What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Other discussions not related to the Permanent Portfolio

Moderator: Global Moderator

User avatar
vnatale
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 9472
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:56 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by vnatale »

Tortoise wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:36 pm
vnatale wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:17 pm I am the proverbial "hard gainer"and the classic ectomorph. I plateaued years and years ago on the exercises that I do. Adding 5 pounds to any of them is a MAJOR accomplishment. However, since I'm in the age group of more rapid phase of losing muscle mass potential just staying at a plateau should probably be viewed as victory.
Absolutely. My dad has always been an avid cyclist, and after retirement he started cycling a lot more and is now very skinny. I'm sure his heart is in great health, but it seems like he's probably missing out on the benefits of having a good base of muscle mass and bone density with which to defend against sarcopenia and osteopenia. Avoiding heart attacks is great, but it's also good to be able to get up from the toilet and not shatter your hip if you fall down!

Regarding your being a "hard gainer," that topic comes up frequently in the strength training community -- and especially in Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength community, which I know you're familiar with. The prevailing view there seems to be that "hard gainers" usually just aren't eating enough surplus calories to shift their bodies into anabolism.

In the extreme case of really skinny 18-year-old guys who complain of not being able to gain much strength, Rippetoe tells them to drink a gallon of milk a day (GOMAD) on top of what they're already eating. For less extreme cases, and for older people, he acknowledges that GOMAD is probably a bad idea. But the general concept of shifting to a caloric surplus seems like pretty universal advice for "hard gainers."
The Body Science (as does Rippetoe's book) makes the case that strength training is far more beneficial for the heart than is cardio.

My anecdotal evidence seems to support that.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
User avatar
Tortoise
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 2751
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 2:35 am

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Tortoise »

vnatale wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 9:37 pm The Body Science (as does Rippetoe's book) makes the case that strength training is far more beneficial for the heart than is cardio.

My anecdotal evidence seems to support that.
Funny you should mention this. The other day I decided to measure my blood pressure and heart rate. My blood pressure was normal (as it usually is), but my heart rate was a surprisingly low 55 bpm.

Before I started strength training about 6 months ago, I don't think my measured resting heart rate had ever been below 60 bpm, even when I was young.

I've never been a huge fan of cardio exercise like jogging or cycling, so I suspect this is the best condition my heart has ever been in.
User avatar
l82start
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 1291
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:51 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by l82start »

l82start wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:47 am
vnatale wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 9:15 pm

i am not familiar with his claims but from what i have read, strength training done properly to momentary muscle failure across the major muscle groups will produce equal or better cardiovascular results with far less strain/wear and tear and injury risk than any cardio exercise. For a good read on the science of strength training, try DR Doug Mcguff 's book "body by science"..
Many thanks for letting me know about this book!

As I initially responded I did quickly buy the book and it came shortly after. But I put as a first priority to finish ALL the library books I'd taken out of two libraries around mid-winter. If I kept reading any of my books I'd never finish them.

Earlier tonight I finally finished the final one and the Body by Science book was the first book of my own that I chose to read.

It was one of those books that only a few pages into it I knew that it was going to be a book of substance.

When I read that they preferred Nautilus machines for the exercises I was disappointed as my reaction was, "I'm not going anywhere to exercise....but I'll still read the rest of the book to see if I can get anything of value out of it."

However, I was thrilled beyond measure when it stated if it isn't possible to go to a commercial gym..."....consider purchasing a power rack and an Olympic barbell set and training at home."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just what I already have at home. NOTHING to purchase.

Then I was again totally thrilled to see that "The Big Five" exercises to do using barbells were my basic four that I already do plus one that I do not! Only one new exercise to learn to do (Bent-Over Barbell Row) and it seemed fairly easy to learn.

I was so devouring this book that I quickly read over half of it.

You may have a convert!

To do all the necessary exercise in 12 minutes a week compared to the 8 to 9 hours I spent over three mornings would mean I'd have a lot more time to do other things.

Thanks again for the recommendation!

Vinny
glad you liked it... lots of great information in there..
-Government 2020+ - a BANANA REPUBLIC - if you can keep it

-Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence
User avatar
vnatale
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 9472
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:56 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by vnatale »

l82start wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:48 am
glad you liked it... lots of great information in there..
[/quote]

I later read reviews of the book which prompted me to then buy this one:

The Body By Science Question and Answer Book

https://www.amazon.com/The-Body-By-Scie ... l_huc_item

Generally as a Super Frugal I try to buy all my books cheap (generally in used condition).

However, this case I made my high value / investment exception and spent the $25 for it!

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
User avatar
l82start
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 1291
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:51 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by l82start »

that looks good ... added to wish list..
-Government 2020+ - a BANANA REPUBLIC - if you can keep it

-Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence
User avatar
vnatale
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 9472
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:56 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by vnatale »

l82start wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:54 pm that looks good ... added to wish list..
Finished reading Body Science tonight.

