Gamblers and Physical Fitness

OK< a little tongue in cheek poll here. But I'm seriously curious.

I am often struck by the absolutely horrific state of health of my fellow gamblers. Not across the board, mind you. One of the regulars at my casino is a PE teacher at one of the local schools. He is in great shape. We always try to get our table converted to non-smoking.

A few of the dealers are bodybuilders, and some are just very lean and athletic.

Me, I love to train. My casino just gave me a cruise, which I will never use, but they are looking into getting me a gym membership at their hotel as a perk, which I so will use...

But let's keep it real here, most gamblers are not the healthiest folks. Of course, in the US, most of the freaking country is not that healthy, so there's that. Whether it's riding a desk, or driving a car, or slouching over table for hours, sedentary life coupled with bad posture leads nowhere good. And this is before you factor in variables like smoking, chicken tenders, etc...

I love my coffee, though. Pretty sure that is a net health gain, or so research would have me believe.

Feel free to add details in the comments.

I do strength training exercises everyday, no exceptions. And I jog nearly every day- perhaps miss a couple days per month.

However, I perform my exercise routine early in the day. Always finish by 10am.

I spend the remainder of the day drinking heavily. On a typical day, I will consume 8-12 beers, occasionally knocking down 16+.

Am I fit, or not? Hell if I know.

I always have my chair close to the table and lean back to reduce back/neck pains.

as for weight gain, I don't eat when I'm at the casino.
the excitement of the game I'm playing overrides the hunger pains.

I just drink water.

I've sat at poker for 10hrs straight.
I've stood at the craps table for 16hrs straight, minus the bathroom breaks.

gambling is the best diet plan.

and no smoking allowed in casinos in my state.

Quote: RipCovington

I love my coffee, though. Pretty sure that is a net health gain, or so research would have me believe.

Coffee is the most researched drink in the world and no legitimate research has ever found any problem with it. In fact they have found more health benefits than risks, it is really a health drink. Natural and plant based, no added sugar unless you add it yourself. Having said that the perception of the average person probably aligins closer to your statement.

I fast walk and mountain hike 6 days per week, about 20-25 miles total per week. I also do a wee bit of strength training & martial arts. I like to sprint up short hills and stairs. That said, I also snack a lot and drink a bit more than I should. I put myself under "fit" but by no means "jacked."

People who engage in one destructive behavior are more likely to engage in another (over-eating, smoking, binge drinking.) For most gamblers gambling isn't destructive or is mildly so, but certainly a higher percentage than most hobbies not including alcohol or drugs. And the buffet/comped food with large portions that most frequent gamblers get can't help, I've got my discipline issues on that front.

I get all of my exercise walking around casinos all day.

Quote: mcallister3200

And the buffet/comped food with large portions that most frequent gamblers get can't help, I've got my discipline issues on that front.

the only time I eat the casino is when I'm w/friends. I use my comps and treat them at the buffet.

and I still have like $200 in comps.

Yeah I generally eat at least one comped meal a day, either buffet or cafe, unless I'm on the road. When I moved to Vegas I actually lost weight, going heavy on salad fruits and lean meats, but I've struggled with that over the last 6-9 months.

Quote: mcallister3200

Yeah I generally eat at least one comped meal a day, either buffet or cafe, unless I'm on the road. When I moved to Vegas I actually lost weight, going heavy on salad fruits and lean meats, but I've struggled with that over the last 6-9 months.

Its hard to keep a regime of exercise and eating healthy when there's something that comes up with no notice on a new play and you are stuck inside a casino for dinner at 2am when everything but the deli is closed. Its no excuse but I recently came off a very demanding schedule and had no time to plan out meals, watch calories, etc.

Speaking of which I need to get back into shape. I'm sure I gained more weight then when I first moved here.

Most Americans are not healthy in general at least not physically.

You may have a point with the smoking though, it does seem like far more regular gamblers smoke than the normal population, which is why casinos go out on so many limbs to accommodate smokers.

I stay very physically and mentally fit. I work out and read as much as I can. But, I love to drink, a lot when I do (which is pretty much at casinos). And, I am not really a smoker per se, but I do enjoy smoking in casinos (I tend to pick up a pack or 2 depending on how many days I plan on staying consecutively of Lucky Strikes on my way over) , especially as it goes along perfectly with drinking, and casinos are pretty much the last regular business in NJ where you can legally smoke and where it is reasonably socially acceptable.

I don't care for coffee (too much work to make and drink, even buying it can take time, as it is far too popular), so I just drink energy drinks to stay alert. Some people will say energy drinks are horrible, but I would argue they are far healthier than most sodas, and if you are somebody who puts a lot of sugar and flavorings in coffee, maybe even healthier than coffee.


But I use casinos as a way to relax and binge on life so to speak. I don't go there for a health lecture. In fact I view casinos as a way to drink heavily, chain smoke, eat unhealthy, flirt, and gamble without the worry of being judged. Casinos are essentially a place where you can indulge all of your vices at once, and clear out your system. Its a good way to take a break from, reality for a couple days every week.

And, you can do most of this for free as long as you are a loyal comp player, often you don't even have to play that much. If you take full advantage of comps and managing your money, casinos can be far more economical and more therapeutic than any other form of therapy depending on the individual.
I would argue casinos are in many ways positive for your mental health.

Other than walking, I positively hate exercise. I have a muscle condition that is such that lifting weights is a total waste of time. I am no good at sports. But I will walk two miles at the drop of a hat.

That being said, I am in below-average condition with little desire to improve because I know I will never be in great shape and would rather spend the time improving my mind and skills.

https://youtu.be/mvJHw64fxgQ
Here's a video of my calisthenics "hero" Frank Medrano.

