See Ya Later, I'm Going For a "Wog" (Walk/Jog)

I certainly don't claim to be a professional physical trainer, but I've had the same cardiovascular exercise routine for about 7 years, and for me it works perfectly. It only takes thirty minutes every other day and it works if you stick with it.

It's as simple as: walk 5, jog 5, walk 10, jog 5, walk 5.

Walk-------------Jog-----------------Walk -------------------Jog ---------Walk
|---------------|---------------|------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
0-------------5-------------10----------------------------20------------25-------------30

The first 5 minutes is a warm up, but the speed is the same throughout. The first 5 minute jog is to really get the heart rate up while the 10 minutes of walking in the middle maintains that rate. At this point you're at the 20 minute mark -- the generally agreed upon time where the body begins to burn fat. So the second 5 minute jog tries to make the most of this fat burning opportunity and the last stretch is simply to maintain.

I keep the speed around 4 - 4.5mph, but this can be increased or decreased depending on the target heart rate you need to achieve. Target heart rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220 and multiply that by .7 and by .85 to get the lower and higher levels of the range, there's plenty of calculators for this online.

I don't think I've broken a secret code, I imagine 30 minutes of any exercise every other day would do most people a world of good, but I do think there's benefits to doing it this way. First, this is something that's very easy to do and it takes up very little time, and second it's not as vigorous as some routines, so you don't have to be as motivated for it.

Two other things worth mentioning --

1. The best time to do cardio is about an hour after you've woken up on an empty stomach (not true for weight training). Doing this, you're burning stored fat and not just carbs you've eaten throughout the day. This works well for me as I'm not hungry until I've been awake for 2-3 hours anyway. Also you're more motivated when you first get up, there's less chance to put it off and eventually count it out because you're tired.

2. I've never been a believer in using distance as a measure in exercise, your body doesn't care how far you've gone, cardiovascular exercise is all about pushing your body to the point where you begin to burn fat (wherever that is exactly, most say 20~ minutes) and exceeding it.

I put on some extra pounds this winter, partly from slacking off, not eating right and from getting sick a few times. I kick myself now for doubting that the same old workout routine would work again, but it has -- just had to be patient. Some might see this routine as a step toward jogging full-time, that may be for some, but for me personally I've never seen the need to go to full-on jogging.

Spring Has Arrived...Or Is It Summer?

If you read my last blog post (not shown here, but you can read it at http://andy9279.xanga.com/724432540/my-first-spring-bike-ride-hanging-out-with-christians/), you know that I took a rather long, cold bike ride recently. But it's hard to imagine that one would have needed gloves, a jacket and a toboggan to ride on the Silver Comet Trail just ten days ago. If you tried to bike for 3.5 hours wearing that today you would probably die. Today it's changed over from just warm to qualifying for the term "hot." I went outside today for just a short time and coming in to the air conditioning was quite nice.


I wanted to see high-70s to low-80s before I'd take another ride, I got my wish, it's 86 right now -- unfortunately I doubt I will be going out to see the parents again for another month -- and by then the real Georgia heat will have fully settled in to stay. The average for this time of year is 70, we are only 2-3 degrees from setting a record high for today.


As far as air conditioning goes, all you environmentalists, especially "you's guys" from the North who say, "Just open a window, turn on a fan!" You can kiss my ass. How can one describe Georgia heat...

No, not that kind...

Here's an image for you: the heat here is like a fat, sweaty mother holding her child tightly in her arms, and she won't let go. The heat and humidity just envelops you, its worst when there's no breeze at all. The most common term is "sweltering."

It's really a shame in fact, we usually have four distinct seasons here in Georgia, but if any of them is disappearing I would have to say that it's spring. Winter and summer certainly will always exist as yin and yang, but they're slowly bleeding into the other two, it's as if someone is playing two sides against the middle.

Fall tends to still take up a good 2-3 months as the days grow shorter and cooler, but spring is quickly becoming indistinguishable from summer here. The only thing about spring that remains after the moderate temperatures have gone is the bad storms it can bring. I'm no meteorologist, but it's as if summer has such a hold in this region that it is quick to catch on when it's time comes along, yet it's slow and grudging to go away.

The arrival of spring or at least the departure of winter has done much for my mood.

Here's a random few of the positives: I walk outside and it's as if I had forgotten what it feels like to actually feel hot. And I love it, I feel more alive, more healthy, less sick, more looking forward to the future, less worried about it. I can roll the window down in the car; wear short sleeve shirts and shorts. I'm not constantly warming my hands or shoving them into my pockets. I can walk around the house barefoot. Life is re-appearing in nature, and the days have grown longer, the nights warmer. People are out walking, getting exercise and seem more sociable and friendly. I feel like I can get more done and I have more motivation to do so. I find myself getting up earlier and sleeping less -- and wanting to do both. I'm more curious about the world. I'm exercising more. Finally, I like most people have fond memories of this time of year -- school would be out soon and you had several carefree months ahead. In short, I'm happy with this change.

I knew the seasons affected my mood, but this winter was particularly long and harsh. I'll never underestimate that effect again.