Hi everybody,
Started this thread to share a very peculiar experience.
I quit alcohol three months back after finding this site.
For the past 17 years, running has been my regular fitness activity. I was inspired to take up jogging / running after reading 'Aerobics' by Dr. Kenneth Cooper which has become my fitness bible since then. This is a book published way back in 1968 and although a lot of further insights and knowledge have been added to the field of fitness, this book is reputed to have brought about a fitness revolution. The USP of the book is its precise quantification of fitness levels and the detailed programs to reach our optimum level of fitness.
According to Dr. Cooper, any male between 20 to 60 and without any significant medical problems should be able to run atleast 1.5 miles ( 2.4 km) in 12 minutes. This is six rounds on the standard track. This has been defined as category-IV fitness and if one is not able to reach this, by following a clearly delineated fitness program, one can reach this fitness level within 8 - 12 weeks.
I took up running as a fitness activity at age 20 ( never was remotely athletic btw) and for the past 17 years tried to keep up this category-IV level of fitness. Was a heavy smoker during this period and 3 -4 years back, in my early-thirties could not maintain this level of fitness even after regular runs. I almost thought that smoking had damaged my fitness permanently.
Gave up smoking 1 1/2 years ago and immediately within three months could again climb back to category -IV fitness.
All through these years, whenever I stopped working out for any significant period of time, I had to run for atleast a couple of months before climbing upto category IV fitness.
Now coming to the point. I stopped my running routine in January this year. Have stopped drinking since March, but have not done any regular physical exercise for the last three months except for sporadically doing breathing exercises(pranayama). Two weeks ago, I walked into the gym and was curious to check my fitness level. Took the 12 minute test and was astounded to complete 2.5 km in 12 minutes! Never in the past 17 years have I been able to do this - stay at category -IV fitness without any significant fitness routine! The only change in my lifestyle has been giving up alcohol.
Secondly, in these three months of being sober, I also have lost one-and-a-half inches from my none too significant waist ( 33 1/2 inches to 32 inches) again just by giving up alcohol. Talk about empty calories!
The lesson is crystal clear to me. All this while, alcohol was affecting my fitness adversely and the present improved fitness level gives me added motivation to stay al-free.
Just wanted to share my experience with all friends here.
Warm Regards
LessofaDoubter
Started this thread to share a very peculiar experience.
I quit alcohol three months back after finding this site.
For the past 17 years, running has been my regular fitness activity. I was inspired to take up jogging / running after reading 'Aerobics' by Dr. Kenneth Cooper which has become my fitness bible since then. This is a book published way back in 1968 and although a lot of further insights and knowledge have been added to the field of fitness, this book is reputed to have brought about a fitness revolution. The USP of the book is its precise quantification of fitness levels and the detailed programs to reach our optimum level of fitness.
According to Dr. Cooper, any male between 20 to 60 and without any significant medical problems should be able to run atleast 1.5 miles ( 2.4 km) in 12 minutes. This is six rounds on the standard track. This has been defined as category-IV fitness and if one is not able to reach this, by following a clearly delineated fitness program, one can reach this fitness level within 8 - 12 weeks.
I took up running as a fitness activity at age 20 ( never was remotely athletic btw) and for the past 17 years tried to keep up this category-IV level of fitness. Was a heavy smoker during this period and 3 -4 years back, in my early-thirties could not maintain this level of fitness even after regular runs. I almost thought that smoking had damaged my fitness permanently.
Gave up smoking 1 1/2 years ago and immediately within three months could again climb back to category -IV fitness.
All through these years, whenever I stopped working out for any significant period of time, I had to run for atleast a couple of months before climbing upto category IV fitness.
Now coming to the point. I stopped my running routine in January this year. Have stopped drinking since March, but have not done any regular physical exercise for the last three months except for sporadically doing breathing exercises(pranayama). Two weeks ago, I walked into the gym and was curious to check my fitness level. Took the 12 minute test and was astounded to complete 2.5 km in 12 minutes! Never in the past 17 years have I been able to do this - stay at category -IV fitness without any significant fitness routine! The only change in my lifestyle has been giving up alcohol.
Secondly, in these three months of being sober, I also have lost one-and-a-half inches from my none too significant waist ( 33 1/2 inches to 32 inches) again just by giving up alcohol. Talk about empty calories!
The lesson is crystal clear to me. All this while, alcohol was affecting my fitness adversely and the present improved fitness level gives me added motivation to stay al-free.
Just wanted to share my experience with all friends here.
Warm Regards
LessofaDoubter
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