Vanity got the best of me :-)

in funny •  7 years ago 

Well now, it's been a year or so

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photo credit: pixabay.com

since my hip surgery

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About to have my hip replacement at a hospital in Athens last year. I can't
even straighten my left leg. photo credit: @twiceuponatime

In addition, I had been quite inactive

for several years before that due to the hip condition.
Still, before taking the drastic step of a hip replacement,
and after several years of hoping the pain would go away, LOL,
I gave stem cell therapy a try.
But I found it gave only a little,
and only temporary, relief.

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Undergoing stem cell therapy in Vancouver. photo credit: @twiceupontime

So, as you could well imagine,

it has been a very long time since I have had
any real exercise at all!

And it shows!

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photo credit: pixabay.com

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That's all fine and dandy, @onceuponatime,

But from whence do you propose to get the motivation
to come back to fitness from such a deplorable state?

After all, it ain't easy!

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photo credits: pixabay.com

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Well, being of a rather devious character,

(sometimes I do come under the nefarious influence
of my demented alter-ego, @twiceuponatime)

I could easily pretend that my motivation
is due to my involvement in cryptos
(bitcoin, steem, eos, bitshares and such).

That is,

I could plausibly claim to be getting in shape
for the coming wars between
centralization and decentralization!

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photo credits: pixabay.com

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But @twiceuponatime mocked me mercilessly:

"Who's going to believe that, you fool?"

"Certainly not her:"

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photo credit: pixabay.com

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"Furthermore," @twiceuponatime hissed:

"everyone knows crypto is for nerds,
and that you spend 12, 14, 18 or more
hours a day behind a computer screen!"

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photo credits: pixabay.com

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So how did I overcome @twiceuponatime's bullying?

To come up with the motivation to get back in shape?

I do wish it was something noble

that I could say was the key

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Unfortunately,

it was just VANITY that got the best of me :-)

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After all, who wants

to look down and, for the rest of his life,
see only his stomach, never his shoes?

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"so that's the real reason for your 'Don't forget to look up' post, you hypocrite!"
said @twiceuponatime

Don't forget to look up!

https://steemit.com/funny/@onceuponatime/don-t-forget-to-look-up

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photo credit: @twiceuponatime

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photo credit: @twiceuponatime

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photo credit: @twiceuponatime

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photo credit: @twiceuponatime

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photo credit: @twiceuponatime

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Let's Get Healthy!!!

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photo credits: pixabay.com

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photo credits: @twiceuponatime

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WE CAN DO IT!

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ouzo and out,
@onceuponatime

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It's a good a reason as any!

You don't think that some reasons are better than others? For instance, I could have used a better reason than "The dog ate my homework", with my teacher, back in the day. It would have saved me a lot of grief :-)

Lol, some are definitely better than others. The dog eating the homework gets points for its classic timelessness!

I think that I might have gotten a little better at "excuses" since my school days :-)

Ha! Do we ever get better at them? I thought I did, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who thinks so, which means the only one I got better at making excuses for-- is me ;)

But dude, who cares? Why do we care about this shit at all? lol! You look amazing to me.

Which brings me to the last thing I need to say- it was quite magical, once upon a time like, to find that you followed me yesterday- but while you and I have music in common (we've had some pearl jam back and forths over the past 18 months lol) I am not my brother, who wrote that amazing song. I write novels, and I screw around with blogging and photography, that's what I do. I think it's really cool (magical) that you followed me, but I don't care if you never vote on my posts. I'm serious about that. I don't care. I am just me. I've learned lessons from the whales that have been here since the beginning-- make another account. lol. Much easier to find the real people, the down to earth, not trying to get something from you people- when you're not a big fish.

Sorry for hijacking your comment stream me boom! I'll blame the sweet, sweet beer, XO!

Bloody beer, it's at the root of everything :0)

You can hijack my dreams streams anytime :0D

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

It is! Though I generally choose to believe it's the root of good things (unless of course I've made a fool of myself, then of course EVIL)

LOL! If I knew how to do the cross out thing (HOW do you do the cross out thing, and WHY don't I know how by now?) I would have a much more fun response then Streams are the new Dreams! ;)

Hehe, the cross out thing is those little marks, tilde? Two of them on either side. Like so

cross through

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Cool eh!

