Y2K Preparation and Physical Fitness

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Getting into good physical condition seems to me a valuable idea at any time, and regardless of Y2K. In our busy everyday lives though, this is for some folks put on the "back burner". With Y2K anticipated problems, this becomes even more important since there is the potential for some of us to be using certain muscles that we didn't even know we had. Certainly, I think it is reasonable to consider this another part of our preparation. If Y2K turns out relatively mild, we still reap the rewards of the time spent getting in better condition. As a result, I have been working out two or three times each week and already feel better about being prepared this way.

Y2K may be the excuse that some need to move into high gear. Do you think this is important too? If so, what are you doing to get in better physical condition?

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 22, 1999

Answers

Karate is probably going to be pretty popular in a year or so. If your at all into that look into Jeet Kune Do and enjoy a better lifestyle!

-- (Bruce@worldnet.com), February 22, 1999.

Absolutely right on, Rob. Besides lots of farm-type labor, I love my NordicTrak Ellipse, though it's not too durable. Also walking briskly while playing golf.

On that note, believe it or not, there are GIs among the Golf Superintendent's Assn who are working hard to make sure that irrigation and related systems are all Y2K-compliant around the country.

Hey, GREAT WORK, guys. At least the important stuff will get done.

Where we live, the cows, goats and sheep can tend to the fairways ...

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), February 22, 1999.


Rob and Bruce, I have posted on this very topic before, and its good to give everyone a reminder on the importance of this. The stress alone from what is coming can kill you if you are not ready for it physically. Last year, there was a case where a man saw his son being attacked, and rushed to try to help him, but then fell dead of a heart attack -- his body could not handle the stress.

Remember: especially if you have led a sedentary lifestyle up to this point, see your doctor before starting an exercise program.

(Jeet Kune Do ... Bruce ... say, would your last name happen to be ... nahhh, never mind.)

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), February 22, 1999.

Jack: Yeah, I thought of that too (Bruce's last name) but decided to "Lee-ve" it alone. LOL. Karate is also supposed to be good for learning self-defense and focus/discipline, although there seem to be so many different kinds of schools that teach different styles I think. Anyway, if it gets the heart pumpin that's good - and thank you for the important reminder about seeing the doc first if you have not been active.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 22, 1999.

You folks serious? I'm in the midst of putting on 20 or so pounds, part of my "storage" program. Extra weight will be critical for keeping warm, and thin folks are more likely to succumb to uillness than slightly overweight people. As long as you rest when you're tired when doing strenous work, there's little chance of having a heart attack.

-- bulkinup (..@a.a), February 22, 1999.


Actually, bulkinup, I don't think anyone here is asking for that "supermodel" look. What we are hinting at is a fitness program that combines endurance (e.g., running, jump roping), flexibility (plenty of good books on stretching), and strength (good ol' fashioned sit-ups and push-ups will work, you don't have to pay big bucks at a gym). The increased metabolism from excercising will help determine the weight that is right for you.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), February 22, 1999.

Running 3-4 miles every other morning currently, along with lots of stretching (gad, it's awful getting old...). Looking to run a 5K next month just as incentive - T-shirts, camaraderie, big ol' Vente Starbucks... 8-}. Still need to work more on strength training - thanks for the reminder!

Bought "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" back when Mr. Lee was still among us. Interesting book, but way beyond me. Aikido looks more my speed, but time does not currently permit. Far too much home prep to do...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), February 22, 1999.


working on an exercise plan that takes into account my disability (i.e. no jogging/running or any other repetitive impact sorts of things, other than walking - modified pushups and situps, those sorts of things).

other than a few basic miltary combatives sorts of things (you can do a *lot* with an entrenching tool, for instance) I will probably depend primarily on smallarms should it come to conflict. Hauling and lifting are accomplished using modified forms as well.

It works, but it's taken me a year to get even close to normal fitness levels, and I am still reminded quite regularly that disability or no, 40 something isn't 20 something by a long stretch of the imagination...

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 22, 1999.


Rob Michaels; I posted a message concerning the vices we all have and weight loss is something all of us will benefit from. Because we will not be going to the diner for morning breakfast,or the place we go to for lunch. So I am thinking my weight loss will be more beneficial for me at least if I am lighter in front. So recently I purchased the "TAE-BO" tapes and started the exercise. Talk about a workout!!! I'm mentioned to others that I have the tapes and now they want a copy, I take no money but bartering begins !!! Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), February 22, 1999.

Furie: I missed your post - in all honesty I don't read anywhere near every thread so this isn't surprising. You brought up vices which is a good point related to fitness, and improving health and fitness in general. On a thread long ago there was some discussion about this area too. I hadn't seen a thread devoted to this subject though and thought it would be good to do. Looks like people are including this as part of prep or just have been doing it regardless - even though there haven't been many answers on this thread, look at the variety of things mentioned - and the different ways that folks find to do this despite obstacles.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 22, 1999.


Arlin- Would swimming work for you? Zero impact, but you can get great stamina.

Mac- You may want to dust off your copy of The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and re-read it with Y2K in mind, especially the more philosophical sections (at the beginning and the end of the text). Recall that Bruce Lee's great premise was: You cannot plan for a fight (therefore forms are useless), but you can prepare for one (e.g., sparring, conditioning); if this does not describe the best outlook for Y2K, I don't know what does. In fact, Way Back When, Diane J. Squires started a thread asking for people to contribute their favorite quotable quotes that could apply to Y2K, and I quoted liberally from the The Tao of Jeet Kune Do. (Unfortunately, I have not idea what the name of the thread was....)

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), February 23, 1999.

Jack -

Will do. I actually came across it recently while I was cleaning up the garage to make more room for supplies. Thanks for the pointer!

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), February 23, 1999.


There is also a school of thought, as mentioned by bulkinup, that one should pig out on pizza and burgers late in the year. Sounds like a plan to me :) You'll have your own personal "stash" if you ever have to bug out in a hurry...

Personally I'm on a plan to get down to a fighting 180lbs from 220 - I now bike to work and back, sold my car, will use the bicycle all year, hitting the gym every other day. So far so good, feel a hell of a lot better for it.

If you want to learn a lethal form of self defense, check out Krav Maga (-2sp?), an Israeli special ops. streetfighting system. It's on the web and has a lot of adherents these days. Another good system that I'm a brown belt in is Glock, developed in Austria - it works for me :)

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), February 23, 1999.


Well, OK, if you guys insist ... from the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, by Bruce Lee, here are what I find to be very Y2K relevant truths:

"To see a thing uncolored by one's own personal preferences and desires is to see it in its own pristine simplicity."

"Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make."

"If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo."

"Let yourself go with the disease, be with it, keep company with it -- this is the way to be rid of it."

"Eliminate 'not clear' thinking and function from your root."

Can you look at a situation without naming it? Naming it, making it a word, causes fear."

"It is indeed difficult to see the situation simply -- our minds are very complex -- and it is easy to teach one to be skillful, but it is difficult to teach him his own attitude."

"The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or in defeat. Let nature take its course, and your tools will strike at the right moment."

"Jeet Kune Do teaches us not to look backward once the course is decided upon. It treats life and death indifferently."

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), February 23, 1999.

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