Next step is to reread it much more slowly in a studying fashion with an eye for implementation.

How much do you do of what the book proscribes?

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
User avatar
l82start
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 1291
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:51 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by l82start »

i am (in hiatus :-[ ) doing the body weight version of this*. i follow it as closely as i can, my biggest difficulty is tracking, i have mostly gone it by feel, i suspect that charting reps etc. would give even better results.. the important part is good form, slow reps, and making it difficult {NOT EASY} by avoiding all the cheats like using momentum..

and resting sufficiently.. when you work out on each exercise to the point of momentary muscle failure 12 or so minutes of exercise can give you a worked muscle feeling that can last a week. recovery time is necessary




* "project kratos" another good book
-Government 2020+ - a BANANA REPUBLIC - if you can keep it

-Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence
WiseOne
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 2692
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2022 11:08 am

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by WiseOne »

Huh, my biggest bodyweight-related problem has been going down 2 pant sizes in the past several months. This weekend I will re-acquaint myself with my grandmother's Singer sewing machine from the late 1950s.

The diet is not really a diet anymore, it's all on autopilot. No tracking or charting of any kind. All I have to do is avoid sugar and grains, and keep a lid on starchy foods like potatoes and squash.
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

WiseOne wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 10:15 am Huh, my biggest bodyweight-related problem has been going down 2 pant sizes in the past several months.
...
The diet is not really a diet anymore, it's all on autopilot. No tracking or charting of any kind.
Congratulations!
User avatar
Dieter
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 656
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:51 am

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Dieter »

WiseOne wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 10:15 am Huh, my biggest bodyweight-related problem has been going down 2 pant sizes in the past several months. This weekend I will re-acquaint myself with my grandmother's Singer sewing machine from the late 1950s.

The diet is not really a diet anymore, it's all on autopilot. No tracking or charting of any kind. All I have to do is avoid sugar and grains, and keep a lid on starchy foods like potatoes and squash.
Nice! Congrats.
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

WiseOne wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 10:15 am This weekend I will re-acquaint myself with my grandmother's Singer sewing machine from the late 1950s.
Is it a treadle? I sewed my first shirt on a treadle that I helped my mom restore when I was about 10. I still prefer them for the fine tuned control and torque. The motorized sewing machines feel like driving a car with an automatic transmission.
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

vnatale wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 7:56 pm How much do you do of what the book proscribes?
Vinny
You're a trouble maker and a rebel, Vinny.
WiseOne
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 2692
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2022 11:08 am

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by WiseOne »

Mark Leavy wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 2:55 pm
WiseOne wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 10:15 am This weekend I will re-acquaint myself with my grandmother's Singer sewing machine from the late 1950s.
Is it a treadle? I sewed my first shirt on a treadle that I helped my mom restore when I was about 10. I still prefer them for the fine tuned control and torque. The motorized sewing machines feel like driving a car with an automatic transmission.
It's electric with a foot pedal. Not quite as old as I thought (it's a 1964 600E) but it is still a beauty. It weighs about 3x as much as a modern machine, so you know it's made with quality parts. I cleaned and oiled it, and it's working perfectly except for one stuck lever. I found youtube videos for it so I might be able to fix it myself.
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

WiseOne wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 9:30 am It's electric with a foot pedal. Not quite as old as I thought (it's a 1964 600E) but it is still a beauty. It weighs about 3x as much as a modern machine, so you know it's made with quality parts. I cleaned and oiled it, and it's working perfectly except for one stuck lever. I found youtube videos for it so I might be able to fix it myself.
What a fun project. Tactile, mental and a visceral connection to your family. Those are things worth doing.
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

Just because it's late on a holiday weekend and WiseOne has me reminiscing.

I do miss my uncle, my mom's brother. Otherwise known as the greatest man that ever lived.

When I was a kid, my mom sent me to live with him for a few summers because she said that my step-dad would never be able to teach me to be a man.

I remember one evening, my uncle and my mom were having a sewing contest of some sort. I don't remember the details. I said something stupid like, "You're sewing? I thought only women sewed?". My uncle looked me squarely in the eye and said, "That's right. Only women sew. Men build stuff. Come here, I'm going to show you how to build a shirt."

The next day he showed me how to build a pumpkin pie.

And, later, through the years, he showed me how to build a ski boat and how to build a roadster and how to build a beehive and how to stock it with wild bees and how to build a house and how to break a horse and how to build pruno and how to drive a stick shift...

Then I didn't see him for about twenty years while I got lost in growing up and raising my own family. In 1993, he called me up and said that I should come visit him because it would be better if he were alive during the visit. Then he showed me how to insert a catheter so that he could urinate - and he said, "You need to see this. It's important that you don't go down this road."

He died three days after I left. I didn't go the funeral. There was nothing that I needed from the rest of the family.

