Comments on: The price of an Olympian body http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html --- a combination of simple living, anticonsumerism, DIY ethics, self-reliance, and applied capitalism Fri, 25 May 2012 19:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: yvie http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html/comment-page-1#comment-1839 yvie Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:01:29 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=339#comment-1839 @BPT I think Olympic competitions are wonderful for the simple reason that they inspire people to greatness. Every 4 years when I watch it I am in awe of the human form and potential for just how far the human body can be pushed. Even us ordinary folk can get inspired by human potential and motivate us to action. I know it worked for me, during the 1976 Olympics. I was so inspired, I took up running. Never looked back. I never became a famous athlete, but I have embraced fitness ever since. Yvie @BPT
I think Olympic competitions are wonderful for the simple reason that they inspire people to greatness. Every 4 years when I watch it I am in awe of the human form and potential for just how far the human body can be pushed. Even us ordinary folk can get inspired by human potential and motivate us to action. I know it worked for me, during the 1976 Olympics. I was so inspired, I took up running. Never looked back. I never became a famous athlete, but I have embraced fitness ever since.

Yvie

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html/comment-page-1#comment-1822 Jacob Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:33:35 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=339#comment-1822 @BPT - The parallels to a career in science is staggeringly similar. Except for a few magicians, the difference between the winner and the losers is small and they all spend most of their time on a single pursuit with much bitterness for the losers. I don't think that is a good idea. You can get 80 percent of the way there with 20 percent of the effort. I think 20% should be put in in several aspects of life. 20% on fitness, 20% on personal finance, 20% on a job, 20% on other people, and 20% on yourself (hobbies and stuff). I got some posts on S-curves describing why. @BPT – The parallels to a career in science is staggeringly similar. Except for a few magicians, the difference between the winner and the losers is small and they all spend most of their time on a single pursuit with much bitterness for the losers.

I don’t think that is a good idea.

You can get 80 percent of the way there with 20 percent of the effort. I think 20% should be put in in several aspects of life. 20% on fitness, 20% on personal finance, 20% on a job, 20% on other people, and 20% on yourself (hobbies and stuff). I got some posts on S-curves describing why.

]]> By: BPT - MoneyChangesThings http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html/comment-page-1#comment-1821 BPT - MoneyChangesThings Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:25:13 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=339#comment-1821 I find the whole concept of Olympic competition very sad, really. The difference between the greatest athlete in the world, and the "loser" is a fraction of a second so imperceptible that they need to look at photo finishes. I'm all for being in top shape, if it helps you do SOMETHING meaningful, but if all your meaning comes from being in peak shape, it's a form of idolatry. No wonder Olympians often tank when they return to normal life. They haven't spend much time developing any other aspect of themselves. I find the whole concept of Olympic competition very sad, really. The difference between the greatest athlete in the world, and the “loser” is a fraction of a second so imperceptible that they need to look at photo finishes. I’m all for being in top shape, if it helps you do SOMETHING meaningful, but if all your meaning comes from being in peak shape, it’s a form of idolatry. No wonder Olympians often tank when they return to normal life. They haven’t spend much time developing any other aspect of themselves.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html/comment-page-1#comment-1820 Jacob Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:46:02 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=339#comment-1820 Yeah, nobody would be willing to drive an overloaded and underpowered car could not go up a 5% hill or go faster than 35mph. Why then the apparent acceptance of similar physical standards when it comes to personal fitness? Maybe because we can just get in a car or ferry ourselves around on electric scooters. Yeah, nobody would be willing to drive an overloaded and underpowered car could not go up a 5% hill or go faster than 35mph. Why then the apparent acceptance of similar physical standards when it comes to personal fitness? Maybe because we can just get in a car or ferry ourselves around on electric scooters.

]]> By: yvie http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-price-of-an-olympian-bod.html/comment-page-1#comment-1816 yvie Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:29:25 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=339#comment-1816 Amen brother! I am also in better shape than most people my age, with a athlete's resting heart rate and a BMI of 19. I hate gyms and get my exercise by weight lifting, bicycling and walking long distances. I have never understood the need for all that expensive gym memberships etc. I also believe that we have an obligation to be responsible to ourselves as much as we can: to keep ourselves in shape so as not to burden others: our children, our employers, our government, etc. Besides it's fun to be in shape and to be able to do the things we want to do! Yvie Amen brother!
I am also in better shape than most people my age, with a athlete’s resting heart rate and a BMI of 19. I hate gyms and get my exercise by weight lifting, bicycling and walking long distances. I have never understood the need for all that expensive gym memberships etc.

I also believe that we have an obligation to be responsible to ourselves as much as we can: to keep ourselves in shape so as not to burden others: our children, our employers, our government, etc. Besides it’s fun to be in shape and to be able to do the things we want to do!

Yvie

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