.
Good idea.
I never have motivation to get off my ass and do things.
I'm exactly the same, I'm unemployed at the moment and pretty have nothing to do throughout the week so i'm getting pretty out of shape, not I was ever in great shape...
For the last few months I've just having one big meal a day late on and pretty much burning nothing. So I keep telling myself to go swimming, running, cycling, whatever, I even have a weight bench, but I don't really know what i'm doing. The only thing I've changed so far is my diet, eating four smaller meals a day and more nutritious stuff instead of quick and easy shit to make.
I'd be down for something like this anyway, I'm 6'5 & around 200 pounds, no idea what my ideal weight is or my BMI whatever the hell that is.
We all e-fed. Fair bet to say we are all out of shape.
I'd like to actually just get a bit of fitness so I can start playing cricket next season... So I might join in on that too.
Hmm.... This might be an idea I could get behind.
Agreed, this would be a good idea. I'm just coming back from a bad back injury and I'm trying to build up my fitness, hence the purchase of my new baby:
(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/chris_dorling/Personal/TheYellowPeril.jpg)
I run. I run a lot. I hate it. It sucks. However in three years I've lost 60lbs.
And I tore my rotator cuff over a year ago so I'm working on lifting again. Despite being a boring math teacher/video gamer/e-fedder, I can't live without working out like 4 or 5 times a week.
If you're having trouble motivating yourself, I'll tell you what helped me. I had a big black guy who told me to man up and do it or he'd kick my ass lol.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on June 20, 2011, 03:43:59 PM
I run. I run a lot. I hate it. It sucks. However in three years I've lost 60lbs.
And I tore my rotator cuff over a year ago so I'm working on lifting again. Despite being a boring math teacher/video gamer/e-fedder, I can't live without working out like 4 or 5 times a week.
If you're having trouble motivating yourself, I'll tell you what helped me. I had a big black guy who told me to man up and do it or he'd kick my ass lol.
That's your cue, BD. :)
I'm in.
After this we can do the 'Lets RP Early EFK Club'
I'd be in, I'm unemployed for the time being, and while my soccer..er football team folded this summer, I work out 4-5 times a week, so I'd love to try and help other members, so im in.
I was going to join but considering I had a curry at 4am last night. I'm not sure it'll be the easiest job in the world >_>
www.mapmyrun.com (http://www.mapmyrun.com)
Find your address, pick your route, and measures how long your run is. I use it often.
I was 225lbs and who knows WTF the body fat % was at that time. I got as low as 155lbs but once my rotator cuff healed and I could start lifting again, I've managed to get back to 170lbs. Body fat % is around 18. That could be lower. I'd like to be around there maybe 175 so it's a matter of maintaining for me I guess because even if I go a week without it, I eat entirely too shitty and will screw up the weight thing lol.
This might be a dumb question, but I really have no idea what I'm doing. How are you guys measuring your body fat?
I've been trying to figure out some form of exercise plan, trying to focus on getting my fitness up and reducing my body fat, but is counter productive to do this and lift weights? I want to put weight on and get to around 220 pounds, but I'd obviously prefer it to be muscle than fat.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/ (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/)
Body fat calculator. You can also get your BMI and BMR on this website.
Useful site Dorling, thanks for that. Says I have a body fat % of 23%, so that has to come down, BMI is normal though, which means I need to drop the fat and put the weight back on as muscle. My BMR is stating I need around 2500 calories a day to maintain my weight.
So, I'm going to aim for a daily intake of 2000 calories and the rest will be burned off. Will give it a go anyway. Then I'll have to look at putting the weight back on, think that'll be tougher that losing it, like Jack said.
I think with not working it screwed how I eat, and for the last couple of months I don't think I've been getting anywhere enough calories a day, and whatever I did eat was usually shite. Note to self, starving yourself till the evening and having one huge meal, not healthy.
Yeah I found it useful. It calculated I have a body fat percentage of 20.8 but my BMI is a little high. Apparently I need a shade under 2000 calories per day.
Thanks for recommending the livestrong site Jack, has proved interesting reading already and I think will be a useful tool.
It's not excercise that's my issue a lot of the time, it's food!
Im 250.5lbs with a 11% body fat, which is way too high, I want to get it around 6-8.
My current diet I look to consume no more than 1300 calories a day, including 4 workouts (3 and a run), with 1 day of the week being considered my "cheat day".
Last spring I dropped 23lbs in 2 months on a 800 calorie a day diet, with some form of cardio everyday, but I was misrable and was cranky all the time because I couldnt eat what I wanted, so this year im raising my goal by 500 calories, and so far this week I've consumed 1150 (SUnday) and 1200(Monday) *rounded with a Chest/Back/Ab workout on Monday that burned 319 calories, so a net of 881.
Also, I'm looking in July to purchase a supplement called HCG which helped my girlfriends mom loose 34lbs in 40 days.
and as far as "I want to put on weight but only muscle no fat" argument here is my personal experience.
In my Jr. year of highschool I was 190lbs give or take, I had a 7% body fat(I remember from a project we did in Biology) and I only worked out cardio and light weights to remain strong, but not to bulk up.
Come Sr. year our school gets a football team, and I know 190lbs won't cut it at the running back position which is what I wanted to play. I had a goal of 220lbs so that winter was the time I had to get ready for training camp in the spring.
Bascially in short, to gain muscle and lose weight can't really be done in the same time period. You should try and lose as much fat as possible and then work towards gaining muscle, as trying to do both at the same time isn't healthy. I suggest a 1000-1400 calorie a day diet with as little sugar/fats as possible, and cardio workouts (download a P90x torrent or something).
Then when it comes time to put on muscle, I cant stress enough how helpful supplements are. I put on at least 20lbs of muscle over that winter by doing workouts with weights (dumbbells/barbells/Plyometrics) 6 times a week. I took a pre-workout creatine supplement which helps you workout longer and get uhhh "less sore" during the workout and taking protien powders (helps muscle growth) after my workout.
Superpump250 + Myofusion Protein is a stack of pre-workout and protein that I used to great results, and both run at like $40-$60 and are well worth the price.
Ah, nice one. Thanks man. Lot of stuff I can work with, I do have some supplements kicking about, but with the whole unemployment dealio I can't afford that sort of stuff. But hopefully with the time it takes to trim the fat I will of got a job, getting a job helps since my work is physically demanding, which is the main reason I have no idea what do now that i'm getting out of shape.
When you say a diet with little sugar, that count eating a shit load of fruit? Because that's practically all I eat besides breakfast and dinner.
Well those are natrual sugars, so you're good with those.
Stay away from pop/energy drinks, stuff like that.
haven't drank pop in 11 years with the exception of rum and diet cokes lol
and i have my BMI and body fat % done at my gym
Yeah, I saw that. Got it bookmarked for when I'm starting on the weight gain. The calorie counter is really useful.
I had my induction at a gym around the corner from me, the only good thing about being unemployed is that I get my membership much cheaper and i'm only tied down for three months. So I'll be doing that three times a week, swim one day a week and play some badders every Sunday, the occasional footie match when friends are free.
Weighed myself at the gym and I'm heavier than I thought I was, not much more though, about 7 pounds more than I thought. Will update at the end of next week.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on June 22, 2011, 09:15:43 AM
No problem, I'm in the same boat. My diet has always been terrible. I'm the classic guy who had a fast metabolism when I was younger, plus did sports so I could always get away with it before.
How is everyone else doing? Anyone settle into a daily routine yet?
I was exactly the same too, skinny as a rake when I was a teenager and then....university.
Got a fairly good routine going - jogging is something I can't do too much of (my injury is to the sacroiliac joint where my back joins my hip) as the impact causes a lot of issues the following day, so I alternate between going out on my bike (I aim for 20-30 miles per week) and using my trampoline - which, by the way, is awesome. Jogging on a mini trampoline is extremely good for burning calories and shedding fat, and the lack of impact makes it much more suitable for someone with a dodgy back like me.
