The Fitness Thread

[Ghosts_on_TV]

I may try that p90x, I heard it's VERY effective, but you really have to stick with it. I've been not doing anything lately, and eating like shit. I feel it and it's starting to show.

[Soulshine]

In high school I ran track. I did short distances, relays and ran hurdles (that is funny b/c I'm really short.) I was a part of the dance teams in middle and high school. I did gymnastics for over 10 years. I did some kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do for a short time.

I went to college and in between practicing the fine art of the beer bong and La Bamba's at 2am I began taking Pilates, yoga and t'ai chi.

Now I run 3-4 miles 3-4 times per week and run a 5K or 2 each year. I do Pilates, yoga, PiYo, boot camp and bike. I'm a vegetarian of 9 years and I eat 100% organic when I can (dining out or at friend's houses make that tricky.)

I ride horses and used to show competitively for several years.

Overall, I know I'm healthy however I need to firm up and get moving more consistently. Winter months tend to bring lazy phases...I've already made plans for snowshoeing, snowboarding and other outdoor adventures upon my arrival in Boulder.

Andrew- I'm glad you started this thread. Hopefully we can inspire and encourage each other to get and stay healthy and fit!

Are you in Colorado now Jennifer?  If so, I am so jealous.  I am a bluegrass boy (KY Kid), but Colorado is my favorite state.  The thought of their mountain bike trails makes me drool.

Not yet, I'll be there next Tuesday. Make some plans to come out and we can get outdoors. Bring some of your home brews! (I heard they're good for fitness?)  ;)

[Hawkeye]

I may try that p90x, I heard it's VERY effective, but you really have to stick with it. I've been not doing anything lately, and eating like shit. I feel it and it's starting to show.

If you can get a copy of P90X for a good price, I say go for it.  I can't see how it WOULDN'T work, if you can keep it up.  It's intense, but doable.  It requires a pull up bar, some resistance bands or dumbells, and some space.  Sometimes you'll need a chair or towel or other item you can find around the house.  I personally struggle with the Monday routine, which is almost all pull-ups and push-ups.  I SUCK at pull-ups.  I mean "I presently struggle with pull-ups."  The key is not to get discourgaged that you're only doing like 4-6 pull-ups per set, when the guys on the video are doing 20-25.  The Ab-Ripper X workout is friggin' awesome IMO.  300+ reps in 15 minutes.  It's hard, but do-able and you can tell it's working.  You feel the burn for sure.  The meal plan is pretty good too, although I haven't used it nearly enough.  I've only tried half of the workouts so far, but I recommend giving it a try.

[ALady]

So I do various kinds of dance classes instead: Bollywood, bhangra, psychedelic go-go, and starting next week....line dancing   ;D

Do you have all the gear? We need a photo of you with you cowboy hat & boots etc!

Dancing is an excellent way to keep fit. I used to go clubbing a lot in my 20s, it was great - I could drink whatever I wanted knowing that I'd burn it off later...is that cheating?  ;)

Ha!  Yes, I do have a proper pair of cowboy boots that I picked up in Austin a few years ago...and yes, they are required for the class.   ;D

I think you have to do something you love to keep fit; if you dread the exercise, you won't want to do it and you'll feel guilty when you don't.  I went out dancing after the Lady GaGa show and got all sweaty, but it didn't feel one bit like work   :)

Not yet, I'll be there next Tuesday.

Just had to quote this because it's so exciting and awesome!   :D

[Soulshine]

So I do various kinds of dance classes instead: Bollywood, bhangra, psychedelic go-go, and starting next week....line dancing   ;D

Do you have all the gear? We need a photo of you with you cowboy hat & boots etc!

Dancing is an excellent way to keep fit. I used to go clubbing a lot in my 20s, it was great - I could drink whatever I wanted knowing that I'd burn it off later...is that cheating?  ;)

Ha!  Yes, I do have a proper pair of cowboy boots that I picked up in Austin a few years ago...and yes, they are required for the class.   ;D

I think you have to do something you love to keep fit; if you dread the exercise, you won't want to do it and you'll feel guilty when you don't.  I went out dancing after the Lady GaGa show and got all sweaty, but it didn't feel one bit like work   :)

Not yet, I'll be there next Tuesday.

Just had to quote this because it's so exciting and awesome!   :D

:-*

[capt. scotty]

I didnt play any sports in school because our graduating classes were around 700 each year, so yeah, I wasnt quite good enough, but I played a lot of basketball and baseball although not as much baseball after I was 15.

