Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Good Short Workout

I have been physically active and fit my entire life but I just ramped up the amount of working out I do in anticipation of our rim to rim hike of the Grand Canyon scheduled for October 6.

Before lifting weights I used to ride the recumbent bike but I recently switched to a stairmaster which is a much more productive and efficient workout. I was, and still am, lifting weights a couple of time a week but I go two other times and do the following very short work out.
  • Stairmaster: eleven minutes on level 8 (I have been increasing the time and the level slowly)
  • Three sets on one of the stomach machines
  • One set (soon to be two) of ten of what I think are squat thrusts. I go from standing, to squatting, to doing a pushup, back to a squat and back to standing (this is more difficult than you think when you are already sucking wind)
  • 60 seconds face down (a push up position of sorts) with only your toes and forearms touching, this works stomach and is very difficult as well, I'm not sure what this is called
The whole thing takes 25 minutes. It is a great off-day workout. We also go for a long hike one the weekend as part of our training.

We hike all year round but we are going out longer with our trip coming so soon. I plan to keep up the above workout after the big hike, save for the occasional tweak.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Reflection

We just got back from Sweden and Iceland. We will put up more pictures shortly.

At my work we are bringing in a new person and part of the process was meeting me. Our newbie wanted to get a feel for whether or not I would be staying with the company.

This caused a little reflection on my part. While I don't plan on going anywhere the question took on a different and bigger context for me.

Also contributing to this reflection is that a family member currently going through a rough patch.

Part of my makeup and thought process is to seek the path of least resistance whenever possible. For me the path of least resistance lead me to want to do my own thing (work-wise) and do it from home. Being entrepreneurial usually has risks, and I have taken a few but they have all been quite measured and so really not risks at all.

I also try to not get too stressed by things that happen, especially things I cannot control. My work entails managing around all sorts of things beyond my control. No amount of worry can give me more control...so I don't worry.

Fortunately for me, my wife understands these things, which believe it or not many folks don't. She also is not much of a worrier and as far as not having a traditional 9-5, she has has been doing her own thing (work-wise) longer than I have.

As I have been lucky enough to figure out what I wanted to do and have been able to get to the point where I am actually doing what I want to do I would be crazy to take action that would change my situation which was essentially my answer when asked the question this week.