How Does One Stay Fit?

[matthew80]

Here's a question: everytime I come to Thailand (Thrice now) my level of health and fitness plummets. This is because I become a slave to my previously suppressed vices: I start smoking again, and I go at it with a profound sense of commitment; I eat constantly; I drink the damn Singha beer by the truckload, and I do little in the way of exercise - unless it's to walk to the beach - where of course, I smoke, drink and eat. (playing pool burns calaries I'm sure...but the beer counterbalances) I think the "heat" and the laid-back nature of the country plays a big role in my transformation from Canadian fitness fanatic to "slug in paradice". So, I can imagine what will happen to me when, and if, I retire to LOS. How do you ex-pats deal with the fitness and health issue? is it something you really must work hard at? Or is it even an issue? Pop a multi-vitamin and forget about it...?

[buksida]

I've just started some fitness after many years of drinking, smoking and partying. My twenties are over, I'm getting older and the bod can't take the punnishment anymore!

Its a combination of martial arts and fitness, two days of each per week. Only a month into it but I already feel much better, need far less sleep and can't even look at a beer without falling over!

More info on this thread, you should join us:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... php?t=4621

[Winkie]

Here's a question: everytime I come to Thailand (Thrice now) my level of health and fitness plummets. This is because I become a slave to my previously suppressed vices: I start smoking again, and I go at it with a profound sense of commitment; I eat constantly; I drink the damn Singha beer by the truckload, and I do little in the way of exercise - unless it's to walk to the beach - where of course, I smoke, drink and eat. (playing pool burns calaries I'm sure...but the beer counterbalances) I think the "heat" and the laid-back nature of the country plays a big role in my transformation from Canadian fitness fanatic to "slug in paradice". So, I can imagine what will happen to me when, and if, I retire to LOS. How do you ex-pats deal with the fitness and health issue? is it something you really must work hard at? Or is it even an issue? Pop a multi-vitamin and forget about it...?

I watch sport on TV and buy larger trousers each year.

This way I feel confident that all is under control

Winkie

[gaijin]

One of the best forms of exercise is good sex - and I don't mean by that being on the receiving end of a BJ or HJ.
ALTERNATIVELY, there are a few gyms in town and more than enough golf courses.
But I guess from comments that from time to time crop up on this sight about older, fat farangs with young Thais in toe, that there must be a distinct lack of good sex, gym work and golf!

[Heebio]

I do approx 15km per day on a mountain bike. The old gut ain't shifted an inch but I'm a helluva lot fitter than when I started. It's a great way to get fit but has it's drawbacks, ie you need eyes in the back of your head to ride on the road here.

[lomuamart]

I do approx 15km per day on a mountain bike. The old gut ain't shifted an inch but I'm a helluva lot fitter than when I started. It's a great way to get fit but has it's drawbacks, ie you need eyes in the back of your head to ride on the road here.

I was thinking about a mountain bike earlier in the year, but after receiving the same sort of warnings you've given, I shelved the idea.
"Good sex"? Gimmie a break, I got married a year-and-a-half ago
I'll stick to staggering around on the beach from time-to-time, unless Buksida manages to persuade me to take up martial arts (then again, I'll only hurt myself).
What happened to the golf???

[Heebio]

I do approx 15km per day on a mountain bike. The old gut ain't shifted an inch but I'm a helluva lot fitter than when I started. It's a great way to get fit but has it's drawbacks, ie you need eyes in the back of your head to ride on the road here.

I was thinking about a mountain bike earlier in the year, but after receiving the same sort of warnings you've given, I shelved the idea.

Lomu, it isn't that bad to be honest. In my experience I'd say that motorists here generally have decent road awareness and definitely give way to cyclists much more than in the UK, where they practically try to drive you off the road.

The problems are with the motorcylists, more specifically the ones that toddle along at 15kph or less. Steady traffic going along at a decent speed is a relative doddle to deal with, you know where you stand and act accordingly. It's the bikes going along at no speed whatsoever that get in the way and screw up your decision making - they're the ones that'll get you in grief.

