So I decided that I need some exercise in my life. Weird right? I could even consent to salad, but I don't know how to find a dressing I like in America, let alone in a country where they are sneaky about putting fish in everything. I have a goal to climb Fuji later this year. It is a task. One that I am sure I can do, but I don't want to have it take all day/night and never be able to walk again. So I have sought out my old mistress...the stationary bike. I have a had a few go-rounds with the lovely circular demon, but I am taking it up a notch...like Emeril BAM! The goal is to actually look less like Emeril...ZING!
I took to biking a few years ago with a wise tutor named Stu who pushed me to near blackouts on the stationary bike. After about a month, we were riding for 26 miles at time in about 70 minute sessions. I learned a lot from him and I was even bequeathed much of his music selection when I graduated college. One thing that he made a great point about was the fact that I am a big guy (news flash). This makes running problematic for me since I have never really been good at it and have a history with bad knees. The solution then is something that is lower impact. On a stationary bike, you choose the resistance, but there is far less impact on your joints.
Long story short, I debated this for a few weeks, and I pulled the trigger yesterday at work. I ordered a stationary bike off of Japanese Amazon. The best part about living in Japan is that the standard shipping method is essentially overnight. I ordered it at 11 am on Friday and it showed up on my doorstep on Saturday at 12. They even do COD orders so you don't have to use a card. I spent the evening setting it up and finding a new place for it. After that I took a little practice ride. Needless to say, I am having to start from scratch again. A 13 minute, 3.5 mile ride was good enough for me. I will keep you updated on my progress or something.
The product picture. Soon I am going to look as fit as that Japanese lady! I know what you are thinking, and yes the bike is a little short, but it will work. More flex than I would like in my legs, but better than trying to run in 25 degree weather (also, I am pretty sure that running is slow torture made up by a select few to make the rest of the world feel inadequate).
