Sweating for fun, sweating for work – it’s a matter of perspective

Early morning joggers can enjoy this view

In the early mornings, right around sunrise until an hour after, the roadways along the Caribbean side of the island are littered with people. People walking. People running. People cycling.  Some are exercising for health, others are using their feet or bicycles to get to their jobs.

Groups of joggers are scattered along the route: three women, a man, two women, and several solo guys pound along the roadways, dodging stray dogs and potholes. Decked out in the latest brightly coloured athletic gear, including leggings, tank tops, hoodies, and footwear, these folks are serious about their fitness routine. Their large iPhones or equivalent smartphones are strapped to a bicep, earbuds jammed into their ears, and music pounding out the beat as they run along the outer perimeter road to Punta Sur and back.

Bike riders in Centro

Four youngsters sharing two single-gear bicycles, each with a passenger balanced on the foot pegs poking out from the rear axle of the bike, slowly grind southwards, headed to one of the numerous construction sites near Punta Sur. The rider stands straight and still, with hands resting on the peddler’s shoulders. It’s a way of getting to and from their manual-labor jobs. It’s hard to know which part of this duo works the hardest. The one peddling the bike. Or the one balanced on round metal pegs. As kids, we did the same thing, but the goal was to get to the playground quicker, not to arrive at work six days a week by eight in the morning.

Ab exercises at work

A group of construction workers, in their twenties, trudge southwards towards their job wearing jeans, battered t-shirts, and sometimes runners, but more often than not, cheap disposable sandals. 

They have a measured pace, arriving at the job for the eight o’clock start time. They will labor until sundown, and frequently later. It’s not uncommon to see workers toiling under inadequate lighting until late in the evening.

Ab exercises on the beach

Vehicles, golf carts, and motos are beginning to appear on the roadways as parents make the frantic dash to school. If the child doesn’t arrive before the gates are locked, then the parent is stuck with sorting out childminding problems for the day.

Our friend, Yaron, pushes past on his multi-speed bike, his muscular legs churning like pistons. He zooms up and down this road from first light until he finishes his routine number of laps, or time. His fitness level is impressive. He lifts the fingers of his left hand in a half-wave and smiles while fiercely concentrating on the bumps and challenges of the local road. Hitting a pothole or rock while piloting a skinny-tired bicycle can result in flying lessons for the rider.

Early morning biker rider - selling tortillas

The dog walkers generally have a more leisurely pace while the dogs sniff, pee, sniff, pee, and repeat. A few walkers, such as Ana, have big dogs that set a faster pace. She almost jogs to keep up with her exercise mates. 

We routinely run across Melissa and Issy, out for their morning constitutional. And Carol’s seventeen-year-old Alfie is blind but knows his way along the sidewalks and pathways. 

Our Sparky likes to visit with him, but Alfie prefers his solitude instead of an inquisitive wet nose investigating his private areas.

2011, the Navy groups use smaller trucks now

A squad of Marinas from the naval infantry is on an early morning circumnavigation of the island. Riding in a grey truck, they smile and waggle a couple of fingers in greeting, trying to look seriously bad-ass in their combat gear while grinning a hello.

An hour after sunrise, the road is nearly empty. Even though it is now a week into December, the daytime temperature is hitting 30 degrees Celsius, or mid-eighties Fahrenheit.

It’s time to find a shady spot.

We are waiting for our trees to grow this tall

Hasta Luego

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas

Isla Mujeres Mystery series

Or 

Death in the Vineyards

Pilates on a moto: daily life in Mexico!

It's new!  It's easy!  And it's guaranteed to tighten up your core muscles (abdominal 6-pack, butt muscles, hamstrings, and calf muscles). Be the first in your group to try Pilates on a Moto. Our exercise program is available for kids, dogs, men and women.

Carry an 8-foot extension ladder on a moto

There are only two pieces of equipment required for this new and exciting exercise: a moto (either a scooter or motorbike will do) and a helmet. Below are a few suggested exercises:

1.  Carry-an-8-Foot-Extension-Ladder-on-my-Moto: Equipment required includes the moto, helmet, and an extension ladder. Hold the ladder with one arm, and get on the moto. The balance and coordination required to start the moto, and move forward while holding the ladder will give your body a good all-over workout.  Watch out for pedestrians and telephone poles while you are performing this exercise!

2. Carry-a-4-Foot-by-4-Foot-Mirror:  This exercise requires the participation of a second person. The driver mounts the moto, holding it steady while the friend gets on behind, holding a 4 x 4 mirror.  When the moto is moving, the wind resistance on the mirror will provide a great workout for the rider, and increase his heart rate as he cannot see anything. This exercise also works well with a 3-foot diameter plastic patio table, large boxes, or ventilation fans.  Use your imagination, try different items to get a full-body workout.

Push-a-friend-to-the-gas-station

3. Push-a-friend-to-the-gas-Station:  It takes a lot of coordination and balance to perform this exercise correctly, as one moto is stopped dead, out of fuel, and must be pushed slowly by the driver of the working moto -using only his right foot - to attain driving speed. 

The person on the non-functioning moto will achieve some degree of exercise, anticipating the movements of the driver who is pushing him.

4. Let-My-Dog-Drive-the-Moto: This exercise will require the participation of your canine friend, who must keep his or her front feet balanced at all times, on the handlebars of the moto. This is a very popular exercise amongst both the gringo and the local community. It gives your pet a complete body workout, as well as providing a bit of humorous distraction for other drivers.

Watch for our DVDs and companion illustrated book appearing soon on Amazon.com!

We are seriously in awe of the locals' ability to balance and drive. 

Cheers, Lynda and Lawrie

                        _______________________________________________

Aging Pets:

A few weeks ago, I asked my friend Dr. Delfino Guevara, our local veterinarian, what happens when one of our cats or dogs dies?  

Delfino popped by our house with a booklet on pet cremation. I knew it was available in Canada and the USA, but I never thought that it would be available here in Mexico. Delfino said the cremation service employees in Cancun will come over to the island and retrieve the animal, and then return the ashes to the island. The prices were definitely less expensive than in Canada. 

Grab your copy today!

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Or

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky