Reprinted from the ACJ - March, 2003
I`m just sitting here reading an article on how fat and out of shape I am. Actually you`re on the hook as well. The article is about how 50% of us are considered `overweight`, and 30% of us are `obese`. That will put you off your donut. According to this we need more exercise. I guess the virtual stomach crunches I`m doing to impress the chicks that inhabit the "Sims Online` are not translating well to the real world.
Speaking of the real world, who has the time to exercise for 60minutes, 3 times a week? Or was it 30 minutes, 6 times a week? Olympic athletes and out of work day traders, maybe. But wait, all is not lost. I contend that you, yes you, radiator repair guy, exercise far more than the authorities at the Mayo Clinic believe. Let`s take a normal day at the shop versus this activity guide I have in front of me.
Weightlifters burn 215 calories per hour (cal/hr). You heaved that crud filled radiator out of a car this morning. `Benched` it, curled it into the test tank, and pressed it back into the car. Saw the new leak and repeated the process. Walking burns 325 cal/hr. If you are like me, you walked over to the toolbox, grabbed the `" box end wrench, walked over to the car, back to the toolbox for the 9/16", back to the car. It`s a 5/8", swear and repeat. Volleyball uses 215 cal/hr. Right now you`re keeping 4 jobs in the air at once. Riding a bike burns 720 cal/hr. You`ve been spinning your wheels all day. Take a deep breathe, the workout continues.
Dancing aroun customer complaints, 395 cal/hr. This chart shows water skiing is good for 430 cal/hr. Your form was perfect as you skimmed across that puddle of coolant. Next time, impress the judges by going `outside the wake` with a strong pull on the torch hoses. It may still be winter where you live. If so, the same move while ice skating, burns 575 cal/hr. Remember to keep your water intake up. The chart states that standing at the sink, or other porcelain appliance, uses up 80 cal/hr. Have another donut. You don`t want to `bonk` before lunch. Racquetball players burn 505 cal/hr. This comeback job has had you banging your head against the wall all morning. Feel the burn. The day is winding down. It is Friday at 3:30 and you still have 3 jobs to get out. These last minute aerobics utilize up to 500 cal/hr.
Mercifully, the day is finally done. Now the experts, and possibly your spouse, want you to hit the gym. Show them this article. Tell them that swimming burns a whopping 790 cal/hr and all day you`ve ben struggling just to keep your head above water. Now, hit the showers and the juice (of your choice) bar.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Journal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
114 Lost Grove Road / PO Box 96 / Princeton, Iowa 52768-0096
Phone 563-289-5123 or Fax 563-289-3825