Today it is raining like a mothertrucker, so I'll be on the trampoline when I get home from work.
I don't have the motivation to do anything consistently.
Did spend some time at the pool yesterday though.
I've been losing weight since the new year. 2 stone 1lb so far (29lbs for those who don't work in stones) by going to Slimming World and following their eating plan.
I also recently started going to a Zumba class on a thursday night. Considering I'm INCREDIBLY out of shape, I'm not doing too badly with it at all I don't think. I've done 4 classes now and I didn't get all the way through my first, but I can now make it all the way through a class without feeling like I'm going to collapse and die.
I get weighed again tuesday and I'm pretty sure I'll have gained 4-5lbs tho. I've basically had 2 weeks off the plan with having heavy social times with my mum and friends. But I can cope with a gain, because I can just do work for 2 weeks and lose it again.
I've kept my calorie diet up till last night, I had like 6 jager bombs at my buddies so the red bull energy drinks really fucked that up, followed by half a pizza and a blizzard from DQ, but I plan to workout today to at least try my best to break even.
Quote from: HarmonyFTW on June 25, 2011, 04:17:28 AM
I've been losing weight since the new year. 2 stone 1lb so far (29lbs for those who don't work in stones) by going to Slimming World and following their eating plan.
I also recently started going to a Zumba class on a thursday night. Considering I'm INCREDIBLY out of shape, I'm not doing too badly with it at all I don't think. I've done 4 classes now and I didn't get all the way through my first, but I can now make it all the way through a class without feeling like I'm going to collapse and die.
I get weighed again tuesday and I'm pretty sure I'll have gained 4-5lbs tho. I've basically had 2 weeks off the plan with having heavy social times with my mum and friends. But I can cope with a gain, because I can just do work for 2 weeks and lose it again.
My father in law to be uses slimming world and swears by it.
Gah... in pain.
Small update.
Just noticed this topic. I've been working out for little over a year with some consistency for the first time in my life. I'd always been an athlete (without being athletic) in high school and college. When I started my job (lots of traveling, drinking and eating out) I put on a ton of fat, somewhere in the realm of 20lbs. All fat. I'm not tall ("5'9" on a good day" my 6'4" dickhead little brother likes to say) and I was easily over 200lbs. Not a good look.
I got a gym membership and started studying nutrition and exercise. If you're lacking motivation, just reading about fitness can get you fired up to drop and give yourself 20. Plus the information you gain can be incredibly helpful (e.g. "you can't out-train a bad diet"). I've completely changed my diet and that has been the biggest help (along with the varied workout programs I've tried). Cutting down processed foods, fast-foods and processed carbs has probably had the biggest effect.
I'm down to 175lbs, and while I'm not exactly sure what my body fat percentage is, I know it's sub-10% because after a good workout I can see all six ab muscles.
And trust me, I'm no genetic freak or strict dieter. I consumed a whole pizza, 2 fudgicles, 2 burgers, half a bag of pretzels and about 35 pints of beer over the past weekend (granted, this was pretty severe misbehavior but it's okay every once in a while). The trick is to find stuff that you like.
For me, I'm taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes as part of my cardio and I doing all sorts of crazy lifts so that all that food I woof down goes towards muscle instead of fat. Weight lifting can be a ton of fun, too. I squatted 255lbs for the first time last week and deadlifted 315lbs.
The best motivation is being able to watch your body transform. If you guys want I can post some progress pictures (warning, they're photos of me without a shirt on so be fore-warned).
Peace,
- Vinny
p90x I did in my freshman year, and really if you dont follow the diet plan that comes along, it'll be much tougher to see the results.
Never tried P90X, but I've heard from a few people that have had success with it.
One tip I can offer is to use weight-lifting as a two-fold muscle-building and cardio exercise. Basically string together as many weight limiting exercises as you can for different body parts without taking a break between them (or taking a very short break). Basically you're lifting weights, but you'll be panting and sweating like you've been doing wind-sprints. Super-setting is an example of this. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is another work-out style to look into. Basically a way to get better results while spending less time in the gym.
Peace,
- Vinny
Just out of curiosity, what kind of diet are you on Jack? You got a set meal plan, or are just eating as normal but taking note of calories and such?
Also, look into Insanity if you're finding P90x too easy. I couldnt do it my first time around, but it helps you once you plateau in the p90x program. I wont lie, its probably to most difficult program ive ever done, but you burn easily 700-900 calories a workout.
This is partially to brag and partially to show how much progress you can make if you stick to it: I'd never deadlifted before a month ago. Today I deadlifted 400lbs. Twice.
Probably won't be walking for the next few days, but totally worth it. ;D
You can download the diet plan over the web easily, as thats what I *MIGHT* have done to get the entire p90x program. If I was any good and uploading and shit like that I'd hook you up.
I'll start this soon....
....
...I hope >_>
Despite it being Sunday, I'm going to workout heavily lol.
Great job, Jack.
2 weeks in, I started at 254.5 and a 13% body fat.
I'll admit my "routine" is still sloppy. I've missed one workout a week for the last 2 weeks and my calories count is averaging out at around 1000 per day, but the fat of the foods isn't too great.
But im down to 246, and a 12% body fat, and after the women takes me out tommorow to my favourite BBQ joint, I'm hitting four tough workouts in four days so that I can go out drinking on Saturday night.
I want to be 235-230 by the end of July, and at this rate It's looking pretty good, but as in the same boat as Jack, I'm just WAITING for this plateau.
Cycled 10 miles before 9am today and have taken the new pup out for a brisk walk. The weight bench is set up to do some benching after lunch. Have been easing myself in and lost about 2lbs thus far, but hope to get into a more steady routine over the next few weeks.
Not posted in this for a while, still keeping with the healthy eating and regular work outs. I'm just building up my fitness though at the moment, not really fit enough to endure sustained work outs, I'm not burning that many calories atm, like 400 or so per session which I do every couple of days.
Last 4 weeks have been rubbish for me. Mega busy at work which meant I didn't goto the gym inbetween PT sessions, and now Laryngitis has stopped me going again.
Going tomorrow. Voice, no voice, phlegmy throat or clear throat.
Because the PT will beast me on Thursday otherwise.
When I've fully recovered from my knee injury, I'll post updates with you Jack!
I finish physical therapy for a fractured knee this week. Both my legs have returned to pretty much full strength, and I'm at around 90% flexibility. Still got a bit of swelling in my knee which should be gone in the next week or two. But full intending to get back into shape afterwards!
Just decided I'd bump this because it was on my mind.
I'm like 95% healed from my fractured knee, so I've started back jogging again. My cardio's still shot, and Florida heat sucks, so I'm having to do more intervals than I was hoping for, but that's life. Jogged about 4 miles on the beach before I had to stop.
Hoping to get back into light weights sometime next week.
Just started playing football (soccer) again on a weekly basis, and it's going well - no reaction from my back so far.
Cycling is also going well, although not done as many miles as I'd hoped to the last couple of weeks.
I've put the weights bench back together and plan on starting some weight work next week.
My weight has remained fairly constant, but I feel stronger, which has been the main aim of my initial period of excercise. As the feeling of reliability in my back increases, I'll step up the intensity and regularity of the workouts to really start shifting the weight I don't want.
You've made some great progress Jack!
And Kurt, I can empathise with you for coming back from a serious injury. It's a real buzz for me to be able to have a kickabout and not be struggling to bend down to tie my shows for the following 5 days!
I can't make Zumba this week so I took the dogs for a walk earlier.
