So this could be an addendum to my vagrant thread in the lifestyle section but it doesnt neccesarily involve a lifestyle change, rather how now as I am sort of trying to settle down for the moment in one place with a nearly unexistent budget have I taken measures to bring myself back to,mantain and improve shape.
So here's what I've done and am doing
Jogging/running:
Probably the cheapest and least equipment needing activity out there besides walking!
You can run in nearly any environment, whether its an open field,a forest or the streets and parks of a city.
IF you have the certaintity that your soles are though and that there arent dangerous elements in the ground running barefoot is an option as well so you might not even need running shoes.
However, a pair of very basic running shoes are worth the investment as you can also use them for other sporty activities (not to mention they are very comfortable to walk around with).
In Europe the cheapest pair I've found were 13 € bucks and a fairly decent one can usually be obtained around 20 € when not in special offers on large sports stores (Decathlon is the median in western Europe at least)
When I was roving with my backpack and I settled somewhere where I could stash my things,my routine would involve jogging with the dog.
This would start with short 5 min runs and build up throughout days and weeks eventually as I got used to it to 45 or 1 hour circuits.
I still had a very shitty diet and was abusing the booze obscenely so I might as well thank the exercise for mitigating the disastrous effects of my nutritional intake back then.
Jump Rope:
Its funny to think that such a simple "device" (if it can be called that) could be so damn effective and fun (at least for me) to use!
It is no coincidence that it has become a staple of every serious combat/sport training out there as it involves breathing,muscular endurance and coordination.
There's many types and qualities of jump ropes out there.
My experiences are with the leather corded ones,the PVC corded standard of today,a lot of improvised ones (I would use preferably industrial level or rappeling rope as it wouldnt wear down so fast) and my personal favorite: The weighted handles.
I unfortunately havent had the pleasure of trying a speed rope or a segmented one so far.
I first learned to jump rope properly -as in do more than the classic "one leg above first second leg then" basic jump- back when I was around age 11 but only really got into it at age 15 when I got into boxing classes.
Our professor was abit of crazy oddbal who liked to make us jump rope for half an hour to the beat of Techno industrial and metal music.
In these classes I developed (or stockholm syndromed) my love for endurance training and my on and off affairs with jump rope began.
I've learned to do various fancytricks and moves with it over the years as well as increasing my
So far it has proven to be the best method for my own personal use in weight loss and endurance training.
And quite frankly,I just get an amazing endorphin high from it if I combine it with some power music in my headphones or boombox.
Weighted handles have the benefit of strenghtening your shoulders apparently.
Theraband:
While it is very unlikely that you'll develop bulging bodybuilder muscles from a standard strong (not the super heavy duty thick ones) band these things are easily carried and stored anywhere, portability and versatility really are a plus for these things. Plus you can work virtually every major muscle group with these things,not to mention they are rather cheap (the strongest of the normal ones costs about 5 € in Western Europe.)
Training Gloves:
These things are far more useful than they appear,and a good sturdy pair can be obtained for about as low as 5 € (I've seen some at 3 even).
If you are doing pull ups -whether in monkey bars or any elevated surface you can grab) to push ups it will provide a layer of grip and protection that your hands will be thankful for after you're done training (specially when you do push ups in rough surfaces)
Body weight exercises and stretching:
These exercises require only your body (and a surface to grip on to in the case of pull ups I guess) and can be an amazing complement to even a gym user.
Its a bit of a cliché to say stretching is vital,but it is,specially (in my experience) after you're done with the work out.
-------------------------------------
My gear from last month,I just upgraded to a weighted rope again
Fast forward to the time of this posting:
I have now been working out every day since August.
In the last two months I've managed to jump rope for an hour full virtually non-stop (Its near impossible to not miss a step and/or have to pause due to some interruption like another dog coming to bark at mine.etc) and I've even managed to dominate my urges to take a piss during this period.
I've only started incorporating the theraband and bodyweight exercises two months ago as well when I reached the hour mark and so far I can definitely see the effects it has had on my posture and strenght.
My diet is a bit weird, I mostly consume dairies as they are rather cheap (milk specially) and contain basically a shit ton of nutrients in general and protein in particular),as well as beans,vegetables (big shout out to garlic and ginger!) and canned fish though my fat intake is I fear unhealtily low.
Doing endurance training makes me crave sweet stuff a lot so I also consume a shit ton of fruit. Bananas in particular have become almost a neccesity as I can definitely feel the stretching a lot more painfully when I havent had extra potassium.
I will definitely continue to modify and attempt to improve my routine as I go,but all in all ,I have to say that from being a soon to be drunk to death case to a dedicated practitioner makes me quite happy.
I would very much appreciate any suggestions or critiques or tips to continue modifying my work-out as it is something I enjoy a lot experimenting with.
So here's what I've done and am doing
Jogging/running:
Probably the cheapest and least equipment needing activity out there besides walking!
You can run in nearly any environment, whether its an open field,a forest or the streets and parks of a city.
IF you have the certaintity that your soles are though and that there arent dangerous elements in the ground running barefoot is an option as well so you might not even need running shoes.
However, a pair of very basic running shoes are worth the investment as you can also use them for other sporty activities (not to mention they are very comfortable to walk around with).
In Europe the cheapest pair I've found were 13 € bucks and a fairly decent one can usually be obtained around 20 € when not in special offers on large sports stores (Decathlon is the median in western Europe at least)
When I was roving with my backpack and I settled somewhere where I could stash my things,my routine would involve jogging with the dog.
This would start with short 5 min runs and build up throughout days and weeks eventually as I got used to it to 45 or 1 hour circuits.
I still had a very shitty diet and was abusing the booze obscenely so I might as well thank the exercise for mitigating the disastrous effects of my nutritional intake back then.
Jump Rope:
Its funny to think that such a simple "device" (if it can be called that) could be so damn effective and fun (at least for me) to use!
It is no coincidence that it has become a staple of every serious combat/sport training out there as it involves breathing,muscular endurance and coordination.
There's many types and qualities of jump ropes out there.
My experiences are with the leather corded ones,the PVC corded standard of today,a lot of improvised ones (I would use preferably industrial level or rappeling rope as it wouldnt wear down so fast) and my personal favorite: The weighted handles.
I unfortunately havent had the pleasure of trying a speed rope or a segmented one so far.
I first learned to jump rope properly -as in do more than the classic "one leg above first second leg then" basic jump- back when I was around age 11 but only really got into it at age 15 when I got into boxing classes.
Our professor was abit of crazy oddbal who liked to make us jump rope for half an hour to the beat of Techno industrial and metal music.
In these classes I developed (or stockholm syndromed) my love for endurance training and my on and off affairs with jump rope began.
I've learned to do various fancytricks and moves with it over the years as well as increasing my
So far it has proven to be the best method for my own personal use in weight loss and endurance training.
And quite frankly,I just get an amazing endorphin high from it if I combine it with some power music in my headphones or boombox.
Weighted handles have the benefit of strenghtening your shoulders apparently.
Theraband:
While it is very unlikely that you'll develop bulging bodybuilder muscles from a standard strong (not the super heavy duty thick ones) band these things are easily carried and stored anywhere, portability and versatility really are a plus for these things. Plus you can work virtually every major muscle group with these things,not to mention they are rather cheap (the strongest of the normal ones costs about 5 € in Western Europe.)
Training Gloves:
These things are far more useful than they appear,and a good sturdy pair can be obtained for about as low as 5 € (I've seen some at 3 even).
If you are doing pull ups -whether in monkey bars or any elevated surface you can grab) to push ups it will provide a layer of grip and protection that your hands will be thankful for after you're done training (specially when you do push ups in rough surfaces)
Body weight exercises and stretching:
These exercises require only your body (and a surface to grip on to in the case of pull ups I guess) and can be an amazing complement to even a gym user.
Its a bit of a cliché to say stretching is vital,but it is,specially (in my experience) after you're done with the work out.
-------------------------------------
My gear from last month,I just upgraded to a weighted rope again
Fast forward to the time of this posting:
I have now been working out every day since August.
In the last two months I've managed to jump rope for an hour full virtually non-stop (Its near impossible to not miss a step and/or have to pause due to some interruption like another dog coming to bark at mine.etc) and I've even managed to dominate my urges to take a piss during this period.
I've only started incorporating the theraband and bodyweight exercises two months ago as well when I reached the hour mark and so far I can definitely see the effects it has had on my posture and strenght.
My diet is a bit weird, I mostly consume dairies as they are rather cheap (milk specially) and contain basically a shit ton of nutrients in general and protein in particular),as well as beans,vegetables (big shout out to garlic and ginger!) and canned fish though my fat intake is I fear unhealtily low.
Doing endurance training makes me crave sweet stuff a lot so I also consume a shit ton of fruit. Bananas in particular have become almost a neccesity as I can definitely feel the stretching a lot more painfully when I havent had extra potassium.
I will definitely continue to modify and attempt to improve my routine as I go,but all in all ,I have to say that from being a soon to be drunk to death case to a dedicated practitioner makes me quite happy.
I would very much appreciate any suggestions or critiques or tips to continue modifying my work-out as it is something I enjoy a lot experimenting with.
We move between light and shadow, mutually influencing and being influenced through shades of gray...