Tag Archives: exercise

06.16.24
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Thoughts: A hatred of exercise vs a compulsion to complete a goal

This post has been seven years in the writing.

Back in 2016, post-Xmas, I decided I was fat and unfit and had the inclination to do something about it.

Some quick research led me to what was then named ‘Couch to 5K’. It’s an app designed to gradually take someone who’s sedentary and hasn’t run in their life, to being able to run a 5km distance. (It’s now called ‘5K Runner‘ by the way).

Today, June 16th 2024, I completed the challenge. Yes, I want to die, but I’ve ticked this one off.

Looking back, it’s been quite the journey.

Starting on December 27, 2016 – I embarked on a 25 minute walk/run. Basically 6 one-minute ‘runs’ with 90 second recovery periods. So not terrifying – but on reflecting it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I managed to persevere until the 9th of Feb 2017 – at which point I twinged something. Made a restart of the programme on May 6th and continued through to June 25th – at which point I twinged something. Restarted August 17th – twinged something. Restarted 18th October then twinged something 26th October. Restarted 22nd November… you get the idea.

I was very stop/start. And rapidly lost interest. I’d managed to achieve the ‘1/2 way to 5k’ badge – but it felt hollow.

Covid arrived and given the time spent at home walking a lot, I decided to have another go. January 2022 – THIS was going to be my year. It wasn’t. I managed to go for four runs, then pulled something in my calf.

At that time I worked out that my old running shoes were actually trying to kill me. And my old running shorts were chafing my inner thighs to unfriendly levels.

So, I made use of the time off to spend some money and purchase running gear that was appropriate.

August 2022 – had another go. Then stopped.

January 2023 – had another go. Stopped in February 2023.

October 2023 – had another go. Once.

You get the idea. I really was fighting an internal battle with this goal.

In January 2024, I determined that THIS was my year. I replaced cabled headphones with AirPods. I found a fanny-pack that could house my phone and not bounce around uncomfortably. I bought an Apple Watch and became obsessed with tracking my health data.

So – shoes, shorts, shirts, phone, sounds, monitoring… everything was in place. But really what has made the difference, on reflection, is that I changed jobs in January. All of a sudden I had the psychological headspace to actually focus on me. No longer was I having to carry ‘other people’s trauma’. In 2024 I have been able to develop a routine. 2-3 runs per week. Repeating a days run if necessary. Running within my capability – not pushing hard. Training my legs to be able to keep moving. Training my lungs to keep breathing.

Yes, there were times of insecurity. I was in danger of being overtaken by people in wheelchairs at times. I’m pretty sure I don’t look comfortable. But I have been able to put those thoughts aside.

I started to notice other runners – how they move. Did you know there’s a runners code? A raised eyebrow of knowing. And a slight air of superiority as you run past non-runners. I’m in the club now!

It astonishes me that today I ran 35 minutes without a break. It’s a long way from 60 seconds and struggling.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think exercise is stupid. But my need to complete something that I began so long ago compelled me. Am I better for it? Absolutely! Will I continue? Absolutely.

So, thank you Fitness22, great software. I’m glad we met.

^SJD

04.15.24
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Thoughts – A 3 Month Review

Made it!

Today marks three months since I started my new role post-EAP.

And it’s been a good three months on balance.

It’s always challenging starting in a new place.

There are questions to consider:
“Which Simon do I present”?
“When do I share my deep love of Toto and Level 42”?
“Should I bring my hot sauce in to the office?

You know, the usual.

I think I’ve navigated it all ok. I’ve settled in, I know what I’m doing and I like to think I’m making a positive difference. My new colleagues are great.

It’s been interesting tracking changes as a result of my move. The most obvious aligns with health – my stress level has dropped tangibly. My blood pressure has dropped. My resting heart rate has dropped.

My GP is so pleased with me. (Yes, I do seek approval where I can!)

I also have the headspace to exercise (I’m still not a huge fan), to reconnect with people I’ve not really seen for some time. It’s been great.

On the 82

I’ve enjoyed my new public transport requirement.

This was one of my concerns about finishing up at my previous role – I had a work vehicle and car park in the city.

So, not having a car, not having to pay for parking, for fuel, insurance, maintenance … all the things … means I’m saving $.

Auckland Transport is my friend – it does seem to work for me.

Uber is my friend.

And Mevo is my friend. Actually, do check out Mevo. They’ve created something super-cool.

So, onwards and upwards. Here’s to the next three months.

^SJD^

01.31.24
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Thoughts: 2024 Culinary Challenge

Over the last ten or so years, I have created a routine at the beginning of the year, in which I pick a cuisine that I don’t know, and spend time getting passingly good at cooking it.

Most years I’ve been successful, some years simply not.

For example, I never quite got the hang of making tortillas – and watching Mexican kids and their grandmothers making them effortlessly on YouTube only made everything worse! And instilled a degree of performance anxiety.

I need to revisit tortillas. For sure.

But having another go at Mexican cuisine is not for me in 2024.

My year of Chinese cuisine was fun. I now have a deep love of Asian supermarkets. I love walking the aisles looking at jars and other packaging, trying to work out what is what. A favourite, for example, is fermented red tofu. (Amazing in a twice-cooked pork dish by the way).

So. What to do?

I’ve decided, in acknowledgement of a former favourite colleague (and one of my great losses in leaving my former workplace), to explore Pakistani cuisine. In her words, sooooo much tastier than Indian… we shall see. In the interests of geopolitical peace, I couldn’t possibly comment. Yet.

I have a cookbook to get started with. I’ll be sure to Instagram everything of course. You know if it’s not ‘grammed it didn’t happen. There are rules.

