Fitness tips returns

G’Day Readers - long established as well as new, and welcome back to the Pattaya Mail’s fitness tips column.
After a rather long hiatus from my writing, the good people at the Mail have allowed me to take up my writing again.
At this point, due to the length of the break and the fact that there are quite a few new readers for both the Mail and the Pattaya Blatt I should quickly introduce myself.
My name is David Garred and I’m manager of the Dusit Resort Sports Club. I’m an internationally certified health and fitness leader, personal trainer and group exercise to music instructor. I’ve been involved in sports club and gym management for 8 years, 7 internationally, predominately in Thailand.
Enough of that.
The whole idea of the fitness tips column is to present, you, the readers with healthy activity, nutrition and lifestyle choices in a friendly, easy to read format.
The information I’ll present you with will all come through the international association of health and fitness professionals but I’ll do my very best to liven it up as it gets very dry sometimes.
If you have any questions or special issues that you might think that open discussion in the column might benefit any and all people in the local area that are interested in physical activity, don’t be shy, write in to the Mail/Blatt and I’ll do my best to help. If I can’t help, at the very least I’ll be able to refer you to the relevant health professional.
Let’s start off with a subject that is very close to my heart, one that most of us will be happy to digest:
Chocolate - it’s not as bad as you think
So tell me, how was that chocolate binge over you summer holiday? Stop feeling guilty about it; for starters, you were on holidays and two, have a look at this: new research suggests that nutritionally, you could do much worse than snack on chocolate. Evidence suggests that all those chocolate myths may actually be just that, myths. While chocolate has been used over the centuries to treat everything from gout and kidney stones to mental fatigue and low sexual desire, it actually contains important nutrients, which are valuable to the functioning of the human body.
Of course, chocolate contains fat, sugar and lots of calories but, with the exception of the milk variety, the primary fat in chocolate is stearic acid. Stearic acid is a saturated vegetable fat that once in the body acts like the monounsaturated fat found in olive and canola oils. Yes that means once it’s in the system it’s a good thing.
Chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants. Certain ingredients in chocolate can stimulate the mind and may possibly delay some of the negative effects of advancing age. These antioxidants may also help to prevent the oxidation of blood cholesterol, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
I thought that I should start off with some good news but please do keep in mind that there are other macro nutrients you’ll need to eat like meats & other proteins, vegetables & fruits, breads & cereals, dairy products and fats.
Small meals decrease cholesterol
We all know that eating small, regular meals keeps the metabolism going and prevents hunger pains. Now, a new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that eating small, regular meals may help lower cholesterol. The research involved questioning 14,666 men and women aged between 45 and 75 on their eating habits and frequency. It was found that those who ate at least six small meals a day had cholesterol levels that were 5% lower than those who ate only one to two meals per day.
It is not known why there is a connection between eating many small meals a day and lower cholesterol levels. As the number of meals increased, blood cholesterol levels decreased. One of the leading researchers suggested that eating the regular meals causes a change in metabolism, which activates liver enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism. This change in metabolism that I’m referring to is the speed at which the body’s internal systems function. An increase in the speed activates the enzymes that are needed to break down the fats that we eat before they are stored somewhere in our body.
Take it one step further and think about the average Thai diet. Normal middle and working class Thai people eat 4-5 times a day. Now take a look at them, how much fat do they carry? Very little and that’s not always because they work in manual labor positions.
Readers please don’t forget the Jesters Charity Fair this weekend as well as the 50 Km bike ride, should be a lot of fun.
See you there.
Carpe’ Diem (seize the day)

Mio maintains lead despite loss to Jeed

Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League

This week the Cafe Kronborg Monday Bowling League had some hard fought matches, with upsets for both of the leading teams. Mio’s top team lost 1-3 to Jeed’s team, even with Otto scoring his best game of the season for Mio’s Team, a 233 and a total 577 series. Mio did manage to hold to first place in the league, despite the consistent bowling from Jeed’s team.
Kran’s team moved up into second place by beating Tue’s team 3-1. Kran again scored well, with a 203 game.
In the last match, Bill’s team managed a draw 2-2 with La’s team in a very close match where the final point was decided by only 6 pins.
The league enjoyed a good turnout of 21 bowlers this week, with Bill and Lada back from holiday and Ow joining the fun again after a long absence.