And I've lost 2 stone 4.5lbs (32.5lbs) since the new year. :D
Count me in the efk fit club, started today with a 1 hr walk per day, god bless the fucking ipod made the hour go by fast as hell. Also gonna start parking about 15 minutes walking distance from work to force myself to walk there.
I feel bad about my habits all the time.
Thankfully school starts and the first couple of weeks the parking lot is packed, so I'll have to park in the back until half the freshmen drop out in a month.
I've kept on my exercise track for the most part. This week was the first back to school, so iI haven't gotten to work out much, but that'll be my goal to change next week. I've started getting into heavier weights to build some muscle mass, and hopefully can get into regular gym routines sometime soon.
first rule of the EFK Fit Club: You do not speak about fit club
I didnt sign up for it, but I've been keeping up! Running a couple of k's a day. Fucking mish!
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on August 28, 2011, 08:02:35 PM
i should probably post in this again....I fell of the track completely...
it's crazy that every time i eat poorly...i feel bad about it...but I keep wanting to do it!
anyways, everyday is a new day, and a new chance to start again!
I've fallen to the same fate, BBQ food + beer is just too damn tasty on a hot day, 3 weeks of hot days has made it more acceptable to eat BBQ, than work out in hot as shit humid weather. But I made it thought "beach season" and I'd say I'm satisfied. But this fall/winter (as I do every fall/winter) its time to cut. Last two years in a row I usually cut 15-20lbs from the beginning of school-Christmas time.
I am not part of said fit club, but have lost 22 pounds since the beginning of the year. Change of diet, lifting weights again and playing football once a week. Mostly its the diet thing obviously.
I never really did very much for this...but the one thing I did do...powerleague...has been stopped because we didn't have enough players haha. So I either need to pull my finger out and start running or wait till I go back to uni and play football there.
Knowing me it'll end up being the latter >_>
Signed up for my first half marathon. It's a month away. Gonna run til I can't no more lol.
So i've upped the ante, not only am I walking 1 hour per day but I've eliminated sodas (only drinking water), and fast foods. Only thing I am not changing is how I take my coffee.
6 pounds lost, nice.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on August 29, 2011, 08:16:29 AM
Signed up for my first half marathon. It's a month away. Gonna run til I can't no more lol.
Here's a tip: Don't play badminton and twist an ankle the week before you do it. I did and as a result my half marathon was 3 hours of hell. I finished with a balloon sized ankle. But I finished!
I just got back from a 12 mile cycle, did in just under an hour and it was a great route with lots of climbs.
I wish I lived in an area that was safe to cycle.
at 9 pounds lost, shall be happy when I hit the 10 mark. Gonna join a gym once my next check arrives.
Nearing in on the two stone mark and have increased muscle mass across my arms and chest again. Feel a complete difference when I play football now as well.
Oh yeah, Gary has lost 11 already, very fucking happy only 50 more to go.
I'm completely into this.
I'm 6'0" and 204lbs right now. I'm going to Vegas next week. After that I'm slimming down completely. It's been way too long. I'm hoping to get down to 180lbs. I have a slim build, so I should be much thinner than I am. But that goddamn beer belly is causing me problems.
My plan is to stop drinking until I drop the weight, as well as hit the gym and do P90X as well.
Keep me honest brothers!
I've put on 14lbs of muscle during this calendar year. I don't lift all the time and I run a lot so its a slower process. One of my friends told me during drinking last night that I'm noticeably more muscular. That makes me happy lol.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on September 11, 2011, 08:47:25 PM
I've put on 14lbs of muscle during this calendar year. I don't lift all the time and I run a lot so its a slower process. One of my friends told me during drinking last night that I'm noticeably more muscular. That makes me happy lol.
I'm glad to see not everyone is concerned with losing pounds. It's not always the best benchmark. I lost 15 lbs over the summer, which put me at the ideal 22 BMI, but the truth is I had relocated, and quit my gym and had not joined up to a new one yet. I did not lose fat, I lost muscle!
I have joined a local gym again since and am back refereeing soccer games which helps with the cardio. Oh and quit drinking and smoking. Overall I feel in pretty good shape.
One thing that people might laugh at, but that I highly recommend for beginners is the Wii Fit... aside from everything else it made me very conscious of my center of balance and therefore my posture.
One thing I hate, is reaching that plateu were u stay stuck at the same weight for a few days (sometimes more) makes you think "this isn't worth it" but lately it pushes me even more because instead of I want to lose X amount, when I see that plateu I go "i wanna kick this one pounds ass"
Yup it's not all about losing the weight. I made it through that part. Here's my progress:
Summer 2008 - 225lbs
Summer 2009 - 185lbs
Summer 2010 - 155lbs
Summer 2011 - 170lbs
As of Friday morning I was at 172. The goal is to maintain a weight range between 170-180 while putting on a little more muscle and trim a little more fat. I want to maintain my cardio ability thus making the muscle progress go slower. But right now I can run 10K in under an hour and I think that's awesome and I don't want to lose that.
Starting Basketball for at least 45-60 minutes see how that helps
man basketball for an hour wasn't what I remember it lol, but I feel fucking awesome.
Basketball is where its at! I did a lot of that when I first wanted to start losing weight. It's good cardio and running is just so fucking boring lol.
Quote from: Gary on September 16, 2011, 01:49:43 PM
Starting Basketball for at least 45-60 minutes see how that helps
man basketball for an hour wasn't what I remember it lol, but I feel fucking awesome.
Actually put on a Large shirt for the first time in a while and it fit well! Feb 2012 is the supposed date when I should reach my goal, but I do wanna reach half by at least thanksgiving.
I've decided that shits going down when I start uni again...so I've put it off for another week. Then I'll have a gym really close and will start playing football again which should all help me tbh.
I have to say that I'm not really doing it for weight loss as such. I don't know 100% how much I weigh, and don't particularly want to know. I just want to do it to improve my fitness and shit like that.
Mcclean something I learned, when you say you are gonna push it off for x reason its just an excuse. Next week you will find another reason why not to start "classes are to hectic, etc." if there is a path around your house, a park, a bball court just walk it today for an hour trust me once you get into the routine of doing it you'll find yourself feeling way better.
Quote from: Gary on September 18, 2011, 01:53:06 PM
Mcclean something I learned, when you say you are gonna push it off for x reason its just an excuse. Next week you will find another reason why not to start "classes are to hectic, etc." if there is a path around your house, a park, a bball court just walk it today for an hour trust me once you get into the routine of doing it you'll find yourself feeling way better.
Well I'm planning on paying for my gym fees tomorrow. So maybe my stinginess will make me want to get my money's worth!
finally broke the 15 pound mark that was kicking my ass last week, 45 to go :)
For those who are being disaffected with their results.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14882832 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14882832)
People have been lying to you, you're probs doing great, keep it up!
And for me I've got my gym membership. Just waiting to move back and use it!
So ended month 1 at 17 (hopefully 18 tommorow) pounds lost. Next week I'm changing up my workout to include an hour of basketball, followed by half an hour of swimming. My short term goal is to lose at least 35 pounds by Thanksgiving (so I can enjoy the holiday) and then work to reach 60 the rest of the way till Feb.
Not weighing myself (like I say, I just want to get fit again really) but been playing a fair bit of football over the past few days and on the one day I didn't I went to the gym for a short session. I knew(ish) that I'd start when I came back to uni! I was (kinda)sure! >_>
Officially weighed 20 pounds less today! 8 more and I break the 200 lbs mark.
Not been at the gym in over a month, because I have a second job in Sep and Oct refereeing soccer games. Whilst this is keeping my cardio aspect alive and well, it's not really doing anything for strength training, although cardio has always been my main goal. I guess a part of me will be glad to get back to it at the end of this month though. Until then I'm leaving the house @ 5:30am and not getting back til after 9pm so yeah...
Eating healthy though, although probably taking in more carbs than is ideal (because breadstuffs are very convenient in the workplace). Still off the cigs and booze since mid August.
