Man V2

Back in business.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:27:00 +0000

Hi there.

It has been a long while since I posted here.

Still here.

Back in business.

This is a new post, at the age of 54, I am here still, together with my eight year old daughter and my wife and life partner of 26 years. When I first started this blog, I was only just starting to frame my general interest in health and fitness. Over the years, this has become more important. The biggest change happened when I began to pursue a spiritual life, guided by Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and, more recently, The Bhagavad Gita. This slotted in quite beautifully with my pursuit of postural yoga. My pursuit of postural yoga was inspired by my mother beginning with it in her youth. It has been a constant part of her life. The spiritual path has led to a filling of the black-hole-existential void I felt inside of me with some space. I can't say that it is full of bright light yet. But maybe one day, if I live long enough, it will. So that is an inspiration to keep myself going, in a strong enough physical state, to be able to work towards that.

Teaching yoga

What has changed?

I have been teaching yoga asana for a long time now. First I was teaching at training centres. I did that for a while. As my own practice deepened, so did my need to deepen my understanding of postural yoga. I began at a "proper" yoga studio. Since then I have moved studio once. It would be hard to explain how important teaching is to me. When I look at how I've changed over the years, I think I could explain it best from the perspective of being a teacher, rather than what I've learned as a yoga asana practitioner. My entire focus now is to be a better teacher. The areas I am working on now are communication based on the level of students, hands-on adjustment - when appropriate, anchoring of the asana in yogic philosophy, and deep respect for each individual in the class. We made some changes when moving to my current employer's studio. We structured the classes on a level basis, and I began teaching a five week vinyasa fundamentals course per semester. Of all the levels I've taught, level 0 - new beginners - have been the most exciting, challenging and interested group. I had to up my game! Suddenly I was cutting all the unnecessary language and focusing on verb (your body part) direction and /or placement. Clean and simple. This is just one example of many other bits and pieces that have become much more powerful than the sum of the parts. It is exciting.

Follow up

OK. So let's see what I end up posting. If you're interested in yoga - my website over Cobra-Yoga.com might be interesting. Otherwise - I'm still strength training, still running and still obsessed with health and life. So maybe I will see you here instead.

Big love. I wish you balance, calm, peace and strength. Namaste.

A marathon or two at 50?

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:11:00 +0000

I’m 50 in February.

Go on then. You only live once. I won’t be trying for a good completion time. I am just after completing.

Just had a nice 9 km in the snow. I used the 3 + 2 running pranayama breath.

Relentlessly taking responsibility

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sat, 29 May 2021 20:31:00 +0000

Relentlessly taking responsibility for my thoughts, actions, situation, life, needs, habits, spirituality, physicality. In order to radically take ownership of this life, I must take responsibility for it. Even if another person or situation causes me some form of harm, my response is my responsibility. My choice. This is freedom. The freedom that can be experienced even in shackles.

I think I have to constantly remind myself of it. I find it so easy to blame others, or the situation. There is this amazing screaming lyric from a hardcore band I listen to where the singer screams "the walls are in your mind". This cliché is rendered raw by the passion of the song. It makes me think that blame builds a mental wall, constructed one brick at a time. A wall that is a barrier to the endless landscape of possibility.

The band is Sweden’s Painted Wolves. If you like hardcore-punk, here is a link

Feeling foolish.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Thu, 27 May 2021 16:31:00 +0000

"The list of mistakes you can never recover from is very short.

But you likely realize your life will not be destroyed if your book doesn’t sell or if a potential date turns you down or if your startup goes bust. It’s not the failed outcome that paralyzes us. It’s the possibility of looking stupid, feeling humiliated, or dealing with embarrassment that prevents us from getting started at all.

The first step to being courageous is being willing to look foolish."

This is from James Clear.

You can get his newsletter here.

https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/refer?rh_ref=e4188701

I recently culled all of the things I had signed up for over the years. I kept this though.

Rockin' home knits

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 08:52:00 +0000

Rocking the crucial middle-aged home knit style boyyyyyyy.