I feel like something is starting to burn inside me (I hope it is not an acid reflux). I feel like it is time to start being healthy!
Starting to work hard... from tomorrow... Or maybe the day after tomorrow... I'm almost there!!

And when you get hungry I bet you open your mouth wide and wait for a roast chicken to fly into it :-)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

"so that's the real reason for your 'Don't forget to look up' post, you hypocrite!"

This line was a killer!

Everything is in our head...
We decide whether we'll be happy or unhappy, active or inactive...
And the fact that you decided to start these activities especially after the hip problem, indicates a man with strength (mental and physical) and also a man who's will for LIFE is greater than any physical problem.

This is an example for all of us. Motivation at its finest.
Have a great day @onceuponatime

Please tell @twiceuponatime that a mind is a terrible thing to waste :-)
(He won't listen to me!)

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

I will if ever I meet him!

If you start hanging out around the seedier sides of town you are bound to run into him soon enough :-)

Well sounds good to me :-) Looking forward to such a meetup!!

Congratulations for starting work out. I am going to start too, though I never been a sports person.
Keep up the great work @onceuponatime! ☺️

"Soon" doesn't count! Tell me the date that you are going to start.

I know!!! On 05.06.2018, because I am away until 04.06.2018.
I will be back with an update then to show you that I am determined!!!

I really like the photo that you hold the t-shirt! However, the slogan: "DONT DREAM, WORK HARD", I would say:
Work hard and keep on dreaming! 😉

Yes, I agree. Except that most people only dream and forget about doing the hard work :-)

I'm... getting back at it after a loooong winter!

You have the advantage that you can practice your craft (sing) while you work out :-)

one of the hardest things I encountered is when I wanted to start working out after 4 months of junk eating and just being lazy... I did it though. Funny thing is, I enjoyed working out and at one point (around Christmas) I lost the desire for it... I'm happy to say: I LOVE working out once more! It makes me feel good, look good and it's simply a nicer and healthier life... Stay strong my friend :)

Thanks for your inspiration!

Let's Get Healthy!!! It is an encouragement that has been left out of action for me for many years. I have to start(before will be too late) and your attitude is a good example. Thanks!

Wow! A good example! I usually get called a "bad influence" :-)

Sometimes even a bad influence can be useful...

It was only a matter of time as being healthy and autonomous has always been priorities in your life, unless something more important showed up inadvertently!

Good to see you jump in those shoes and back on "tracks"... ;)

Namaste :)

And are you losing your baby fat too? :-)

Lately, I have been missing the Greek olive oil and purposefully add up a whole bunch in my hummus... I gain a bit of fat after loosing quite a bit!?. I guess I am keeping a fairly healthy balance that way? ;)

Namaste :)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

I could easily pretend that my motivation
is due to my involvement in cryptos

Thanks for today’s technology and crypto! Without it you wouldn’t have new hip and motivation. Don’t let @twiceuponatime beat you!

@twiceuponatime is a wimp. He has no chance against me!

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Congratulations, mate!!! You are doing the RIGHT thing for your health (first) and body secondly ;)))

I just wish you had bought some Adidas instead of Admiral shoes 😜

I know, eh? If I was wearing Adidas today in the gym, I'm pretty sure I would not have even had to bother with a workout. The glow from the shoes would have melted the fat away :-)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment
  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Hahahahahaha this really made me laugh.

Look who just hit the gym, yaaay!.

I am really sorry about your hip. That must have been a moment for you, and i am glad you are past that stage. You see why you and @twiceuponatime are inseparable? He was there for you and with you the whole time. Hahahaha

He pretends to not care, but actually I think that @twiceuponatime is rather attached to me :-)

Hahahaha why won't he be attached to you? You are one funny, lively and impressive person. Who wouldn't?

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost. LOL

Truer words were never spoken!

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Once upon a time you were unable to strengthen your legs . But now you engage in activities.
Once upon a time your hips was gonna be replaced
Now you can sit and do some bench workout.
Health is wealth they say . Good to see you jump

Hmmm.
Does "Once upon a time + Once upon a time" = twiceuponatime?

mathematical expression

1once + 1once = ?