Something I'm hating, I usually try to take at least a day off from working out a week (either sat or sunday) and by half the day I find myself either doing a light workout (walking for 30 min) or go full blast and I know I should give my body a rest at least once a week but I can't seem to control it.
Must be nice Gary...
What?
So this is my routine and diet for anyone who might wanna try.
Routine:
First 2 weeks, walked for an hour for 6 days a week, 7th eithe rest or light workout (cut from 1 hr to 30 minute walk)
3rd week, every ten minute of the walk I jogged five laps.
4th week, added solo basketball and resistance bands (only monday, weds and friday). Solo basketball how I play to make it feel like a workout and not just shooting hoops. I play to 32 points, first week I did:
On every play I take the ball from the outside and run to half court then walked towards the basket and shot, except on every 8 points (8,16,24,32) on those I ran to half court then ran towards the hoop for a layup. If on any shot I missed 3 times, I re-did the shot.
After every quarter (32 points) I walked 7 laps (6 dribbling, 1 walking) to keep the heart rate up.
week 5 re-did the same weight and basketball routine but instead of just running on every 8 points I run on every 4 (4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32) and run 3 laps before every quarter.
Diet.
Special K breakfast, yogurt snack after 2:30 hours, medium sized lunch either wrap, sandiwch or salad, yogurt or granola bar, special K dinner or sandwich depending on how hungry I am, apple for last snack. Only drink water, and coffee and a gatorade after workouts.
Tomorrow I'm volunteering at my university's wellness center. For 2 hours, I'll be showing off a variety of exercises to people. They think its a good idea that one of the professors is taking part as a means to be more involved with the community. I'm just happy to do it to promote good health.
I'm at the 27 lb mark and 2 pounds away from breaking free of the 200lbs, to say I am excited is an under statment. Once I hit 30, only 30 more to go.
-29..plus broke the 200 lbs mark.
Been basically doing something every day. To be honest.......I don't actually feel much fitter. And I'm not hugely slimmer haha (I wasn't hugely fat to begin with tbf). Gunna carry on and see if, injury permitting, I can get to where I feel really fit.
My seasonal second job is over now so I will be resuming.
The job was refereeing soccer, so I was getting my cardio at least. Now I need to get back to some of the other stuff, particularly stength and toning, I feel like every muscle in my upper body, small as they are has turned to flab ???
im stuck at 29..little annoyed but already used to the weight plateus..hopefully tommorow ill wake up and weigh 30 less
and I was right, plateu was nuked today, now Im at the halfway mark.
Mcclean are you eating differently as well?
weighing in at 192.2 pounds today I am at -36 since I started, and 24 pounds away from my goal.
Quote from: Gary on October 22, 2011, 10:11:08 PM
and I was right, plateu was nuked today, now Im at the halfway mark.
Mcclean are you eating differently as well?
Not eating differently at all. To be honest I thought that eating differently was something I would simply not be able to keep up with my level of motivation. The one thing I
did try and do is to start drinking more spirits on a night out than pints. Thought that might mean less calories in the long run. (The fact that I get drunker quicker is merely a bonus I swear!)
yeah excercise alone aint gonna do dick unless you change your eating habits, and adding more alcohol to your system is not the solution.
I have now lost 26 pounds in 2011.
Made some good progress in the last couple of months. Have been feeling stronger and fitter just by playing a bit more footy and getting on the bike.
However, aggravated my Sacroiliac injury by...lifting a boat.
Taking a couple of weeks off. Moving in with my girlfriend in the New Year so will finally have space to get the weights bench out again, as well as the trampoline and possibly a cross trainer.
40 pounds less as of today, 20 more to go!!
Started doing HiiT today and this shit is awesome. After the first 10 minutes I wanted to hurl, but after I was done full of energy. I will relay the actual weight loss due to this cardio (they say it keeps your metabolism running for the next few days) in a few days.
Managed to play football as an outfield player for only the second time in two years last night and don't feel too bad today. Will probably feel a bit stiff later though!
This X press ups in a Minute thing might be something I try and use. I think that I could really do with a target instead of simply "get fit".
LMAO thanks Jack, but I can only do 10 measly push ups before I give up. Smoking is bad for you kids, especially if you are doing excercises.
Btw they dont lie when they say the last 20 pounds are the hardest. In the past 3 weeks I was stuck at 40, went down to 43 pounds lost, then went back to 39, back to 43, and now I am at 42. The Gods hate me.
We're all confident you're going to make it at the EFK Fit Club!
Quote from: Dorling on November 15, 2011, 03:09:22 AM
Managed to play football as an outfield player for only the second time in two years last night and don't feel too bad today. Will probably feel a bit stiff later though!
I love to play soccer, but this only getting to play once or twice a year crap is awful... each time I am put in midfield because I'm one of the youngest people there and each time I run with the ball in the first couple of minutes and learn a very hard lesson about pacing...lol.
I am loving this thread, I love the progress that I see.
Gary, is the exercising helping to ween you off the ciggies at all?
Having specific goals seems to be the way to go whether it be X amount of push ups or losing X amount of pounds.
I'm doing pretty good myself, at least I think so most of the time. I am realising that the gym is crucial for me to keep negativity out of my mind, so I guess that is my goal, though it's a bit vague like "get fit"...lol.
nah still smoking.
LOL! mind you, my legs look fucking bad ass now after all most 3 months.
probably should have been taking part of this myself.
After my 80 pound weight loss last year, I ended up gaining 35 of it back. Been on a tear the last month to try and get back under the 200 pound mark. i sit at a comfortable 195 right now and want to make it back to 185 by the end of the year.
Cut out soda nearly all the way, cut out fast food except for an occasional splurge, swapped in a salad for a regular meal to help break everything down, and went back to drinking grapefruit juice to up my metabolism
OK, I looked at things more closely and realised that I do indeed have goals, but they all appear to be long term.
Cardio: Run a marathon. The longest race I have run to date is a 10K so it's going to take me a long time to build up to this.
Strength: Build up to the maximum weight/resistance on each machine I use. Again this will be a long way down the road, I am at 70lbs on some of the machines that go to over 200!
Visual: Have a clearly defined 6-pack. This is probably the toughest goal of all because it requires more diet control than the other two! I can usually motivate myself to work-out but then it makes me hungry dammit, and fruit and good shit like that does not mentally satisfy me!
I should probably give myself some short-term goals, I will start thinking about that.
What I do DQ, to not get desperate is take it 10 pounds at a time. Essentially you are breaking your long term goal in a bunch of smaller goals. Once you lose the first 10, you tell yourself 10 more..eventually you'll look back and say wow lost a lot of weight.
Sad news to report, last night I broke down and ate a denny's cheesburger. Tasted like heaven, fucking worth it lol
Starting p90x tommorow, saw the first video, this shit is gonna kill me.
I have just written out my will just in case.
Day 1 of p90x done, not perfect but finished it..and I am alive.
I started with the lean workout, so it was core synergetics.
Did my first attempt at Yoga X on the p90x routine and I have to say I'm quite surprised at how I did, wasn't at all perfect, had never done Yoga before but wasn't horrible either and skipped only one routine entirely.
Ok week 1 of p90x is done (tommorow i got the stretch video so I dont really count it) and it truly wasn't as hard as I thought, mind you I came out sweating buckets and felt like I had a great workout, some of the stuff didn't come out perfectly, but I didnt expect it too, I'm hoping by the end of the 90 weeks I can do all the reps, but I never didn't try one excercise except the dreya roll (didnt have a mat and didn't wanna risk my neck on the floor) and one of the yoga poses cause I know my balance would've failed on me, apart from that did everything else, and even felt improvement when I did ab ripper the second time. Can't wait to finish this as it truly is fun as hell.
