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"What's It All For?"
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Current weight: 173 lbs. I ask myself the question "why am I doing
this?" as I struggle to get in that last rep or put in the
afterburners while running intervals. Two responses come back to me
immediately: health and appearance. Obesity rates in the United States
are skyrocketing along with the incidence of type 2 diabetes, usually
caused by being overweight. I know that obesity is endemic in my own
family in part due to genetics, and because these behaviors are often
learned as they are passed on from generation to generation. Building a
strong muscular system raises the metabolism, which processes energy
more efficiently, thereby reducing body fat and improving
cardio-vascular functioning. Cardio, the Greek word for heart,
includes all activities designed to increase heart action and blood
flow, burn calories, and ultimately shed body fat. In my case, abdominal
fat has proven the most stubborn. I know I consume foods that contribute
to continued abdominal fat deposits: bread and other processed carbs,
foods high in high fructose corn syrup, and the occasional fast food
dining experience. I have a special weakness for McDonald's double
cheeseburgers. At 400 calories per serving, huge amounts of fat and
sodium that goes off the charts, I am aware that these are heart attacks
sold over the counter in paper wrapping. Still, I have made great
changes that led to the loss of 40 pounds over six years. I have about
ten more pounds to go, and these have proven to be the ten hardest. You
can see that my weight has headed back up into the 170s, up from 170
earlier in the summer.
Then there is the idea of maintaining a fit appearance, which
contributes to attractiveness. This quality does not apply only
to single people, but all too often, married couples think
fitness need not apply to them because they have spouses who
love them no matter what they look like. Maybe is the obesity
rate in American was reduced, so would the divorce rate. My own
divorce is a great example of how the principle is at work.
It is easy to appear vane when discussing one's appearance in
respect to fitness. Losing weight and toning muscle add to a
healthy, fit look, and as humans, we are attracted to members of
the opposite sex who appear to be more fit. Maybe this tendency
reaches back to our primal days as hunters in that if we see a
potential mate who looks fit, our primordial mind thinks he or
she would outlast the competition and help reproduce and carry
on the species. Either way, the motivation to look good is a
strong incentive to get into the gym or hit the pavement
running. |
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there is appearance, which contributes to
attractiveness. This quality does not apply only to
single people, but all too often, married couples think
fitness need not apply to them because they have spouses
who love them no matter what they look like. Maybe is
the obesity rate in American was reduced, so would the
divorce rate. (You can see why this guy is single).
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There can be no argument against the fact that a compliment paid to
you based on improvement in appearance and fitness feels good to the
ego. I saw a friend at a recent concert, and afterwards, she sent me an
email commenting on my appearance saying, "your arms and shoulders
looked very buff." Coming from her, a very attractive woman, I
thought to myself that all the hard work in the gym was actually worth
something. Also, having a steady relationship with someone who finds me
attractive has been another positive result from working out. I
attribute the positive feedback to the regimen outlined in Muscle &
Fitness in their three-month long "Rock Hard Challenge." With
one week to go, a week that will include five more lifting sessions, I
am hoping the physical changes will be apparent to the judges. When it's
all said and done, I'll post the final statistics on how much weight I
am actually lifting in any given set. Compared with the level of weights
that I was moving in early July, I have clearly added muscle mass and
diameter to my arms, shoulders, quads, and calves. The area that might
be seen as the weak point is abdominal fat, but even there, my upper abs
appear more toned and visible. If I follow the Rock Hard Challenge diet
more closely between now and September 30, I may be able to drop a few
inches of that stubborn belly flab.
Five sessions of cardio per week in the form of basketball also
provides some help in the fight against fat. The ankle is still a little
weak from a strain several weeks ago, but I wrap it tight before putting
on high top basketball shoes, so some support is provided to prevent
further strain. I am always working on my shooting percentage because
during games, I miss more than I should. I sometimes feel like I am the
reason my team loses, especially after missing a critical shot and
allowing the other team to score on their new opportunity. I am adding
new moves when I am handling the ball, and I have become more brave
about actually driving towards the basket, something I never did
previously. It feels like I am reaching a level of equity when playing
with the teachers and community at school in the mornings, and they make
it a point to provide positive feedback when I am successful and
constructive criticism when it is appropriate.
Whatever your motivation, keep up the good fight. You are adding
years to your life and enriching your relationships by staying active,
fit and healthy. You can do more, last longer, and feel better about
yourself in the end.
Until next time,
George
georgecassutto@hotmail.com
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