Since
1 + 1 = 2
1once + 1once = 2twice

So

"Once upon a time + Once upon a time" = twiceuponatime {mathematically proven} lol

Q.E.D.

If you wanna see your shoes you gotta be best friends with the elliptical trainer.

Are you speaking from experience?

Yes, this is where I do my cardio. It's like the treadmill, but it doesn't strain the joints.
Moreover, I would suggest downloading an app to count steps.
Pacer is the one I use ( it's also free ).
Aim for 6000 steps for starters and then 10000 steps per day.
Wish you more muscle mass and less body fat. :)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

You look to be doing OK if you are back in the gym. I wish I could do the same, but I have my ailments too. I need a face lift as you can see?

A little botox, a tummy tuck, some collagen, and I'm sure you will be fine :-)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Able-bodied and iron from here on!! 😀
I have two questions :))
1)Really, do not you bored at the gym ???

  1. you went to work out or to see women's ass?? :ppp

Hey, this is a family blog!!!!

xaxaxa....NSFW (now i can ask you...) :ppp

Good luck, and you’re already lucky cuz you can let @twiceuponatime work out half the time for you

i am going to insist that he work out twice as much as me - to live up to his name :-)

You’ve got it all figured out haha ;)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment
  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

I agree with you. It's time to get healthy, even though I know how hard it is to do it when you are having pain problems, but starting somewhere and slow is always good way to start.
Good luck @onceuponatime. Remember No Pain, No Gain!

"No Pain, No Gain!"

Who invented that system?

Get luck man i hope you win! lol

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Health and exercise extends your life. The pain as well worth the gain when you do that. Eating healthy is also important. If you eat donuts you become a donut you got to eat good stuff. Thanks for sharing and promoting a healthy lifestyle

When I was young, I always wanted to be a donut if I grew up. Unfortunately, I never grew up :-)

You better pull those damn socks up!

You sound like my effing parents!

HA! Mine used to say, "Get those dirty feet off the floor and put some damn socks on!"

And they were right!!!!

But I didn't listen and I still have bare feet! I can walk on rocks and feel no pain!

But can you walk on water and not sink? Until then, do as your parents tell you.

Yes sir.

your faced quite a hard time,
I can feel it,
I hope you are fine now.
Glad to see you get back to work out.
My best wishes are with you.

Thank you.

"""helth is welth"""
Hope you get back with well fitness

I will.

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It's true!

This is a very moving story, I will not talk about what you lived, I'll congratulate you for your achievements and formidable recovery, you must continue taking care at all costs, but remember to look down, take care please.

Why are you

shouting?

Shout it out, I just wanted to get your attention with slightly larger letters, I'm glad that soon you'll be completely healthy.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Depends on what "want" has to do with your aim. What I want is my "aim". So I adjust my wants to take me towards my aim :-)

got motivated to see you in the gym......i m fond exercises too.....wish you best of luck to achieve your goals....May God bless you a healthy life

Thanks for your kind words.

always welcome sir

Well man it really gets hard to resume the workout after a gap. I am personally having the same issue, It has been about 2 months I didn't workout. I blame my busy routine more than any other factor. But hopefully I would get regular to it soon.

Two months isn't too bad. I was many years with no workout.

I sakin you are a strong person, everything you have done well. Our age is very dependent on health. hopefully you relax through your old age without any pressure from anyone, because it's the dream of all parents. I hope your day is always fun @onceuponatime :)

Fun? What's that?

Sorry Sir,, I think seriously.. Lol

You own the gym??? xD Or you are an early bird??? As I can't see anyone in there...

Do you think it could be my breath? And my best friends don't tell me?

Lol lol well you need to ask a stranger then if you want to learn the truth...

You are right with the title of this piece, vanity upon vanity, that is life for us all, we have to see life as something ephemeral that would surely fade away one day. You are looking good now thanks goodness over some years of pain I'm happy to see you getting better. Soon enough you will be on your feet and practice a desirable exercise you want. Thanks for sharing your personal experience with us. Life is indeed vanity, getting more money doesn't make one happy.