Last year of high school and my first few years of college I did a great job at working out 4-5 times/week doing some lifting and various arm and ab exercises. Was in the best shape of my life over that time, stayed around 175lbs or so, and im 6'2.  One problem though was I basically ate only once a day, and although it kept my weight down, it was pretty hard to limit myself to that much food (+beer).

Then the summer after my Jr year at PSU, I lived in Myrtle Beach, found myself getting drunk 5-6 days/week and getting my fair share of the ladies, so I figured: why keep working out?  ::) Ever since then, havent consistently exercised, still drink a lot, and am at around 230lbs now.

Im sick of being out of shape, and think tomorrow I start back up again by working out at least 5 days a week, lifting 4-5 times for around 45 minutes, then some cardio for 45 minutes, and a diet with less processed food and smaller portions. Im pretty determined this year to lose at least 25lbs, although I wont hold myself to that considering i'll add some muscle mass as well.

Ive "had" P-90X for over a year and he hasnt found its way out of the box yet  ;D I figure 6 months from now when Im in better shape and can actually complete most of it, I'll give that a try.

Hopefully I follow thru, and maybe this thread helps!

[dragonboy]

Most of the snow & ice has gone so I decided to push myself & run a little further today. I decided to run down to the river & back & things were going well on the way there but I failed to note the fact that I was running slightly downhill & that I had a pretty strong (& very cold!) wind behind me...getting home was hard work.

Fortunatley I had Tom & Ed with me & they saw me back safe.

[Jaimoe]

If you can join a fitness centre, I'd do it. Paying for a membership is a great motivator, plus working out alone isn't very inspiring. I find gyms a necessary evil when it comes to health and mental well-being. Also, many people don't know what the hell they're doing regarding weight-training and cardio, so being in a gym environment at least gives you the potential to do things right.

[mjkoehler]

Good job DB. Keep it up.

[mjkoehler]

A week of eating without regard to calories or my health kicked my butt. Had a hard 5 miles today.

For those interested in long(er) distance running, use the following. This is geared towards running a marathon but it can be used even if you do not run an offical one. Pennylane and Vespa both have run marathons and can attest to these tips below.

*Dry feet are happy feet. Invest is some good quality socks designed for running, preferrably ones that wick moisture away from your feet.
*Make sure your shoes are comfy and the shoes breath. I use Avia as they make a lot of varieties in wides.
*As the bottoms wear away, replace your shoes. It took me about 2-1/2 months last time.
*STAY HYDRATED. Make sure you hydrate the day before a long run and during the run. You cannot play catch up on this one. The more you workout, you need to increase your fluid intake above the 64 daily ounces. During your run, Gatorade really is a good thing.
*Believe it or not, after a long run (at least 1 hour or more running time), a glass of cold milk is the best recovery drink. Skim is best, your body needs protein and glycogen, not the fat. Do not waste your money on expensive protein powders.

This is a "begginer" one. For cardio days, you need to do 20-40 minutes doing some kinds of cardio. On the shorter days (4-6 miles) try to increase how fast/hard you are running. Always try to improve your per mile rate. For longer ones (6-12), try to run the back half faster then the first half. Again, the key is to improve your pace.



This is a more intermediate program.

[Soulshine]

A week of eating without regard to calories or my health kicked my butt. Had a hard 5 miles today.

For those interested in long(er) distance running, use the following. This is geared towards running a marathon but it can be used even if you do not run an offical one. Pennylane and Vespa both have run marathons and can attest to these tips below.

*Dry feet are happy feet. Invest is some good quality socks designed for running, preferrably ones that wick moisture away from your feet.
*Make sure your shoes are comfy and the shoes breath. I use Avia as they make a lot of varieties in wides.
*As the bottoms wear away, replace your shoes. It took me about 2-1/2 months last time.
*STAY HYDRATED. Make sure you hydrate the day before a long run and during the run. You cannot play catch up on this one. The more you workout, you need to increase your fluid intake above the 64 daily ounces. During your run, Gatorade really is a good thing.
*Believe it or not, after a long run (at least 1 hour or more running time), a glass of cold milk is the best recovery drink. Skim is best, your body needs protein and glycogen, not the fat. Do not waste your money on expensive protein powders.

This is a "begginer" one. For cardio days, you need to do 20-40 minutes doing some kinds of cardio. On the shorter days (4-6 miles) try to increase how fast/hard you are running. Always try to improve your per mile rate. For longer ones (6-12), try to run the back half faster then the first half. Again, the key is to improve your pace.



