Good Versus Evil

There's always a struggle. It ranges from that within us to worldwide. And it's usually a choice: It's good versus evil.

If there's a top, there's got to be a bottom. If there's a god, there has to be a devil. If there's good, there has to be evil.

This week, again, evil slaughtered innocence. It broke my heart. How could a teenager kill elementary school babies? I am thankful for my kids and grandkids... and want to keep them all.

And again, some are talking about more gun laws. As if criminals and crazies cared about laws. As if we blamed cars for drunk driving. It's not the car and it's not the gun... it's the crazy and evil people. It's a widespread but allowed mental health problem that started when Cain clubbed Able. I have myself experienced these people mess up others through intimidation and abuse... several times.

Is there a solution? Is there nut control? When I was a kid, armed robbery and shooting threats to local merchants were taken care of by the neighborhood. Customers would beat the crap out of robbers, in the act, and toss them outside to the street, bruised and battered. No 911 needed. Ditto for not accepting bullying and intimidation at school... they got theirs, eventually. Is that the solution?

To me, personally, it's about every decisions I make, from being helpful to others, to what I eat and what workout I do. My solution is to avoid crazy and evil, embrace good, and train hard to be tough and thus able to defend myself and others. Tomorrow, I will do what I do every day... what I CAN do... conquer my own self. And pack heat.


- © 2012 by Willy

P.S. God, please, deliver us from evil.

We Know What To Do

Yes, of course we all know what to do for health and fitness: Diet and exercise, through discipline and motivation. All the doctors agree. There's no secret and there's no magic. Specifically, what works is:

1. Don't smoke, and minimize alcohol, sugar and fat intake.

2. To lose weight, reduce the amount of what you eat.

3. To quit huffing and puffing, do more cardio.

3. To build muscle, lift weights.

4. To avoid back pain, do core/abs/yoga/stretch.

5. Hydrate well but drink water instead of sodas, teas, juice or whatever.

6. Reduce stress by keeping life simple.

To me, the key is discipline and motivation. Keep from eating that one cookie at work over Christmas because it would require an extra thirty minutes of cardio. And motivation is always best when I'm enjoying it... like doing cardio outside rather than inside, or lifting with a buddy rather than at home. All variations, like dieting group businesses, exist only due to lack of discipline and motivation.

It's simple; that's all there's to it. Just do it. It's discipline like a monk's. But be happy about it. I'm doing it.

- text © 2012 by Willy

Inside Workouts... Or Not

It's easy to neglect weightlifting and other inside workouts in beautiful weather.

I'm a cross-training advocate, but my tendency this time of year is to go outside on crisp, sunny days for long mountain hikes. Hiking is easier than elliptic or swimming, and more enjoyable than both. Diopter-correction goggles and waterproof mp3 players help with swimming pace (a regular mp3 for elliptic). Bicycling is borderline, since seasonal strong and cool winds take a bite out of my enjoyment.

I enjoy weightlifting, because I can see the results in the mirror... like I enjoy dieting (yes, really). Lifting is easy for me so I have to remember to use perfect form and take it easy or I'll get a joint injury... my muscles are stronger than my tendons/joints. Dumbbells are my favorite over barbells, since the completely flat barbell grip position hurts me for some presses, whereas dumbbell angles automatic adjust to the no-pain level.

I do have a lifting partner. Just like meeting a class... college or gym... a habitual event helps tremendously in maintaining frequency. So, I lift at least twice a week... three times when not lured outside... similarly with elliptic, step, and yoga.

I also have habitual hikes, which are currently on Tuesdays after work, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings (unless I'm bicycling). On some particular bitter Sunday mornings, do I walk the mall (yes, it's boring but not as bad as swimming), but prefer conditioning to nasty weather because nasty weather happens on-trail.

This time of year the Tuesday after work hikes become adventuresome, since it is about sundown when I get to the trailhead. I hike in twilight up to the point, and back on a road in the dark. I do not recommend it, but it is my sixth Winter season doing this: I use the very same trail and know it well, carry a smartphone, umbrella, down vest, shell, poncho, 2 lights and protein bar in a small Camelback. I have contingency plans for several scenarios, and my work buddies know my habits. By the way, I use a red headlight to prevent peripheral vision night blindness, which is normally caused by white light.

Happy trails to you.

- © 2012 by Willy

Beautiful Weather

Mother nature's colors are drop dead gorgeous this Fall. It's been gorgeous weather for bicycling and hiking too. What a great time of year! The trick is not to overdo it... there's plenty of time ahead for adventure.

On the other hand, there's lots to do before the certainty of Winter and the possibility of bad weather arriving. Layers, headbands and gloves came out of the Winter box; plants are in; cars are waxed; external water shut off; but still need to bag leaves... after they all fall.

Being healthy and fit... and no longer being married to Satan... I can do whatever I want. It's time to make plans for Winter hiking in the Smokeys, Rockies, AT and elsewhere... I have virgin snowshoes to try out.

But first, a local, cold, early-morning bicycle ride tomorrow... and fun in the local wonderland.

- © 2012 by Willy