And to mix it up, I’m also saving up for an ice cream maker. I’m intrigued by the idea of making unusual flavoured ice cream or gelato. And to recreate Goodie Gumdrops. This ties in with my need to get good at creating desserts, something I’ve deliberately stayed away from for the last decade. It’s now time. I’m looking at this: https://www.thehomestoreauckland.co.nz/products/cuisinart-ice-cream-gelato-maker-1-5l-built-in-compressor – (I should add that this local store is awesome).

In 2024 I’ll also need to pick up my levels of exercise. For obvious reasons. Desserts? Getting into baking? Eating all the things? Ruh-roh.

What annual challenges do you set for yourself? I’d love to hear your stories!

^SJD

06.06.16
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Diary of a Shore Thing #4

As I enter my 48th year (sigh) I hear the words of my cardiologist (who lives in Devonport) echoing in my head: “Eat better, drink less, exercise more”. Given that we acknowledge each other somewhat awkwardly in the local New World’s wine section, the words don’t quite have the impact they should have.

 

That being said, people around me are looking at my apparent weight gain (it’s only been 20Kg over 25 years – that’s not bad is it?) and starting to offer “help”.

 

I’m not a fan of gyms. Of walking. Of running. Or in fact, exercise in general, so I’ve been scratching my head as to what I can do that isn’t boring and is beneficial. I remembered that cycling was in my past, and I didn’t recall hating it…

 

To this end, a fine upstanding Lieutenant-Commander in the family, who lives close by in the neighbourhood has loaned me his iron steed. (I’m being poetic).

bike

This thing is going to be my nemesis for the forseeable future.

Today I put aside the mantel worn by the Prince of Procrastination and had a crack. Now, it’s been 26-odd years since I peaked in my cycling (admittedly it was in Palmerston North where hills are pretty hard to find), and I have discovered that any grace, poise and coordination that I’d developed all those years ago, has evaporated.

 

Bikes have changed. They have sophisticated gear systems. Buttons to push that don’t seem to have a purpose. Seats that aren’t designed for bottoms.

 

But, my initial spin wasn’t bad. I didn’t fall off. I didn’t sideswipe any parked cars. I didn’t get clipped by any buses. I do need to work on the whole ‘look behind me to see what’s coming without running into a kerb’ thing. However, I’m SO unfit. It’s only got to get better from here, yes?

 

And oddly enough, I felt a bit overdressed. Maybe I do need to invest in a lycra bodysuit and go full MAMIL.

 

Fear me good people of the North Shore. My mid-life crisis awaits. (or is that my 2nd or 3rd? I’ve kind of lost count)!

01.01.15
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Thoughts: Goals for 2015

I’m a bit shit at setting New Year Resolutions.

I’ve determined that this is because New Year Resolutions involve implementing change in one’s self.

Being a bit older than I was, change is actually hard. And quite frankly, I don’t see anything that I really want to change about myself. I’m quite content for the most part.

A common Resolution: I could resolve to return to the gym. But I know that I get bored in the gym and I’m not that worried about my physical shape. Yes, it would be wise from a health perspective, but so would cutting out wine (Wait, what???) and cooking less interesting meals. Meals which don’t have glorious flavours and dairy and carby goodnesss…

Not going to happen.

Therefore setting Goals it is.

What Goals do I have for 2015?

Looking back at those set last year, I categorised them: Technology, Personal Development, Exercise/Sports, Travel. And I pretty much missed on all. Like I said 2014 was a bit of a shocker. Available funds and  available time were lacking somewhat, and I had to make hard decisions around things to focus on.

Let’s try again.

I’m older, wiser and more experienced so perhaps this year I’ll achieve a few more things that I actually set out to achieve. As opposed to achieving a lot of things that I didn’t intend to, but was forced into by circumstance.

Top of the list: Personal Development:

– Learn a language. I really want to learn Japanese, but Mandarin is probably going to be more useful and certainly I have access to language resource and conversational speakers. Let’s have a crack at that then.

– Continue to Read obsessively. I have a love of knowledge and I’m constantly reading. I need to ensure that I have the time to do this.

– Formal Study. Perhaps do some Management courses? Certainly I’d benefit from this. I’ve learned this year to talk the language of CEO’s and CFO’s from a sales point of view. But it’s been learned by osmosis. Could do better. Perhaps some Writing courses? I have many words and it would be beneficial to learn more of the craft of writing.

Travel:

– I need to get to Cambodia, Laos and/or Thailand. I think I need to put a little $ aside each week and make it happen. It’s important to me to visit countries which challenge and stretch my life experience. I have not done this for a few years and I’m very twitchy.

Sports/Exercise:

– If I’m not going to get back to the gym, I need to get out walking. So let’s set a goal of 1000kms to be walked in 2015. And not kms walked between my home and the local supermarket, despite the fact that you can log at least 2kms walking up and down aisles. ‘Cos that’s cheating innit?

– Snowboarding. My nemesis. I will get to Snowplanet. I will get to Snowplanet. I will get to Snowplanet. And learn to Board. And not break things. Despite my eld.

General:

– Family. I do do a lot with my kids, but I do think I could do more. I need to work on this. (and not use the word ‘do’ that many times in a sentence ever again).

– Be more social. Get out to more events. Invite more people over. These aren’t specific things, more lifestyle aspirations – so I won’t set defined expectations (as one should for a goal).

One good thing I’ve noted is that I’ve left out the acquisition of things as being important. I’ve really made some growth in that area. That being said, there are always nice things that come your way that you simply must have. I do feel a personal responsibility to do my bit to ensure the survival of Apple.

So that’s it. Achievable. Beneficial.

I need to Live and Laugh more.

What Goals do you have?

S>