[Elster]

This is a slightly modified copy pasta of an article I just finnished writing,some of it is a repeat of things I've already posted here, other stuff is relatively new.

Without further ado:

Quote:

In previous articles we've reviewed gear,nutrition and traveling tips.
This time we'll analyze a different part of a rather optional though not unimportant space and time taker all rough travelers should consider but very few actually and actively partake in,that is, health and fitness.

Many will say that this issue has beeen covered beyond one and a thousand times in almost every other travel and/or fitness blog out there. Take sometime however,to revise that claim and research it.
The higher end host traveling ones rely on budgeting options (which often fail to meet the general reality of most travelers regardless of their style) whereas the more crusty and/or new agey ones tend to discard it alltogether claiming that the movement and miracoulous pseudo eastern diets will cause one to burn all fat off and become the next nutritional health model to be lauded in Science!™ magazine before coming back to Takeoutville and becoming once more Flabby Mcslob.

The freegan method of dumpster diving is a great eye opener to the discovery of alternative ways of using and finding previously unthought of resources and a handy mechanism to reduce costs and cover immediate nutritional neccesities. However the principles of alchemy are inescapable,and in the long run what is cheap ends up being costly,and your health(which includes your looks) will pay the price if you stick to it for a longer time as you will not be able to accomodate the specific nutrition your body requires at specific stages of your journey,particularly if you divert a part of your time to maximizing and/or mantaining your physical performance.

Why are physical performance and health so important to a traveler anyway?-
Though the stereotypical happy go lucky pot headed dreamy traveler certainly indicates the opposite,a fresh and healthy mind is vital to longer term survival and progress. Such a mind can only be mantained through the base of a healthy body which in turn requires constant tuning through adequate nutrition and physical conditioning. The aforementioned traveler will not last more than a few years before he or she either goes back to their previous lifestyle or enter a nearly irreversible downwards spiral.

Why are looks being mentioned all the time?isnt that like,superficial and not deep and gay,brah?
Appereance is a direct reflection of an individual's health and survival potential. Essentialy, the first factor that determines your value to the outer world: whether you are a sea cucumber,a palm tree,a tardigrade,an alligator,a bear or a keyboard-punching ape.
It is why genuine "beauty" is associated with what "feels good" beyond the mere sensual and more into survival practicality.

Does this mean you need to start spending whatever money you might have or make in nutrition and fitness tools or gear?

Not entirely,no. but again,you get something for giving something,and investing a part of your bartering resources in nutrition can yield great benefits with comparatively lower investment.

Examples?

Fruits and veggies can be obtained from recycling (asking nicely can work as well or better than assailing bins) or buying soon to be discarded fresh produce. Fruits make for yummy snacks and an immediate carb boost for pre-workout or in between workouts

Affordable white brand products are a good bet. Because of their very status they are subject to even more scrutiny than many big name brands can get away with are your best bet for consistent nutrition. This is specially true at least in the EU.

Canned tuna in its own juice and water is a nutritional powerhouse with little fat and carbs that serves not only as self-contained meal but an ideal snack for post training. Add that until opened it will last long amounts of time with minimal care.

Beans and rice can be mixed to create a protein rich food (which is not as powerful as actual meat protein) that has the advantage that can be kept or carried around dehydrated.


What kind of work out can one engage in besides walking and hiking around with a backpack?

Bodyweight exercises can be practiced in almost any environment, whether it is urban or rural (prairies will be more challenging in this case). Many cities have open air public gyms or playgrounds which can provide excellent tools to focus on specific body areas or performance areas(for those into aerobical training the walking machines,running paths,mounted bycicles and rope pyramids are a massive boon).
Sea shores and deeper rivers or lakes offer one the possibility of swimming,obviously (personal fancy in cold weather is to take a long jog and instead of cooling down jump into the water for a short swim)

Gostro's personal favorite work out?

Rope jumping.

Before you laugh your asses off and rightfully so I will give you a brief intro:
I took boxing classes when i was younger and I was fascinated by the rope,it was the breaking point of the class which separated the ones who were serious about continuing from the soon to give up amateurs.
I was always a slow learner and under performer in comparison when it came to physical activity but I was quite zealous in my determination to prove myself,endurance was where we more suffered the most at and where I decided I'd force myself to enjoy and excel in-to me the path was through the jump rope.


Several years later and in spite of all the low points I've fell into, I'm back onboard.
At 24 I reached my peak performance and was able to jump for an hour and more, almost non-stop though mis-steps,pissing pauses and tying shoe laces were something I had not yet corrected back then.
Today I'm 30,have been off the caffeine for 4 months and have almost not touched the booze except on very special occasions (I abused it long enough and am quite surpirsed to have been able to cut it,then again having a medical examination scare can do wonders) and have reached and surpassed my previous performance capacity.
(Those that think that at the end of your tweens its over can take a note and realize that it is never too late to start anew with whatever is at hand)

Since my last post, I secured a room situation and have nearly succeeded in making the money I need for my rolling house idea I had posted before about.
It sounds like a no-brainer but in the long term having a stable shelter where you can lay your stuff without fear of loss or damage can do wonders as your mind can be liberated to better concentrate on adressing ways to overcome old obstacles and progress into new structures.
This has been the case with me, in a few months I am hoping to find myself working on tuning up a van to be my rolling home while sort of being back in society.
It feels amazing not having to deal with freaks,loonies and socially problematic dreadlocked losers and being treated with respect and equality by average folk. I think if I hadnt fallen so low and explored the underworld of traveling I would have never been able to appreciate such a simple pleasure.