This is a more intermediate program.

Have you read Born To Run? You need to! Oh so good and inspiring.

[mjkoehler]

A friend of mine from work who runs supermarathons swears by it and is loaning me his copy. He really was born to run. Last summer he ran from St Louis to Fayetville, doing roughly 40 a day to raise money. He recently tried a 100 mile race. I think he had to stop at around 90.

[Soulshine]

A friend of mine from work who runs supermarathons swears by it and is loaning me his copy. He really was born to run. Last summer he ran from St Louis to Fayetville, doing roughly 40 a day to raise money. He recently tried a 100 mile race. I think he had to stop at around 90.

I want to know how you are liking it. I'm almost through it.

[mjkoehler]

A friend of mine from work who runs supermarathons swears by it and is loaning me his copy. He really was born to run. Last summer he ran from St Louis to Fayetville, doing roughly 40 a day to raise money. He recently tried a 100 mile race. I think he had to stop at around 90.

I want to know how you are liking it. I'm almost through it.

Will do. I need to remind him when I get back to work tomorrow.

[el_chode]

I can say that for what is most likely the first time this century, I weigh less than 220 lbs

[dragonboy]

I can say that for what is most likely the first time this century, I weigh less than 220 lbs

Congratulations El Chode! Got that new TV yet?  ;)

[Paulie_Walnuts]

A long time ago I was as thin as a rake and could eat whatever I wanted, so I did. I used to play football (soccer) all the time and was pretty fit. Then I got a job that involved a lot of overseas travel, stopped exercising and continued eating!

At the age of 40, 6'4'', and 225lbs I stopped travelling with work and decided to take up Ju Jitsu. I absolutely love it. It's mentally stimulating and physically demanding. It's got me focused again; and I'm training 5 days a week in the gym and two evenings at Ju Jitsu. I'm even potentially signing up for an amateur MMA event in May (no punches to the head though!), although I need to get down to 205lbs to get into the light-heavyweight division rather than heavyweight. I'm doing a lot of conditioning which is turning fat into muscle but I need to burn some calories to get some weight off. The problem is that the martial art has already cost me a broken toe and torn ankle ligaments; although they are all healed now and I am ready to go!

Might have to rejoin the local squash league to burn some calories!

[AMightyCaporal]

I've been weight training on and off for a few years.  I have always been pretty small and thin.  A high metabolism mostly... I was able to get pretty buff before I hurt my shoulder.  Now that my shoulder is better I have been going to the gym and can feel myself getting stronger.  It occurs to me though that being muscular does not exactly equal in shape so I have started to do 10- 20 minutes of running before every workout.  That time will increase but for now, I have a hard time running longer than that. The fiancee is a beast running, she may not be as fast as me but after a mile or so she'll be fine where I am sucking wind!  Her normal run is about 5-6 miles... ugh!

[Jaimoe]

I've been weight training on and off for a few years.  I have always been pretty small and thin.  A high metabolism mostly... I was able to get pretty buff before I hurt my shoulder.  Now that my shoulder is better I have been going to the gym and can feel myself getting stronger.  It occurs to me though that being muscular does not exactly equal in shape so I have started to do 10- 20 minutes of running before every workout.  That time will increase but for now, I have a hard time running longer than that. The fiancee is a beast running, she may not be as fast as me but after a mile or so she'll be fine where I am sucking wind!  Her normal run is about 5-6 miles... ugh!

It's more effective to run after weight-training. If you run beforehand, it burns muscle. Also, you have more energy to lift weights if you run after your workout.

[AMightyCaporal]

I've been weight training on and off for a few years.  I have always been pretty small and thin.  A high metabolism mostly... I was able to get pretty buff before I hurt my shoulder.  Now that my shoulder is better I have been going to the gym and can feel myself getting stronger.  It occurs to me though that being muscular does not exactly equal in shape so I have started to do 10- 20 minutes of running before every workout.  That time will increase but for now, I have a hard time running longer than that. The fiancee is a beast running, she may not be as fast as me but after a mile or so she'll be fine where I am sucking wind!  Her normal run is about 5-6 miles... ugh!

It's more effective to run after weight-training. If you run beforehand, it burns muscle. Also, you have more energy to lift weights if you run after your workout.

Thanks for that tip! I was thinking that I should do that tomorrow, I was having a hard time with the weights today! Oh well, live and learn! :)