It makes me happy :-)

Omg sir you are the real motivation for all of us. when i read the title i was surprised but now i understand how brave you are God bless you always stay happy healthy always :)

Vanity shouldn't surprise anyone :-)

You're so brave! I admire you for don't letting life circunstances beat you! Doing exercise is the best you can do for a better life quality.. I recommend you to focus on strenght training because cardio seems to much for your hip. And also, strenght training will increase your muscle mass around your hip reducing pain and increasing your estability!

What if I only want to look hot for the summer? LOL

Hahaha that's a good reason too, we all deserve to look at the mirrow and be confident with what we see. But exercise can make you live better and longer, so watching it as a way to be healthier will make easier to stick with it in the long-term!

You forgot to tell it was your right bum or left?
and how's you doing now?

Man, that's awfully personal :-)

What's personal in sharing with your steemit family? :o

I may be in the prime of my life, but even I can feel my blood pressure rising and my joints creaking if I don't exercise for too long.

Maybe you'll end up ripped if you keep at it, who knows?

I'll ask my future self :-)

Sorry you have such tiring and unpleasant experience concerning your health, I'm happy you are getting more better compared to years back. Like you have said steemit itself is actually exercise in disguise because you will have to stay awake for many an anxious hours staring at the screen though could not be compare to physical training anyway for those who are able body.

To come up with the motivation to get back in shape?

Getting heal first as soon as possible would make this feeling fade away gradually, spending more time trying to get over your sorrows by engaging in activities that take your time more, just like steemit. Life is vanity, vanity upon vanity, we are not always completed when it comes to our needs in life, I'm surely one will be lacking in one area or the others.

But, without my sorrows, who would I be?

@onceuponatime, My big congratulations to you get decision to keep healthy better and then fitness your body. In fact exercise much important. Seems you're tired with gym activities. Keep going with health & cryptos. Wish you the best.
Nice photography taken @twiceuponatime.

""all is well = mind set up
""Helth is wealth=-fitness fact...""
we need both side as well for our daily life.
Wish you best of luck
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It is very important to keep the health healthy and to keep healthy. There is no substitute for exercise. It is very important that you have some kind of exercise in the film.

If you are willing to go through that I don't have any excuses left to use not to work out.

Its going to make your days better that is for granted.

One suggestion.... just try the mobile app "7 minutes".
It is good seeing you in something more active than ouzo by the sea!

"Control in our world runs by force. Physical force" at 14:50min.
BLACK BUDGET BITCOIN & MIND CONTROL!

You have a lot of awesome posts, but this is by far one of your best ones man. I needed this one today! Thanks.

Please pardon me for missing your posts for a few days! I should not have missed this very important post!!

So, I am having the same problem of having to go to the gym and start doing regular exercises! Had I got your reason of ‘vanity’ I would have been so lucky!
It is much worse thinking to myself that I was beyond hope and rescue! Shame on me!

You had been through a lot of pain and difficulties to heal your body so that you could resume a normal and active life. I am just too lazy and dejected to fight the negative feeling!!

You have shown enormous perseverance and commitment with the drive to get going and doing the right thing for yourself!

I hope I shall become worthy of being your follower here! You have become an inspiration to me!
Thank you, sir! My glorious and benevolent mentor.

All the best to your exercise programm.

Keeping the spirit and motivation is the key to getting up and returning our condition to a better one, still working as usual...
Like @onceuponatime

Really sorry to know that you had to bear so much pain but it is really motivating what you are doing for your health and body.

Looking good at gym to recover from hip pain 😎

@onceuponatime

By the way you and gym i didnot not imagine you do gym 😜😝😛🤪

Captivating pictures all through. And this got me thinking.....

everyone knows crypto is for nerds,
and that you spend 12, 14, 18 or more
hours a day behind a computer screen!

That's a long time to spend behind the screen, I do spend long hours too behind the screen sometimes. And I'm beginning to pick interest in studying the possible negative impact of spending long hours behind the screen or the effects of Screen addiction

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

My doctor recently told me that jogging could add years to my life. I think he was right. I feel ten years older already.

GOO:D

Come on man let's get fit and healthy. There is no reason to not to be fit. You hip surgery got the best of you, but I suggest you get back on track and never let your stomach hide your shoes.

OMG, the ninja, the splitting girl, the dancing guy.... I was smiling at the way down.

This gotta be the best post I've seen today!