Good work Gary, and Jack, I'm pretty sure this week has been difficult for everyone being basically "food and relaxation" themed holiday lol.
I am doing some online shopping and thinking of treating myself to some inexpensive fitness products for at home as I cannot get to the gym, sometimes for four or five days consecutively.
I am leaning mostly towards products that target core and abs, as I believe it is most important for me to do these on a daily basis, whereas I am generally happy with my lower body and my upper body seems to be developing nicely enough with the amount I get to do in the gym.
Anybody want to share what products they find useful (all products, not just abs/core, that is just my own preference) and reasonably priced?
I have resistance bands, a yoga ball, an abs wheel, a yoga mat which is essential for so many exercises, 5lb ankel/wrist wraparound weights and 5lb dumbells which I am embarrased to admit to...lol. I prefer to do heavier duty upper body work on the machines in the gym.
I am thinking of getting a wobble/balance board and I wouldn't mind an ab-roller but they are actually more expensive than I remember. There is the "Perfect Sit-Up" which is on sale at the moment, anybody any opinions on this?
http://www.amazon.com/Fitness-Quest-PPSD-Perfect-Situp/dp/B0049TEP0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322423138&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Fitness-Quest-PPSD-Perfect-Situp/dp/B0049TEP0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322423138&sr=8-1)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/batatas.jpg) eat your heart out Johnny Drama, after 3 months of work, these are my calves now.
Got my hands on a loan of P90X.... going to try it out for a couple of weeks before I shell out the dough. Day one so far so good.
Now Jack is the only pussy who hasn't jumped on the p90x bandwagon. Stop filming australian commercials for gay marriage and get p90x.
Fallen off the rails a bit with the uni football season just finished and essay deadlines meaning I don't have time to get to the gym. Hopefully after December 8th I can get back on it with less stress from work!
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/52.jpg) boom minues -53 pounds
Big congrats! Really, really well done.
I'm going to try and use you as inspiration in the new year :)
trust me..lots of hard work but so worth it.
First phase of p90x done, 60 more days to go, still no noticeable changes except my calves, arms and shoulders, plus some definite muscle right next to where the abs go, but tummy sort of looks the same as when I began. They say this program truly explodes on you in the last 30 days, so lets see how it goes.
I'm pretty much noticing the same things as you right now. I am more concerned now with trying to improve at each workout. I have come such a long way with the ab ripper, seeing as we do that three times a week. The yoga is the toughest one for me to improve at.
Are you doing the nuitrition part as well Gary? I find it a bit ambitious, I am trying to use a common sense approach, one that does not involve much cooking lol.
Not really, just kept doing the low cal diet I was doing earlier. If it fucks me up, then what can I do? lol
Out of interest Gary. How are you planning on dealing with Christmas period? Are you writing off a couple of days or still trying to keep calories down as much as you can?
Well the 24th, 31st are my 2 cheat days (always good to have those) apart from that still low cal..although im not as strict as before, I am officially skinny just toning up the body now.
In clothing news I went from a size 40 to a size 34 in pants.
Upper abs are starting to show, very noticeable after working out, they fade after a while but they seem to be lasting more and more after a workout to say I am excited and even more motivated is an understatement.
Heh, yeah, getting there too.... already thinking of getting one of those UnderArmour shirts two sizes to small for me ;D
AB ripper is my bitch now. Go do it Jack, then you can join in the facebook convos me and DQ have.
Remember first few weeks isn't about the numbers its about at least attempting them and seeing how good you do, then worry about it.
I found Plyo very frustrating at first because I can play a full game of soccer and therefor consider myself to be in decent shape... this is a WHOLE nother level!
And I considered myself reasonably flexible and balanced until I tried Yoga X lol.
The beautiful thing is seeing the improvements each time.
I agree, even better when one excercise at the start gave you loads of trouble, and then half way through you can do it without a hitch.
Well, it's a new year which means a new chance to actually get some sort of program going. Within the next week I'm looking to set something up that involves the usual (reducing of calories, etc.), but I have a nice little supplement to my daily exercise: in addition to the usual routine and small runs I look to be doing, I will be making the most of the new Kinect I got for Christmas. I know that sounds kinda silly, but the games I got with it are pretty good for small activity at least: The Biggest Loser Workout Challenge (shaddup, lol) as a major component in that, and Kinect Adventures and some dance game as little extras.
All in all, I'm looking forward to actually going through with things this time.
Started my New Year fitness regime yesterday.
I weigh in at about 24st at the moment, but at 6'4 I carry it. Alot is due to the steroids I have been on for 18 months now, but need them to get better.
Before I was ill I was a 38"w and wearing L/XL shirts. Now I am a 44"w 3XL.
My Mrs is a fitness instructor, so she has set me a plan at the gym and will change it as and when she can.
I hate what I am now, but half of it was down to ill health, but I need to change myself because I already have one daughter and have another one due in April.
Serious changes, although i cant do alot of weights due to the chest surgery I had in May '10
Will post pics and updates when I can, but its all cardio for me (pretty much)
My diet has already changed and starting to feel better. No smokes, no beer.
Blade, Cardio will do wonders trust me. Good luck man.
Quote from: Gary on January 03, 2012, 12:04:13 PM
Blade, Cardio will do wonders trust me. Good luck man.
Yeah, thats what I am told..
Just A load of pricks where I am doing weights and think they are god of all gods. So kind of off putting.
Have my own Exercise Bike at home and at the moment am doing 1hrs worth on the top level a day..
Do ten minutes take 5 break and so forth
Oh screw the gym rats, you are doing it for you not them.
How funny would it be if Jack found out that I'm doing lean and it has no plyo?
Hit the 45 day mark with p90x, halfway there!!
Oh yeah...just got p90x2..gonna start it after a week off when I finish p90x
Don't be a pussy. If I can do it, anyone can.
Quote from: Mrs. Spazmoid Ewing on January 02, 2012, 07:00:17 PM
Well, it's a new year which means a new chance to actually get some sort of program going. Within the next week I'm looking to set something up that involves the usual (reducing of calories, etc.), but I have a nice little supplement to my daily exercise: in addition to the usual routine and small runs I look to be doing, I will be making the most of the new Kinect I got for Christmas. I know that sounds kinda silly, but the games I got with it are pretty good for small activity at least: The Biggest Loser Workout Challenge (shaddup, lol) as a major component in that, and Kinect Adventures and some dance game as little extras.
All in all, I'm looking forward to actually going through with things this time.
The Wii was my first step towards fitness. The games range as far of level on intensity goes, EA Active workout was a good one for lower body in particular. Dance Dance Revolution is a pure sweatfest! Also some of the games can be very useful from an instructional point of view. Good luck and enjoy them.
Today and yesterday I have noticed a gnawing kind of feeling in my stomach. Not quite like a hunger pain, but it definately feels internal. Anyone know if this is normal for anyone going through intense exercising routines (especially core and abs) or major diet changes?
I know the addition of protein shakes and bars have made me fricking non-stop farting, but aside from that anyone experience strange feelings in their stomachs from training/diet?
See I've avoided all the shakes, bars and stuff like that, so I couldn't answer.
Posted in the Awesome List, but deserves its own post here
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/60lbds.jpg)
It was my original goal, now its whatever happens till im done with p90x
Saw the plyo video, and man it looks fun as fuck. Gonna switch plyo for cardio during phase 3.
If it's not too late, I'm going to join in on this to start 2012. I started 2011 pretty healthy, I'm 5'9" and weighed about 180lbs at the start of last year. Engagement, married life, and moving completely flipped my routene and now, at the start of 2012, I weigh about 225. I need to get back down to 180 especially if I plan to compete ever again. I'm pretty muscular so 170-174 is about the lowest I think I can achieve.
Oh I hate Yoga, until I see the pool of sweat I'm in 20 minutes in, always a good sign that you are doing something good.