Article about almond milk

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 09:48:00 +0000

https://www.thecut.com/2020/01/almond-milk-honeybee-deaths.html

28.05.2021: Disclaimer. I have not put any effort in to checking whether this is correct or not.

Cleaning the clutter

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 18:01:00 +0000

Good afternoon.
Whilst looking through the draft posts in blogger today I found this one. It wasn't really a post, just a title: "cleaning the clutter". I have absolutely no idea as to what I was thinking about when I wrote that title, but it sounds catchy. I wonder if I was thinking about a spring cleaning bout at the time. It is impossible to tell as drafts aren't dated once you open them - which I just did.
However, this post that never was has made me think about my approach to cleaning. Not just physically cleaning, as in housework or tidying my desk. I love recycling. Even digital recycling. I am the kind of person who changes the name of an empty folder on their computer desktop before starting to fill it with files, rather than simply deleting it and making a new one when needed. Totally pointless. Perhaps in this case it is not completely pointless though, as I suddenly got the urge to fill in some of the gaps here and post about recycling as a form of creativity.

Recycling as inspiration :)

One of my recent obsessions was the quote "do what you can, with what you have, where you are" which, after a cursory internet search, seems to be attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. It isn't really that relevant to me whether it was Roosevelt, or Bugs Bunny - it works for me. I love the idea of making do. It appeals to the punk in me. One of the defining ethics of the punk movement was the idea of do-it-yourself. I felt that this was especially important to the later phases of punk, like my beloved "straight edge hardcore" punk. In fact, let us not get started on straight edge hardcore right now, as that is definitely going to be something that I will want to write about in the future as it too has had a massive effect on my psyche of late. Making do - doing it yourself - making something out of some old rubbish. My whole point here boils down to the fact that if I hadn't decided to recycle this post, I would have probably not written anything today. Just the fact that I decided to reuse the title has forced into being a load of words on a page. Granted, they may never be read - they're not even that exciting, but they are here in the world and it's because I took something which was rubbish and used it in a new way. Reinterpretation. I like this a lot . Reinterpretation of trash causes creativity. How about that?

Indeed. Right on Theodore.

Happy birthday to me.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:23:00 +0000

Good morning.

This month I am 46 years old and, as with every year, want to remember how bloody lucky I am to be happy and healthy.

Thanks for being with me on this bloggy-interwebs-journey. Shall we go around another time?

Look back through some old posts.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 09:42:00 +0000

The winter is ending. As we move into spring, let's spring!

Good morning V2s.
I must say that I got a bit of a kick out of reading this post. Not bad, inspiring myself from the past.
:)

http://www.manv2.com/2014/01/january-how-are-we-doing.html
(It is short and sweet.)

Look back through old posts.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 08:30:00 +0000

I'm getting some inspiration from looking back through this blog's old posts.
I have to say this was an interesting post-marathon training plan back in 2010.
As I mention in the comment, I can't quite remember whether I kept to this for a significant amount of time. I was quite easily distracted back in 2010.

Man V3

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:03:00 +0000

Another year is ending and another whole load of stuff that I have been working on is ending too.
I have the other blog over at Cobra-Yoga.com which is taking a lot of my time but, I am really unsure of what to do with this one.

Does anybody read it?

Need to check the stats and make a decision.

Box jumps

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Fri, 22 May 2015 07:29:00 +0000

I opened up my PC today and checked my mail. Typically I get a kick-ass bit of inspiration from an unexpected source. Box jumps. Right. Read this and let's discuss it afterwards.
http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/5-ultimate-box-jumps
:)

Last Sundays yoga class.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:59:00 +0000

I managed to get my class to relax for a quick snap after they finished their shavasana this week.
It was 75 minutes and was a free-form jam around the sun salutation, Surya Namaskara. A lot of fun was had, amongst the work work these guys put in. Great stuff!

I'll be posting more on yoga over the coming weeks. I have some seriously ambitious plans.

