Silent Devotion

How Many Summers Have Passed You By?

As a husky child, I always cared for the summer months a little less than the other kids, all the while wishing I could enjoy them just as much.

When everyone jumped into the pool with enthusiasm, ridding themselves of the confines of their clothing and the unforgiving heat, I hesitantly entered the water, still with he shirt on my back; terrified of exposing myself to everyone.

I had been teased enough with my clothing on, and I was not ready to find out how relentless the kids would be if I didn’t have at least one shell of protection.

I smiled and enjoyed myself on the outside, and was miserable internally.

All the while a hostage in a prison of my own making.

I saw the happiness on others’ faces, and I vowed that I would be just as happy as them, next summer.

Next summer, I’d be in the deep end with no shirt and the body I had always wanted.

Next summer, all of the other kids would want to hang out with me.

Next summer, nobody would tease me. They would look up to me.

Next summer.

That next summer came, and it was the same situation.

My arms were never as “cut” as the next guy’s; I wasn’t ever quite as cool either.

I allowed a lot of summers to slip by, but, it was okay, I would make up for it, “next summer.” I told myself I was going to get into the best shape of anyone, and the missed summers would be worth it in the end.

I finally achieved that look I wanted, but the problem is that I got it too many summers too late.

See, when the summers finally came, I was too unsure of myself to enjoy them. I was too miserable in my own situation to see all that I did have; I could only see what was wrong with me.

In hindsight, I was a hard worker as a kid. I got sick of being chubby, and I decided to do something about it.

I gave up the sweets, and I took up running.

I ran, then I ran, and then I ran some more.

When next summer finally came it was still not good enough.

In hindsight, I let too many days, too many summers, too many experiences, pass by me, because I was busy living in the future. I was consumed with a time that would not exist. Not now, not ever. A time that only I could see, where I was perfect and absolutely nothing was impossible.

Living in that future cost me too many memories.

Residing in that future convinced my mind that the present moments were unimportant, and things would be better….next summer.

It took a lot those summers for me to realize that that outside wasn’t lacking. It took many missed opportunities and lackluster experiences to make me get fed up and for me to accept that I had to overhaul the way I saw life. Not my body.

I let a lot of summers pass by. I won’t ever have them back.

But now, I try to live in the present. I may never have next summer. I may never be able to invest in a house 5 years from now. I can’t get back the summers I have missed, and I can’t go back in time to help that little chubby kid gain enough confidence to take off his shirt.

But I can go out today and enjoy it for what it is.

Reality.

The Present.

The only thing that truly matters.

So, enjoy “this summer”, as much as you can. Until next time, take the Red Pill, and see me in the morning.

Indoor Cycling And Spinning Classes: Build Your Aerobic Base

Once you reach a point in time where high impact aerobic activities leave your joints aching, you’ll want to consider something equally as effective but less bone jarring. While jogging and aerobic classes are great workouts, they’re stressful on your joints. If you’re considering other alternatives, you might enjoy indoor cycling or spinning classes.

Having added indoor cycling and spin classes to my workout regimen a few months ago, I can tell you the benefits have a positive impact. Weight loss, increased energy level, and more restful sleep are just a few. Even so, I almost walked away from these classes not long after I started.

If you’re just getting back into working out aerobically after a long layoff, you’ll need to reacclimate. A key element is a concept called aerobic base building, which basically means establishing a base level of aerobic fitness. Just as it’s important to build a solid foundation for your house, it’s equally important for your fitness level.

Build Your Aerobic Base: The 3 Steps

There are three factors you’ll need to consider, and accept, when building your aerobic base. With indoor cycling, you’ll typically have display monitors telling you how hard and how long you’re working, which is quite helpful. The same is true with spinning classes, as most instructors will check in with students and ask questions during the class to monitor exertion level. Let’s look at each of the three factors.

Step One: Your Target Heart Rate

First, you’ll need to know your target heart rate. Your target heart rate is a range that’s 65% to 80% of your maximum heart rate. Determining your maximum heart rate is easy — just subtract your age from 220. Then, multiply that rate by 65% to get the lower end of your target rate, and by 80% to get the upper end. As an example, I’m 46, so my maximum heart rate is 174. 65% of 174 is 113, and 80% of 174 is 139. That means I should strive to pedal at an exertion level that makes my heart beat between 113 and 139 times per minute.

Step Two: It’ll Take Some Time

Expect to build your aerobic base over a 6 to 8 week time frame, possibly longer if you’ve been inactive for a while. Plan to gradually challenge yourself so you can maintain your target heart rate for a longer period of time. Remember, the longer you work out at your target zone, the more fat you’ll burn.

Step Three: Endurance And Intensity

Once you’ve built your aerobic base and know your target heart rate, it’s time to challenge yourself. Add to the length of time you work out, and push yourself a bit harder. You’ll find as you become more fit, you’ll need to challenge yourself to reach your target heart rate. That’s good, because it means your heart is healthier, you’ve attained increased cardiac output, and you’re more fit overall.

After a few weeks at most, you’ll begin to notice the positive effects of indoor cycling. You’ll have more energy, you’ll sleep better, and if you watch your diet you’ll lose weight as well. If high impact exercises cause your joints to ache, you’ll find spinning classes and indoor cycling to be a very viable and challenging alternative.