Sunday, February 10, 2013

The Shifting Weather




I’m glad to hear that our Little Dragon, Ken Zen is recovering. This is always a dangerous period in the annual round, with drastic, unpredictable shifts in weather. Whether we pass our days indoors or out, these climate dynamics can affect our bodies. For myself, it was a very difficult week in this respect. Early on, I sought medical advice about a recurring issue with losing sleep due to late-night coughing spasms. The doctor who examined me suspected the problem was worse than your average virus, and so gave me a prescription to treat pneumonia. Between these meds and a cough suppressant I took at night, my energy was sapped and, even when awake, I felt loopy and drugged. Though I could have very easily stuck around the house, close to the couch and bed, I forced myself to do a regular work regime and to continue my martial arts practice, though with perhaps a slightly reduced intensity




At the same time, my brother’s Ab Challenge continued into its second week, and I pushed on with it. Thankfully, the tensions that had been brewing around my training approach seem to have subsided. There are a few others who are now starting to push themselves into the high reps, and I was even allowed to post a video featuring one of two personal records I cracked this week: 13 L-Hold Pull-Ups (up from 12) and 21 Inverted Sit-Ups (up from 20). This challenge has come at an appropriate time for me. I checked my weight a few days ago and learned that I’m now 192 pounds, almost 20 more than I was in September, and the most I’ve weighed in my life. I attribute this increase to an improved appetite, after quitting smoking. Unfortunately, I think most of these pounds are going to my gut. And while it hasn’t affected my abilities (yet), it’s probably best my attention be drawn down there for a bit. In addition to the increased abdominal strength exercises, I’ve now begun to run every second day, and am looking at how I can decrease sugars in my diet and speed up my metabolism a bit


10 comments:

  1. Wow. Your kicks keep getting better and better. Shift in weather cause a lot of sickness sometimes. That is probably what got baby Ken sick. Anyway, I am glad you are still keeping up with the ab challenge. Yes, you have a disease but it doesn't mean that we should stop working out because of it. But low intensity would be best in this case.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Kang. I believe that martial arts can be used to combat illness and debility, and one simple means of doing so is just by continuing to move and practice, even if it's low intensity, rather than laying down and letting the sickness overtake you

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  2. Hello,

    I have a question about your blog, could you please email me? Thanks!!

    Melanie

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    1. I just emailed you to your email address, hopefully you received it. If not, just email me directly at freddiesmodernkungfu@live.com

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  3. I hope you recover from your sickness soon. Training out there in the cold like that is some crazy stuff. Good news is that Ken is coming back home today! Jenny is with him now. The sweater looks awesome on you. I sent over your winter hat today, the total with shipping is $40.

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    1. I'm glad to hear Ken is being discharged. I sure am looking forward to getting rid of this congestion in my lungs. Maybe Ken can lend me his nose tubes, lol. Any case, thanks for shipping that toque (as we call it). I just transferred you the cost, plus my March tuition in advance

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  4. Good job setting an example for us. This weather seems to be getting a lot of people down with sickness or depression. At least I could hear the birds singing in your video. I'm ready for springtime. Hopefully you get better quick.

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    1. Thanks Lian... If it helps, we've just entered the lunar cycle when eagles and owls nest. The geese and ducks won't be too far behind, and I expect to be greeting winged migrants very soon

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  5. Stay healthy(as much as possible) and keep up the good work, you seem well disciplined!

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    1. Thanks, Steve. Yeah, I'm pretty good with disciplining myself to do things I actually want to do. Outside of that, not a chance, haha!

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