The man they call Sirant

A VERY tangible benfit of being in shape!

Sometimes we are stupid. I am by far not immune to this. Happens to the best of us. This morning on the way to work I suffered from this little malady and it almost cost me my brand new laptop. Let me explain.

I just bought a cute little Asus EeePc laptop and I love it to bits. I use it everywhere for everything from MSN in the office (blocked on work laptop), to watching news or listening to music while doing dishes, to watching my favorite workout vids on the tv in the living room. Damn fine little machine.

However, today, upon leaving the subway station I had a feeling I wasn't diligent enough and thought the 3 guys behind me were awfully close for comfort. I turned right and they turned left.... I decided to have a look at my bag and low and behold!!! My EeePc was gone with the zipper open!!

I knew it was those 3 douche bags and they were already one block away!!!

1 year ago I would have drowned my sorrows in a few pints that night and beat myself up over being such a moron. But not anymore, no fuckin way (pardon my language). I haven't been getting myself into shape this past year to let skinny little bastards take advantage of me.

SO I ran, BY GOD I RAN!!! And the old pro wrestler in me emerged once again! Man Mountain Ant became a locomotive plowing through pedestrian traffic to catch those little bastards! And even though they saw me coming, were easily 100 pounds lighter than me, and had a 1/2 block head start, I was pumped.

First guy got a clothesline from behind that sent him flying (and yes, the sight of his bloody knees after made me feel great!) The next one was taken down with a jaw breaking right cross which I am sure his momma felt, and the last jerkoff got a knee to the groin (I would never do this is in a proper match, but this is a thief, so he gets what he deserves I figure) and a headlock which no amount of tapping was going to make me stop. Mr. Bloody knees got up, quickly dug in his bag and produced my laptop for me. No denying it or claiming innocence, he simply handed it back (while I was still choking out his partner) and ran for the hills. I then gave the prick on the ground a few swift kicks so he wouldn't feel too brave.

By this time I had drawn quite a crowd, especially since I was screaming at the top of my lungs "Shao Toe Shao Toe!" Which means thief in Chinese. This leads to a VERY interesting occurence in China. A crowd then gathers and commences kicking the living shit out of the thieves. You have to be VERY brave to be a pickpocket here, because once caught, the crowd will literally beat you stupid until the police come. The police will not charge anyone for doing so either. Mob justice rules.

I left the 2 loosers to the crowd and told the police (while the crowd continued to beat on the thieves) about what happened. He thanked me for catching them and allowed me to continue on my way to work since I hadn't been hurt and recovered my property. Those 2 idiots will do some hard time now since the Chinese justice system is not kind to thieves and with all the security cameras everywhere there is no need for a long drawn out court case. They will check the footage and convict. Done and done.

So long story short, I was stupid and let my guard down. But if I had still been that 310 pound, out of shape dude, I would never have been able to do what I did and not only recover my property but teach those clowns a lesson they wont soon forget. I am sure it blew the minds of those little thieves as they would have never expected a "fat man" like myself capable of running them down and beating the crap out of them. Of course that solution wouldn't work for everyone, but I have had martial arts training in the past, studied pro wrestling for years, worked as a body guard/security and grew up in the nastiest neighborhood in town where you had to fight to survive. 3 little 120 pound Chinese guys were simply no match.

My adrenaline is still pumping like crazy but I am content to know I not only saved my PC and sent some thieves to jail, but I got to experience a real life scenario where if I had not been in halfway decent shape, I would have been screwed.

Those daily 100 pushups and 5km runs made all the difference. Gunna go do some pushups now and try to get some of this adrenaline out of my system......

sirant
 
well done... had you been in new york city and done that Iwould have said you were acomplete moron for doing it -but i guess the chinese aren't well armed...
 
Hell no!!!

maleficent said:
well done... had you been in new york city and done that Iwould have said you were acomplete moron for doing it -but i guess the chinese aren't well armed...
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Absolutely not! Not in New York, or anywhere in North America. But here I am not only bigger than 90% of the people on the street (thus giving intimidation value) and I do have substantial self defense background but I also know how much the masses love kicking the crap out of theives here. I knew I had only to identify these jerks as theives and the mob would do the rest. I was just happy I could run those skinny little dudes down. Plus even the police don't have guns here, so I wasn't too worried about that either.

sirant
 
Well that is exceptional news from your doctor!! That's the kind of truly great end of year report card that's a reward in itself and also lets you know your work has put you on track to achieve a bunch of other dreams !! Congratulations!

Congratulations on getting your laptop back, also!! I don't suppose that was one of your long term goals!! :D Nice bonus though.
 
It was great news!

felici said:
Well that is exceptional news from your doctor!! That's the kind of truly great end of year report card that's a reward in itself and also lets you know your work has put you on track to achieve a bunch of other dreams !! Congratulations!

Congratulations on getting your laptop back, also!! I don't suppose that was one of your long term goals!! :D Nice bonus though.
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Thanks felici!!!

I had worked so hard and for the first time in my life I so desperately wanted a professional opinon about how I was doing. Its fine and dandy to have your friends and loved ones telling you how great you look on the outside, but another thing altogether to have a doctor tell you how great you are getting inside!

Getting my laptop back was cool too, and after telling 1 person in the office I am now being considered the local super hero, but the best reward I have recieved in the past year was my wifes eyes getting misty because she was so happy to hear about how healthy I was getting.