And TyTy its never too late to join in.
2012 goals:
- Keep weight around 170 (thanks to holidays and Vegas vacation I'm close to 180 so I need to drop a few pounds)
- Consistently bench my weight. No need to be super muscle guy here just wanna do that regularly
- Run a half marathon or maybe even a full marathon this summer.
Yoga is my favorite, but sometimes it's a daunting prospect because it can be hard to squeeze 90mins into your daily routine. I have switched things around so that Yoga day falls on Sundy now, but even yesterday I between school reports, building pinewood derby cars and hiking with my kid I didn't get it done by 9pm and I really try to avoid working out that late because it makes me to jacked up to sleep. So I ended up setting my alarm and did it at 3am this morning. That works with some workouts, but I discovered that for Yoga you can be way to stiff when you just wake up and also the house is cold, not ideal environment for stretching exercises.
But all in all it's my favorite, I've always been a fan of flexibility and it was the one I thought would be hardest to get the hang of, yet it's the one I show most improvement in each time.
Gary, plyo is deceiving... it seems like a cardio routine, but your legs will give out long before your lungs do....lol. Like I said on FB, some of those leaping lateral leapfrog lunges or whatever sound like a luchadors finishing move ;D And yeah, I've botched some of them worse than Sin Cara :-[
TyTy are you talking about getting in on P90X or the whole fitness thing in general?
Oh I KNOW plyo is gonna kick my ass! But I really want to go all out for phase 3.
Trying to get into a routine. I have on demand fitness videos (hehe) so I've been doing some of the basic ones every other night, and then started beginner Yoga for the other every other night set. I'm dripping in sweat now, so maybe it's a good thing. Though I've seemed to gain 3 or 4 pounds since I started at the beginning of the week, so IDK if that's supposed to happen or the scale was broken.
I'm not where I want to be weight wise, or fitness wise, it's just hard to get into a routine. So I dunno...
I seem to have the opposite problem than most folks. I weight to little. My exercise part is fine, my diet change has been to severe perhaps. I'm eating healthier foods, but apparantly not enough? I don't know. I do NOT need to be losing weight.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 10, 2012, 04:39:56 AM
I seem to have the opposite problem than most folks. I weight to little. My exercise part is fine, my diet change has been to severe perhaps. I'm eating healthier foods, but apparantly not enough? I don't know. I do NOT need to be losing weight.
You can gain weight by eating healthier foods, you just need to eat more calories than you burn and specifically you need a nice sized portion of protein every day.
Quote from: JustinP on January 10, 2012, 02:32:57 PM
You can gain weight by eating healthier foods, you just need to eat more calories than you burn and specifically you need a nice sized portion of protein every day.
Oh protein I am not lacking. If anything I have probably added to much to quickly and can never stop farting. I am getting heart-burn the last couple of days as well, I need to try and pinpoint what's causing it and weed it out.
Jack, maybe redo this week, but at the same time, I would stress that I felt like I half-assed some of the routines the first couple of times, yet then the next day I still started feeling it. The first week for me was about getting the form. Hell even now there are one or two exercises I'll be doing when I suddenly look-up at the screen or hear Tony Horton saying something and realise I was not doing it 100% correctly all this time, or that if I tweak it I can get much more from it.
All in all, I think what you are doing in the later weeks are going to be more of a factor in the results than what you did in week 1. (Aside from skipping routines, that's different of course... I sometimes rotate my rest day depending on my schedule and I add stretch and/or cardio in as a bonus work-out on weekends.)
Yeah, it's a dilemma figuring out when to do my workout... if I leave it to late, then I am to jacked up to sleep afterwards... if I set my alarm to do it early in the morning I am not as effective. But yeah I have been going to bed earlier and I'm still crashing and burning at work at around the 1-2pm mark.
So my friend was telling me that p90x isn't that difficult. What do those of you who do it think?
He was also telling me that you were supposed to use some supplement thing with the program. True or not?
It isn't hard, but it will kick your ass if you aren't ready. You just need to the discipline to follow it through. As for supplements, I dont take any. Don't know how that has slowed down my progress.
Well they market the shit out of the supplement, they want you to think you need it, but you know, how much can you believe someone who is making all of the profit out of what they advise you to do?
I do personally have a recovery drink after each workout. I eat a protein bar most days. Neither of which are P90X brand, so I am probably n ot benefitting from them :-p
I just drink water, shower and eat to recover. Seems to work for me lol
Personally if halfway through most of the p90x workouts I'm not drenched in sweat and taking at least a 30 second break, I feel I haven't brought it my all.
There are so many levels of bringing it, that those who say it's easy, simply aren't.
Even the ab ripper, most exercises can be tweaked by raising hands in the air, keeping legs straiter, feet higher etc.
Anyway my stomach issues are not resolving themselves so I'm going to see a doctor and take a few days break. I'll probably restart the week I was on (week 2 of phase 2) or maybe start phase 2 again, depending on how many days I miss. Ugh!
So yeah..plyometrics.. WOW! Ass totally kicked even after 2 months of intense p90x. LOVE IT!
Go get moving you fat bastard.
My legs still hurt and I did it at 4 pm.
here's my tip for ab ripper.. take a break after each routine. Also for V up roll ups and wide leg/cross leg sit ups.. I usually pause the video and do them first at my pace, then hit play and let the video roll and use that as my break. Helped me out a lot, now I only pause for v up roll ups.
I still find the scissor the hardest exercise in ab ripper... it's the only one where I have to actually drop my foot just for a second at least once in the routine!
same, i have yet to succesfully do the scissors in one go.
You know during the cool down on some of the workouts when they start that loose marching, turn, kick one way, turn, kick the other? Does anyone else do a double kick on each turn and start singing New York, New York?
No? haha, thought not. Me neither! :-[
btw, I have yet to find the rythym to the whole jump rope.
So figured I might as well get involved in this, new year and all, have been going since about the 28th December and so far lost 11 lb on diet/walking 4/5/6 miles a day. This exercise shit works lol!
Finally seem to be putting my back troubles behind me but taking it gradually. Have been playing five a side football on Mondays for a few months now, and supplemented that with Badminton every Thursday from the end of December.
Bought EA Sports Active 2 for the Wii 2 weeks ago and have embarked on a 9 week programme with 4 workouts per week, so I now have some prolonged physical activity 6 days out 7.
Already feeling the benefits - not so much in terms of weight which, at the moment, is still consistent around the 190lbs mark, but I do feel more energised and flexible. My back has been stiff in the mornings but after a good stretch and a bit of walking I'm ready to go again.
Just finished my January exams (and post-exams celebration >_>). So gunna get back on this now. Firstly...
Quote from: Gary on January 07, 2012, 01:40:42 AM
Posted in the Awesome List, but deserves its own post here
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/60lbds.jpg)
It was my original goal, now its whatever happens till im done with p90x
Big congrats Gary. You're certainly leading the way here. This is definitely your topic not Jack's! lol
Anyway, I have until February not doing much because that's when football starts again and its when I'm not playing football that I put on the most weight. So off to the gym tomorrow!
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on January 20, 2012, 01:08:37 AM
Fiffer Scissors is so hard!
Or Open Scissors
or Yoga Scissors...
I swear they have that move with three different names throughout P90X.
Also hate torso twist during Yoga lol
Funnily enough I can do it in the Yoga disc. Perhaps because I've already spent the previous hour flexing and stretching everything.
Dorling, the great benefit I got from EA Active is in the legs. You will probably find that too, a lot of the exercises are lunge/squat oriented. I haven't used the game in about two years but those benefits have stayed with me. Also filling in the questionaire every day makes you very conscious about your lifestyle choices. Good luck mate.
Russ, great to hear. Walking is awesome because it's so relaxing mentally also, even if you're speedwalking. Best is nature trails, any good hiking trails nearby?
