Health and Fitness Thread

[snubbyfan]

We're gonna head on out to the Y tomorrow.
Haven't been since Monday and I'm looking forward to a good workout.

[snubbyfan]

Good workout today.
Tomorrow's supposed to be rainy/stormy.
Oh well, an occasional off day lets a persons body heal up from all the exercise.
Besides I have some leatherwork to do and a cigar in bad need of smoking.

[snubbyfan]

Even though I have sore muscles from yesterday's workout at the Y and I know I need time to heal, I still feel guilty about not exercising.
Tomorrow we're going to the Y but it's gonna be all about cardio.

[vonn]

Headed to my hunting lease tomorrow to do some work and fill feeders. Going to be humping a lot of 50 pound bags so I will get a good workout. Good chance of rain so it will be a little cooler I hope,temps hit triple digits today.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by vonn

Headed to my hunting lease tomorrow to do some work and fill feeders. Going to be humping a lot of 50 pound bags so I will get a good workout. Good chance of rain so it will be a little cooler I hope,temps hit triple digits today.

Sounds like a good workout. Good luck with the weather.
Ya know me, triple digits sounds just right.

[snubbyfan]

Good workout at the Y today.
No spin class on Saturdays so we did half an hour on the ellipticals.
Did some quick lifting, less weight, more reps then the warm pool and sauna. On Monday we're gonna do the heavy lifting. Still got a good pump today.
Such a nice day today, I fired up the grill to cook out chicken breasts and my wife set up a card table and a coupla chairs.
We had a picnic in our back yard.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful day today. Wife and I went for a nice long hike, wandering all over the local mountain ridge.
The temps went from 81 to 83 degrees and we ended up going about seven and a half miles.

[kwselke]

My left big toe issue has me cutting back on my mileage. I'm going to try for a 50 mile week next week, but it may be best to wait until after the 4th of July to start pushing myself again. Enjoying a good Revolver makes the toe issue easier to live with.

[soFlaNative]

Originally Posted by kwselke

My left big toe issue has me cutting back on my mileage. I'm going to try for a 50 mile week next week, but it may be best to wait until after the 4th of July to start pushing myself again. Enjoying a good Revolver makes the toe issue easier to live with.

Ouch... maybe a good Epsom salt and Betadine soak?
That or pee on it in the shower...

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by kwselke

My left big toe issue has me cutting back on my mileage. I'm going to try for a 50 mile week next week, but it may be best to wait until after the 4th of July to start pushing myself again. Enjoying a good Revolver makes the toe issue easier to live with.

Yeah that looks a bit uncomfortable.
I'd probably be spending lotsa time on Frankenbike 'til something like that healed a bit more.

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by soFlaNative

Ouch... maybe a good Epsom salt and Betadine soak?
That or pee on it in the shower...

It's not infected and there are no fungal issues. The hide on that toe is just replacing itself in a natural process. I tried a different shoe brand, my flat left foot and it did not get along. I'm not even going to blame the shoe because I should have realized the shoe was comfortable for two to three mile walks, but not up to five plus mile morning walks on my feet. I need a left shoe that offers a lot of support, so my foot does not slide around inside it.

[BigCityChief]

Originally Posted by kwselke

My left big toe issue has me cutting back on my mileage. I'm going to try for a 50 mile week next week, but it may be best to wait until after the 4th of July to start pushing myself again. Enjoying a good Revolver makes the toe issue easier to live with.

kw, I can feel that left big toe from here! Ouch! I've become acquainted with seed corns on both my feet on the underside at the point where the outermost part of the outboard side of the little toe meets the top part of the sole of each foot. I'm told that my 70 or more miles/week of walking is causing rubbing and pressure points, creating these tiny, pebble-like demons. I've managed to keep them at bay with foot creams and a pedicure "sanding" tool that reminds me of a dremel. I hope you're on the mend soon!


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[kwselke]

I did not post a picture showing a different angle. That picture was gruesome, but looks a lot worse than it feels. I've learned a lot about shoes, socks, and foot-care over the last three years of walking.

I rotate running shoes daily and change my socks two or three times daily. Because my left foot has a fallen arch and overpronates (rolls inward) I need a support/stability/guidance shoe. Running shoes that I love folks with high arches would probably call stiff. I try out different running shoes, sometimes they work sometimes they do not. My favorites are Brooks Transcend which are expensive and Mizuno Wave Paradox which I can usually get great deals on. I also love Nike anti-blister and ultra socks.

I walked about 4.5 miles today. That's enough to maintain conditioning and allow my foot to heal. I want to do a strong summer push of 10 miles a day for a couple of months, but I've got the rest of my life to do it so if I ease up to let my body repair, that is part of the program.