That meant more to me than a million laptops.

:)

sirant
 
Merry Ho Ho From the PRC!

So what is Christmas like in China?

Well, here I sit, at work (yep, its a work day like any other) and to top it all off I have a cold from hell. Almost didnt come in today, not because of Christmas, but because I felt like crap......

But in I came anyways. My wife and daughter are at school, so I would be home alone on Christmas anyways.... Plus the office is empty, since being so close to Hong Kong (where Christmas and Boxing day are holidays) many of the staff ARE taking the day off. No biggie for me really. Much happier that the bosses have decided as a christmas present to give all the staff an extra 2 days off next week to be added to our new years break. So I will be off from Monday to Thursday next week instead!!!! (YAY!) 1 DAY WORK WEEK BABY!!!!

Probably the best thing about being here at Christmas is the temptations!!! Or in fact, lack thereof! No turkeys basting in their own succulent juices, no gravy covered mashed potatoes and no Christmas cakes, cookies, pies and puddings adding devilishly good aromas to the air..... No GIANT family meal where everyone is saying "Come on..... Its Christmas!!!" Of course we all have it in ourselves to "just say no" but not having it there at all just makes it that much easier.

Instead I am looking very forward to going home to one of my favorite and super healthy Chinese dinners!!! Hot Pot Baby!!!! We get that broth simmering on the table and cook our lean meats, veggies and tofu right there. No oils, fats or sauces needed. Just yummy food thats a fun to prepare as it is delicious. Kind of like fondue without the cheese, oil or chocolate. Instead we make it RED HOT spicy!!! I can't wait!

I hope everyone here has a fantastic Christmas and enjoys the season the the fullest. Even though sick and sitting in my office at work, I know I will.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

sirant
 
Putting the "no time for exercise" myth out to pasture...

I have heard it a million times before, hell, half of them from my own lips; "I would love to exercise, but I am too busy, simply can't make time...."

Bullshit. Lies. Crap. etc...

Plain and simple. If you are motivated, there is always time.

So now I will put it to the test. Some of you may have noticed I am not coming around the old forum as much these days. That's simply because I found myself spending more time here, living vicariously through the words and stories of myself and others, and not out "doing" what needed to be done. My "internet life" was more active than real life. How sad is that? But that is not the reason I am putting the "too busy" idea to the test. Simply put, I am the busiest these days I have EVER been in my entire life. Here's why:

I still have my full time teaching job, which though sedentary, keeps me busy. Recently I cut a deal with my boss since many of the professional staff had difficulty attending lessons during business hours. As well, I have been itching to get back into University again full time.... SO what does one do?

Well, I shifted my working hours. I now leave my house, mon-fri, at 7:15am and go to university. I do 4 straight hours of lessons (learning spoken and written Chinese) then hop straight onto a bus/subway and come directly to the office and work until 9pm. Then once I get home, I do 2-3 hours of vital homework and studying (trust me, its a waste of money not to...). Around 12:30am I can no longer keep my eyes open and pass out.

So when does a guy get to work out now? Gym? Pool? Health Club? - Pipe Dreams. Simply ain't gunna happen. But here's what I am doing.

It's called biting the bullet and "just doing it". In the morning I not only pack my school books, but also my pre-prepared lunch and dinner, (not even a meal break, so I eat at my desk), all my school books and running clothes into my sturdy old backpack. While at work I do my best to get some pushups and squats in my office, followed by 20 minutes of yoga. Then after work t around 9:00 I change into my running clothes and make the 5km commute by foot, running the whole way. Not only does this provide ample exercise on a daily basis, but saves money on bus or cab, and actually is FASTER than public transportation. Double win.

Most people however think I am nuts. 12 hours a day of work and classes, 2-3 hours a day minimum of studying, 3 hours of commuting..... You do the math. That means no TV, no video games or hanging out with buddies, not even soaking in my favorite sauna.

I don't think anyone would blame me for making excuses and not doing the run and/or office workouts, but I would blame myself. Fitness and my own health is just as much a priority as school and work. My family is being great and helping me every step of the way. But it ain't easy.

But as for all those "I don't have time" people out there who think it is soooo much different for them and they "really" don't have the time, I guess your health simply isn't worth it to you. "No Time" = "Cop Out" bottom line.

On the plus side, since starting the regime 2 weeks ago, thanks to the 100% controlled diet and 25km a week running, I have dropped 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Biggest Loser, eat your hearts out. I plan to hit my goal finally, once and for all, this summer.

Stay tuned for the after pictures to come!

sirant
 
oh been wondering what happened to you :)

Dunno how you manage to have no time left, sheesh you should sleep less *G*

Good to hear you're doing well - and i had a laugh at those would be theifs! Good for you!
 
oh and i put that 'no time for exercise' myth back out years ago when i started. I work full time and am mother to 4 children, the i had to MAKE time to do the hard yakka which meant getting up at 5am to do it as well as all the usual work.
It is exactly that, and excuse, but then overweight people are the kings of excuses.... as im sure you will know yourself :)
 
Awesome Sirant, awesome!

Sadly, I've used the "no time" to exercise excuse, and now I see the error of my ways. I said to myself "aww man, part time job (20-25 hours a week) and my full time course load (and I do mean full time course load) and hours of homework, i've used that excuse and not exercise and as much as i would like to.

But I am gonna start the ball rolling again and do it! Awesome motivating post.
 
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