I've spent an awful lot of time building armies over the last two years: 1500 points of Warhammer Fantasy ogres, 3000 points of 40K Imperial Guard, and now I'm looking at starting Summer with a Lord of the Rings army on the schedule. I enjoy the painting, despite my lack of skill, but it has come at a cost. I've gained weight and gotten myself out of shape. Painting and modeling doesn't burn nearly as many calories as I had hoped. My guess is that for every 300 points I build and paint, I gain a pound -- assuming what I did before was more active, which it was.
I'm getting close to joining a gym. I've been in financial downsize mode for so many years that the idea of spending money to work out seemed ludicrous. However, I'm happy to report that my boss gave me a raise, a cost of living adjustment, albeit one that bumps me up to 2006. That bastard. Now it's about finding a good, local gym, or some other activity, like Kung Fu for fat middle-age guys who don't want to see your ego on display. Do they have that? Maybe yoga. Maybe tai-chi. Preferably something interesting and not too dreary. If I can really sink my teeth into something, I'll stay with it.
At my Y I take a class called PiYo (dumb name), which is a combo Pilates and Yoga class. It's pretty sweet. I also take spin (stationary bikes) classes, which are good for cardio. Joining the Y was good for me, but I was/am motivated to lose weight.
ReplyDeletehaha! you caught the workout bug like a lot of people I know. (My company even made a spare office into a mini gym!)
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine you at the gym pounding out the weights with a SB Games flier in front of you, fueling the fire.
Best of luck to you. Let me know how it goes.
Usi
The first step is to decrease your calorie intake. Water, not soda. Smaller portions at mealtime. Fruits & veggies, not processed foods. You know the routine. It's the fastest way to lose a few pounds, and you'll save money. Forget the gym. Crunches and a few arm curls at home with weights. You'll be fit in no time!
ReplyDeleteI hear pole dancing is good for you. Maybe you can convince Lori and Rita to go with you :)
ReplyDeleteI suppose another requirement is finding an activity out of the house that's not game related. I can't get much done at home by the way; too chaotic.
ReplyDeleteHop on a plane and come mow my lawn and trim my hedges twice a month. I guarantee you'll work off the pounds, especially later in the year when the temperature gets up in the 80s and 90s :-P
ReplyDeleteBetter yet, take out the contract with your property manager to mow the lawn at work. Not only will it help you to stay in shape, but will improve your financial outlook - that's several thousand dollars a year of additional income, right?
ReplyDeleteKrav Maga :)
ReplyDeleteMy martial arts days are over, even if they have hot Israeli chicks.
ReplyDeleteDVC has a lot of PE classes that cost about $30 a semester. Many of then weekend classes are non student working people exploring workout options. They have some really good swimming classes as well as yoga and tai chi.
ReplyDeleteBuy a bike. Ride it everywhere you can.
ReplyDeleteWalk, a lot.
Oh the phone, get up and pace. Reading? Try walking around while you read. You'll burn calories like crazy.
I just use the gym owned by my apartment complex. Unfortunately, everything it has causes old sports injuries to flare up...
ReplyDeleteGolf is great. It's not very stressful, for the most part. It's an activity you can play your entire life (barring serious illness or injury) because it is not very physically taxing.
ReplyDeleteIf you walk instead of taking a cart, more power to you. Your game will suffer, but that's not the important thing.
Buchanan GC is almost walking distance from the store, too.
I love golf and I wish I could play it more often, but it can be expensive.
-Josh
Bike: One time investment. Gets you out and gets you somewhere. If you get a kid cart you can load your boy in and take him places too.
ReplyDeleteSport drinks: All of these need to be cut with water to at least a 1:1ratio. Otherwise they suck the water out of already dehydrated cells.
Also, consider a camping vacation rather than hotels. Trucking all the camping gear in for yourself, the kid and the wife will make you sweat.
Whoops, forgot to put my byline on the above comment
ReplyDelete-The Griffin
Should we plan a BDG Summer Camp where a group of us actually go up to the mountains and camp?
ReplyDelete-Joe
Joe: your ideas intrigue me. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
ReplyDelete"Should we plan a BDG Summer Camp where a group of us actually go up to the mountains and camp?"
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea.
I am actually planning to go up to the Sierras for 10 days this summer (drive up on Thursday, stay through two weekends, and return the following Monday), and invite friends to join me for:
ReplyDeletea) the whole time
b) one weekend
c) both weekends
d) as long as they'd like.
The idea is that if you can only get the weekend off, and drive up on Friday, there's already a significant part of the camp set up (fire pit dug out and wood ready - if fire is allowed, 11x11 "big" / "rain social" tent set up, my own small tent set up, propane grill set up, water sources located, maybe even dinner prepared, etc.) so you don't have to do everything in the dark, just set up your own tent/cot/sleeping bag (whatever your sleeping arrangement will be).
Only problem is Agricola is a very heavy game to lug up a mountain on your back... Maybe split up the components into several backpacks...
ReplyDeleteSuggestions for lightweight (literally) games for backpacking?
Munchkin and Chez Geek are lightweight. Anything from Cheapass is going to be featherweight, or you could just take along a minimum of books and run a one-shot RPG.
ReplyDeleteMini laptop for RPGs.
ReplyDeleteWow, maybe I should start a physical fitness blog. I didn't know there was so much interest.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I've decided to do some simple things that work. Carefully watching the diet. Situps every day. More walking now that the weather has changed.
I think the longer term solution will likely be an in home exercise program. I've been eying the P90X program, which a friend has been doing for about a year now.
Russel has it right. Decrease your calorie intake to 1500 calories per day. Start off at 1750 for a week or two until your appetite adjusts. Go to calorie king.com or by Calorie king book. $7 or $8 bucks. You will definitely lose weight. I lost 15 lbs in 2 months. Just write down your calories for everything you eat. It's a little tedious at first, buy once you find a system it's easy. I use a notepad. Have a cheat day one day a week, or just one meal to satisfy any cravings. This is a lot cheaper than the gym. Studies show that counting something, calories or carbs works best. I just prefer the calories. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWatching what goes in will result in a slimmer you than increasing what goes out (in terms of calories).
ReplyDeleteIncreasing what goes out will result in a more fit you.
Roughly.
Have you thought about a Wii Fit?
I would like a Wii Fit. However, not having a Wii, the combination is very expensive.
ReplyDeleteWii Fit is good family entertainment - doing push-ups with a 2 year old crawling under you gets a laugh from everyone. To really work up a sweat, go cycling, running or hit a gym. 30 minutes on the elliptical is great, uninterrupted reading time as well as exercise.
ReplyDeleteWhen I stayed with my dad after high school, I'd sit on this ancient exercise bike in the garage, with a magazine or book held in a music stand, and music blasting on the stereo... I'd pedal away for hours.
ReplyDeleteIt was also a great way to avoid having to talk to him.