I'm working it now...Body For Life program did me wonders last time (two years ago). This time, instead of paying into a gym, I'm working out from the house every morning. I've done this race both in shape and outta shape and the difference at the end of every day is amazing.

Jake, would you recomend a triathalon type training plan, or heavy weight lifting?

I would think that since it's a long distance race, with many long days in a row, you would want to train more for a marathon (lots of cardio, etc.) than weight lifting.

With all respect, I think you need a professsional.

I dislocated my shoulder in a non-sailing accident right after "Tradewinds". At Daytona in June, I twisted my knee. Neither one got better, so last week I went to the Dr. The shoulder will take six weeks of rehab, the two sprained knee ligaments about the same. Treatment for the torn meniscus is still to be determined.

Neither injury was dramatic. I can barely remember how I hurt my knee, I just remember my knee was sore when I got back to the beach. The point is: little aches and pains may turn out to be not so little.

As I recall, we reach our physical peak around seventeen. Time marches on. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Definitely a focus on cardio. I do alternating routines. One day is 20 minutes of cardio. The next day is 10 minutes cardio and 10 minutes on the weights (hard lifting to keep the heart rate up). Combined with an eating regiment that is low on fat and focuses on protein and carbs and eating 6 small meals a day...it works really well for me. The biggest thing in training for something like catsailing is to work on your endurance and decrease your physical recovery time so you can recover quickly from a short burst of hard activity (from something like a capsize).

I dont know much about diabetes. Do you have to stick to a certain diet or is there anything you need/want to keep away from? Carbohydrates? Perhaps I better go out and do a search on type 1 diabetes..

I assume you are going to measure your difference in weight and fat % at the start and the end of the program?

I am wondering why you have choosen to measure on muscle mass instead of strength/endurance. Anyway, thanks for sharing. Best wishes for the program and please keep us informed, very interesting stuff.



Pete, you wrote


I am going up on my soapbox again, please be patient with me <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
It is probably true that our "golden age" is the late teens. However it is never too late to take up working out and becoming fit. The results we can get from a careful diet and exercise regime even at old age is pretty stunning. Not only the things we do and like to do can be improved immensively, but our bodies responds like crazy to a good diet and exercise regime.
I.e. it is well known that population groups new to the "western diet" get the same problems we do. Diabetes, heart/lung, cancer, theet etc etc. There have been done experiments where they put a group of pretty sick people back in their traditional lifestyle and diet (aboriginals back in the bush etc.). Within 6 weeks their test results: weight, cholesterol etc etc. drops like crazy and gets down to healthy levels. It is pretty clear to me that the "western diet" based on vegetabile fat, white wheat flour, refined suger, "fast food", snacks etc. is killing us.
When it comes to exercise, too many people say they exercise but dont really do so. Going to a gym and lifting weights can be excellent workouts, if you push yourself while there. Too many watch TV from a recumbent/treadmill and never break a sweat. That is not working out and will not give results. To get results we have to push ourself and break some sweat, and we dont need a gym to do that.
We discussed techniques for getting back on the boat after a capsize earlier. Putting your hands on the deck and just pulling/pushing yourself up should be something anybody under 75 could do with some practice. It is basically a pull-up and a half a dip, with lots of your body in water. If we can not do that, one is either too heavy or too weak and not fit for the sport (exceptions for people with disabilities, injuries and if you are exhausted of course). Saying "I am too old/fat/weak/dont have time/eat to much/like my diet coke too much etc. to work out" is just an excuse in my opinion.
We always have a choice. Educating ourself so we know what to eat and how to work out is one choice. Staying on a diet of junk food and no exercise is another choice. Obese children with malnutrition issues is a warning that our diet is problematic.

Eat less. Eat more green stuff. Eat less meat. Enjoy the food. Eating only food your great-grandmother would recognize as food is a good way to stay healthy in my opinion. No "processed" food or white bread in the daily diet. Processed "food" or food products claiming to be good for you is not real food.
Yes, I am becoming a health/diet nazi, and I enjoy it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Rolf, how do you feel about almonds as a snack to stave off the hunger pains until a real meal can be obtained?

