Exercise

Links List

~ Rose Sparrowking

Sperm Count Zero:

It’s “just a waiting game until one or another of the stupid things our stupid species is up to finally gets us. But as it turns out, no surprise: men first. Second instance of no surprise: We’re going to take the women down with us.”

“the human race is apparently on a trend line toward becoming unable to reproduce itself. Sperm counts went from 99 million sperm per milliliter of semen in 1973 to 47 million per milliliter in 2011, and the decline has been accelerating.”

Terrifying on how we’re destroying ourselves. This article gave me ideas for a novel.

Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age:

“no matter how old or out of shape you are, you can restore much of the strength you already lost. ”

“start a strength-training program using free weights, resistance bands or machines”

I’ll be phasing in a strength training program soon as I am now beginning an aerobic program while changing my eating habits. Don’t do everything at once!

Links List

~ Rose Sparrowking

 

  • The Bodies of the Girls Who Made Me: Fanfic and the Modern World. I’ve written fanfic and this essay was such a revelation for me. “I honestly think the reason so many fanfic writers are women/girls [or gay, or gender-noncomforting, or some combination of the above] is a mixture of social stigma [“ew, fanfic is a GIRLY thing, ew, it’s all PORN, and most of it is GAY PORN”] and seeking a way to empathize with The Default. I also think this contributes to the prevalence of male/male couples in fanfic even when written by authors who identify as straight: by being only The Default, we move away from the “ew icky girls” reactions. But that’s another conversation.” AND “Enter The Default, that strong-jawed, clear-eyed, straight, white, cisgendered, able-bodied, vaguely Christian (but not too Christian) male.”
  • Keto for Women: 7 Tips to Make it Work. I’m on keto day #9 and I’ve lost 4 pounds so far. I’ve been focusing on adding more protein and fat and less carbs. All the rest I can add in if I think it’s necessary and if I think it will help with my goals.
  • None to Run. I am walker but I’d like to be a runner. Again, I think it will help with my help goals, I don’t have to join a gym (although, I may) and I can do it anywhere. I just started this on Monday. Eight 30 second runs each followed by a 2 minute recovery—not too bad. Challenging enough but not impossible for me. And it builds gradually.
  • Evolve by Imagine Dragons. Music I’m listening to now. Great to walk/fun to. Good beat. A little bit different. Great lyrics.
  • Brave Enough by Lindsey Stirling. More music I’m loving right now. I guess I’m enjoying something a bit different from the pop music on the radio. Bought this for the song “Something Wild” and I am enjoying the whole album.
  • Mark Hamill Instagram. I may join Instagram just to follow him. He dressed as a Stormtrooper and moved through the San Diego Comic Con incognito. Love this!

Intense bursts of stair climbing have major benefits for heart health

~ Rose Sparrowking

Researchers find brief, intense stair climbing is a practical way to boost fitness

“The first protocol involved three, 20-second bouts of continuous climbing in an ‘all-out’ manner. The results were then compared and contrasted to participants who ran through the same protocol using an exercise bike which has already been shown to improve fitness.

For the second experiment, participants vigorously climbed up and down one flight of stairs for periods of 60 seconds, an experiment which could be easily adopted for the home.

Both protocols, each involving a total time commitment of 30 minutes a week, increased cardiorespiratory fitness, an important healthy marker that is linked to longevity.”