Second major problem is when the bike in front of you just hits the brakes in the middle of the road with nothing in front of it and for no apparent reason - more often than not to answer their bloody mobile. Nearly come a cropper a couple of times for this specific reason.

Add to this the bikes that just fly out of nowhere without a second glance - the number of times I've seen an adult with little kids on the bike just hit the road without looking, beggars belief.

But with a little awareness of what's around you and constant glances over the shoulder you should generally be fine. If you see any stationary bike in front of you looking like it's about to make a move, steer a wide berth or hit the anchors! You get used to it.

Despite the occasional problems described above I have a great time on the bike and wouldn't change it for the world. Why don't you borrow one and give a try?

[lomuamart]

Yeah. Reckon I'm just looking for excuses. Don't fancy the pain!!!
Then again, good advice and it's got me thinking. Thanks.

[PeteC]

It's true, here in Thailand it's so easy to get people to do things for you at little cost. House cleaning, yard work, painting, general maintenance, car washing, just about everything. Back in the West you can't afford help like that therefore most do it themselves, and that indeed helps you stay fit. My stint in Hawaii for a few years was with a house on about 3/4 acre of land. Just the weekly lawn mowing up and down hills and around foliage was enough to keep me absolutly fit and down to 180 lbs, stopped smoking and beers were maybe 1-2 an evening, BP went down etc.

Here, all has reversed itself, BP is up, smoking again, 202 lbs now, drinking way too much beer etc.

It's difficult to find a substitute here for good old fashioned manual labor. Some sports will compensate but not close to 100%. I think it's the mentality that sports are optional, whereas manual labor at a home is mandatory. The funny part is, once you do a few years of real hard and regular work around your home, you damn well miss it when you can't do it anymore.

Maybe I'll rent a field, a plow and a kwai! Pete

[richard]

Very true Pete

At home (UK) I had a large garden and big vegetable patch. After giving up my youthful pursuit of competative squash, toiling in the garden kept me fit. It was also theraputic (sp) as I had a stressful job and every sod of earth I turned was imagined as my bosses head!!!!

Here because my very caring landlady lives next door, I can't even water the garden let alone dig and certainly not odd job round the house. Even my broadband was installed after a casual chat with her about it. Before I could waddle off to TOT it appeared within hours!!

Too lazy to walk 1 minute to the beach and stretch my legs now. Left and right arms are well exercised lifting the odd beer or three

As for washing the car in the UK - that was down to the rain and now and again an occasional accidental dip in a river after a late night bash

Landlady got me a rowing machine but working out in this climate is painful after 5 pulls. Could install it one of my aircon bedrooms but what do I do with the bed?

Resigned now to pool and beer lifting

Cheers

[PeteC]

Sounds like your landlady has designs on you Richard, look out!...LOL. Pete

[richard]

Pete,

Think I'm safe. She has a hubby and I have the missus here with me who is half her age.

Problem is they all seem to gang up on me!!!

There again TIT and anything can happen!!!!

Cheers

[malcolminthemiddle]

I bought one of those cross trainers and try to do 10 - 15 minutes every day after work, weekends are a struggle.

When in BKK lucky enough to have a gym on the floor below, had Terry from CS give me a short programme using different pieces of equipment including a 30 minute power walk.

Feel much fitter but struggling to lose weight which is my main incentive after quitting smoking.

If you don't have much time or access to facilities can recommend the cross trainer for getting the heart rate going.

[PeteC]

Feel much fitter but struggling to lose weight which is my main incentive after quitting smoking.

How much did you gain after quitting, over what time span, and why?....simply eating more, or eating the same but the pounds increased anyway? Pete

[DawnHRD]

Anyone that wants a bit of a physical workout can always come & help out in the dog center. I've just spent the afternoon moving the last of our dogs from Mum's & my houses to our new center. Moving all the beds, baths etc, then lugging heavy cages onto the back of 2 pick-ups, catching dogs, putting them into the cages, unloading them into the appropriate areas at the other end & then doing it all again for 4 hours is guaranteed to use up a bit of energy. I'm exhausted

Even on a normal day, we can find plenty of physical work for anyone desperate to work off a few calories. Got to be a bit different from the treadmill or stairmaster...