I have read good things about them and I eat them sometimes when I'm on a trip and I know I won't be anywhere near healthy food for 24-30 hours. When on a trip it is nearly impossible to find healthy food, (certainly not airplane food) sometimes for 5-7 days depending on what country we are in.

I usually carry Cliff Bars with me, anyone have an opinion on Cliff Bars vs. some of the other bars?

Whoops, I am becoming a health nazi, but I am no expert nutritionalist (yet) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I'll say what I think, but take it for what it is worth.

Hunger pain is something I am not bothered with after I changed my diet. If you have hunger pains I would think you are eating food going through your system quickly, possibly triggering your insuling production or not eating for quite long periods. Neither are good in my opinion.
Fibers stay in your system for a long time, so eating greens with vegetables will give your digestive system lots of fibers and proteins to work on. Staying away from refined sugar, white wheat flour and artificial sweeteners have made me feel content for longer periods, to such a degree that I have to remind myself to eat!
Airplane food is not that bad if you can get access to the business class stuff <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Lots of salads, whole grain products and good stuff there.
Almonds are rich on carbohydrates, which I feel make me more hungry. My favourite if I want to feel content for quite some time is a wok with chicken, fish or any kind of unprocessed meat really. Lots of green stuff like broccoli, black eye peas, peppers, some peanuts, different onions, some mushrooms, spinach and other stuff like that. The same stuff, including the meat, can be put into a salad. Just remember that the meat is just a "tasty" addition, the main part of the meal is the vegetables. Together with some bread or rolls made from whole grains, real butter (not margarin) and preferably 60grams of red wine would make a decent meal <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Soups are quite decent meals which make me feel content for longer periods.
Personally I try to stay away from snacks and eat a meal instead. Sit down and take my time. Not putting any more food on my forl before I have swallowed what is in my mouth. Talking and enjoying, spending time with the food. I dont know if that is possible for you, but I would think choosing the right food should help. Being bored definately dont help!

Perhaps Arbo006 (Eric) have some additional comments. This is his field of expertise.

What is your diet like when travelling and at home. When do you eat and what do you eat?

Jake, thanks for sharing your workout regime. It is nice to know wht some of the other folks onthe forum find to be effective.

I have been reading a really good book by a couple of fellas named Chris Crowley and Henry S Lodge, M.D..
The name of the book is "Younger Next Year" and the cover reads Turning back your biological clock, A Guide to living like 50 Until you're 80 and beyond.

I have found it to be very insightful and helpful in maintaining my level of fitness for sailing.

There are a couple of guys sailing Hobie 17's that I KNOW are in their 70's. Bruce Fields aka Wrinklie is one of them.

He is an inspiration to me. If he can still single hand a 17 @ 70 something, I have a LOT of good years left in me, as I will only be 53 years young next month.

Anyway, the principals in the book can be applied to your life long before you are 50.

My Motto: Old age and Stealth will overcome youth and enthusiasm. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Rolf,

My diet and thoughts on food these days are very similar to yours. On of the biggest things that I focus on is absolutely no prepared foods, no flour and no sugar. Beyond that I eat almost completely organic and very close to a vegetarian diet with no red meats, but some fish and a little bit of chicken when I need more protien. Your energy level definately changes.

Tom,

I think we are on to something, but we are taking this thread to new and uncharted areas <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Food = non processed meat, vegetables, nuts etc etc. prepared at home and eaten sitting down. Preferably grown locally so the amount of "processing with conservatives" is minimalized. The rest is non-food, to be polite. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I also notice a difference when eating like this.

My family dont agree fully, but we are working on it. Going through a supermarket with this attitude makes shopping options limited but easy. I just wish we had a farmers market around here.

Should we start a new thread, "Eating for sailing"? Might a rival to the "Petroleum is obsolete" thread.

Please do. The Tybee guys need to be able to communicate.

I'm so glad we have Pete looking after us.


Hey guys,

we can FINALLY talk to each other! :P

I wasn't refering to you, rather to people I respect.

What does that mean?

I don't want to hijack this thead.

there is an old saying about us getting old, I sure don't feel 17 or for that matter 30 anymore here is the sad truth..."youth is wasted on the young"