Hamster Wheels and Human Destiny

Exercise.

Okay, I've just set the tone for this little rant. Chances are, you are either now nodding up and down or shaking your head left and right either consciously or sub-consciously. My perspective on this, just to share (it's a blog afterall) is quite simple.

Personally, I find the idea of exercise 100% appalling. It is silly. Wasteful. Uninteresting. Uninspiring.

I had a hamster once (several actually, but that is another story). Her name was "Zelda". She had this tiny wheel that she practically lived on. I'm serious! She ran in it, climbed over it (unsuccessfully), slept in it and chewed on it. She loved her wheel. Many hours were spent watching with fascination at her obsession with this simple device. She would run and run and run... and never get anywhere.

We can all relate to that, right folks?

Anyway. Fast forward a bit. I'm in my thirties. I sit at a computer A LOT. No, not here on the 'net goofing off. I mean at work trying to make a few bucks. I have a screwed up knee thanks to a once fleeting feeling of teenage invincibility. I live in Buffalo (pizza and wings and Mighty Taco, need I say more).

A couple years ago, I decided it was time to get off my ass and get to work on improving my health situation. My brother was kind enough to lend me this fantastic elliptical exercise machine. I set it up, tried it out and enjoyed how it felt to use it. Then over time... I used it less... and less... you know the story.

Why did I stop using it? Was I lazy? Did I not care? Was it too much work? No, not at all. It was FREAKIN' BORING. I was staring at the dust-collecting coat rack it had become and thought, rather unintentionally, "I don't like my hamster wheel anymore".

I was running and running and running... and would never get anywhere. No feeling of accomplishment besides a sincere happiness that I was finally done with the routine for that morning or afternoon.

What is a poor hamster to do?

Then the shock came. One afternoon in November I was lying in bed trying to sleep and then felt this odd flutter in my chest. Then again. I checked my pulse (not something I used to do often). Every 20 beats or so, I would skip one. Needless to say, this scared the hell out of me. I went to a doctor (for the first time in 10 years) and tests were done. Result: too much stress, too much caffeine, too little exercise. My weight was high, but I was in good health otherwise. My doctor, being a simple guy, recommended a stationary bike. I nodded and in my mind thought "no more wheels, no way".

At home that evening I devised a strategy that to this day I am still putting into practice.

First: decrease use of caffeine. I used to drink 8-10 diet sodas per day (minimum!), plus coffee on occasion. I cut this immediately. That was tough, but today I have a little now and then, but coffee, tea and soft drinks are not staple beverages for me. Water, water and more water!

Second: alleviate some stress. No magic here. I had to get it in my head that worrying was pointless. If you cannot affect or change it, do not worry about it. If you control your destiny then do you best. That is that. No more, no less. I don't worry as much anymore. I'm too busy to worry!

Third: exercise. We have a gym here in our community. Free use for all residents. I have no intention of doing so. I know what will happen. What I have done is make a promise to myself: "I will invest 30 minutes a day to improve my level of physical activity. If I cannot do so I will invest an hour the next day. I will make it interesting and fun."

I won't lie. This is very difficult for me. However, I learned something about myself in this: I am a goal-oriented person. Put something ahead of me that I am supposed to accomplish and keep me engaged and I will achieve it. So what do I do?

I walk.

Simple right? I walk to the pharmacy (1 mile round trip), I walk to the grocery store (1.5 mile round trip), I walk to the auto shop to drop off and pick up the car (1.5 mile each way). This has worked very well. Am I losing a lot of weight? Not quickly. Am I training my damaged knee for more activity? Yes. Am I improving my metabolism? Yes. Am I giving myself an opportunity to relieve stress and meditate on important matters? Yes. Am I actually going somewhere and doing something when I exercise? YES. Am I enjoying it? HELL YES!


As an added bonus, I usually walk with my wife. This helps the time pass and gives us both an opportunity to talk and catch up on thing. So on top of it all, this routine is also improving communication at home.

I found something I love to do that accomplishes many goals. Not fancy. Just get up and go somewhere and do it often. My knee burns like hell sometimes... but it feels great once I finish my walk. I'm starting to go further and walk faster. Less pain each time.

This spring once the snow has left and the temps are in the 50F's I will begin jogging in the morning along a nice trail on the west side of the island. I don't think I'll get bored of it. I'm enjoying being on the move all the time in control of where I go and not spinning around in my human hamster wheel.