Well, since my flow has been intertupted on the P90X due to a stomach virus last week, I have decided to take a break from it for now and to vary my exercising a bit. This will mean going back to the gym for a while and doing various P90X discs when I can.
The problem is my favorite times to do the workouts are first thing in the morning before work, and immediately when I get home from work. Problem is the house is fucking freezing then and not condusive to exercise. I'd rather go to the nice warm gym for the next month or two!
I'm still going to do the workouts on occasion though because I don't want to lose the benefits I gained from them, especially the ab ripper, and all of the flexibility and balance I've gained with yoga. And the Stretch routine because I believe that's really helped some of my weeker body parts like wrists and ankles.
You've abandoned me!!
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 20, 2012, 04:36:34 PM
Dorling, the great benefit I got from EA Active is in the legs. You will probably find that too, a lot of the exercises are lunge/squat oriented.
In the brief time I've been doing it so far it seems to have had a noticeable effect on my flexibility. I have been pretty stiff in the mornings but after a few stretches my back and hips feel a lot better than they have for quite a while.
My legs are already pretty toned. Despite my injury problems in the last couple of years I have retained my frankly ridiculous thighs. I'm not sure how. They've been pretty immense since I was a sprinter in High School.
For those who want to get more flexible, I highly recommend getting a copy of stretch x from p90x even if you dont wanna do p90x, that shit makes you feel like new after you are done.
Well been about 3 weeks since I posted here, but January has been positive for me.
Over the time I have been going to the gym 3-5 times a week (gotta love that I get it for free because my mrs works there), Have started training with my local rugby team again now that My fitness level has improved, I'm not out of breath after light exercise.
All in all have lost about 12lbs which is a great start for me, can only improve on it and to be honest, I wanted to start being active again and the training has really helped.
All of this which is going to be a huge positive... I have started my level 2 sports coaching award and should be qualified by the start of April, so between now and then will start working as a voluntary sports coach within schools and hopefully will lead onto more of a permanent job once I have qualified. At he start of the year I never thought something like this would change my career path and everything.. So yeah!
I started with my girlfriend two weeks ago. She's already down 7 pounds (assuming half was water weight) but she still has 20 to go for her goal of 115, but shes the only reason why Im sticking with this. Wish i was so tired after my workouts I could go grab some batteries for my scale to see how much weight I lost, but at least 5lbs.
I've got a calorie tracker and workout this on my iPhone and I've been just over the 1200 calorie intake which keeps your body from entering starvation mode and maximizes the fat burning, along with running for half hour every day burning 200-300 on top of the diet and strength workouts.
But Im actually feeling a lot better, will continue to add to this thread to see how everyone else is doing and post updates.
I have to start all over again, being sick screwed up the routine I was starting to get into...
Quote from: T-Bonizzle on January 30, 2012, 05:04:48 PM
I have to start all over again, being sick screwed up the routine I was starting to get into...
This is what happened to me. That stomach feeling I was complaining about turned out to be a virus and interupted my flow. I'm 100% better but you knpow how it goes, once you stop for a few days it's so hard to get back! Any day again now!
Yea that's pretty much what I had.
Well, I have 2 bithday dinners and super bowl next weekend so my diet is going to take an ass whoppping
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on January 30, 2012, 12:34:57 PM
I'm starting my 'rest' week now...which so happens to be filled with yoga..........................
in any case, I'm really starting to feel the difference, last week I felt super strong. It's awesome.
I read somewhere that it takes 4 weeks for you to notice the changes from working out, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 weeks for everyone to notice.
I'm at about 4 weeks and I can really notice. i can't wait for everyone else to!
if you want I can try and hook you up with the yoga for p90x2 way shorter and quicker, its only 65 minutes and just switch it for the yoga in p90x its what I did this week and still sweat like a bitch 15 minutes in.
Been great to be playing sports again. Unfortunately the fucking snow over here has brought most of them to a stop (over here snow can bring virtually everything to a standstill. If you're Canadian or from a place it snows you can laugh now). So I've been trying to get to the gym more to make up for it but I find the treadmill in particular and other cardio stuff so boring. I'm hoping that indoor sports like basketball and squash will tide me over but I'm certainly feeling much better!
Any of the new years resolution joiners still going strong? Or do we need to send Gary round to slap you?
GARY SMASH FATTY HUMANS!
Btw week and half till I end p90x! Already did my last weight and abs routine, plyo was done, all thats left is a lot of kenpo, yoga, core and cardio and Gary is DONE! Insanity is next to get rid of whatever fat I have left.
You've done great Gary. Going to have a couple of weeks then get on the other one?
Nope, right after.
actually gonna skip the final recovery week for p90x and jump straight into insanity, seeing as recovery week is mostly cardio based anyways.
Finally got a pair of these to help my half marathon training. They feel funny but weren't so bad to get used to today lol.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on February 11, 2012, 02:32:42 AM
Can you give a review after using them for a bit? I've considered getting a pair as I love jogging.
Certainly. I'll say this first. Don't rush right into it unless you want blood blisters on both of your big toes LOL.
Alright I'm back with a better review.
First off, the more I wear them the more comfortable they feel to me. I'm wearing them right now. I can already feel a difference in the way I walk when I'm not wearing them because I usually am too flat footed and I think with more time this will break me of the habit.
Hardest thing about them so far is putting them on lol. There are separate spots for each toe and I just must have weird feet cuz they don't always want to fit. I got measured for them at the store and they said it measures in european and as long as my big and littlest toes are all the way in its the right size even if my other 3 dont go all the way. Weird Doug toes lol.
They're thin so if you're in wintery Ohio like me, its not fun running in them in the uber cold.
Big test today was a long treadmill run. Went five miles. Feet feel great right now. Calves are sore. But overall it just felt like I was running normally with my feet feeling more of the treadmill surface.
----
Overall, I haven't found anything wrong with them yet. Durability over time I'm curious about but people keep saying they last a long time.
Hmm well if I ever get past the just walking portion of my routine into actual jogging I might pick up a pair of these. And I feel you about the Ohio weather ... I was born in Columbus heh.
Currently in Canton. Kent was a bit nicer but winters were worse because of lake effect. I hate snow lol.
Insanity..is WOW.. for those that have done p90x imagine plyo..on steroids.
What are those things called and how much did they cost?
Quote from: T-Bonizzle on February 14, 2012, 11:28:02 PM
What are those things called and how much did they cost?
If you're referring to the shoes, they are the Vibrams Five Fingers (yup a shoe named after a finger lol) and they run from 85-100 bucks.
Holy shit Insanity is killer. I thought after 83 days of p90x Insanity wouldn't be that hard, but boy its a hell of a work out. Its plyometrics on steroids.
Well after 6 official months, I've dropped 68 pounds, two shirt sizes, went from 40 to 32 in pants and feeling a lot healthier. I am glad I did this, and officially dieting is done but gonna keep working out now as a routine.
Great job man! Its easy to stick to it once you've gotten into the routine.
That's great news Gary!
17% body fat. I'm quite pleased about that. I was probably 27% a few years ago lol.
Thats one thing I never measured.
I have now dropped 41 pounds since January 2011. No idea how I have done it, maybe less fatty foods and eating healthier bread and probably smoking more lol.
But seriously, I look in the mirror and see nothing different in terms of weight loss so I am pretty much fucking confused as hell.
You probably lost a lot of water weight in itself. And from what I know of you, you are a huge dude so its more difficult for you to notice change.
Its been 2 months for me and Ive lost.... 5-7 pounds. I eat healthy (my wife does all the cooking, mainly Japanese food so you know its good for you, tons of greens which I hate) and Im back to working out.
