Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Fitness » Rediscovering water polo recharged his fitness regimen – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Subject: John Martin

Age: 46

Residence: Carlsbad

Long ago, Martin discovered hes a better person when hes active and fit.

I realized, in terms of what Im doing from a job standpoint and life in general, that it was a necessity for me from a mental state, he says. When I do a great workout, I feel amazing. Everything works better. My relationships work better, my job. Im just more efficient.

These days, his focus is water polo. He started the Carlsbad Masters Water Polo club about six years ago and plays three times a week. But hes always been an athlete. In high school in Whittier, he swam and played water polo. At Point Loma Nazarene University, he became a surfer and summer lifeguard. In 2006 he took up triathlons, first shorter sprint-distance races, then half-Ironmans and, eventually, completed a full Ironman (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) in 10 hours and 28 minutes. He also qualified for (and completed) the Boston Marathon.

By 2011, he was ready for a fresh challenge, and his son helped steer him in a new direction.

(He) played water polo at Carlsbad High, and I went to all of his games, he says. Its such a great sport. Its short, theres a lot of action. I started watching and I thought, I want to play water polo again.

Together they found a group, Old People Water Polo in San Diego, and played for a while. Thats when Martin found that triathlon shape isnt the same as water polo shape.

I was gassed, he says of his first efforts. I thought, Oh my gosh, this is it. This is my new challenge.

Martin, who owns part of a software consulting company, works out of a top-floor office in his home. He also keeps weights, a variety of equipment and a stationary bike nearby, so he can squeeze in workouts during his day. The goal: to stay fit, play well in the pool and be able to get the most out of life for as long as possible.

Hayne Palmour IV

Three water polo sessions a week are part of John Martins fitness routine.

Three water polo sessions a week are part of John Martins fitness routine. (Hayne Palmour IV)

My goal is, I want to be able to play with my grandkids, he says. I dont want to be in bad health. Lets take care of this house (body) as it gets older, as long as I can.

Aside from three water-polo sessions per week, Martin also takes part in a masters swimming program, does Orangetheory fitness (which stresses high-intensity interval workouts), runs along the coast near his home and pedals his stationary Peloton exercise bike. Ive kind of hung up my road bike, he says. Its just so dangerous. Ive known five or six people that are dead. You cant win that.

For water polo, he needs leg strength. Players tread water using circular egg-beater patterns with their lower legs and feet. That allows them to rise up to catch passes and take shots. If you dont have the leg strength, the egg-beatering, Ill be hanging on guys, all my weight, and theyre still up with the ball. Its just uncanny leg strength.

In water polo theres a lot of skill, and I love the team element of it and the strategy, he says. To me its more of a social thing. Its working my brain more than triathlon.

For several years, hes followed an intermittent fasting program called Appetite Correction (fast5.org) in which he only eats between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Martin says it allows his body to tap into his fat as a fuel source and work more efficiently. During his eating period, hell focus on healthy foods sometimes. Often, hell eat whatever he wants. I can take down a pint of Ben & Jerrys, he says, laughing.

A key is to not set too big a goal, he says of exercise. Consistency is important.

For those whove been inactive, take it easy at first, with whatever it is, be it running, swimming, biking or something else. Dont increase more than 10 percent a week and stay with it, he says. Dont give up.

Williams is a San Diego freelance writer.

Read the original here:
Rediscovering water polo recharged his fitness regimen - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Fitness » Rediscovering water polo recharged his fitness regimen – The San Diego Union-Tribune