I still build stuff. Even my mom doesn't know my uncle's pumpkin pie recipe. But I do.
User avatar
Tyler
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 2066
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:23 pm
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Tyler »

You're a great writer, Mark. Love your storytelling.
User avatar
Kriegsspiel
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 4052
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 5:28 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Kriegsspiel »

Mark Leavy wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 10:44 pm I do miss my uncle, my mom's brother. Otherwise known as the greatest man that ever lived.

When I was a kid, my mom sent me to live with him for a few summers because she said that my step-dad would never be able to teach me to be a man.
Brutal.
You there, Ephialtes. May you live forever.
User avatar
Dieter
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 656
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:51 am

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Dieter »

Kriegsspiel wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 7:30 am
Mark Leavy wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 10:44 pm I do miss my uncle, my mom's brother. Otherwise known as the greatest man that ever lived.

When I was a kid, my mom sent me to live with him for a few summers because she said that my step-dad would never be able to teach me to be a man.
Brutal.
I observant and did something about it. +1.
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14292
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by dualstow »

Great story, Mark. I love that your mother had the foresight to put you two together for a few summers. Invaluable.
He built a man!
9pm EST Explosions in Iran (Isfahan) and Syria and Iraq. Not yet confirmed.
User avatar
Xan
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 4402
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:51 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Xan »

Mark, can you be more specific about the road he was warning you against going down? Too much medical intervention at end-of-life? Living so long that you need to be catheterized? A career in nursing?
User avatar
Mark Leavy
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1950
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 pm
Location: US Citizen, Permanent Traveler

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Mark Leavy »

Xan wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 12:30 pm Mark, can you be more specific about the road he was warning you against going down? Too much medical intervention at end-of-life? Living so long that you need to be catheterized? A career in nursing?
Prostate Cancer
I don't know what he expected me to do about it, other than to get checked while still young. He died not long after finding out about it. I don't imagine he went to the doc much during his life.
User avatar
vnatale
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 9472
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:56 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by vnatale »

Mark Leavy wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 3:33 pm
Xan wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 12:30 pm Mark, can you be more specific about the road he was warning you against going down? Too much medical intervention at end-of-life? Living so long that you need to be catheterized? A career in nursing?
Prostate Cancer
I don't know what he expected me to do about it, other than to get checked while still young. He died not long after finding out about it. I don't imagine he went to the doc much during his life.
My doctor convinced me to not get tested on the basis that there is too many false positives with the net result of the tests causing more overall needless problems than what they save in terms of prevention.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
User avatar
vnatale
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 9472
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:56 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by vnatale »

MangoMan wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 7:04 am
vnatale wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 8:23 pm
Mark Leavy wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 3:33 pm
Xan wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 12:30 pm Mark, can you be more specific about the road he was warning you against going down? Too much medical intervention at end-of-life? Living so long that you need to be catheterized? A career in nursing?
Prostate Cancer
I don't know what he expected me to do about it, other than to get checked while still young. He died not long after finding out about it. I don't imagine he went to the doc much during his life.
My doctor convinced me to not get tested on the basis that there is too many false positives with the net result of the tests causing more overall needless problems than what they save in terms of prevention.

Vinny
What specifically do you mean by 'tested'? PSA bloodwork? Digital rectal exam?

My MD told me at my last physical they were now only doing digital exams 'upon request' due to their lack of efficacy. I said, "So you've been doing that to me for the last 25 years for nothing?" All he could do was smile and shrug.
Absolutely NO tests of any type.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
User avatar
GT
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:54 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by GT »

vnatale wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 9:34 pm
vnatale wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:58 pm
MangoMan wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:33 pm With all this weight lifting talk, just curious: Who here has lost or gained more than 3 pounds? I consider 2 lbs to be insignificant due to salt intake variation and whether or not a recent poop has taken place,
March 17th was the last day I've been off my property. Do my daily weights and fluctuations support what you believe?

I've kept up my three times a week exercises but unless I'm working outside on my property little movement otherwise besides these fingers.
Normally I'd be doing some walking around during the day and playing basketball two nights a week and, at this time of year, engaging in softball practices.

Vinny
UPDATE:

Looks like in the last 10 weeks I could have lost 9 pounds depending upon how you view my start...

Capture.JPG

Vinny
I think I found 5 of your 9 pounds - gladly give them back if you are missing them
User avatar
Kriegsspiel
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 4052
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 5:28 pm

Re: What Does Life Look Like For You Now?

Post by Kriegsspiel »

Coronalog 27MAY2020

I mowed the grass this morning. Nothing else to report on this fine Wednesday. Going to start boozing soon.

I was visiting my parents recently, and I forget exactly how it happened, but I was talking about how awesome alcohol was. My mom got a Serious Look (or, as close to it as she could. She'd had a few as well), and said I should be careful, a lot of our family are alcoholics.

"LOL WHAT. No they aren't. Who?"

She listed off all my favorite relatives ;D
You there, Ephialtes. May you live forever.
Post Reply