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I get fit by watching Wycombe Wanderers
I MUST own to a reluctance to engage in physical exercise for its own sake.
I am also fond of my food, which combined with the fact that I have a wife who is a good cook, results in my having a far from sylph-like figure, in a culture where the sylph is considered desirable.
Sport and cycling got me into my thirties looking reasonably fit.
I did neither of those things because I thought they were good for me but because I enjoyed the former and saved money on buses and trains by engaging in the latter.
As a student, I regularly cycled from Balham to my Drama School in Earls Court. Yes, I know it seems unthinkable now.
Cycling in any of our cities is now fraught with danger both from other road users and the fumes they excrete. This is why cyclists now use the footpaths and ignore the Highway Code with seeming impunity.
A couple of decades later, I realised that, although I had never exactly boasted a six-pack, I was carrying around a one-pack that well exceeded my "carry-on" allowance.
This was the first time that I attempted to join a gym.
Each time I have done this, I have been put off quite soon by the other people around me. They seem to be either the super-fit wishing to strut their stuff, or slobs like me. I have never seen anyone "in between" which leads me to the conclusion that the slobs all give up under the contemptuous gaze of the Adonises.
Anyway, now that I have finished my theatre tour which necessitated my skipping around eight times a week doing two Restoration dances, I am resolved to keep the cardiovasculars 'vasculing', or whatever it is they do, by walking the dogs every day and jumping up and down a lot watching Wycombe Wanderers progress through the play-offs. Well. It's a start.
For those fitter than me and with roadworthy bicycles, you can still demonstrate your fitness, or indeed acquire some, by taking part in Wycombe Rotary Club's Annual Pedal Push event on Sunday 18th May. There two rides, all properly marshalled and meticulously organised, one of 25 miles and one of 50, both starting in Saunderton; and you can support your favourite charity as well as Rotary 's chosen charity - High Wycombe Hospital's Scannappeal. Details and entry forms on www.pedalpush.org.uk. Get those tyres (and yourselves) pumped up.
8:23pm Thursday 1st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Pete, Perth, Australia on 3:07am Fri 2 May 08
Also, don't discount the value of "incidental exercise." Your wife will love you for your enthusiasm traipsing up and down the huge suburban shopping centre, tallying up the walked kilometres.
Who says you need to feel terrible while losing the puppyfat.
Also, don't discount the value of "incidental exercise." Your wife will love you for your enthusiasm traipsing up and down the huge suburban shopping centre, tallying up the walked kilometres.
Who says you need to feel terrible while losing the puppyfat.
Posted by: Hollie, Southend-on-Sea on 11:29pm Sat 3 May 08
As I can't help but be picky about, there's a massive difference between "fit" and "fat". It irritates me that many can't see these differences (or simply refuse to) and therefore take it out on those less "sylph-like" for their own perverse pleasure.
Since when did "fat" become such a derogatory word?
Moving away from the rant, I generally find going for good long walks keeps me fit- as well as that, I enjoy them. Why bother going to a gym? So many far more enjoyable ways of exercising. Any good scenery around your area?
The dog-walking plan would work for me, except ever since being chased up a hill by a pair of (scarily resemblant of Hitler) Schnauzers, my likening for dogs has been rather dampened...still, whatever floats your boat.
Cheering through a football match sounds a hoot too- I should try it sometime. Only a perhaps, however, because maybe that burger at half-time would quite defeat the point. It'd be fun, though, and that at the end of the day is all that matters.
On the note of weight loss, I'll wave a sheepish hand at the fact that I myself am an exceedingly cuddly person- at least, my friends think I'm cuddly. And when someone finds you cuddly, it always bears good hope for the future. Although, at the age of fourteen, this has indeed strengthened my hatred for the word "fat". It fails me how people love so much to discriminate overweight people.
Sucks to them though. I got the cake, at the end of the day. And I'm **** well eating it- you should too!
As I can't help but be picky about, there's a massive difference between "fit" and "fat". It irritates me that many can't see these differences (or simply refuse to) and therefore take it out on those less "sylph-like" for their own perverse pleasure.
Since when did "fat" become such a derogatory word?
Moving away from the rant, I generally find going for good long walks keeps me fit- as well as that, I enjoy them. Why bother going to a gym? So many far more enjoyable ways of exercising. Any good scenery around your area?
The dog-walking plan would work for me, except ever since being chased up a hill by a pair of (scarily resemblant of Hitler) Schnauzers, my likening for dogs has been rather dampened...still, whatever floats your boat.
Cheering through a football match sounds a hoot too- I should try it sometime. Only a perhaps, however, because maybe that burger at half-time would quite defeat the point. It'd be fun, though, and that at the end of the day is all that matters.
On the note of weight loss, I'll wave a sheepish hand at the fact that I myself am an exceedingly cuddly person- at least, my friends think I'm cuddly. And when someone finds you cuddly, it always bears good hope for the future. Although, at the age of fourteen, this has indeed strengthened my hatred for the word "fat". It fails me how people love so much to discriminate overweight people.
Sucks to them though. I got the cake, at the end of the day. And I'm **** well eating it- you should too!
Posted by: rods254, London on 1:01pm Tue 13 May 08
I agree with Hollie. I love walking around. WHo needs to pay over the odds for a trip to a place with equipment that looks like a throwback to the dark ages torture catalogue, when you can do it all for free!
I agree with Hollie. I love walking around. WHo needs to pay over the odds for a trip to a place with equipment that looks like a throwback to the dark ages torture catalogue, when you can do it all for free!
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