What do you do to get ready for the Burn?

Fathippo · Post by **Fathippo** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:57 pm

I was wondering if its just me or do other people start hitting the gym to get in shape and I also spend a lot of time in the steamroom to develop my stemina for the heat in desert...I figure if I'm almost naked I might as well look decent...or am I just shallow?..T

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 6:49 pm

I don't do anything special. I am what I am. You should be yourself too and proud of it.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:13 am

Funny, this is the first thing I thought of. My thing this year is to get used to being on a bike so I can bike around and hopefully up to the Black Rock range.

Fathippo wrote:I was wondering if its just me or do other people start hitting the gym to get in shape and I also spend a lot of time in the steamroom to develop my stemina for the heat in desert...I figure if I'm almost naked I might as well look decent...or am I just shallow?..T

garden gal gardenia · Post by **garden gal gardenia** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:15 am

I have been working out on an eliptical trainer for the last few months.
My goal is to be in shape to survive the heat and the wind (not a wind fan at all).
The fact that I will be almost 51 at this my first Burn is on my mind lately.
I want to pull my weight in our family camp and head out on the playa on my super sized fully decorated adult tricycle and meet some new people and have some fun.
I am up to 45 minutes per session on the trainer 4-5 times per week and my stamina is better for sure!
To me it is all about survival and not letting a few health issues keep me from my goal of going to Burning Man.
G.G. Gardenia

Janka · Post by **Janka** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:20 am

I don't work out to be "fit" for the playa. I excercise regularly anyway and know that I can take camping conditions for a week (done that enough times), and I do not feel that my body needs to look a particular way at BM. (I can understand if achieving a particular body-look is important for some one else's experience, though, just I don't personally work that way.)

Last year I spent some time familiarizing myself with desert conditions in theory, though - I had never before in my life been to any real desert.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:20 am

If I were more hung up about my looks I'd drop a few pounds....Ironically, last time I did that was during Burning Man! The Playa Diet really works! (*insert profile shot holding out waistband of gigantic pants*)

Getting comfortable on a bike seat is REALLY important. If you don't do much urban walking it'd help to make sure your feet (and shoes) are up to a lot of tromping on hard, flat ground that may as well be cement. You will find yourself walking MUCH more than you might think.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:31 am

Yeah, think Disneyworld/Epcot for walking. I'm 42 and have my good and bad weeks of sticking to my 3 times a week on the nordic track and two sets of push ups. I was skinny for most of my life so I'm happy if I loose 15 vanity pounds so I look svelt in a kilt. I did it once but then gained it back before the burn... durn it!

As one of the operators of the MiniMan giant playa puppet, prolonged exagerated movement and dancing are a must. It keeps me motivated when I can picture myself on the playa doing something I love.

Would you all like to use this or another thread so we can hold each other accountable for our respective fitness goals? I'd rather report to you than a fitness coach.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:36 am

My first impulse: "eye roll"

I'm so far from physically fit that vanity shouldn't even factor in. Ah well, the 20 pounds I've already lost was for my health, and I feel much, much better. 50 to go! Not easy given I'm not yet able to exercise. Still, I love that I feel beautiful at Burning Man no matter what. If you feel better a few pounds lighter then by all means go for it!

Bikes! Yes! Twice we've brought nieces, and both years the girls didn't get out and about much unless they were with us. Why? They hadn't been on bikes since childhood and developed saddle sores the first day. Sure larry didn't mind them hitching rides on the back of the 4wheel bike, but it was harder on him and tethered them to us. They also were not used to walking long distances in the heat.

Get used to walking. Practice riding your bike. Practice using your earplugs, mine drove me nuts until I found the right brand. Get used to your goggles. Get used to your dust mask. Test drive your costumes. Make sure you can stand your sunblock, find a brand you can live with.

And then there's the altitude. Not much for lowlanders to do to combat altitude sickness except be aware of the effects and preplan for them for the first couple of days. YMMV

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:47 am

I look just right, For a guy on the 70 side of 60. Look just like a sack of door knobs. Was 225 last year. Just home from the VA H with chest pains. They gave me water pills. I pissed away 8-10lb. Still losing some on this extra low salt diet. Blah.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:48 am

Yeah, I'm focussed (in a very diffuse way) on altitude and endurance. I'm going to have to walk/bike and I want to increase my aerobic capacity. I'm not too fussy about how I look. It's my only chance all year to grow my beard! Long story about my struggle against the whole western body idealizations, but AntiM and the others are right. BM is one of the most accepting places for body variation I've experienced.

Fathippo · Post by **Fathippo** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:24 pm

I don't get in shape so thers will like me, I just like to look fit and for me the burn is a great motivator to work hard...the light at the end of the tunnel when I don't feel like going to the gym..thats just me...plus the heat can beat you hard if your not ready for it...T

MissNev · Post by **MissNev** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:41 pm

I start stockpiling alcohol and making beer for our bar! I also go through my camping gear and clean/repair as needed. Other than that, they can take me as I am. If someone is offended by the way I look, too damn bad!

I practice Bikram Yoga regularly, but this has nothing to do with Burning Man. It does, however, help with my endurance for walking, riding, wind and heat.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:16 pm

robotland wrote:Getting comfortable on a bike seat is REALLY important. If you don't do much urban walking it'd help to make sure your feet (and shoes) are up to a lot of tromping on hard, flat ground that may as well be cement. You will find yourself walking MUCH more than you might think.

