The TFP Health Club

Started back up at Gold's Gym again.
Back to my old gym, but it's been refurbished and expanded. (20 min away, but worth it)
But things seemed to sync as before.
Signed up for gold membership, so I can go to any in the chain...plus extras.

Started simple, hit the video bike I liked so much, Expresso, my old login still worked and had my past trials.
Picked a simpler but favored trail/vid for 5 miles...and did very well, 2 yrs later since my last try before the Virus. Beat my record by 1.5 minutes.

Then didn't have much time to do strength training before an appt back near home.
So focus on a few basics. Biceps, Triceps and upper chest.
Still was invigorating.
Can't wait until a much longer venture. (this was 30min, usually I do 90 min)

I can feel my body returning.

 

Did an Ecstatica dance last night...
2 hours of non-stop dancing with no rules
People can do anything (with content, when with another) - fast, slow, gyrate, stomp, crawl, flow, jigs, salsa, etc. and so on...whatever suits the mood and whim of YOU at the time.
Heck some even roll on the floor, or couples+ cuddle to the side.

Set in a large space, with thin sturdy carpeting, mostly EDM music by all types and styles from all cultures.
People dancing in very comfortable clothing, like sweats or even silks and such. Whatever suits your mood, you can even change at any time.
Barefoot, for stability and grounding, shoes don't tear up the floor and for comfort.
All ages, body types, sexes, roles, etc...very diverse group, both new people and experienced.
No judgement.
Space is very respected.

Now you do work up a furious sweat.
So much so, you may want to step aside or sit or lay, anytime, to rest, breathe, drink...and towel off. (you bring your own drink, towels, change of clothing...cell phones off)

It was invigorating. Dynamic. Intense, soothing...all the above.
The key is your body is moving, living.

Mostly I danced with myself...doing everything under the sun. I'm very big these days, so not much getting off the ground. (stretching before during and after is important)
One young lady took some interest in dancing with me here and there...we didn't touch (it seemed right) but we flowed around each other, sometime syncing our movements (even slowly and close a few times)
We met after, while I was assisting braking down and closing up. She was very nice, just moved to the area, as I have...we hugged and talked briefly, but respected that it wasn't a pickup thing. (maybe later)

At the start, we're given rules & guidance. Consent, respect, space awareness, not too radical, don't damage the venue, areas of rest, etc. Then beginning exercises of encouragement, to get you into it.
At the end, slow and go to the floor, laying and listening to harmonics under colored moving lights...very hypnotic. And a good way to cool off. Breathe.

After, a few intros, according to people's comfort level. (if you don't want to talk, you don't)
Some left immediately, some helped out (like me), some just chitchatted

I will tell you, I was exhausted (in a good way)
Had to eat...drink tons of water.
Fell asleep quick, then woke and showered in the middle of the night.
Now zoning, typing away here.
But the body feels good.

Can't wait to do it again in 2 weeks.

 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have anything
It’s just getting there and staying.

Hell, I once saw a guy stand in the middle of the floor, standing still, staring into the distance…for 5 hours.
No one said anything, they just went around him.

Like I said, no rules
You just gotta go in…and respect others’ space.

People are very cool, they’d totally embrace you.

 

I rode "Drifters Peak" 10.2 mile in 44:45 and burned 446 calories.

As I said, I just started up again at Gold’s Gym after 2 years

Got one of my favorite bike rides back, Expresso machine.
As I previously posted, I was surprised on my first ride, just 5 mile small rise, I beat my record by 1:30
And even more so, on the 2nd ride, 6 mile and with hills, moderate level, I beat my record by 5 minutes!

But this one kicked my ass…
I like it just because of the Sci-Fi look...But it’s essentially a mountain, heavy hills and rides going up
Glide and ride fast going down. (Up to 25% grades, avg 10%)

That first part, I was sweating it…Oi Vey.
Didn’t beat my “ghost” record (it finished 8 min before me). But at least I beat the pace bike by a minute.
Took me 15 minutes of cooling off after to recover, geez.

But still not bad after 2 years off. Just means more space to improve.
Need to take off this Pandemic round I got in the past year.
Step by step, bit by bit.

I'm now going in the early mornings (totally different than my previous evening patter)
And going multiple days in a row, pacing myself, going slow (don't want to injure myself going too fast or intense)

 

You put a like on an old post (from 2011) of mine in this thread... reminded me that I've now been living in Lincoln for almost ten years. I still watch my carbs, but not as diligent as I once was. Rarely eat a breakfast at home (usually a 'brunch' around noonish and an early evening supper) but went out with BF to a diner Sunday about 1pm. Had 2 eggs over easy, two nice big sausage links, and one slice of whole wheat toast.
Controlled carb regime helps me keep my weight stable., usually within a pound or two of 109lbs. I feel genetically lucky, or blessed, or something like that.

 

Please have a doctor check it out, to make sure it heals correct.
I had this happen to me years ago, stretching for karate. (with a machine)
I went a bit too far...felt a small twinge in my left inner thigh.
Released immediately...but the next morning my inner thigh looked like a big blueberry.

I didn't feel much pain. Didn't see a doctor or otherwise.
But to this day, didn't heal correctly and I cannot stretch split beyond a certain point. (no matter the times practiced)

Now, it's not like I have the need to kick that way, in normal life...or for fights or martial arts. (no one should, except circus performers and gymnasts...this is not the movies)
But still, it would be nice to have that flexibility still.

Take care of yourself. Hope it heals nicely.

