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"Creating a Cardio Regimen"
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Current weight: 173 lbs. My Facebook status for today states the current
fitness challenge: "George is wondering how to get consistent
cardio without basketball since school is out for five days." With
the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, this problem is especially acute
because this holiday is known for its overeating and generally
gluttonous behavior. Cardio will be critical in maintaining a healthy
balance and emerging on the other side of the weekend without having
done major damage.
| During each of major holidays, I like
to post a graphic dealing with the current holiday. The
Thanksgiving graphic asks the question "What are you
thankful for?" I am thankful for garbage. Garbage is what I
used to work out this morning. Several years ago, I found three
old exercise machines that were being given away for free at a
church yard sale. I brought home an old treadmill, which only
runs at one speed. It is set at a speed that allows me to
"power walk" or jog depending on my level of energy. I
also found a star-stepper and a life rider, which can be hard on
the backside, but it does work all the major muscle groups while
raising the heart rate.
My fitness garbage
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| The
Thanksgiving graphic asks the question "What are
you thankful for?" I am thankful for garbage.
Garbage is what I used to work out this morning. Several
years ago, I found three old exercise machines that were
being given away for free at a church yard sale...
Above: the
results of today's
improvised cardio session.
Not as good as basketball,
but it's better than nothing.
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Creating a Cardio Regimen
I am mourning the loss of basketball for five days over
the holiday break, but with all the food consumption to be had, cardio
is critical. The temperature outside is hovering around 35 degrees, so
taking a run or walk or shooting hoops outside is not a really good
choice. I tried to shoot some hoops in the driveway, but the cold causes
the air in the ball to contract, so it looses its bounce. I decided to
switch off the three machines for about five minutes each. As I
progressed through the cycle, I could feel that my stamina on each got
better and better. I was able to assemble an hour of cardio by relieving
boredom and working through each of the machines. I even added a
25-pound plate to the life rider's seat, making the up and down even
more challenging.
One important piece to successful exercise is having
some good music to keep you going. I have an iPod Classic with about
4000 songs on it, and when I exercise, I put it on "shuffle"
and let it go through its paces. My music has to be upbeat and
hard-driving do that my tempo matches the music. Hard rock, classic,
rock, and modern bands are the best for cardio, and all genres are good
for weightlifting. Studies have shown that greater results can be
achieved in both activities if the person doing the exercise is
listening to their favorite music.
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When I use my "fitness
garbage," I am thankful that I have it because it's better
than nothing. I could have gone to my local gym today, but it
was nice being close to the kids and staying home for today's
workout. As I run on the treadmill or bob on the Life Rider, I
can look out the window and see Maryland's Catoctin range of the
Appalachians as they stretch northward toward Frederick. My view
adds to my thankfulness that I have a roof over my head, a
source of livelihood that I enjoy, and friends and family that
support me in my fitness efforts. I hope you can find the same
sense of thankfulness as you experience the holidays, even in
these challenging economic times. It's not what you have, but
the relationships you make in your life that counts. |
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The view out of my workout sunroom |
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Until next time,
George
georgecassutto@hotmail.com
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