Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that Ive really...The Credible Hulk
Posted by Erik Rupard on April 10th, 2008
It is really very hard to be deployed and not to lose some fat, gain some muscle, and generally come back in better shape than prior to deployment. This is because of two things:
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Everyone here is in great shape, which makes a weak, pasty muffin like me feel some obligation to man-up a bit.
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There is absolutely no way that anyone here can state that they don’t have enough time to exercise.
Hence, everyone exercises during deployment, in one way or another. Most of my colleagues who deployed before me came back looking thinner, more muscular, and generally healthier. In a couple of cases, the difference literally caused jaws to drop; one doctor from Eisenhower dropped 50-plus during her fifteen months in the field.
So, I, too, have been exercising. Today, I biked 14 miles (a loop around the air field), and then got off my bike and ran for a few more. Sort of my own “marshmallow man biathlon.” I don’t think I’ll end up as one of those guys who gains 25 lbs of pure muscle out here, and I definitely won’t be ready for a marathon the day step off the plane. Too many other things I like to do more than I like exercising (write, read, eat, sleep, stare vacantly at the wall, stick needles into my eyes, listen to Al Gore speak, jump off a cliff into a valley of razor blades after first dousing myself in rubbing alcohol, etcetera). But I have lost a wee bit o’ flab to-date, and I’ve managed to re-locate a couple of muscles which had been missing since sometime around third grade.
Still looking for those pecs, though…
April 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“Looking for pecs.” And, how about that six pack of pecs? Erik, you will derive much more from exercising than pecs or abs or anything else you can imagine. You will find a stronger back if you work your abs. If you work your muscles properly your posture will improve (and so will your appetite…blessing or curse?). Some of the aches and minor pains you have experienced in the past will disappear or will be greatly mitigated. Why, I’ve been exercising for more than 6 months, now and already your mother thinks I’m like a Greek God (or was that a geek gob?).
Exercising has nearly become an addiction. If I don’t do it every day, I feel that I’ve kind of cheated myself. I will say that it gets easier with time and effort. I will caution you to get some advice from a pro who can steer you away from routines that do harm. Mom and I exercise with a Certified Trainer who watches to ensure that we follow tested procedures. I also use Barry’s Soloflex for selected routines. Very useful.
I’m really proud of you for ‘getting out there.’ Biking 14 miles is a fabulous feat. This, however, will not keep us from sending fat-filled, sugar-drenched goodies. What you choose to do with them is up to you. We will try to remember to toss in a few “healthy” snacks that will make you want to bike ’til your socks blow off! dad
April 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
sorry i havent posted much lately its not that i havent been reading (i certainly have) its just that ive been lacking in interesting things to say, but your safe and relatively happy and that makes me happy.i’ve been training with my team Mystic Velo and ive ridden 107 miles so far this week. Also i dont know if youve been keeping up with yor What and Waffles but What is unveiling Gazelle to the masses on the 17th and im super excited for it. If you dont knnow what Gazelle is and you want to email me or google it.
see ya
Dr. E
April 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Dad, I have to agree with Grandma’s post on “Move Along Folks…” I am so glad that you post so many blog entries as you do. If you didn’t I wouldn’t even know that you are a past weak muffin! Huh-lar-ee-us. (Hilarious.) Seriously, I love hearing about what goes on there and I know sometimes when I’m tired the last thing I want to do is write something down. I’m grateful that you put so much work and wit into your posts. Love ya! -Maddy
April 10th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
love, love the blog my man. Keep pedaling and avoid Al Gore…..
Lisa and the nuts
April 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hey E; We had a little ‘yay, the writer’s strike is over’ celebration last night. I fed Maddy’s friends some good food (not sure if you’ve noticed, but she hasn’t had a real birthday party in 4 years so it was time.) They all sat out on the deck and talked for a while and jumped on the trampoline which is funny because it was dark out and they’re all about 17-ish….then we all watched the show. (Of course, I watched from my private box upstairs)
We’d worked all day sweeping and making the house sparkly clean and staged flowers and plants and lights and the kids (about 10 of them)arrived about 8:00 and were all ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘thank-you ma’am’ with the best southern manners and they were all adorable and well-behaved even though Maddy warned me they might get a little loud and ‘wild’. They all left by 11:00 pm and as Maddy closed the front door, she turned and said something that made me laugh hysterically, because it was so YOU! “Well that was fun and relatively painless.”
April 12th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Dear Erik,
I Haven’t forgotten you, as I think of you daily and pray for you often. I’ve been really sick, and have really been through some hard times for the past month. I’ll spare you the gory details, suffice it to say that I couldn’t really look at a computer screen for about 2 weeks, as my vision was all messed up. I’m finally better today, and I feel the blessing of good health and can’t believe I ever took it for granted. We have boxes for you and will start sending them this week. Get ready. Lots of books and dvd’s, and the Book Barn donated a whole box of paper backs for men, mostly, and can you use them. I will gladly send them along if your troupe could use them. I love and think of you often, Mit