 

Ok, got a nice momentum going...to the point I have to worry about limits and moderation.
While I'm feeling the energy and drive...I'm not Superman. Nope, I'm a getting back in shape, overweight, 53 year old man.
Gravity works, Sleep is needed, injuries still exist.

So 2 days ago, I was pushing myself after 1.5 years of not working out and the ACL replacement surgery before that…
I was able to press near my record of 16 45lbs plates on the leg press. (Doing it safely and without a spotter)
Now I did 14 45 lbs. plates (3 sets of 8 )
Although previously it was together, here it was separated...7 plates for each leg.
And I felt I “could” do more…but I held back.

Glad I did…because later at home, I could distinctly feel an ache near where my ACL was repaired.
That shows me, that IS a factor. (safety, limits, strength between legs, etc.)
So this will be something to account for and be aware of.
Happy my instincts/spidey sense was spot on.

I try to make sure to get in rest & recovery days...avg 1 off day for every 2 active days.
I need it...because I DO feel the impact, whether my mind wants it or not, my body says enough.

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So, I did the Ecstatica Dance again last night.
Still just as fun and vigorous. (and sweaty)
I am getting experienced in it...felt a more relaxed/familiar rhythm with dancing and with others that joined.
As noted above, I was aware of that ache in my knee...so didn't want to push it.
So I adjusted my dance to emphasize a style that was more grounded, relaxed, flowing.
Beside I was tense from work...and the build up & prep of upcoming adventures.

Surprised that a young lady still remembered me from the Interfusion festival 2 years ago.
She remembered engaging and dancing with me on its late night Ecstatica dances.
Following my Primal movements, attempting to represent the raw power of the Tiger style from my Karate past.
She said that they got pics of us both doing this. Showing the strong movements.

And this time she engaged and danced with me again some,
here following me, as I was doing a more Snake style...incorporating in Bob Fosse movements like he did as The Snake in The Little Prince....or the slowness of the Boa from Jungle Book.
I wanted to do this to keep slow and grounded...not push the knee/ACL...and stretch quite a bit too.

She complimented me after saying that I was moving very limber and flowing. (which is saying something for a big guy )
Perhaps we can dance again...

Either way; got to not get too intense in the next some days.
Wouldn't do to get injured, be achy, cramp up and lose rest.
Limits within reason.
I've got other things to do right now that take priority.

 

Down 15 lbs...
But quite a ways to go.

Can see the difference in my face and upper torso.
People are saying the same, with some nice compliments.

Gotta keep going.

 

Good biking session today. Broke my record by 6 minutes.
And that’s with a friggin mask on.

Numero uno for my area’s team. #148 of 418 for global times.

162 average heart rate, not bad especially for hard path.
It starts mostly down, as if you’re going to the bottom of the ocean, then the 2nd part is all hill and upgrades.

And Again, good fast paced EDM music keeps ya going at a clip. My typical energizer tunes.

 

3 days in a row exercising
Starting to get the momentum

Legs and arms - day one
Core and back - day two
10 mile stationary bike with a mountain up & down in 35 min - day three
Tomorrow will be a session with the fitness trainer

Now that I’m out of the Winter humdrum, time to up the ante

Wish I didn’t have college, work and life to interfere
Would like to do it every day…except guitar practice.

Not bad for a guy who got fucked up slipping on black ice last week.
Damaged, but healed like a kid.

 

Good work!

I rode my bicycle today. It was short but I needed it.

Annoying problems with my blood pressure this past week. I need to get my heart pumping more. Thank goodness I have a bike.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 5, 2022, Original Post Date: Mar 20, 2022 ---

I signed up for a 5K on May 1st.

 

Is 30 Minutes of Exercise a Day Enough?

Nice to know.
I've slacked off during my mother's visit and finishing my last class.
Now time to focus and kick it back up again.
But things are staying busy.
Need to figure out alternatives.
Smaller increments.
Time to put the brain to work to help the body.

--- Double Post Merged, Oct 11, 2022, Original Post Date: May 15, 2022 ---

Well, it's been awhile since I've worked out near home.
It's not only the procedure I had in August that I had to be concerned about...but I still did some, including bike riding.
But it was the lead up to the big trip to Alaska...and the recovery after the fact. (it was exciting and exhilarating, but definitely rugged, wearing and lots to deal with in logistics and ramping back up)

I did a workout routine once in Anchorage at a gym I found...nice way to get my muscles to relax and some of the tension out after a big haul up to Fairbanks and back to see the Norrthern Lights
much less a tangent adventure going up Denali, and see how far I could get up there.

Now, I've fully recovered at home and my mind is clear.
I'm going to riding my bike more, now that it's cooler and my procedure area has healed almost fully.
And I'm ready to hit the gym...and get back into my fitness...and modified diet, less in volume and more at home meals...little alcohol. Nothing strict...just moderating.

And I'm going to jump back into martial arts. I did try out a new studio, specializing in Jujitsu and Mui Thai...with a goal of potential MMA.
During the try outs, I could feel my previous martial arts knowledge and skills kicking in...even determining strengths and weaknesses of myself and my fellow students in the demo class.
Nice to know these are still there...a bit rusty, but with some oil I'll limber up again.
Just need to make the investment into the membership.
Wish there was an adult Kenpo studio nearby...but the closest is only for kids.
I'll just have to study that on my own with vids and my muscle memory kicking in to practice.

I think I'll really make some progress this Fall and Winter.
Head into 55, primed and ready to rock.

It's not age, it's attitude.

--- Double Post Merged, Oct 13, 2022 ---

============================== BTW, This is interesting....HEALTY fat cells.

Something to consider, I like the idea.