Drawing with pencils (Faber Castell) - Urban sketching in my big sketchbook (Hahnemuhle) and talking

Drawing in my large sketchbook with graphite and colored pencils while talking about going to the gym.
You can sketch along this entrance using this photo I took in Lisbon (Portugal) from here: flic.kr/p/2oJztja
Materials used:
- Graphite Matt Pitt Faber Castell
- Colored Pencils: Polychromos Faber Castell
- Sketch Book D&S, stitched binding, A4, 140 gsm, Hahnemuhle
Places you can find me
Facebook - / vseremetart
Instagram - / victorseremetart
Twitter - / victor_seremet
Website - victorseremet.com

[@impish22]

how fun, you were able to make a very fun drawing with simple materials, thanks for sharing

[@VictorSeremet]

Thank you, Marie!

[@donnabuttons1]

Well done for having a regular gym habit. Physically and mentally it is good, whatever your motivation. I'm having a break from the gym while I wait for my knee replacement, but it will need to be a big part of my rehabilitation, along with cycling, which is my sport. I have a good friend who is a gym expert and an excellent sports therapist, so if you ever need any advice, please just ask, and I'll get his considered opinion. If we were in Romania he could help with your back! 😀

[@VictorSeremet]

Thank you for your encouragement and advice, Donna! Indeed, I find physical exercise as a necessity from which our bodies would benefit that can be turned into something fun. I am sorry to hear that you have problems with the knee. I also enjoy cycling, though lately I replaced it with more walking. I have used cycling as a utilitarian way of getting around the city, going to the office, and picking up my older daughter from kindergarten and school. After the pandemics, working from home, the need to go to the office disappeared. So, there were less occasions for riding my bicycle. I suspect my back pain is due to improper exercise form of doing squats and deadlifts with a heavy barbel, though I have followed some tutorials on CZcams on how to do them. I think I need to incorporate some Yoga exercises in my routine as when I practised more regularly Yoga I had no such pains and was more flexible. Definitely there should be a balance of exercises, both for strength and flexibility. 😃

[@donnabuttons1]

​@VictorSeremet I read your reply to my friend Dave... he was nodding emphatically at the bit about improper exercise due to squats and deadlifts and I think you pretty much identified the problem yourself, so well done for that. I wonder if there's an experienced member of staff at the gym who could supervise you as you do these particular exercises, just to spot any ways to make your technique safer. Dave does that with people sometimes. He also does gym inductions with new members to make sure they know the equipment and how to prevent injury in their use. He agrees that a balance of yoga type exercise alongside gym work would be good. I know he gets the mat out in the gym and does stretches... he has a back injury from work which he needs to manage. He also alternates his routine... one day he does upper body, another he does legs, and another he'll focus on cardio. I hope this helps and reassures. Any concerns, please ask as I'm happy to pick his brains for you. He's a super-helpful guy and has many years experience. 🤗

[@VictorSeremet]

@@donnabuttons1 Thank you for advice and sharing your friend’s expertise, Donna! This is really helpful to have feedback from someone experienced in this field. I will ask also someone from the gym staff to supervise me in doing these exercises as I might do more harm than good in keeping improper technique. Also, I will incorporate stretching at the end of each gym session, as I was skipping this important part of exercise routine. Thank you so much! 🤗 🙏

[@donnabuttons1]

@VictorSeremet You're very welcome Victor 😊🙏

[@sarahb.6475]

I do not go to the gym but I do lots of long walks, walks that take many hours. And I pretty much walk everywhere I go (except to the horse ranch - then a car comes to pick me up). But sometimes back pain can be caused by:
1. Your shoes
2. Foods you are eating. I had lower back pain for years and it all went away when I stopped eating bananas!! I have many food sensitivities so yes food can cause you back pain. Sounds crazy but true. Especially if you have leaky gut. The type of back pain I would get was caused by tight muscles. Generally bending forward to touch the toes would make it feel better temporary. Of course it could be any food. These days I am almost carnivore. Live on grass fed beef + lamb plus organic prunes. Foods these days are not like they were many years ago unfortunately.
3. Being low on certain vitamins + minerals can cause it too. Maybe check out Dr Berg + Dr Berry?
I also do yoga + I am learning to ride... Currently learning the seated trot. I am very active but I also like to do stuff like draw, take photos, read books (sometimes the drawings are inspired by a book), be creative.
Its important to do both: get exercise and to relax. 😊

[@VictorSeremet]

Thank you for sharing your experience and tips, Sarah! Indeed, I noticed that walking relieves back pain. In terms of food, I eat plant based foods and have not correlated any types of food with back pain. I agree that there should be a balance of activities. Yoga is excellent for combining both strength and relaxation exercises.