Feeling a bit bit flat? Watch this.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:19:00 +0000

Pretty inspiring stuff.
Cheers

https://www.facebook.com/PrinceEaHipHop

Man V2 - Episode 5

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:32:00 +0000

Well, it has definitely been a long time coming. Episode four was back in 2010. Anyway, here I explain about how important it is for us personal trainers to walk-the-walk. I'm testing a weight loss plan that I've got a few of my customers on by doing it myself at the same time.

Cobra Yoga

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:14:00 +0000

I'll be starting to post about my yoga classes very soon. Watch this space.

Do one thing differently… Friday.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 07:58:00 +0000

Today’s “do one thing differently” is something that all of my personal trainer clients hear whenever we start talking about diet and performance.

Take a good quality omega-3 supplement every morning.

“Vegans have lots of options for this too.” (Edit May 2021) Simple, effective and will make a huge difference to you life very quickly.
Have a great Friday!

Manly quote:

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:21:00 +0000

“A man’s ledger does not tell what he is, or what he is worth. Count what is in man, not what is on him, if you would know what he is worth—whether rich or poor.” –Henry Ward Beecher

A great circuit with some killer exercises.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:10:00 +0000

Today I met up with three of my mates who are personal trainers to give ourselves a bit of a heavy workout.
The great thing with having personal trainer friends is that everybody wants to push the others and so it usually ends up being both a creative and a killer workout.
We did a circuit with eight exercises which I'm writing up here as much as anything as to remember for future workouts.

Main circuit - 2 rounds, 90 seconds work 20 second break.

1. Lunges with 22 KG on a barbell.
2. Side jumps over a step.
3. "Man makers" - Excellent exercise - see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gczI5sINn9U
4. Rowing with barbell
5. Sprint with weighted bags (10, 15 and 20 kg as a pyramid)
6. One arm plank, upper body on step.
7. One sided flies on the edge of a step so you work core.
8. 45 seconds biceps curl, 45 seconds skull crusher triceps.

Then came the killer - the finisher.

1. 90 second static squat
2. 90 second plank
3. 90 second burpees

2 rounds.

Safe to say - I'm pretty knackered, but it was a great workout.

10 x 10 volume training with superset challenge.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:25:00 +0000

That was tough as hell. 10 reps x 10 sets (German volume training or 10 set method) of super setting Bulgarian Split Squats with hip thrusts. Challenge completed. A really amazing workout.

Sweaty, knackered but happy.

Tendinosis of the Achilles rehab.

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:17:00 +0000

Have you ever had tendinosis of the Achilles? It is definitely not a lot of fun. The difference between tendinosis and tendinitis is that tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon and stems from micro-tears. It typically comes from a sudden, acute injury like overloading. Tendinosis is a chronic condition that comes from overuse with characterised by changes in the form of the tendon and loss of strength (lumps and weakness). There seems to be a lot of confusion in the diagnosis of these two problems. A typical cause of tendinosis of the Achilles is, for example, a runner ramping up their kilometres too quickly in preparation for a race or body builder stepping up their leg training too quickly or without adequate rest. In my case, it was a combination of trying to make up for lost time and increasing my running volume too quickly whilst simultaneously experimenting with endurance barefoot running.
Under the microscope, tendinosis shows an increase in "young" type III collagen fibres instead of the “good” type I fibres. The problem with type III fibres are that they often do not link together to help load-balance, are significantly weaker and are often misaligned (source 1.0). My problem first revealed itself as a lump on the medial side of the Achilles. The result was stiffness and the inability to run more than 7 KM without pain. However, things seem to be getting better now with a combination of rehabilitation and staying at a lower running volume.

I am sure that you are probably most interested in the rehabilitation of a similar injury if you landed here.
Most research of late has shown that there is one, relatively simple, treatment for this problem (source 2). The exercise involves extension exercises targeting the lower leg muscles also known as triceps surae, but particularly the gastrocnemius.

