How Does One Stay Fit?

matthew80 · Specialist Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Canada

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...? Cheers

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Maverick

buksida · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

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/viewtopic.php?t=4621
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Winkie · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:42 am Post subject: Re: How Does One Stay Fit?

gaijin · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:06 pm Post subject:

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 · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject:

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.
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Never trust a hippy....

lomuamart · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:29 pm Post subject:

Heebio · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

lomuamart · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:34 pm Post subject:

Yeah. Reckon I'm just looking for excuses. Don't fancy the pain!!!
Then again, good advice and it's got me thinking. Thanks.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

prcscct · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

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! Shocked

Pete

richard · Ace Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Posts: 1651 Location: Hua Hin

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 Cheers

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Why does my head feel so bad why does my soul feel so bad - Moby (Dick)
Enjoy the silence, enjoy the silence, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the silence (Digweed)

Khun Richard of Yorkshire (Halifax) and Hua Hin

prcscct · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

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

Pete

richard · Ace Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Posts: 1651 Location: Hua Hin

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
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Why does my head feel so bad why does my soul feel so bad - Moby (Dick)
Enjoy the silence, enjoy the silence, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the silence (Digweed)

Khun Richard of Yorkshire (Halifax) and Hua Hin

malcolminthemiddle · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

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.

prcscct · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:00 pm Post subject:

DawnHRD · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject:

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 Neutral

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... Shocked

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