I never wanted to go to the gym too much, so i did a lot of bodyweight exercises like pull ups and push ups at home. When those got easy and boring, I found advanced calisthenics and "street workout". It's exercise that doesn't require expensive equipment, gets the body in good shape, and I find it fun.

Holy shit! 16-beers? LOL...That takes me back to the college days! Thanks for the input, How.

Quote: RipCovington

Holy shit! 16-beers? LOL...That takes me back to the college days! Thanks for the input, How.

Whoops! That one was for poster "How Many". (Still learning how to work the forum here.)

Quote: 100xOdds

I always have my chair close to the table and lean back to reduce back/neck pains.

as for weight gain, I don't eat when I'm at the casino.
the excitement of the game I'm playing overrides the hunger pains.

I just drink water.

I've sat at poker for 10hrs straight.
I've stood at the craps table for 16hrs straight, minus the bathroom breaks.

gambling is the best diet plan.

and no smoking allowed in casinos in my state.

Good stuff, 100! Yeah, when I play with a six deck shoe, I get up and stretch. And I have also used the "casino diet" plan. Problem is that by the time 6-am rolls around, (less and less). my stomach is ON FIRE!

Plus, I think I gamble better on a full stomach. Calmer.

Quote: kenarman

Coffee is the most researched drink in the world and no legitimate research has ever found any problem with it. In fact they have found more health benefits than risks, it is really a health drink. Natural and plant based, no added sugar unless you add it yourself. Having said that the perception of the average person probably aligins closer to your statement.

Agreed, kenarman. I really did do a ton of research on it, b/c I have been a fairly heavy coffee drinker for all of my adult life. I decided to see if it was harmful, and every bit of research seemed to indicate that it was fine, including less risk of dementia, type 2 diabetes, etc.

Thanks for chiming in!

Quote: teliot

I fast walk and mountain hike 6 days per week, about 20-25 miles total per week. I also do a wee bit of strength training & martial arts. I like to sprint up short hills and stairs. That said, I also snack a lot and drink a bit more than I should. I put myself under "fit" but by no means "jacked."

Nice work, teliot!

Quote: mcallister3200

People who engage in one destructive behavior are more likely to engage in another (over-eating, smoking, binge drinking.) For most gamblers gambling isn't destructive or is mildly so, but certainly a higher percentage than most hobbies not including alcohol or drugs. And the buffet/comped food with large portions that most frequent gamblers get can't help, I've got my discipline issues on that front.

No question, mcallister. Frankly, I can turn a good thing (exercise) into a bad thing, by overdoing it. What can I say? I'm an enthusiast. I do pretty well on the buffet front. I crush the prime rib, and veggies, and my body thanks me. Not gonna lie, I've been hitting the fried ice cream lately, as every single time I play now, I get a visit from a host, and they got me hooked on it. Bastards. :)

Quote: Gandler

Most Americans are not healthy in general at least not physically.

You may have a point with the smoking though, it does seem like far more regular gamblers smoke than the normal population, which is why casinos go out on so many limbs to accommodate smokers.

I stay very physically and mentally fit. I work out and read as much as I can. But, I love to drink, a lot when I do (which is pretty much at casinos). And, I am not really a smoker per se, but I do enjoy smoking in casinos (I tend to pick up a pack or 2 depending on how many days I plan on staying consecutively of Lucky Strikes on my way over) , especially as it goes along perfectly with drinking, and casinos are pretty much the last regular business in NJ where you can legally smoke and where it is reasonably socially acceptable.

I don't care for coffee (too much work to make and drink, even buying it can take time, as it is far too popular), so I just drink energy drinks to stay alert. Some people will say energy drinks are horrible, but I would argue they are far healthier than most sodas, and if you are somebody who puts a lot of sugar and flavorings in coffee, maybe even healthier than coffee.


But I use casinos as a way to relax and binge on life so to speak. I don't go there for a health lecture. In fact I view casinos as a way to drink heavily, chain smoke, eat unhealthy, flirt, and gamble without the worry of being judged. Casinos are essentially a place where you can indulge all of your vices at once, and clear out your system. Its a good way to take a break from, reality for a couple days every week.

And, you can do most of this for free as long as you are a loyal comp player, often you don't even have to play that much. If you take full advantage of comps and managing your money, casinos can be far more economical and more therapeutic than any other form of therapy depending on the individual.
I would argue casinos are in many ways positive for your mental health.

Great input, Gandler. Very provocative. Honestly, casinos are fun and recreation for me as well. And there is much truth in what you say about the "hedonistic" aspect of it. Zero pretense. It seems like when I approach it as fun, I win! When I go in trying to "extract" money, I end up getting very anxious.

Quote: surrender88s

https://youtu.be/mvJHw64fxgQ
Here's a video of my calisthenics "hero" Frank Medrano.

I never wanted to go to the gym too much, so i did a lot of bodyweight exercises like pull ups and push ups at home. When those got easy and boring, I found advanced calisthenics and "street workout". It's exercise that doesn't require expensive equipment, gets the body in good shape, and I find it fun.

Damn, Frank Medrano is awesome!

Pull ups and push ups rock. The only thing one might "need" a gym or equipment for is leg strength or growth as bodyweight variations will only go so far, but for pure health, no gym is ever really needed. Just my opinion, obviously.

When I first started going to casinos years ago I was still a smoker. And I'm really glad I gave it up (also years ago) because I would completely forget how many cigarettes I was smoking, and sometimes when I left my throat would be sore from so much smoking. I was never much of a drinker, but would occasionally order one in casino. But never stocked alcohol at home.

Anyway, I've always worked out missing very few weeks, but don't work out as much as I used to do. But I always try not to go too long without getting regular exercise, just no more pumping up or doing 10ks. I've gone to walking now instead of running. Sometimes a treadmill inside. Lighter weights.