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Since my early teen years I have engaged in a variety of physical fitness activities, including weight training, and used a variety of cardiovascular equipment. In my early twenties and for a couple of years my primary exercise was running and I did little weight lifting. And I mean running not jogging. At the peak of my participation I was cranking off consecutive 6 minute miles cross-country and my resting pulse was in the low 40s. That came to an end when, like a dope, I used a new pair of shoes for a long run and they were not correct for my foot structure. The damage was done and several months later I stopped running. I went back to weight lifting and my cardio was stair-climbers, rowing machines and exercise bicycles. Several years ago, for several months, I emphasized weight training. Through heavy lifting and supplements (along with healthy eating) I pushed my body weight to 195 pounds and my maximum bench press to 300 pounds. I thought that not bad for a guy who graduated high school weighing 125 pounds @ a height of barely 5 feet 8 inches.Soon after we married, my wife expressed her concern that I spent two to three hours, including travel, working out at a gym. So, we bought a squat rack, adjustable bench and "Olympic" style bar and weights. For the first couple of years of owning that set I did very little, except for walking and bike riding, in the way of cardiovascular exercise. I was strong but had no real endurance. A fact that was made apparent when I was hammered by a wave in heavy surf, partially lost my mask, and spent my life crawling and tumbling through froth. Fortunately it takes a crowbar to remove my regulator so I had plenty to breathe as I made my way back to safety. That day I added cardiovascular exercise, swimming, back to my regular regimen and started to scale back the weight lifting.I swam for a couple of years but when my wife and I bought our house it was no longer convenient to swim so we bought an elliptical trainer and that's what I now use. The weight set, in combination with the elliptical trainer, provides a fairly good complete fitness 'center' in my cellar. I even have a CD player, cassette player, turntable and 2 sets of speakers to use for playing music so the time passes quickly.Currently I use the elliptical trainer 3 times per week for 40 minutes each time. Weight training consists of squats and bench presses two times per week, with bent-over rows, curls and a "krusher bar" 2 times per week. Late in 2004 I somehow managed to injure my neck and that has had a detrimental affect on the amount of weight I can comfortably and safely lift. Hence, my weight program was changed and I added a few more reps to each set but continue to include the basics: squats, bench presses, curls, rows. My primary objective in my exercise program is to enable me to carry the dive gear without undue fatigue or stress on my aging body.My 'diet' consists primarily of protein and complex carbohydrates with a minimum of fat. Protein consists of chicken, fish, meat or tofu at each meal. Carbohydrates are provided through several servings of fruits and vegetables each day along with 1 or 2 slices of whole grain bread with each meal. Fats are acquired through the protein source. I do not use mayonaisse on sandwiches, butter on bread or potatoes, and my salad dressings are low fat. I do not enjoy fried food (nor does it particularly like me) so my only sources of 'pure fat' per se are an occasional handful of unsalted peanuts if I am hungry after I have eaten lunch or a snack of ice cream on the weekends.
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