it or not, and here i thought it was supposed to be good for me. pulled something in my trapezius.


as far as running goes, i'd love to be able to do it consistently, but i have chicken legs and i weight 185 lbs, so my calves/tendons can't take the pounding at all. even skipping rope isn't good for the twigs i call my legs.

so basically eliptical trainer, or 20 mins jogging max. i've also got french in my genes and live a 10 minute walk from the beach in vancouver, so every morning that it's sunny i go for a 1 hour walk with about 300 feet elevation decent and climb.

when i went to europe in summer of 2005 i weighed 202lbs, when i got back after 5 weeks of doing a ton of walking around looking at sites and eating whatever the heck i wanted i'd lost 10 lbs. so i've maintained the walking even when i've been neglecting the gym.

i've also changed my diet a bit to more of an asian style, i rarely eat red meat anymore, i eat rice a lot, and my two most common meals are thai food dishes and sushi, eat them probably 5-6x week.

i also try to eat small things like a fruit bar or banana and i don't eat like a north american very often anymore. you know like it's the last meal we're going to have for 2 days so let's cram as much food into our faces as quickly as we can.

eat small and often and just move your ass and i find it works.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

polarice said:

disgruntled70shab said:

Do you find it much of a social, PI?

Cheers.

Yes and no, at that hour of the morning its an older crowd, not too many honeys.

True, true ... the measure of every successful gym is quality of their chick base regular clientele. There's an early morning crowd, a lunchtime crowd and an after work crowd.

But, its been the same people for years, if someone stops going unexpectedly, like miss a couple of days in a row people start asking around. If you plan on going away for a week or two you better let someone know, lol. Its a good crowd, mostly seniors so it helps my ego a bit lol.

Oddly enough you're right, PI. When something adverse does happen to a regular it gets around like a brush fire.

However, I was down to the gym the other week to see some of the folks I used to work with there. They're asking when I'm coming back and I guess I had better get off my butt.

Cheers.

[Polarice]

disgruntled70shab said:

polarice said:

Yes and no, at that hour of the morning its an older crowd, not too many honeys.

True, true ... the measure of every successful gym is quality of their chick base regular clientele. There's an early morning crowd, a lunchtime crowd and an after work crowd.

But, its been the same people for years, if someone stops going unexpectedly, like miss a couple of days in a row people start asking around. If you plan on going away for a week or two you better let someone know, lol. Its a good crowd, mostly seniors so it helps my ego a bit lol.

Oddly enough you're right, PI. When something adverse does happen to a regular it gets around like a brush fire.

However, I was down to the gym the other week to see some of the folks I used to work with there. They're asking when I'm coming back and I guess I had better get off my butt.

Cheers.

The "Chick" factor is truly amazing after work, it's almost impossible to work out. Its so bad the wife doesn't like me working out after work.

I'm like Skilly, the main reason why I work out is so that I can eat what I want when I want.

[CentreHice]

polarice said:

I'm like Skilly, the main reason why I work out is so that I can eat what I want when I want.

Same here...cause I'm never givin' up the beer.

[Cranky]

What? No other bike riders here? Sheesh, and here I was, thinking that we would arrange a little Ontario to BC weekend jaunt.....

You runner types, yeah, you know who you are......aren't you guys concerned about knee problems as you get older? ESPECIALLY if you play soccer somewhat competitivly.

[Cranky]

habmeister said:

right now i do 3 x cardio/week, 2 x weights, and i have a boxing gym i built in my garage so when i need to blow off some steam after "debating" on this site i pound the crap outta my heavy bag.

You want my picture of my mug for little added incentive?

[Cranky]

centrehice said:

Some of those guys are still way too competitive...

.

Don't they have a Kovalev Division?

[duster]

I do enjoy biking, but if you saw the hills around here, you know it's not an option. Just walking them helps the trophy wives maintain their buns of steel...

I wasn't really much of a fitness buff outside of soccer until I moved out here. Now, I usually go for a 5km run six mornings a week along the beach - weather permitting. Otherwise, it's 45 minutes of cardio six days a week. I do weights in the late afternoon four of those same days. I do supersets of opposing muscle groups alternating daily between upper and lower body. It's quick, brutal and effective. My gym is co-ed but very quiet. People go there to work out and most don't have time to socialize all that much. Besides, there's a lot more eye candy on the beach. Better dressed too...

[Disgruntled70sHab]

habsaddict said:

What? No other bike riders here? Sheesh, and here I was, thinking that we would arrange a little Ontario to BC weekend jaunt.....

You runner types, yeah, you know who you are......aren't you guys concerned about knee problems as you get older? ESPECIALLY if you play soccer somewhat competitivly.

It's not only the knees, HA. You know yourself, even after a good bike ride like you did, the recovery time is a lot longer.

The one thing I neglect the most though, is stretching. And if I do stretch it's usually not enough. That's pretty important the older you get.

However, there's a balance to it as well. As PI and Skilly said, they work out so they don't have to worry what they eat afterwards. For me, I have to work out harder in order to burn off the salt and pepper chips and the Moosehead Lager (not to mention the burgers and beer after golf).

And part of that balance thing for me is not taking it too seriously any more. It's alright to play competative sports and keeping in shape. But, for me at least, keeping in shape includes what I want to do, not what I have to do. Driving the body and shooting the foot (miliatry lads understand this term very well) now takes a back seat to enjoying myself while keeping in shape.

Sounds like a lot of folks here in this thread have already figured that out.

Cheers.