Karen has been ripping through her on-deck exercises while I’ve been sidelined with a broken tooth, a detached retina, and a ruptured disc. We’re docked in the Florida Keys for medical care, and though I’m cleared for exercise, I’m pudgy, out of breath, and afraid I may hurt myself. Many cruisers already feel this way about exercise—it’s new for me.
When our trawler breaks I think nothing of rebuilding her, no matter the damage. It is second nature to fix whatever ails Largo. Although I have concerns about exercising again, I intend to be as good a steward of my body as I am of our boat, and with good reason: Bodies rebuild themselves, but only when properly challenged.
There is no harm in starting small, and so, despite Largo’s limited amount of space, Karen and I have developed a plan to help me—and any others who are looking for a kickstart—to reach my fitness goals:
- Document where you are and where youwould like to be with your level of fitness.
- Document all physical movement throughout your day, not just exercise.
- Document everything you eat.
- Describe your fitness plan; for example, “exercise every day and eat well.”
The important thing is to commit and follow through. The bodyweight High-Intensity Circuit Training (HICT) plans we discussed in the past two issues are excellent places to start. They will steadily increase your heart rate, strengthen your core muscles, and prepare you for essential seafaring tasks. Diet? For now, simply write down everything you eat. We’ll discuss food and the special needs of boaters the future.
The already fit among you can document as well, with an eye toward upping your exercise pace and duration. The bodyweight plans we posted, and the photos and comments on the website should be a sufficient challenge for now.
No matter what your starting fitness level is, we can achieve and improve your fitness AIDEs (Attitude, Inspiration, Diet, Exercise) together.
