Hell in a Handbasket

It may be time to hang it up - if your body is telling you things you better listen. My body started telling me things when I was 33 or so - I desperately needed to get in shape so I could be around for my kids. I have no doubt that I would be dead by 55 if I would have kept going down my path of being overweight, eating too much crap and drinking too much alcohol.

But I had a meeting with myself one morning in front of the mirror before I went to work. I have no idea why it was that day, or what clicked in my head, but the days of living unhealthy lifestyles from that day on are far in my rear view mirror.

I sort of think that one morning so long ago that my brain did its version of the "hail mary", and said to me that you either start getting in shape NOW or I will just let you kill yourself. Not a medical opinion, just what I think may have gone on in my cranium.

With all the good you have done for others, it sounds like it may be time for you to do some good for you.

James, you might find that just changing the way you deal with it will bring benefits. With a bit of planning ahead, you'd be able to deal with the food issues without resorting to fast food. And ditch the soft drinks in favor of coffee or tea, preferrably without sugar.

If you truly love what you're doing, then you can find a way to keep doing it, while still accomodating your health needs. Yes, 700 is an impressive number, and I commend you for your dedication to the cause. But in the end, the number is less important than whether this is something you still want to do.

Get a recumbant excercise bike and set it sideways in front of your computer while you are on the internet. Maybe not perfect excercise but it works for me. Two musts for the price of one, although which is the price is up for grabs.

Get a recumbant excercise bike and set it sideways in front of your computer while you are on the internet.

I think that you have suggested that I use an exercise bike before, and I certainly appreciate the advice. But my lack of cardio equipment isn't the problem.

If you take a look at the blog you will notice that there are these big gaps where I don't post anything for awhile, and they usually run for three days or so. Those are the times I'm conducting a class, the days when I might have a whole hour to sleep if I'm lucky.

I'm not going to give up my hour in the rack to pedal away on an exercise bike, mainly because I'm close enough to having a psychotic break as it is.

It also takes me a day or two to recover from all that running around and not sleeping, so I only have at best two days every week where I don't feel sick. I usually exercise on those days, but it isn't enough to counteract the damage done during the rest of the week.

James

How about not trying to help everybody that asks. Forget being superman. A human can only do so much. Fewer students, shorter class time, each student spread over a longer time period.

You can still help some without destroying yourself or quitting, thus helping no one.

James, 44?????? Old????? What the hell are you talking about! Old?????? :)

Was camping with my scouts last weekend. Really crappy weekend - snow, rain, sleet, hail, 3 days of rain prior go going, so much water on the ground it felt like I was sleeping on a waterbed! One of the new scouts' dad was grumbling about being too old, he had just turned 40!

Geezz, come on! I just rolled over 58. Ya gotta keep moving sir. There may well be many reasons to quit - you're bored, you don't enjoy it any more, you have a new passion you want to focus on - but because you're "old"???? Come on James, get into shape, change your diet or just move on and be happy with your choice. But please, not because you're old!

BTW, I really enjoy your blog, keep up the good work!!!

Bill

James, 44?????? Old????? What the hell are you talking about! Old?????? :)

To paraphrase what Indiana Jones said in the first movie. "It ain't the years, it's the mileage."

James

James,

First and foremost, thank you for your dedication to helping those that most need to learn to defend themselves. You have made your community a better place because of it.

Secondly, as I hate to see a great thing (which you do) come to an end, I want to help. Of course the only help I can offer is ideas, having absolutely NO idea what your schedule is and why it is. So, without further ado:

1) Can you adjust the hours of your class to allow more rack time?

2) Like trajectory said, can you scale back?

3) What about pairing up with a "partner" to share the work?

4) What about a sabbatical?

Thanks for your work and your blog. I enjoy reading it!

Steve

James,

Fast food is fatal. You must rise above the addiction or it will kill you. I was in your position 20 years ago, and made a career change into local government where I could more easily positive results of my efforts by working in a "smaller pond." This has been very rewarding. I've now reached the "Rule of 80" again, looking at a second retirement and starting over yet again in a neighboring jurisdiction. I don't plan to stop working until I drop dead on the job. Then I expect the rest of my team will argue among themselves on how to split up my gear and further the mission.

Stay mentally and physically active. Exercise daily, without fail. Get back into "battle trim." Avoid sodium and refined sugar. Eat all the fresh fruit and veggies you want. Eat all the game meat and fish you can catch or kill for yourself. Carry a day's supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, trail mix and jerky in your go bag for when you must eat on the road. Always drink and graze upstream from the herd. Drink only vegetable juices, skim milk, water, tea or black coffee.

You'll work harder and more effectively when you are a little bit hungry. It keeps you focussed. Ration your food, but not your water. Stay hydrated and active. Food and rest are a reward for that time after the day's battle is won.