League leaders lose and league tightens up

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

First place team Shakey Pete’s won only one half a point but still holds onto first place by one half of a point. They were beat by a strong bowling Cafe Kronborg team with Suraphan leading the way with a 222 game, 568 series, and Captain Kran rolled a 521 series.
Second place VFW Post 9876 managed to win only one point in their match with Nice & Sleazy and is now tied with the Winchester Club for second place. Nice & Sleazy was led by Tue with a 537 pin count and Porn who knocked down an even 200 pins in the last game.
Winchester Club split their series with House of the Golden Coin at two points apiece. Best bowler in this match was birthday girl Captain Mio, Golden Coin, who rolled a 205 game and 549 series.
Last place team Three Sisters finally had a good day and took all four points from Cafe Ole sending them from fourth to fifth place. Gert led the Three Sisters with a 518 pin count and Jeed was best for Cafe Ole with a 211 game and 524 series.

Diana Group Golf

Chris John to be reckoned with

PSC Three Sisters Golf

Monday, the 2nd of September, brought 22 golfers to Siam to vie for the bragging rights. Fairly newcomer to the group, Chris John, showed everyone that he will be one to be reckoned with as he beat the field with 38 points. Chris made the turn with 18 points then turned up the heat in the second half with 20 more points for a total of 38.
Hot on Chris’s heels were Paul Shortino and Joe St. Laurent. Paul and Joe roared like lions on the front nine coming in with 21 and 22 points, but went out like lambs on the back with 16 and 15 points for a total of 37. With a little bit of luck either one could have won the bragging rights.
Bringing up the rear this week was a close affair. We had two former winners and Rollie Weese who has been trying to get out of the cellar tied at 25 points. Former winners, Erle Kershaw and Fast Eddie Kristianson really took a tumble as they headed for the cellar. Fast Eddie, who was a big winner at the Kronborg Cup, sped past Erle and snatched up the bag for the week. Eddie scored a respectful 15 points on the front but made a disappointing 10 points on the back to take his place in the cellar.

Early boarders from Bangkok for Shenanigans Irish Open

Shenanigans 2002 Irish Open is at Plutaluang Navy Golf Course on Friday 4th October, playing South & East courses. Full details with entry form are featured in this issue of Pattaya Mail.
Be sure to sign-up early as the field is limited to 128 players and early sign-ups have already come in from Bangkok. The format is singles Stableford with three divisions, plus ladies, and a wide variety of technical prizes on offer. Prize giving and lucky draw is back at Shenanigans with the renowned Carvery Buffet to get the party going.
Sign-up at Shenanigans. More information at the web site www.shenanigans-pattya.com

Big week for Jimmee Little

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 2nd September
Green Valley
Stroke play
1st: Dale Drader, 70
2nd: Lamud Chaidara, 72
3rd: Jimmy Little, 73
4th: Bob Lindborg, 74
Returning to take charge of the annual Jackalope Tournament, the last thing that Dale Drader expected was to be heading the field at the always-difficult Green Valley layout. But he managed to keep the ball on the short grass and out of the numerous water hazards to record his first win for some time out of The Haven.
Lamud Chaidara, now coming back to form, headed the chasing pack with a very good back nine. Jimmee Little and Bob Lindborg, neither of whom could maintain consistency over the closing holes, trailed her.
The twos pool, including the carry over, was one by Lamud.
Prior to the prize giving Richard Livingston, the resident PGA professional, welcomed back Dale and Ann Drader.
Wednesday 4th September
Bangphra
Stableford
1st: Jimmy Little, 41 points
2nd: Dave Spendley, 40
3rd: Phil Groves, 38
4th: Richard Lynn, 37
Jimmee Little improved on his score from the previous competition by six shots and just held off a spirited challenge by Dave Spendley, who was keen to take his first win for 2 years. Unfortunately Dave could not quite get the last putt to drop which would have meant a win by count back, which left Jimmee the winner and looking forward to the big competition on Friday with new enthusiasm.
Phil Groves, now playing off a seven handicap after a run of good scores, again figured among the prizewinners as he fired a gross 77 amidst the trees to secure third place from Richard Lynn.
Richard is now to be found regularly on the podium and surely it will not be long before he is taking the top spot and becoming one of the people to beat at The Haven.
There were no winners in the twos pool and the pot was therefore carried forward to next week.
Richard welcomed back the Clare twins from their exertions in Europe.
The golf on Friday gave way to The Canadian Jackalope Open, a report of which is to be found on the back page of this week’s Pattaya Mail.

