Recent News

Hello, lovely people ... assuming there are any people out there, reading this.

I have been quite busy doing various things, some of which are pleasant and some of which make me quite sad. Many of them cause a great deal of stress and cause a lack of money and other resources, tiredness, etc.

I am still plugging along, though. In the last month, I have lost 3 lbs. No muscle loss, though, and that's something!  If I remember correctly, I have lost more fat than the number of pounds would account for, too. I can't find the old receipt to find out, though.

In the last week, I started trying Apple Cider Vinegar water with baking soda, as I have read some interesting information about using it to kill yeast overgrowth. I started out with 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 1 tbsp. ACV, and have now started on 1/2 tsp baking soda and 2 tbsp. ACV, in 8 oz of water.

So far, I have only done it once per day. It is suggested to do it three times a day, for 5 days, and then to take a break for 2 days.

Also, due to things I read about thyroid issues, I have started taking 1/2 tsp. sea salt (iodized) in water, in the mornings. It does seem to help me feel less tired.

Today, I did Makka Ho Stretches. There are just 4 exercises, and, really, they are just stretching; but, for me, right now, they are pretty darned intense. I could really feel a difference in the way I was walking, immediately afterward.

The major focus is on the hip/groin area, to make it more mobile. I could really feel it in my back, lower abs and inner thighs. Yowza!

The Makka Ho stretches should be done every day. They only take about 5 minutes, once one gets used to them. I have almost zero mobility or ability to hold positions, but, I noticed there was a difference between the first set of 10 or the second set of 10.

When I say Makka Ho stretches, by the way, I mean as written by a Japanese gentleman in a book that was published in the late 1960's or early 1970's . There are other Makka Ho exercise books, that add a bunch of stuff in and try to make it all mystical. His book mentions God, but, it is not a book about religious training or any sort of mysticism; it is just exercises to help people remain mobile or gain mobility.

Also, after I made this initial post, I did a full five minutes of moving. Which, to you Alice Cooper fans, happens to be one full play of "My Stars'. Earlier, today, too, I went on a walk through the mall with my sister, and I shall count that as another five minutes.

My goal is to work up to 30 minutes of purposeful movement, every day. It can be walking, doing stair stepping, dancing, calisthenics, Callanetics, running, swimming. So long as it is purposeful and aerobic. Yes, that includes possible weight-lifting, if done right.

First, I shall do five minute intervals,  three times a day. The Makka Ho exercises will not be counted in that total, as, while they are quite beneficial, they are not aerobic.

There is a scientific explanation for why it is better to break up your workout into three periods of 10 minutes each. Though, during that explanation, I saw nothing to indicate that 15 periods of 2 minutes each wouldn't be at least as beneficial. Still, one does want endurance, and, such short periods of exercise would not accomplish that goal.

Basically, what I am saying, then, is that, if it is possible for you to do so, go for 10 minutes, three times a day. If it is not, do what you can, in whatever increment you can, and work up to the goal from there.

I do not have the scientific explanation on me, at the moment, but, I can tell you the gist. Your body, when you start exercising, goes through chemical changes that encourage you to burn fat. It happens every time you start exercising. Though, it could be that it happens slowly enough that 10 minutes works best. I don't know! Whatever the case, beginning to exercise and keeping it up for 10 minutes, then doing it three times is better for burning fat than working out for one session of a half hour.

Obviously, if you care to work out for an hour, you can decide to do four sessions of 15 minutes or 6 sessions of 10 minutes, too. Just don't go crazy and overdo it. Always work up to the goal. To overwork yourself serves no purpose at all. If all you can do is 1 minute at a time, do the 1 minute, three times a day. Then, add to it over time. Could be the next day or it could take you a week. It's your body. Train it, but, realize that part of effective training is listening to the needs of the trainee.