Fitness for an Odyssey

There have been several points relating to being fit and healthy for the Odyssey that I've been mindful of in my preparations.
Namely to do with ensuring that my bodies physiology was up to the number of climate extremes/changes that I am travelling to, and also due to the aircraft atmospheres I will be contained within, which can yield a wealth of health issues as we all know.

 

In climate terms, this is what I am in for -
 

Starting out in Brisbane - I am well acquainted with this climate, it's what I'm born into, and by December I will be very much in tune with the beautiful warm to hot and humid days with regular thunderstorms and cool evenings.  It's the start of the wet season in this region.

 

In Perth -  Being closer to a desert and in it's dry season,  this region will great me with a dry and hot heat with potential for 40+ degrees Celsius.   I need to be mindful not to dehydrate too quickly as I don't feel this dry heat as much as the humidity.  It's not as imposing, the sun just feels like a laser on your skin! Thoroughly looking forward to time in the sun with family and friends here and

 

Jump to Indonesia  - and it's another ball game altogether, bring on the wonderful weeks I have planned in this equatorial nation visiting friends and refreshing myself with a people with whom I have a close affectation with.  The eternal humidity, steam and monsoon rain!
 

A European Winter - is the next voyage and is the one I am preparing the most for, travelling from the Tropics to a European winter.  When I last attempted this, I recall having an instant nose cold as soon as I stepped off the plane.  Needless to say a large weight in my backpack is the coats, scarf, gloves, thermos, etc to ensure all is kept warm :)   I'm also increasing my vitamin and mineral supplements leading into the Indonesia leg to give my immune system a boost.

When I hit Peru -  the flip back to equatorial conditions won't be too much of a shock to the system. (I hope)  I do have two days in Iquitos in an air conditioned hotel room for this decompression and adjustment.  The Amazonian leg of my Odyssey is the most risky for me to date.  I've had to have Yellow Fever vaccination and I've never had that before, so it was a definite signal to me that I am venturing to a place where I've never gone before.  And South America is the last continent in which I am step foot upon, so a lot of environmental unknowns as well to face.  I will be deep in the Amazonian jungle undertaking a healing course with local Incas at the Temple of the Way of the Light two ours outside of Iquitos, as well as travelling through to a number of known tourist destinations.
 

Generally though, a key component has been my health and happiness and ability to hold the right vibrations to ensure I reached for the appropriate nutrition, events and experiences for the 3-6 months leading into the trip.

A large portion is leading a very vegetarian foods based life and also through fasting every now and then.  Superfood smoothies and for a day only keeping hydrated.  Most of us in the the Western world overeat, so a day of not eating is very achievable for me.

When travelling I have a habit of eating badly, this time I intend not too:)
 

My general "Fitness for an Odyssey" notes would be : -
 

* Active fitness sessions at least four times a week  - I mix it up, weights, cycle, swim, walking the dog, cardio machines, and also use the sauna and steam rooms for stretching and meditation.

* Superfoods - I felt adjusting my body to superfoods, and using a good pea protein isolate helped.  I have a great superfood mix that I'll post about soon :)

* Fasting - I went without meals, in fact the process has encouraged me not to have a large end of day meal.  If I eat a meal after 4pm then the rule was I had to excercise.

* Mindfulness - Practising being present and aware of what was happening, and not allowing myself to be taken away too much with planning an exciting trip away.  Good breathing exercises and Yoga always do well for me :)

A good resource that helped me kick start things is  www.13weekstoawakening.com developed by my good friend and Ian L Peric.

Much love
dave

Preparing for an Odyssey

I continually pinch myself, every day.  I'm 39 years old and in a position to be able to spend over three months travelling to unique places on the earth, most of which I have never set foot upon.

I am grateful for the financial means in which I am able to even contemplate an exercise and to have the surety of an employer and managers that have agreed for me to spend such a large part of a year away from a position that is quite busy at all times.

I am grateful for my daughter who through her attitudes towards me is driving to do more unique things for myself and open up my life that I know she is wanting for me.  She is currently in the UK studying and I hope to catch up with her soon :)

It's been challenging stopping a number of social activities in my life in order to save and focus for this Odyssey 2014, an opportunity of a lifetime.  Thank-you to my friends, who have been patient and understanding of my lack of being social  in preparing for this trip.

So in a few short weeks, I fly from Brisbane to Perth to catch up with my immediate family and friends over in the West of Australia, then Perth to Jakarta, Jakarta to Yogyakarta to catch up with more friends, Then back to Jakarta to fly to Kuala Lumpur and then onto London to see my daughter and a good friend and his fiancé in Essex.  After a few days I'll be in Germany visiting a good friend, then back to the UK visiting a long lost friend in Hull, and another mate in Manchester. 

At the end of Feb I am flying to Peru for a two weeks course a two hour boat ride up the Amazon River near Iquitos and then flying to Cuzco to see Macchu Pichu. 

I love the experience and excitement of preparing for this trip.  The preparation and planning is half the excitement !!!

Packing has commenced, thank-you to my gorgeous housemate for lending me her super cool modern backpack !!!   :)