[snubbyfan]

The pound slider on the scale at the Y apparently fell off. Today it was back on the scale and held together with a coupla bits of painter's tape.
Problem was it was on upside down. I peeled one side of the tape off took the slider off and put it back on the correct way and calibrated the scale.
Thing must still be off, it said I weighed 159 pounds.

[vonn]

kW have you ever tried any heavier duty or hiking type shoes? I have seen your pics in previous posts and they seem to mostly be what I would call athletic shoes. I personally like high lace up boots for long distance work but I wear them out on the soles and heels pretty badly on the outside edge. For all the humping I have done , I have been lucky to never had foot or knee problems.

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by vonn

kW have you ever tried any heavier duty or hiking type shoes? I have seen your pics in previous posts and they seem to mostly be what I would call athletic shoes. I personally like high lace up boots for long distance work but I wear them out on the soles and heels pretty badly on the outside edge. For all the humping I have done , I have been lucky to never had foot or knee problems.

I have a very good pair of Danner Gortex lined hunting boots that I'll wear if it is raining, or I'm going hunting.

You are familiar with Houston. Basically all of my walking is on pavement in the greater Briargrove/Tanglewood/Uptown Galleria area. My Danners, old LL Bean hikers, dress shoes, and Lucchese cowboy boots are not up to doing five to ten miles a day on pavement. When I'm out pounding the pavement I wear dedicated running shoes. I wear out the outer sole on my bad left foot at about 250 to 300 miles. My goal has been 50 miles a week. I wear out 10 to 12 pairs of running shoes per year.

This evening I have five pair in my daily rotation (pictured). I know the pairs I wore yesterday and today will probably have to be replaced within two weeks. A third pair in the rotation will go shortly after.

I'm constantly on the lookout for deals on running shoes. I have six new pairs waiting in the wings to be used as needed. As I buy more shoes, I get better offers, and the only way to learn what shoe works for you is to try them out. I also have determined that for me there are two to three mile shoes and five mile shoes. A shoe that is comfortable at two miles may start hurting your feet at three miles. If you are going to walk five miles plan on taking a break or wearing a different shoe.

The blisters I have are from a pair of Adidas not pictured. They are fine shoes and I probably have 125 miles of walking on them. It was a trail running shoe, not a street shoe. They were comfortable, inexpensive, and I did not pay attention to my hide.

[vonn]

Just wanted to remind everyone to get the checkups labs done that are recommended for maintaining good health. A good friend stretched getting a colonoscopy and when he got one found out he has a cancer fight on his hands. Catching things early can make a big difference.

[1950jcb]

Made my goal of 1200 mi for June today, clocking 41.5 to make my total 1233 with one day to go. Total mileage this year is 3569. Last year on this date I was at 2007--so looking pretty good to exceed last years total of 4865. I plan on throttling back a bit for the rest of the summer--40+ miles a day is tough in the heat--would be easier if I could get out there earlier, but I just can't seem to get out of the driveway until sevenish--so by the time I put 2.5 hours in the temp is usually approaching 80F--not my idea of a good time--after all, it's supposed to be fun. BTW--didn't get started until 8AM today because I was getting blood drawn for routine lab work.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by 1950jcb

Made my goal of 1200 mi for June today, clocking 41.5 to make my total 1233 with one day to go. Total mileage this year is 3569. Last year on this date I was at 2007--so looking pretty good to exceed last years total of 4865. I plan on throttling back a bit for the rest of the summer--40+ miles a day is tough in the heat--would be easier if I could get out there earlier, but I just can't seem to get out of the driveway until sevenish--so by the time I put 2.5 hours in the temp is usually approaching 80F--not my idea of a good time--after all, it's supposed to be fun. BTW--didn't get started until 8AM today because I was getting blood drawn for routine lab work.

Wow! Awesome! How do you manage to do 40 miles a day? Is that just straight walking 9-5 type of thing?

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[kwselke]

Originally Posted by Arik

Wow! Awesome! How do you manage to do 40 miles a day? Is that just straight walking 9-5 type of thing?

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I believe he is biking.

[snubbyfan]

My wife and I loaded up the truck, drove up into the mountains and spent the last coupla days camping.
Beautiful weather, it was very ralaxing.
Tomorrow it's back to the Y for the usual. Spin class, weight machines, warm pool and sauna.
I'm gonna try changing up my workouts a bit.
Instead of sets with a rest in between I'm thinking of trying stripper sets with a few of the workout machines.

[soFlaNative]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

I'm thinking of trying stripper sets with a few of the workout machines.

You mean a pole?
Yer killin' me here Snub...

[snubbyfan]

Today's workout felt great. I'd start with a heavy weight, lift that to failure, reduce the weight, do that to failure then reduce it again.
4 sets like that without a rest per machine.
By the time I was done, I really felt like I had a workout. Since I lifted heavy for just the first set, it felt like there was less stress on my joints.
Next workout's Monday.
We'll probably go hiking a coupla times this weekend.

[susieqz]

i can't help but think that more camping would do you best.
unless you just sit around the camp lazing.
get out, take some scalps, track down your dinner, chop your wood,go primitive, doing eberything for yourself.
that's how you get healthy.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by susieqz

i can't help but think that more camping would do you best.
unless you just sit around the camp lazing.
get out, take some scalps, track down your dinner, chop your wood,go primitive, doing eberything for yourself.
that's how you get healthy.

Roll my own cigars, brew my own beer....

[susieqz]

how about the health n fitness of my new zippo?
when i first got it, i'd flick it once n get a flame. now i gotta flick it 3-4 times.
why?
i changed the flint.
didn't help.

[gman51]

^^ Could be the spring under the flint is weak so it doesn't throw a could strong spark to light the wick. Sometimes changing the wick out needs to be done also. Change to different light fluid and see if that helps.
Better yet quit smoking if that's why you have a lighter. I smoked heavily for over 35 years and I quit 8 years ago. I won't smoke another cig ever again. If I hadn't quit when I did I wouldn't be here today.

[susieqz]

thanks, gman.
i only smoke healthy stuff.
meats, herbs, etc.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by susieqz

how about the health n fitness of my new zippo?
when i first got it, i'd flick it once n get a flame. now i gotta flick it 3-4 times.
why?
i changed the flint.
didn't help.

Inside a zippo you'll find rayon balls and a wick. I'd make sure the wick zig zagged through the rayon balls.
Sometimes (actually often) during manufacturing, the wick's installed then the rayon balls are just stuffed in without zig zaggin' the wick through them.
Then make sure the wick's just a bit shorter than the chimney and clean out all the funk.
Then if it's sparking well, there's no reason for it to be difficult to light.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful warm sunny day today.
We went for a nice hike, about six and a half miles in just under three hours.
When we got home I fired up the grill, a Rocky Patel Special Reserve Sungrown Maduro cigar, opened a beer and grilled some chicken.

Also, I weighed myself, 157.5 pounds. When I graduated High School 36 years ago I weighed 157 pounds.
I knew that once summer got here and I was more active, I'd probably lose some weight.

Tomorrow we're planning on another hike but since we're expecting company it'll be a quickie.

[susieqz]

wicks just shorter than the chimney?
good to know.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful warm sunny day today, started with a nice hike. Just around 4.5 miles.
After we got home, we had some friends who were in the area stop by and we took them to the local ice cream shop.
For supper my wife cooked us some bison burgers. They came out very good and filling.
Tomorrow it's off to the Y.

[susieqz]

you are so lucky you can take hikes.
early morning hikes used to be my fav.
see n shoot lots of critters.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by susieqz

you are so lucky you can take hikes.
early morning hikes used to be my fav.
see n shoot lots of critters.

Don't know if you'd call it luck, determination or just plain stubborn.
Took me most of a year to relearn to walk but that wasn't good enough, I wanted to get back to hiking the mountains again.
Eating healthy, keeping to a caloric deficit and exercising got the extra weight off, strengthened my still functioning leg muscles and got me back up on the mountain.

[snubbyfan]

After a bit of research on the interwebs, I found that the P.C. term for my new workout's called "Reverse Pyramid Training."
You start out heavy, lift to failure, reduce the weight and lift some more for a total of 4 to 6 sets with no rest between sets.
After today's workout, as I walked to the locker room, I could actually feel my muscles "inflate" with fluid.
Got a great pump and it seems to put less strain on my joints.

[vonn]

Hope everyone has good July 4th!

[susieqz]

holiday hugs to all you guys.

[snubbyfan]

Wonderful hot sunny humid day today.
I went for a hike while my wife was at work. Not sure how far, probably around 4 miles.
When I got home I lit a cigar and laid out in my back yard enjoying nature's sauna for about an hour. I ended up laying in a puddle.
When my wife got home we went for a hike together. It got up to 96 humid degrees and we went 6.5 miles.

[gman51]

snubby you must have sweated out a lot of toxins hiking that far in that heat and especially humidity.

I am going to an naturopathic doctor tomorrow for high BP,low body temp, and other ****** health issues. I have had it with pill pushing MD just treating symptoms not causes. Lately I got sick and tired of being sick and tired and the MD was a joke in my opinion.

[snubbyfan]

gman, I just had to make sure I replaced the fluid I lost.