So true. For the virgins: bring a bike or get used to walking, a lot. Trust me. Or get one on the way in in Gerlach (or is it Empire where they recycle the bikes?). I don't think I'll ever do a Burning Man again without a bike.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:58 pm

sensory and sleep deprivation, clinical discharge, ammo.

scotto · Post by **scotto** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:59 pm

This is only what I was able to scoop up...

At least that amount blew away in the wind in HUGE clouds of Playa Dust as the carpets were shaken out...

Scotto

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:20 pm

MissNev wrote: I practice Bikram Yoga regularly, but this has nothing to do with Burning Man. It does, however, help with my endurance for walking, riding, wind and heat.

WooYay! Another Bikram Yogi! Anybody else out there tried/gotten hooked on this? I second MissNev, that's a great yoga practice to both keep your physical/mental self fit and help build endurance. Lots of stretching and core muscle strengthening and any body type can do it. Its unique for being practiced in hot studios (@100 degrees) and is a slow stretch-into-and-hold-the-posture-for 30-60 seconds type yoga. Very good playa conditioning as a side benefit. LOVE IT!! (plus you get to do yoga in shorts...in front of a mirror...great motivator!)

MissNev · Post by **MissNev** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:04 am

Don't forget that you also get to sweat like a big sweaty thing, Tiahaar! Best way to rid the body of toxins, thereby leaving the skin soft and glowing. Anyone up for Bikram on the Playa? We will already have the heat, all that is needed is some humidity.....or not.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:46 pm

Heheh, yes sweating like a plowhorse in harness is part of the fun and you're right the skin loves it. Yeah a pirate hot yoga studio on the playa would be perfect!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:33 am

Tiahaar wrote:Heheh, yes sweating like a plowhorse in harness is part of the fun and you're right the skin loves it. Yeah a pirate hot yoga studio on the playa would be perfect!

~
Sweat?? The sweat evaporates before it gets to the shin surface. I go back to Salem with playa inbeded i each pour. Sides what do you know about sweat with that luxury liner (f.in hippie) bus. Guess you will sweat a lot at the gas pumps. ;>)

the_iconoclast · Post by **the_iconoclast** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:33 pm

Being that this is my first year...
Pulling maintenance and replacing camping gear...
Riding a bike for the first time in years.
Getting into the "groove" by being part of the DPW MOOP weekends.
I have been on a weight-loss regimine for months now, but it is because I am tired of feeling exhausted from walking up stairs, and getting pissed off about clothes not fitting.
I have the advantage of living at abou the same elevation as the Playa, so the whole altitude thing is null..

XS · Post by XS » Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:30 am

Exercise, Schmexcercise! Not that I don't want to look good. My vanity is still very much intact.

I try to prep for playa-playtime by breaking out my inner beauty, dust it off, maybe a little bit of scrubbing from exposure to urban corrosion.

That way my focus is on smiles, hugs, and soul kisses for everyone I meet. Be beautiful from the inside out and you'll be good to go baby.

Much love and see ya soon!

XS

gladeye · Post by **gladeye** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:49 pm

I try to go to the gym all year round, but I definitely ramp it up the few months leading up to burning man. I'll be 39 this summer and I admit to some vanity, especially since there will be some flab enough in my camp... There's no shame in wanting to luck good while prancing with your fellow loons. I do weight training and lots of cardio to build my stamina. Burning Man is definitely an endurance test when you consider the elements, disrupted sleep patterns, ecstasy, mushrooms, and unforeseeable.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue May 03, 2005 9:25 pm

Yep. Especially if you're like me and hoping to marry a girl who's into Burning Man (who you are most-likely to meet at Burning Man). :D

I'll definitely get a good haircut before I get there...

gladeye wrote:I try to go to the gym all year round, but I definitely ramp it up the few months leading up to burning man. I'll be 39 this summer and I admit to some vanity, especially since there will be some flab enough in my camp... There's no shame in wanting to luck good while prancing with your fellow loons. I do weight training and lots of cardio to build my stamina. Burning Man is definitely an endurance test when you consider the elements, disrupted sleep patterns, ecstasy, mushrooms, and unforeseeable.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Tue May 03, 2005 11:29 pm

unjonharley wrote: Sides what do you know about sweat with that luxury liner (f.in hippie) bus. Guess you will sweat a lot at the gas pumps. ;>)

Heehee, hey, you remember me!!! Come by for a cold soda...except that with the theme camp rearrangement I may move over a few blocks...

OK, #1: the Starship is an UN-airconditioned tramp freighter ex-transit bus (but it likes to be called a Starship)...new ALIEN light system being built for this year
#2: if deisel keeps going up my crew will get in shape for the playa by pedaling the bus itself out there
#3: I was always sweating under those crazy wigs of mine...might try a mister on top of the trike this year...

Tamborinadanceandsing · Post by **Tamborinadanceandsing** » Fri May 06, 2005 1:54 pm

My husband and I have started to go to the gym to get ourselves fit for BM as I am sure it is quite grewling on the body and we want to be able to enjoy ourselves to the mostist and not get fucked up physically too soon!

lovelovelove

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sat May 21, 2005 12:17 am

Ooooii!! I'm often nude but am now naked!! The thinning long hair is GONE...much easier playa bodycare will be the payoff...but I really really really already miss the fantasy of a huge rock-star mane of my own (my hair was always a pain anyway...never as good as the cute guys). Now My Wigs Will Finally Fit Though. Yeah. So There.

What do you do to get ready for the Burn?

What do you do to get ready for the Burn?

Re: What do you do to get ready for the Burn?

Clean Carpets from the previous year...

Playa Prep.

also could mention...No Hair!!