A Philosophy of Strength and Health

My friend Alex sent me the recent NYT article on "suspension" training. I looked at the website for the TRX straps and couldn't find any images of someone using the Inkaflexx straps to get a better idea of how people are using these things. Basically they are rings, but with flexible slots that allow you to easily support the legs as well. And you can take them anywhere. That's a good thing, in my book. Again, we have a "new" product that the personal fitness industry is all abuzz over. And of course, it is "sexy" because it was "invented" by a former Navy Seal. Hey, we'd all like to say we aspire to the physical capabilities of a Navy Seal, right? It sells, baby. Like some of the people quoted in the NYT article, I don't feel most "fitness oriented" people are prepared to use this equipment. They have trouble controlling and perceiving their own bodyweight in modified positions on SOLID surfaces. But hey,...

Seen at the LUGZ Coffee on at Main and Broadway.

We walked down to the Congee Noodle House at Broadway and Main to try a traditional congee breakfast. Congee is a thick rice soup/porridge that is a basic to many Asian cultures, with a specific role in maintaining health. The portions were huge. Mine was Chinese mushroom and lettuce. It was like a giant bowl of oatmeal, flavored with ginger, peanut and some onion. Very interesting and filling, but not overwhelmingly so.

I will put together some more thoughts on these issues when I return from vacation. I enjoyed Vern's post today. I know the APTA certainly likes to protect its "turf" when it comes to ATCs and reimbursement for "physical therapy" services. PTs get beat up on by the MDs and DCs, so they feel it is only proper to beat up on the ATCs. And then there are the PTAs, who don't get any attention while the PTs are battling to get themselves referred to as "doctor", the PTAs remain at the associate degree level. What the hell? Why can't we just all get along and send people to those that will help them best? No referrals required here in Vancouver, BC.

I don't normally get to indulge in such stuff, but what the heck, it's vacation. Found a great vegetarian buffet that had lots of vegan desserts, great cold salads and outstanding hot selections. The buffet was 1.89 CAD per 100 g. Maybe more Americans would benefit if we paid by the unit of weight for the mounds of food we consume at the buffet bar.

Well, obviously I didn't train for my walking vacation. Wow. Just pretty dang interesting to see what happens in the lower extremity when you start hoofing it after not hoofing it very often at home. No blisters, so that's very good. Thank you Thorlo and some good water resistant shoes. This city is full of hearty commuters. We took the Sky Train yesterday (sat in the front window seat so Kevin could pretend he was driving) and people were outside like it was May, even though it was probably no more than 50 degrees F. Vancouver's Chinatown is second only to San Francisco. Over 30% of the people in Vancouver speak Mandarin. There are many nice bike shops here and many cyclists. Lots of fixie commuters and people on road or MTB bikes. A few without helmets. The drivers appear to be much more patient here with pedestrians and cyclists. That's cool.