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Well with Spring now in the air, some regular riders are returning after their winter hibernation. Actually if was yesterday morning at our local cafe (part of the whole cycling culture thing) when I caught up with a few mates I haven’t seen since May this year.

The first thing they commented on before I could even say “hello” was about how they had stacked on 10-15kgs over winter.

Well there is one thing about lycra, it doesn’t hide even the smallest ounce of fat so that extra 10 – 15kgs gives you a side profile like, mmm, like Homer Simpson.

Fortunately for these guys, the 10 – 15kgs will disappear in 6 -8 weeks or less and their lean body mass will return.

I would consider these guys amateur athletes, riding 450-550kms per week, doing specific training programs and racing A grade at the cycling club level.

Well out came the reasons why these wasn’t much riding over winter, work was busy, had heaps of stuff on yet over the summer period the work commitments subside and all the other things that restrict training time disappear, very strange.

It’s all about consistency and maintaining a healthy weight range on a weekly rather than seasonal level.

While I cheekily suggested to take a profile shot so we can compare there bellies in 3 months time, there was a serious note to all of this.

Apart from maintaining consistency with any exercise program, it’s equally important to watch the size of your waist circumference as there is a direct link between cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes by having a girth over 100cm for men and 90cm for women.

While these guys will typically burn anywhere from 1000 – 1500 calories during a training session, the health risks cannot be over looked.

Do you prioritize your health?

It’s interesting that I have a friend (Lets call him Bob) who decided to buy a “Fixie” bicycle, a single speed bicycle that is the latest “must have” for the urbanite.

With all the excitement of his new acquisition it was ridden to work for 3 days, enter day 4 and the fixie remained parked in the garage.

Well Bob also decided to start his “Health Kick” with some jogging around the local park, once again what started of with awesome intentions quickly dissipated into a distant memory.

However Bob loves the news, he must have the most up to date, current events that are happening locally or around the world so Bob will always ensure he gets up before work to watch the TV and check out the internet, during the day he will check updates and the evening news is always watched no matter what.

So Bob places a high priority on his news fix but a lot less on his health, while Bob is still young, neglecting his health will not have immediate effect, only in the long term.

Often we will do all of this other stuff in our life but ultimately it’s our health that matters in the end, if you are old and frail, have limited mobility it will be too late as the opportinity has passed.

Today I had an enquiry from a 25 year old who was very concerned after her grandfather broke his pelvis, it gave her the motivation to start a fitness program.
After the usual gym membership with group fitness classes and a decline in motivation, she found that 12 months had elapsed.

However the vulnerability of her grandfather to breaking bones was enough to make a positive step to her health and well being future.

While there is a lot of literature on drinking calcium to avoid osteoporosis, there is nothing quite like regular exercise training to maintain bone density.

While in Italy I saw a group of men in their 80′s going on a morning walk around the lake in the beautiful Dolomites. By exercising regularly they are not only keeping healthy but reducing there risk of osteoporosis.

While we may not have such amazing surroundings within walking distance of our house, just finding 30 minutes a day will keep you healthy and fit into your golden years.

Funny Fitness Quote from our Melbourne CBD Fitmate after the session, when I commented that he did well for getting through the session after a big weekend, he replied that just getting to boot camp was a big enough achievement.

There must have been a lot going on in Melbourne on the weekend as our morning classes also experienced smaller attendances. I’m not sure if the looming big, nasty blob of unappealing weather had anything to do with it though.

For a lot of people the weekends are a chance to unwind, relax and chill out but there is the risk of too much of a good thing.

I know it’s boring stuff that people really don’t won’t to know about but we really have to try to stick to the safe drinking guidelines.
Think about your body like when you first purchase a brand spanking new car with 0kms on the speedometer. You can neglect your car by speeding away in the morning while the engine hasn’t warmed up, neglecting to change all the fluids regularly, ie oil, filters, water, brake fluid, transmission fluids etc. For the first 10,000, 20,000kms everything is ok but when you start to get to 50,000-70,000kms things start to deteriorate, it’s harder to start, maybe a little bit of smoke from the exhaust.

Well the same thing happens to your body, after years and years of neglect your body to will start to deteriorate.

It’s 5.30am and it’s time to go boot camp training over winter, it’s cold, wet and miserable and you’re feeling very unmotivated, so is it really that bad?

Fortunately for people who live in Melbourne, we have very little rain so while this is disastrous for our reservoirs and water catchments, it’s great for fitness training.

So next time you’re thinking, mmm, should I or shouldn’t I, just think about how much better you will feel after the session.

As I always say, the hardest part of any early morning fitness program is putting your feet onto the ground, after that it gets easier.
Just treat your boot camp or outdoor fitness session like a business appointment.