Juggling the impossible - Keeping fit

[Deftone45075]

Somebody write to Bowflex and ask for a full body workout machine that packs up in a 22 inch roll-aboard.

...There is usually a Gym near most hotels, just ask for directions at the desk. If time is an issue there are quite a few excersises you can do in your room.

 

[Ponypilot]

Eggs

Hard boiled eggs are a great and cheap source of protein. Plus they keep easy, you can pack asmany as you will need. Just eat the whites and toss the yolks.

As for lifting weights....ask the bagage handlers if you can help

Cheers.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Fitness:
I developed my own fitness routine I do in my room. (We very rarely are in a hotel w/ a gym arrangement/near a gym, and often the hotel workout rooms are bad.) You can pick up all kinds of exercises by attending classes at a gym, or from watching workout videos. I got some of my best ones from watching some Pilates workout infomercials. Normally, I do 3 sets, which takes me about 2 hours. You can vary how many exercises you do and how many sets to fit your time available. For weights it is easy to add and take out stuff to your luggage and flight kit and use that for various exercises. At my crashpad I brought in some free weights, which I need to use more often.

I was running a lot (I always carry a pair of running shoes and 3 sets of shorts/T-shirts, but have hurt my knee so I'm walking more and running less.

Don't ask for the hotel van or rental car to go short distances! Some of our pilots won't walk 1/4 mile! If it's 5-20 minutes it's easy to walk! Also, unless I'm pressed for time I walk, instead of using the moving walkways or subway-type trains, if possible. I take the stairs instead of escalators. Sometimes I even carry my luggage instead of rolling to to add extra calorie burn!

About the best fitness activities/rountine you can do is detailed in an old (1970s) Canadian Armed Forces pamphlet/book. It is available in bookstores, etc. I don't know the exact title. Note: I couldn't find it on an internet search. If your interested, PM me, and I think my mom knows how to find it.


Food: I quit drinking sodas about 2 years ago-almost all water-this also saves money. I almost NEVER eat fast food. I carry energy bars, apples, nuts and raisins mix, etc. Foccacia bread is a good one. It is sort of like a mini-pizza, bread with stuff on top of it. It'll stay eatable for about a week.

Good luck!

Cliff
GRB

PS-One of the things that keeps me motivated is observing a number of pilots at my company who are severely overweight. They're cutting their retirement years WAY down (if they make it that long)! The other is my wife, who can be pretty harsh on excess body-fat. I figure the better shape I'm in, the better chance I have of getting serious sack time with her!

 

[asarjfo]

My wife got us started on the low sugar diet (low G/I). Keep the sugar to a minimum...no more soda. Drinking lots of water is key. The protien bars (low sugar) are good to keep in your bag as well. Eat one of those and chug some water and you will be full for a few hours. I have not been to Wendy's in 6 months.

I have not started running again yet, but I have dropped 8 pounds by just staying away from the sugar. At one time I was a big fat 220 and felt horrible, I am now around 190 and feel great. I am sure I can drop another 5/10 once I start to run again. Best part about jogging.....its free and available at all the overnights.

good luck

 

[FastPilot]

Did that Body for Life book you mentioned have anything about such things in it? Maybe a trip to Borders is in order...

Body For Life is an amazing book. It shows you haow to set real goals in life, and work properly to attain them. It is a must read. If you have more questions check out BFL newsgroups/ yahoo groups.

 

[BEXFlyer]

When I am on the road, I keep in shape by walking/running up the hotel stairs. You do 10 flights of stairs once or twice, and you will find out what kind of shape you are really in. It is TOUGH. Also, most airports have a Wendy's.....the spring mix salad with a plain (or a dab of low-cal dressing) baked potato is a real WINNER.

 

[jaybird]

This is a decent article most of which has already been discussed here.

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/onthego.htm

 

[Typhoon1244]

All this business about keeping lean and fit is over-rated. Oh, I may not have sweet young stewardesses lining up to my hotel room door, but think of the safety benefits of a physique like mine: there's not an airplane in the world that'll get into a deep stall with me in the nose.

 

[saabcaptain]

Typhoon: your brother... talk about someone skinny!!!

That said I am a small guy, small frame etc. Back in college I was only 118-125 but within 3 1/2 years of airline flying was up to 150. Doesn't sound bad but it was all "tire." I finally said enough is enough on Jan 1st and cut out all non-diet soda, juice, etc. I am doing a 1200-1400 calorie a day diet which I carefully mointor and to try to get more complete meals when I am on the road I use "lite" protein bars to replace meals when I don't have access to something decent. I eat tons of grilled chicken, turkey, salads etc. with no mayo, fatty dressings etc. No fries or deserts either except maybe a "free" meal every 2 weeks. I do 6 days a week of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and use the treadmills in the hotels or just run outside. In about 9 weeks I have lost 20 pounds and am down to 129 with a goal of 124 to go. Then I hope to put some weight back on in the form of muscle in a more intense weight training routine with higher daily calorie levels.

It is working and I feel SO much better.