About 6 years ago my neurologist prescribed me an electric wheelchair and narcotics.
Instead, I prescribed myself a healthy diet and lotsa exercise.
I still have the same motor nerve condition but getting myself healthy and fit really helped.

[snubbyfan]

Today's a day of rest and getting some stuff done around the house.
Being that it's cool and rainy out helped with that decision.

Tomorrow it's off to the Y.

[soFlaNative]

Originally Posted by susieqz

wicks just shorter than the chimney?
good to know.

Y'all are killin' me here.
Don't need no dings...

[snubbyfan]

Nasty yucky rainy day today.
That's okay though because we planned to spend the day at the Y anyway.

At spin class, they had a drawing and my wife won a Nike towel set.


I'm still liking this reverse pyramid workout I've been doing. Had that muscle inflating feeling again today.
I did a bit extra because we don't plan to go back 'til Monday and I'll have 3 days to recover.

It's raining now but supposed to stop tonight and get warm, sunny and humid tomorrow.
I'm planning on a nice long hike then bison steaks on the grill with a coupla beers and a good cigar.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by soFlaNative

Y'all are killin' me here.
Don't need no dings...

[snubbyfan]

All I can say is:


We had a very nice hike in the mountains, just short of 7 miles.
When we got home I fired up a Fuente Fuente Opus X and the grill. When the charcoals were ready I added some hickory chunks to add some smoke and grilled a coupla bison steaks.
Timed it just right. Finished the bison, beer and cigar all at the same time. Also, there was some thunder rumbling in the distance.
The bison came out perfect.

Tomorrow, we're planning on a nice bike ride.

[snubbyfan]

The sun was shining and the temps were in the low 80's so we got the bikes out and went for a nice ride on the C&O Canal towpath. We went about 15 miles and stopped for a snack halfway. My wife fixed a coupla cold cut roll ups in small whole wheat tortillas.
The trail was kinda muddy and when we got home we hosed the bikes off.
They're on our back porch drip drying.

Tomorrow's supposed to be much like today and we're planning a nice long hike in the mountains.

[vonn]

Was out in the country working yesterday and about dark had an awesome thunder and lightning show but no rain. The heat and humidity has been kicking me still! Must be getting old.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by vonn

Was out in the country working yesterday and about dark had an awesome thunder and lightning show but no rain. The heat and humidity has been kicking me still! Must be getting old.

That's the thing, out here it's almost always a humid heat. I'm still hoping for some three digit humid temps.

[snubbyfan]

Today my wife and I went for a nice long hike in the mountains. We found a new trail to explore and we ended up hiking a total of about 9.7 miles.
When we got home I cracked a beer, fired up the grill and a Oliva Saison cigar.
I added some hickory chunks to the coals and grilled some pork chops.
Tomorrow it's off to the Y, we're gonna go twice a week while it's still warm enough out for lotsa outdoor fun.
That means I'm gonna do a lot of lifting and see if I can increase my lean mass.

[kwselke]

I don't write much here anymore because I'm just doing my same old long morning walk followed by walking on errands later each day. Something interesting has happened over the last three mornings.

Saturday I took a 5.7 mile walk. At about the half way point I noticed that my gait had changed. I was now swinging my hips more. I very seldom push for speed, but Map My Walk on my smart device was reporting faster mile splits. Like I've said, I'm concerned about injury at 61, so I just go with whatever is natural for most of my walking.

Sunday I did a 6.3 mile predawn walk, and the new hip swing gait started as soon as I hit the road. This morning another 5.7 miles and again the new gait and faster pace came as soon as I hit open road. This new faster gait came naturally, I can consciously walk even faster if I want to.

I started dieting in early 2014. By Sept of that year I started walking for errands, a 1/2 mile there and a 1/2 mile back. In Dec 2014 I added exercise specific walks multiple times a week. After that, I have become a walking fool. I had forgotten how strength and stamina would seem to build, then all of a sudden their would be a noticeable improvement in my ability. Last year was the first time I ran in decades. This past May I ran two miles at the end of one of my walks. Running is just too hard on my old joints and I've come to enjoy my hour and a half to two hour predawn walks, so I mostly walk. In the predawn hours it is cool for Houston. There are the occasional animal encounters, sometimes a beautiful moon or sunrise to enjoy, it's most always as peaceful as it's going to get around here too each day.

The blistered left big toe is progressing well, and I got a deal today on two new pair of Asics Surveyor 5 running shoes for $47 a pair delivered, including TX 8.25% sales tax. At the prices I get on good shoes, if a shoe is not working out I'm going to pitch them and a get a new pair. Blisters and pain is all I've ever gotten for keeping a shoe in service for long walks when they were not right for my feet.

Keep at it the best you can, it is better than giving up.