The Best Rainbow Ice-cream Sundae

P.S.C. Golf from the Cafe Kronborg

Monday September 2
Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy Golf Course
(Stableford)
This has to be “The Admirals” favourite day of the month because whenever the schedule for the following month is ‘ explored’ the first name to go onto the list is this golf course. Whilst it cannot be determined if it is Dave’s favourite, there cannot be any doubt that it probably is the one he feels most at home on. And why not, with a very reasonable green fee, four excellent nines, a new club house now as fine as most, with food and drink at the most reasonable prices of all the courses, and he can walk around and see all those young sailors still being chased around and smile as all who are “Ex’ do.
That being, the ‘Admiral’ and his crew set forth amidst balmy conditions to play the Plutaluang South and East courses in a Stableford competition on a course that continues to improve month by month. The greens were significantly quicker than last month.
John McHugh took first place with 36 points, the ever present Ebrahim came second with 35 points, big Pete Galle came third with 34 points beating Swiss Tokyo resident Walter Bachli into fourth, on count back, also 34 points.
Thursday September 5
Bangpra International Golf Club
(Stableford)
Many people have different reasons for having a preference for a particular course and some times it’s just a feeling when you awake in the morning that today is special. I’ve already explained Dave’s liking for Plutaluang, my own favourite has to be Natural Park Resort, Wayne Koch prefers Natural Park Hills, and the complete 24 hours a day thinker of golf whilst he is here, Rick Evans likes Green Valley because every shot is a real test and a good score means you played well.
So onto Bangpra and as usual we had a good turnout for this time of the year, and why not? This course is the oldest in the area and is in everyone’s top five, having matured well with an excellent layout and at time frighteningly fast greens, but it has to be said not at present. There is one person, however, who loves Bangpra and if humanly possible will never miss it. Big Pete Galle does not miss attending, because Bangpra serves ‘The Best Rainbow Ice-cream Sundae’ in its restaurant and Big Pete has sat in the restaurant for more years than he cares to remember and never misses his treat. It has to be said he usually doesn’t play Bangpra well as his mind is on other things.
Bangpra was in fine condition for the competition, despite slower greens, and two flights fought out their own little competitions with the scores in the B flight a little better as is usual. The winner of the A flight (0 to 21) was our ever present Ebrahim with 36 points. Second was tournament organiser Derek Brook with 34 points and third was Ian Edwards with 32 points.
The B flight scores (22 upwards) were a little better and John Swanson came in first with a fine 38 points ahead of Alan Pearce on 37 points and third was Richard Kubicki with a good 36 points off his new reduced handicap.
After a cold shower and a good soak in the hot tub, all went to the restaurant to salute the winners and sit and watch in amazement as Big Pete polished off his treat of the day.

Colin “The Donkey” Davis cashes three days running

The Square Ring

“Underwater Cleanup Day No. 4” to be held Sept 4

Suksan Chuthasan (2nd from left), president of the Marine Dive Co., Ltd. recently held a press conference at the Banglumpoo Room of the Amari Watergate Hotel to announce that the “Underwater Cleanup Day No. 4” will take place on September 21 at Larn Island. Pinit Poonsiri (right), representing Pattaya City, Rick Ray (2nd from right), regional manager of PADI Asia Pacific and DJ Ake Krisnavarin (left) attended the press conference to put their support behind the project.

