It's been just under five months since I had 4-way, heart bypass surgery. One good the about the event was it compelled me to eat and drop some extra tonnage. Because of the Covid situation, I haven't been able to get any professional rehab so I've had to rely on what I could do with the resources I have. I started with the recumbent bike a few weeks after surgery and weights a few weeks ago. Last week, I rode my bike outside. This morning, I rode outside for about 40 minutes and wasn't huffing and puffing as much as last week. I rode harder and in higher gears. On the way back, stopped to take the attached picture.
The ancient Greeks believed that a person wasn't fully developed unless they did both mental and physical exercise. Some people I know have been losing weight because they've been outside exercising and dining out less. I've lost 20 pounds and feel better because exercise provides more energy to stimulate creativity and writing.
What say you?
What say you? Do you exercise and does it help with your screenwriting output?
Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique , safe recovery to you! I ride my bike to office and back every day weather conditions allow me to. All my office was evacuated in March, but I stayed and refused to work from home...'till now I was "Omega Man"...despite all comments and diagnostics I still believe best way to fight this disease is to stay physically active. Same goes to writing or any intellectual deed as well. More you are active with you body, you will be active with your mind. Stay safe, all!
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Best wishes for a full & complete recovery. I've managed to trim 75 pounds since my fat guy stroke a few years back. It does feel better - but I had to buy lots of new clothes.
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Wow! And here you are... back... full of heart! Let's keep you healthy and creative and organically ornery! Cool pic. We were checking out the eclipse last weekend and had three javelina join us.
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Kirl/Doug/Philip: Thanks for your kind words.
Doug: 75 pounds is a great weight loss. I'm down at 160 (20 pounds) and want to drop 5 more. That'll put me close to my wedding day weight.
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As a retired massage therapist and lifelong learner of all thing holistic, I can confirm this. Your brain requires blood flow to operate, so if you find it's being sluggish, doing something to increase blood flow will help "jog it", so to speak (The Institute for Brain Potential did several studies to show that "brain games" did nothing to change/improve the functionality of your brain, and the only thing that did was proper activity/exercise/fuel for the body, which includes the brain, and setting expectations - but that's a topic for another day).
This is why coffee also works - as a stimulant, it increases blood flow. However, physical activity has (generally) fewer side effects than chemical stimulation. Please know that even body positing can help with this - laying down helps to even blood flow (that's one of the many reasons massages are more effective when laying down instead of in a chair/seated position), where sitting up lowers blood flow to the brain (if you have low blood pressure, don't elect for chair massage, please), and sitting with your body above your head brings increased blood flow to your brain via the pull of gravity.
Also, the best way to "get out of your head" is to do something physical. It really does clear your mind.
Keep at it, sir! It sounds like you're making great progress!
Glad you're feeling so much better, Phillip. Your workouts will pay off, trust me. If I had a quarter for every bb game, soccer game, mile I've run or biked, or barbell I've lifted, I'd be a very rich man. I've been a "hard body" ever since I won my first race at the advanced age of six, transitioning later to Mad. Sq. Garden and ten yds per second. I've also really enjoyed tennis, beach bike racing at dawn, and half-court games at the UCLA gym.
I simply love working out, even if it's a sport I'm not too familiar with. I was playing basketball at a NY gym when I noticed a crowd gathered around a weight room door nearby. Walked over. Saw a Mr Muscle Beach lifting a heavy barbell, then boasting to his crowd of onlookers "Any of you think you can lift this?" Crickets! Not being the timid type, I walked over to the barbell and easily lifted it. After Mr MB had picked his eyeballs up off the floor, I asked "How heavy is this thing?" In astonishment, he replied "395 lbs." .... but I was just getting started!
Staying in shape definitely improves your self-image and mental/creative functions while having a dramatic effect on your immune system. I rarely ever even get a cold, let alone the flu of any kind.
If you're a newbie, start with a 15-20 minute walk or bike ride. But GET MOVING!
Erik: I used to ride my bike 14 miles a day but stopped when I moved to Texas. But my cardiologist said my issue was likely genetic. My mother and grandmother had heart issues. I'm definitely going to do my best to stay fit.
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Phillip: Congrats on the new you! Keep it up, bro!
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I used to go to the gym 3X a week but since concerns over COVID closed the gyms I just haven't had the motivation. I do a few calisthenics first 15 mins in the morning 2X a week but its nowhere near the two hour "kickboxing-weigth lifting-cardio" combo I used to do. I haven't totally lost my gains but when I finally go back it will be like starting over.
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Phillip, keep the pace - but follow the doc's advice. Slow and steady wins the recovery.
There's a lot of evidence about how excercise and 'staying fit' helps to not only maintain, but improve mental acument.
A recent article in the Guardian featured a fascinating new take on "Osteocalicin". Worth a read if you've the time.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/04/does-the-key-to-anti-ageing-lie-in-our-bones
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Gosh darn it, Phil! I just learned how to pronounce "youbikwitus" and now you've gone and changed it.
Dash:
LOL