First of all I wish you all the best with your hip issue. Secondly if I were you I would ask for a nutrition program from a specialist and I would try something more traditional than gym like Yoga or a traditional martial art in order to have a schedule to follow every week without excuses. In addition you will meet new people who may motivate you..
Good luck on your effort anyway !

Hahaha So Funny
Nice Work Man

Hahaha So Funny Seriously So Funny
Nice Work

I think it's funny.
we must try to be better, to be grateful for what happened. because, there is always a wisdom what happens to us.
I like your photos.
Thanks for sharing us.
Have a good day.

First of all really sad to hear about your hip replacement issue due to which you suffered lot. I am happy to see that you got yourself fine soon after this issue, Great!

Let me share with you my own story, back in 2015 after getting distinction from the University during my graduation. I seriously fall ill and doctors diagnosed me with GN( A chronic disease of the kidney). After changing my life style and taking steroidal medicines I overcame the issue last week. Means to say I bore the pain of GN for almost three years of my life. The way you decided to make yourself healthy, you actually gave me motivation and inspired me to bounce back strongly.

Will power and determination are the key traits to achieve anything in the world, I am convinced that God has given you these two quality traits @onceuponatime your smiling face is saying the whole story <3

Thank you so much for this awesome post One of the best souls I met on the platform :)

Wooooow! I hope you get better

Crypto wil always be here waiting for you, but your health comes first . Motivate yourself by his words , prove him wrong that you CAN kick ass in the gym .

Wishing you a speedy recovery and healthy life

Good to see you are doing exercise in gym after your hip surgery .

If you do everything you should do, and do not do anything you should not do, you will, according to the best available statistics, live exactly eighteen hours longer than you would otherwise. LOL

To speak the truth, I am not the best person to talk about gym.

I have a problem with my knee (not in very bad condition but it reminds me that it is in my life whenever I try to workout).

So, speaking personaly I imagine that your brother wanted to sit you up, in order not to sit down and leave yourself. Those brothers are in our lives for good times and for bad too.

BUT... Crypto is not only a reason to sit in the chair and spend time, hours from your life just watching a monitor. Crypto is technicaly a world. A digital world were you can work and earn money, spend them like you spend going out, drinking alcohol, watching "beauties" and many other things. You can play and of course you can learn many things from there.

I do not have the experience in cryptotrading, but I have some experience and knowledge in cryptomining, and this is something from the nothing.

So, dear twice it is great for once to know that he has someone who trigers him not to leave everything and sit under excuses.
And, dear once, I am honored because I had the oportunity to meet you, and of course learn the story of your life. It is good to understand others but best to understand our selves first. And of course not to give up in bad situations.

Heads up and stay calm!
oh... not to forget OUZO... it gives life in our spirit!
Trust me, I am Greek ;)

Peace my friend.

That's so sad but only God knows the best and only he knows why it happened

You went through this and still funny,you are so strong!

I really like the photo that you hold the t-shirt! However, the slogan: "DONT DREAM, WORK HARD", I would say:
Work hard and keep on dreaming! 😉

weight gain @onceuponatime

What really happened to your hip. Was it due to an accident or something else?
Now you have recovered wholly or the temporary relief is just in place?

Looking up will surely do some business, like we can get motivation, we have to reach to the skies.

so does that stem cell therapy really work

You friend is fine, God bless you very much.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

first my friends often insult me ​​because my body is skinny, .. women no one likes to see my appearance. sad taste, .. since then I got up ,, I always exercise, fitness, football. within 3 months of my body tersa like hercules. I am so happy to live healthy

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Wow very very interesting post.🌹🌿

Sir I like your good way of expression.

I will follow you for interesting posts.

Take Care.
Bless you.
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Thanks for sharing @onceuponatime. Yeah ,I got my right hip totally replaced Nov. 2016 and the left one replaced Feb. 2017. Been able to do things I have never done before in many years :)

I love this post! i have been trying to get myself motivated for weeks now as steem has taken over my life to the point that all i'm doing is recording (as i'm a singer) and going on steemit all the time hehe... i think i need to start looking after my health and start getting fit. Thanks for the inspiration instead of saying i'll start next week... i'm going to start today :) I love your name by the way. i hope you have a good day i've just started following you :)

I know you have to eat healthy, but it's very hard to resist tasty junk food

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment