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October, 2008-
I've been riding my bike to work some, deciding it makes sense to save gas and get my excercise in at the same time. I only have a 4 mile commute, so it only takes 15-20 minutes, depending on wind, weather, and how I'm feeling. My ride of choice for the past 8+ years has been a Rans V-Rex, but I decided to look for something safer and able to handle sand, gravel, wet leaves and pavement drop-offs without causing me to crash. You can see the full story HERE. I'm doing some weightlifting and calisthenics, trying to drop a few pounds that creep on.
August, 2008-
Well, demands at work, home and various theatre commitments have conspired to keep me out of the weight room. Well, that's not entirely true. Basically, I just got lazy, opting to vegetate at the end of the day rather than spending a few minutes a day exercising, even though I know I'll feel better and have more energy if I exercise. I also slipped into the habit of eating fast food several times a week. So....I've put on a few pounds and gotten out of shape. I recently got back on my bicycle, and I'm starting to watch what I eat more, and I'm planning on getting back on the weights. It's really easy to get complacent.
July 24, 2006-
Earlier this year, I was cast in a local theatre production that involved me coming on stage in nothing but a towel, so I decided I needed to up my regimen to look my best. I spent 20-30 minutes on the elliptical 6 days a week, did abdominal sets twice a day, and lifted weights 5 days a week. I also seriously modfied my diet, eating essentially no processed foods, and eating 4-5 small meals per day. The results definitely paid off - I finally had defined abs and pectoral muscles for the first time, and I got a lot of compliments from friends and family who saw the show. Right now I'm in maintenance mode. I've put on a couple pounds since the show ended, but it's too difficult to keep up that stringent diet and exercise regimen. I am still sticking to the very limited intake of processed foods and focusing on lean meats, low-fat dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The beauty of this approach is that the lower calorie density of these foods compared to packaged foods means that you feel full without taking in a lot of calories. Plus, you get the benefit of the increased nutrition content of healthier foods. I am also sticking with my weight lifting, but it's down to 3-4 days a week at a slightly lower intensity, and I hit the elliptical for 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a week. I've also pretty much given up checking the scale. Instead, I just check the mirror. If I see my waist has expanded, or if my pants start fitting tighter, I up my workload, decrease my caloric intake, or both.
Feb. 21, 2005-
I am still lifting weights 3 times a week, but we sold the Total Gym. We just weren't using it anymore with all the free weights we have, and I prefer the free weights. I am also using our elliptical machine every day. We bought a Diamondback 300ef, and we have been pleased with it. I originally bought it for my wife, who undertook a determined fitness renovation and lost 80+ pounds over the course of a year. I had been focusing on the weights, but after a 3-4 month lull, I decided I really needed to complement the strength training with some aerobic training. It has been a big change, but I feel better now than I have in years. I still ride my recumbent bicycle on the road and trails, but during the winter and on inclement days, it's nice to have the elliptical.
May 9, 2003-
My exercise regimen has somewhat changed. About a year ago I purchased a Weider weight rack and bench with Olympic barbell, as well as a used dumbell rack with a full set of dumbells. I also have a dip station/pull-up tower. I lift weights 2-3 times per week, and during the first three months, I gained about 10 pounds of muscle, and started moving the weight from my waist to my upper body. My wife liked the change, and friends and family noticed as well.
I also walk regularly and I still ride my recumbent bike. Last summer I rode the entire way across Iowa on RAGBRAI XXX. You can visit http://www.ragbrai.org for some more details. I camped each night in a small dome tent just big enough for me and my gear - rain or shine - and I rode each day the whole way - rain or shine. We had two days of rain, including the last day, which had rain from about 2 a.m. until a little after noon. It was a great experience which is hard to describe or appreciate unless you have done it. I'll do it again, but not this year. I need to use my time off for a family vacation this summer.
Feb. 25, 2001-
I am currently in the process of "gearing up" for Spring! Since I enjoy bike riding, particularly medium distance (40-80 miles) group rides, this generally means a mix of strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
My current exercise machine of choice is the TotalGym 1000. I felt this was a steal when I bought it at Target for $120. I really want a BowFlex, but since it starts at $700, I opted for the cheaper machine! You have probably seen ads for the TotalGym featuring Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley and wondered whether it worked. It does! You would be surprised at how many different exercises you can do, how quickly you can change from one to the next, and how effective it is. Plus, my kids can use it, and there are no weights to deal with.
This machine is perfect for toning and strength training without bulking up unnecessarily. Even though mine is a cheaper version of the one they sell on TV, it works fine.
I also have a TravelTrac stationary trainer that I hook my recumbent bike to for cardio and leg work. It's not too bad when you can watch TV or listen to the stereo, but moderation is the key to avoiding burn-out. Thirty minutes or so is about all I can stand without getting bored. I always make sure I have the fan blowing right on me so I don't overheat, and I change pace frequently.
My pride and joy is my V-Rex recumbent! You can see a picture of the newer model, very similar to mine, at www.rans.com/Bikes. Mine has a red/yellow/orange paint job, and has the old style Rans seat, which I find VERY comfortable. I decided to either switch to a recumbent or quit riding after experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain, tingling hands, and intermittent numbnessin other areas. After reading and researching, I found that I was not alone. An article in Bicycling Magazine helped me make the decision. Now, I'm not saying that recumbents are for everybody, but it was the best decision for me.
I decided on the V-Rex after some extensive research on types of recumbents (there are MANY different designs), and test-riding several of them. The V-Rex was the only choice for me - it is a blast! My bike came from a Texas bike shop, and I bought it used, sight unseen, based on the dealer's description, and quite a few conversations with the owner of the bike. It arrived via UPS and was exactly as described.
The benefits and pleasures of riding a recumbent bike have made news recently. If you are interested in seeing a huge collection of links to recumbent manufacturers and articles, check out recumbents.com or National Bicycle Greenway. There are also many home-built plans and supplies for those who want to build their own dream machine.
Bicycling magazine has some very useful articles on training and nutrition.