This is quite a simple exercise. I do it in a Smith machine but if your gym has a calf press then you can also perform it there with another variation being dumbbell work (pictured). The trick is to perform the exercise on the lower leg suffering from the Achilles problem, fully extending, but to use your good leg to push you back up. Use as heavy a-weight as is comfortable. It will burn. This is normal. Take the exercise slowly with at least three seconds, preferably five, on the extension. Allow your heal to drop fully creating a good stretch in the extension and then use the good leg to remove the weight, allowing you to return to the starting position.

I already notice that the lump is shrinking and I have begun to notice less pain as I approach my 7 KM threshold. I have also started to use some self-administered trigger point massage to loosen the stiffness in the gastrocnemius (calf) and am considering finding a professional to continue with it. I will write some more about this if relevant.

As usual, feel free to comment or get in touch by e-mail with any questions.
Source 1: Tendinopathy: Why the Difference Between Tendinitis and Tendinosis Matters http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312643/ Evelyn Bass March 31^st 2012.

Source 2: Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9617396 (abstract) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, Umeå, Sweden.

The Arnold method

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:50:00 +0000

I know I have a bit of an Arnold thing at the moment after reading his book "Total Recall"

I found this great page on Bodybuilding.com that looks at Arnold's Arm workouts.

Healthy high-protein chicken nuggets

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 19:43:00 +0000

I must try this…

BAKED CRISPY CHICKEN NUGGETS

(with permission from Dave Ruel, aka “The Muscle Cook”

author of Anabolic Cooking - Muscle building meals that taste great

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

o 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts weighing about 6oz. each

o ¼ cup/60ml oat bran

o ¼ cup/60ml wheat germ

o 1 tbsp/15ml coarsely ground flaxseed

o ¼ cup/60ml coarsely ground almonds

o ½ tsp/2½ml sea salt

o ½ tsp/2½ml white pepper

o Pinch garlic powder

o ½ cup/120ml water or low-sodium chicken broth

o 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare baking sheet by lining with

parchment paper or coating lightly with best-quality olive oil.

2. Cut chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces, about 1.5 inches square.

Set aside.

3. Next, combine all dry ingredients in a large container with a

tightly fitting lid. Shake well. This is your coating mixture.

4. Combine water and egg in a medium bowl. Dip each piece

in the water/egg-white mixture. Then dip each piece in the

coating mixture. Make sure each piece is well coated.

5. Place on the baking sheet. When all of your chicken has

been coated and your baking sheet is full, place in the

oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden

Calories 148

Protein 22g

Carbohydrates 6g

Fats 4g

from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1j1VPN3

via IFTTT

Healthy high-protein chicken nuggets

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 15:31:00 +0000

This must be able to be made vegan by using tofu, wouldn’t you think?

I must try this…

BAKED CRISPY CHICKEN NUGGETS

(with permission from Dave Ruel, aka “The Muscle Cook”

author of Anabolic Cooking - Muscle building meals that taste great

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare baking sheet by lining with

parchment paper or coating lightly with best-quality olive oil.

2. Cut chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces, about 1.5 inches square.

Set aside.

3. Next, combine all dry ingredients in a large container with a

tightly fitting lid. Shake well. This is your coating mixture.

4. Combine water and egg in a medium bowl. Dip each piece

in the water/egg-white mixture. Then dip each piece in the

coating mixture. Make sure each piece is well coated.

5. Place on the baking sheet. When all of your chicken has

been coated and your baking sheet is full, place in the

oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden

Calories 148

Protein 22g

Carbohydrates 6g

Fats 4g

from Tumblr http://ift.tt/Mpt816

via IFTTT

January - how are we doing?

mysteryn11@gmail.com (Nathan Bunting) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:48:00 +0000

As is usual for the majority of us, we're now into our new year training plan.

I just wanted to drop you - scratch that - us all a quick word of encouragement. We've committed - we're working and we're doing it. Whatever happens don't give up! By this time next year we will have achieved our fitness goals. 365 is enough time for us all to do it. Let's just keep the pressure up, keep working and we'll make it happen.

Great work - let's keep it up.