For a long time now, I've thought of creating a blog for people who are coming to fitness relatively late. They may have been involved in fitness activities in the past, but have neglected it. Or, like me, they may not have started any kind of exercise or nutritional awareness until later in life.
I've been at it now for a few years, first through martial arts, and more recently through weight lifting. My main qualification is myself. I've lost about 60 pounds in the last year and a half, and am keeping it off without any real struggle (at least at the moment--"if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall," I Corinthians 10:12).
I have a couple of advantages over many of you. I live in a a rural part of a small third-world country where we have no access to fast food (very little access to any kind or restaurant food) and little prepared food. We make most our food from scratch. I have also found a form of exercise that I enjoy. However, periodically we return to our home country (the U.S.). During that time we travel extensively doing public speaking. When we do, fast food establishments are very convenient and tempting. Our hosts when we speak always try to feed us "well". That translates into feeding us a lot of not-always-so-good food. During those times it is very challenging to find a place and time to do my favorite exercise. So I will have some challenges ahead. I can't promise how well I'll handle them.
In a sense, no one has "arrived" at a final fitness destination. When you quit progressing, you fall back. But this blog is not mainly intended for those who have been on their fitness journey for a long time, and are a long way along. It's for those of us who are starting out, just finding our way. We need help and support. We need each other.
So this is not about the destination so much as it is about the journey. Let's walk this road together!
Please feel free to post comments, questions or to share your ideas thoughts or concerns. I'll answer as best I can. Also, feel free to answer other people's comments. Blogger does not provide a very obvious comments link, so I'll try to add a big, obvious one. I do allow anonymous comments--just sellect "anonymous" in the window that asks you to identify yourself. However, if you use a name, nickname, screen name or something to identify yourself, I can reply specifically to your question or comment.
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
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We're not there yet, but we're getting healthy, together. --By Jungledoc
I post here about once per week.
If you're new, I suggest reading the older posts oldest to newest.
If you're new, I suggest reading the older posts oldest to newest.
On The Road...
Maybe you're fat.
Maybe you're weak.
Maybe you did sports in school, maybe you were the publicity chairman of the chess club.
Maybe you're getting older, and you're afraid that it's too late to change.
I don't care about any of that.
The important point is that now you are thinking about getting fit (whatever that is). I care a lot about that.
You see, your body is a gift. It's a tool given to you to be useful; useful to God, useful to your fellow man. But you're only given one of those tools. If it breaks you either need to fix it, or you will become less useful. Or at some point, dead.
For many years my tool was corroded and rusty, out of adjustment. Just as one has to maintain one's tools to keep them working well, we need to take care of our body. We need to buff off the rust, lubricate the moving parts, clean out the dirt and adjust all the settings to make it work right. When it breaks it can sometimes be repaired as good as new, sometimes not quite so good--some damage can't be fixed.
Sure, all tools will wear out eventually, but I have decided that while my body-tool lasts, I'll fix what I can. I don't care (much) if it's the best-looking tool in the tool box, just that it's useful.
This site is for people who are doing something about fitness. It's not for elite athletes--there are plenty of blogs, fora and sites for them. It's for those of us who are trying to find our way to fitness.
It's not an easy road.
It rough and full of potholes and rocks.
But the destination is worthwhile.
Let's travel together.
Maybe you're weak.
Maybe you did sports in school, maybe you were the publicity chairman of the chess club.
Maybe you're getting older, and you're afraid that it's too late to change.
I don't care about any of that.
The important point is that now you are thinking about getting fit (whatever that is). I care a lot about that.
You see, your body is a gift. It's a tool given to you to be useful; useful to God, useful to your fellow man. But you're only given one of those tools. If it breaks you either need to fix it, or you will become less useful. Or at some point, dead.
For many years my tool was corroded and rusty, out of adjustment. Just as one has to maintain one's tools to keep them working well, we need to take care of our body. We need to buff off the rust, lubricate the moving parts, clean out the dirt and adjust all the settings to make it work right. When it breaks it can sometimes be repaired as good as new, sometimes not quite so good--some damage can't be fixed.
Sure, all tools will wear out eventually, but I have decided that while my body-tool lasts, I'll fix what I can. I don't care (much) if it's the best-looking tool in the tool box, just that it's useful.
This site is for people who are doing something about fitness. It's not for elite athletes--there are plenty of blogs, fora and sites for them. It's for those of us who are trying to find our way to fitness.
It's not an easy road.
It rough and full of potholes and rocks.
But the destination is worthwhile.
Let's travel together.
Useful Links
- Simplefit--This site is about body weight exercise. The only equipment that is ever called for (other than common furniture) is a chin-up bar. The emphasis is more on metabolic conditioning and endurance, rather than pure strength. Good stuff.
- Mark's Daily Apple--Mark Sisson is a bit extreme in some of his views, but provides lots of useful nutritional and training advice. Mark posts a new blog every day!
- Strength Basics Written by my cyber friend Peter, whom I know from the Exrx.net forum. Lots of good basic information on strength training, book reviews, and more. Worth reading.
- Squat Rx, written by Boris, the host of the well-known Squat Rx video series. He blogs about whatever interests him, including fitness, motivation and observations about life. Worth reading. Some of the fitness discussions may be a bit advanced for some of our readers.
About Me--Jungledoc
I have never been particularly athletic, and did nothing to increase my level of fitness until about 12 years ago, when I got involved in martial arts. Although it could have been better, that got me started, and helped me realize that my body could improve. After a major change in my work and location, I got away from martial arts, got weaker and gained weight. At the worst, I weighed 228 pounds, way too much for my 5'11" body. Over the last few years I've tried to develop some good exercise habits, and to change the way I eat. I'm currently at about 170 pounds, and feeling much better. But I have a long way to go.
I am a family doctor. Don't think that gives me any advantage over you in regard to fitness. Much of what I was taught and believed for years about exercise and diet I now no longer believe. Doctors don't always receive an extensive education in fitness, so don't just assume that I know more than you.
This blog is intended to be a place to share the fitness journey. I will share my insights, and invite some of my friends to help out, but I'm hoping to get lots of participation from others. We're on the road together!
"Jungledoc" is a screen name I have used on various fora, obviously an allusion to the fact that I'm a doctor, and I live and work in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. That's what I'll go by on this blog.
I am a family doctor. Don't think that gives me any advantage over you in regard to fitness. Much of what I was taught and believed for years about exercise and diet I now no longer believe. Doctors don't always receive an extensive education in fitness, so don't just assume that I know more than you.
This blog is intended to be a place to share the fitness journey. I will share my insights, and invite some of my friends to help out, but I'm hoping to get lots of participation from others. We're on the road together!
"Jungledoc" is a screen name I have used on various fora, obviously an allusion to the fact that I'm a doctor, and I live and work in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. That's what I'll go by on this blog.
1 comment:
I think this blog is a great idea, Doc. Let me know how I can help.
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