PSC to provide sports equipment and education for the needy

The Pattaya Sports Club Executive Committee met again Tuesday, September 3. At the meeting, new and worthy causes were presented to the EC, and the following was approved:
1. Sports equipment and sports wear in the amount 80,000 baht for these five schools: 1) Pong Saket School, 2) Ban Banglamung School, 3) Ban Bung School, 4) Ban Mab Fug Thong School, and 5) Wat Kow Pho Thong School. These schools will be receiving volleyballs, volleyball nets, a table tennis set, takraw sets, badminton racquets, and much more. Tim McMasters of Chevron/Texaco has generously offered to build a set of football goals for the Ban Bung School. Thanks, Tim!
2. 51,376 baht to start a hairdressing training center at the Chonburi Children’s Observation & Detention Center. The program will provide training for 40 girls, 3 hours per day, and will run for a full year. These girls will be taught how to wash, cut, perm, and color hair by a certified and licensed instructor. The Pattaya Sports Club has agreed to purchase all the necessary equipment and any additional supplies for the first year. When the students have been sufficiently trained, they will be tested, and if passed, a participating vocational school will issue a certificate to the student. This program gives these young girls the necessary skills to earn a living and be self-sufficient. It gives them pride, confidence, and most importantly, it will help give them a job and keep them off the streets. It is our hope that this program will help to prevent their return to the detention center after their release.

Pattaya Hash House Harriers Run 965

‘Monday’ - the worst day of the week rears its ugly head again. It’s the rainy season in Thailand and ominous black clouds gather in the sky above Pattaya. Being a manic-depressive myself this is enough to send shivers down my spine. But wait! It’s also ‘hash’ day. Hash days can turn Monday’s into good days.
We all arrive at the A-site. It must be the best location we’ve been to for weeks. Beautiful Buddha architecture, manicured gardens, breathtaking Thai countryside and the company of nice people. Maybe life isn’t so bad after all.
I am informed by our GM Fini that I am scribe for the day. How can this be? I am a holder of a ‘Karamba’ dyslexic scribe exemption certificate no. 192. This cost me 20,000 baht. Ok, this is Thailand; life is not fair, give a man a chance. Were off, 89 runners hit the jungle. The ‘hares’ say follow white paper or white powder. It’s all the same, dazed and confused we find the first check. Result - bedlam, then minutes later it’s on-on again.
I run in the shadow of Flying Frog for a couple of clicks until his fitness level outweighs my own. My old buddy SS (fit as a butcher’s dog) comes steaming past. The usual band of front runners (about 12) return after 35 mins, Charlie Manson flies in by magic carpet as usual. How does he find those shortcuts? I came on in behind stalwart man King Yao Yao, Needle Dick (the amiable American) and Star Trek (surely the sexiest lady hasher on the planet).
After a few beers and a chat with friends it’s circle time once again. Our GM Fini calls the tune. Baby’s Arm is immediately iced for being a cheap Charlie, how can a man stoop so low? He stays there whilst the beautiful Ewok conducts the raffle in her usual business like manner. ‘Fini’ commands the circle. General opinion: 4.7 km of fun. A bit ‘upsy’ - ‘downsy’ at times, but the majority considered it a good run.
Returners called (too numerous to mention), nice to see V.V. back on the scene again. All the lovely ladies who have attended 26 runs or more since the last Veterans run were called in. Uncle Fester (Yaa Yaa) received his 400th run t-shirt. Sleeping Beauty accepts her 50th run mug.
Sir Airhead then takes the stage, but without the Erdinger boys. (Sir where are the Erdinger boys, we haven’t seen them for weeks?) Hares congratulated for a good run, but should they use official hash paper next time? Hash naughty boys iced. A-hopper, myself (how did I get into this?) and two other villains guilty of ring can abuse. A most serious offence. King Yao Yao expresses his concern about the quality of music within the hash. Democracy at work eh! Sir Chicken holds the circle, Sir Airhead respected hash master, his first run #29. Drippy and girlfriend take a seat - fighting in TQ? Poodle Juice cheats whilst playing softball every Sunday, he also has a secret horde of chang beer- double down down.
King Yao Yao sometimes likes to sleep with chickens and he is building a castle for the use of the local constabulary. Oh well such is life. It’s almost over folks, but not before a great rendition of ‘The Wild Rover’ by this week’s hares. Then it was time for the respected hash hymn. A quick drive back to Pattaya in pouring rain to the TQ-1 offering its usual goodies, hoochie coochie hot dogs, ice beer, sexy ladies and the best selection of rock ‘n’ roll music this side of the Bronx.
Not such a bad Monday after all, very humble, very heavy. As for myself, it’s back home for a quick shower and then away to Thepprasit boxing stadium to see some great guys putting things on the edge - god bless them all. Later on, a couple of cold beers and the company of a cool lady. What a life. Is this for real? Or am I dreaming. Maybe I will wake up next Monday - Is it still raining?
On-On Hannibal Lecter