Now six months since my operation, I have maintained my version of a heart friendly diet, which is somewhat radical, but have not been that succesful with my exercising. Though I did climb a mountain and have some good walks in Lesotho, without any negative effects.
On Saturday morning we decided we needed an exercise bike or an eliptical trainer. I was sold on the idea of getting an eliptical trainer that gets some good publicity on the infomercials. That idea was scrapped after I found a site on the net that reviews exercise equipment and which gave it a poor rating.
What I did discover was that there were cheapies advertised at various sites on the net, but the those advocated by the "experts" cost an arm and a leg. The idea was becoming less attractive, the more research I did. Who can exercise on one of these, if you are missing an arm and a leg.
I carefully planned the route, so we could visit all the shops selling exercise equipment. Our first stop was the exercise equipment shop I had dismissed a few weeks back, when driving past. "Who buys that stuff", I had scornfully said. We ended up with this "baby".
The salesman was very knowledgable, convincing and enthusiastic about the equipment. The eliptical trainer was about four times the price I wanted to pay and too big for our home. The exercise bike was nice, but cost a lot more than I wanted to spend. I was ready to walk out and continue the search, but the salesman gave us a price we could have refused, but didn't. It was a good price - expensive, but good.
A programmable magnetic cycle. I was almost intimidated by it - you need a pliots licence to drive it, or should I say pedal it.
It has 12 different programmes; you can increase the resistance as you pedal and burn up more energy; it takes your pulse, so that you do not over-exert yourself. It two of the programmes where you set your age and get a good cardio-vascular workout - it also reduces the resistance as soon as your pulse rate gets too high. It measures the calories burnt while cycling; it tells you your speed or rpm; and it has a clock, a timer and an alarm.
With what I have spent on this baby, I intend getting my money's worth, so will use it regularly. I must say I have been enjoying it and feel that I have exercised well after having been on it for 15 minutes.
It has some big advanatges over a normal bicycle. You don't have to worry about the rain, or being knocked over by a car, or being chased by a dog, or having some mugger part you from its saddle. And we have positioned it so that if we get bored, we can watch TV - that is if we choose to cycle when there is a good show on.
I intend to be well on the way to a new level of fitness at the end of a month.
And Tom, no cycling shorts and other fancy attire is needed.
13 comments:
Go, Go! I hope you cycle your way to good health!
I was getting a bit worried about the last picture Max... glad those shorts are not needed... I was surprised by the time passed since your 'operation' it really dose not seen 6 months ago... I'm so pleased you recovered so well... onward and upward mate. ;o)
Congratulations to your great decision, Max! You made a good buy!...and now: go, go go....and get fit.
Keep us apprised of your continued use of the bike. You have inspired me to get on mine--I promis--tonight--really.
Congratulations,
this looks like the way to go, er, get fit! :-)
Congratulations, Max! Well done! I would like to buy one to me too! Cheers!
I have one too (another brand), but I found it so dull that I prefer walking an hour in strong winds and horizontal rain (which I often do).
But it make a nice hat-and-coat stand..
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Wow MAx, I can't believe it's been 6 months already!!
And good luck with the cycling :)
I'm supposed to exercise also but can't seem to get myself on a consistent schedule. I am pre-diabetic and have high cholesterol just like too many Americans. I have a Nordic Trak but we're trying to figure out what to get for Hawaii when we move there. I can't do the bike alone because I also have osteoporosis and need weight bearing exercise. I'm a wreck. I WAS going to get the elliptical but....sigh.... I'm glad I read your blog because we'll probably just get a treadmill instead now. Thanks so much for the good information.
Hi all thanks for the comments.
So far so good. I have been able to cycle every day so far and have been slowly increasing the tempo. Up to 30 minute sessions now.
Musings, sorry to hear of all your ailments. I have just bought a book called, "Optimum Nutrition Made Easy" by Patrick Holford, Piatkus Books, 2008, Great Britain. ISBN 978-0-7499-2866-7.
It isb easy to read and cover, cholesterol, diabetes and osteoporosis. He has written a number of books and is quite a guru on diets. If you can get a copy, you will find it a great help.
This site has a lot of good reviews on exercise equipment - http://www.building-muscle101.com/
Musings, you can also go to www.patrickholford.com for more information
Thanks for all the great information, Max-E. It's so kind of you to write to make sure I got. You are such a nice guy! I'm going to add you to my "must visit" list. :-)
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