yesterday, i let go of my old canon camera. it has been a great 3,5 years spent with my 400d and it’s one of my things that has always been with me wherever i go, just like my backpack. i had a great deal thinking whether to sell it or not but in the end, i realize i need the money to fund its replacement and i guess it will just end up under used, stocked in a cabinet if i keep it, so it’s better to sell it and at least someone will find it more useful.
the last performance of haggy, my 400d, was just last weekend in bintan, indonesia for the chinese new year holiday. pictures here. i could probably make a separate post for indonesia trip as soon as i get more timeto write.. but right now, i’d like to highlight my visit to california fitness last night after selling haggy.
the agents have been calling me endlessly over the past weeks so i just decided i’ll give it a try. most people have been telling me not to go as they are extremely persuasive, but i’m confident to say that i’m probably the most decisive person, and my wallet is far more decisive than myself so no matter what gimmicks they offer, they’ll only get me if the offer is 1) FREE, and 2) far too good to be realistic. i just go ahead to give them a chance and to try their in-body analysis. i met the filipina staff, and showed me around. then, set for the analysis. they offered me to try both inbody body composition analysis and polar owntest system analysis, which is pretty interesting as they showed detailed results and impressive stats if they’re true. my blood pressure is a heightened 136/90, so i guess i better relax more and take it easy on coffee. this is really high for my age, but im not sure if it’s because i’m a bit tensed when they measure me, or my whole body soring from all the activities last weekend contributed to it. we’ve been drinking alcohol for 2 consecutive nights too during the holiday, so i better check my BP again when i’m in my usual state. the shocking part is my body age. the machine says that i’m 28 years old, 2 full years ahead of my real age. the 2-year surplus is largely contributed by the systolic and diastolic pressure they got from me, and the bicep strength and wall sit duration. my bicep strength is 31.7 kgs, and this just sits in the fair category. the wall sit, sitting for 97 seconds, is in the moderate class but i stood up much earlier than i can hold for, maybe shy that i’m taking the test too seriously like i’m in for some guiness record. my body water is measured at 64.3%, moderate is pegged at 60-65% for males, so now i’m certain i’m not dehydrated. and finally for the most interesting part, my body weight is 59.9 kg (this is 132 lbs, i’ve been a lot heavier than this before), of which 52.7 kg is lean body mass (muscles, bones, and tissues) and 7.2 kg is fat mass making my percentage body fat at 12.1%, which is in the low range according to the machine.
it says:
“jeremy, your body fat is in the low range. this range is recommended for athletes.”
i almost say wow i’m an athlete!until this message was followed by:
“being in the low range poses health risks and is not recommended for non-athletes”.
hahaha
back to business, they enthusiastically explained all the benefits i could get in gym training with just how little time they require. but to be quite honest, i’m not prepared to shed $79 a month for a full year, and this is already discounted from the regular rate of $110. much more, with all the things i’m doing, i’m not sure if it’s going to be worth paying for it and using gym for once or only twice a week. afterall, it’s not that i’m living a non-active, sedentary life. i’m surprised they even asked me when was the last time i had exercise. were they expecting me to answer, “last year?”. i swim for at least an hour every tues, thurs, and saturday and i’ve been doing this for about 2 months. i know i’ve been steadfast here that in fact, i don’t have one single day of absence and i’m hitting the pool after work today even my body, especially my arms, is still sore tons of swimming and riding flying fish boat in indonesia. mostly during my days off the water, i run at least 4km each, sometimes as much as 8km. i take rest maybe 2 nights a week, and recently i’ve started to lift 5-kg dumbbell, and an improvised 10-kg barbell. i take a centrum every day, and a 500-mg vitamin C each day as well.
the summary, i’m trying to keep fit without having to pay too much, and at the same time, i think i enjoy running on my own and actually moving than being in a lane of crowded treadmills with other people’s heavily sweating thighs on my sides. i want you to know that i have full respect for professionals in this area, however, to each his own and i can’t stress enough that i’m not just capable of such luxury.
thanks, but no thanks.