Here's the shitty part... I have a fight scheduled for June. I haven't been informed if it's ammy or pro but I know who the guy is. He's shit in every area but strong as a beast (might even be stronger than me). It's going to be an easy fight (1st round submission for sure) but, if it is a pro fight, I wanna go into it looking good. It's at 170, I weigh about 215 now. In high school, I could cut 15 pounds no problem, 20-22 would kill me but I could make it.
I'm a little worried.
Oh, and my team is shit. I can out-grapple the 'black-belt' jitz coach and the wrestling coach is amazing... but he has never fough mma and is teaching the guys stuff that is useless. Decent boxing program though, boxing by far is what I'm worst at (my kick-boxing is okay, I find the movement much simpler to apply). So yeah, essentially right now Im training on my own. I dont trust any of them to give me advise.
Get a new gym lol
$$$
They only charge me $117 a month for everything (except boxing which is $20 extra a month). The next cheapest in my city is about $200 or work out in garages.
Man that's expensive. I have a local gym that does it $100 a month.
Quote from: T-Bonizzle on March 22, 2012, 06:58:56 PM
Man that's expensive. I have a local gym that does it $100 a month.
My city is in a boom period, lots of 18-30s coming in for work. Lots of demand and lots of young guys with lots of money to blow = TyTy paying lots to train at crappy places
Wow that much? The gyms here, and I mean high end gyms with state of the art stuff don't cost more than 45 a month.
Wow, do those include everything?
By gyms he means lifting heavy boxes of shoelaces for Nike.
I pay $20 a month and the gym has pretty much any and everything you would need. Including a full court basketball court.
Quote from: TyTy (formerly Trifecta) on March 23, 2012, 03:19:45 AM
Wow, do those include everything?
One I'm planning on signing up in after i'm done with insanity has.. spinning, kickboxing, weight room, cardio machines, weight machines.
Oh, well then boo.
Guess who re-ignited their love/hate abusive relationship with Tony Horton today 8)
Chest and Back, this time I'm writing everything down to keep track. I know with my schedules I will have to skip days here and there, which is fine I am not pressuring myself like last time when I would end up doing it late at night or early in morning when I should be getting more sleep.
Today was not pretty which is to be expected, and I developed a headache about half-way through which I suspect is my body telling me I am going to have to take in more calories to go through this again. Weight has not been my issue, not for quite awhile now. I have to remember that eating healthier food is more important and productive than eating less.
Got through it even with the headache, but wondering how much of a break I should take before facing Ab Ripper X. Meh, it's only what 15 minutes? I guess I'll go do it now get it out of the way.
I got 3 weeks of insanity left, after..doing insanity and p90x classic..at the SAME time.
Well, I found out today that I have elevated blood pressure, and I have no idea what to do about it and spent the better part of the day just being freaked out...
Just completed a 15 mile walk in 3 hours, going to start doing stuff like this at least 3 times a week
I was hiking while we had a spell of extremely warm weather. Must have gotten in 7 miles over 3 days
Decided last night on top of doing these long ass walks at least 3 times a week, I'm going to start getting in better shape for marathons and such.
Starting with the 5K autism walk in a few weeks leading up to participating and completing the LA marathon next year. I know that there is no way in hell I can run the damn thing now, but I can at least make sure I finish the walk in a damn good time
So uni football basically dies now. So I'm really going to need to get motivated enough to go to the gym now. Can no longer rely on football keeping me in shape-ish!
After a lot of work, almost 8 months.. and I don't think Ill ever be done as I've grown to love working out daily..here is a before and after..
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/beforeandafter.jpg)
Awesome stuff Gary!
Great work!
I've got the weirdest metabolism in the world. Eat whatever the hell I want, stay active and never gain weight. But over the last 10 years I've got a bit of a gut that I swear wasn't there before. I'd like to get back the six pack I had in highschool, so may give this a shot. Anybody have specific advice, or should I just do a billion situps?
Cardio and diet. People say a bunch of things but let me tell you from my personal experience. I do a ten minute abs program six days a week. I should have a decent look but I've still got a gut because I drink too much and don't eat the best. I'm still over 50lbs lighter than at my worst because I ran a lot. If your knees are like mine and not the best, an eliptical is good too. I also lost weight lifting which I'm actually trying to put on a few pounds of muscle now. But IMO, getting in a lot of cardio and watching what you take in would be the fast track to success along with some situps and junk. My favorite thing to do is play basketball which I'm doing about an hour a day 4-5 days a week currently.
Doug nailed it, cardio and diet is what I recommend. Weight training isn't bad also.
Great job
Gary that is fucking amazing. I am proud of you, man.
I would like to show these pictures to my room-mates who stopped doing the p90X after a while. This is a before and after advertisement that is a REAL FUCKING PERSON... that I know! That I have known well before I knew anything about P90X (I know that is just one factor in your results, but still, I think it will inspire them).
Congratulations Gary, well fucking earned my friend.
Thanks DQ, and sure show them if it can help motivate someone then by all means.
You can definitely see it in your face.
Dude you can really see it in your face in the second pic. Well fucking done.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on April 09, 2012, 05:14:29 PM
To be honest, the thing I'm most proud of between the two pictures is how I traded up in the Filipino Photo Partner department.
LMFAO, yeah the one in the second is a much better option than the first
nice job Jack! love seeing everyones results on here! great work!
Really great work Gary. And it's great you're enjoying the workouts more now cause it means things should just keep getting better and better for you!
And Jacky. You just look a lot paler to me. Need to get some bacon down you >_>
Yeah it really shows Jack, excellent work.
I am getting more sleep these days. I'm making myself go to bed at 9pm on worknights (tonight being the exception because I have soccer practise, won't get back til 10pm).
Honestly, I don't drink, don't smoke, eat a hell of a lot more healthy than I used to, exercise more than most, and yet I was still feeling fatigued more than I should, so I am trying the obvious missing piece of the puzzle and getting 7-8 hours sleep.
I also quit coffee (again) at the same time, so was still lagging the first few days, but now it's starting to kick in. Hoping by the weekend to be back to the level of motivation for working out that I was a couple of months ago.
Im still smoking and drinking.
I'm feeling pretty fricking healthy these days guys, what about you?
I am playing soccer again which I'm loving and I've got my sleeping patterns arranged so that I'm going to bed and waking up early enough to work out in the mornings, which I have a lot more energy in.
Still refraining from poisoning myself with alcohol, tobacco, soda and coffee and cut out 90% of junk food.
Any chance we can sticky this topic so folks don't start slacking off? :P
Well today I entered my first roadrace in about 18 months and lo and behold beat my personnal best* for a 5K crossing the line @ 23:56. That put me 40th total, 5th in the 30-39 age group.
*for some reason my personnal best in 10K is 47:53 which if you do the math is obviously better than my best 5K time!
I went to the gym a couple of times last week. Thought it would be keeping me ok fitness wise.............then I played football today and it didn't go great >_>
Think I'm going to need to get back into things when I've finished this fucking Dissertation!
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on April 08, 2012, 02:14:21 PM
For Lent I have only eaten plants and water. No salt, no sugar, no soda, no eggs, nothing that wasn't a plant.
Since then, I have gone from 208.6 pounds to 178.6 pounds. That's a 30 pound drop and I feel great. It's amazing how a simple thing like eating cleaner can make you lose weight so fast.
I'm starting P90X again tomorrow and hoping to tighten up some of this looseness I've gained since losing the weight.
Did you have a set diet here Jack. I'd be interested in giving this a whirl.
Music makes the man!
My biggest struggle with my gym or any gym ever...or any sort of activity which doesn't have an object with a purpose to score...is just stand alone running. I fucking hate it with a passion. So I went out...got myself some armband thing...hooked up my Ipod Touch...threw some generic rock and rap on there for inspiration and completed without stopping due to boredom or becoming self conscious of my breathing a 1.27 mile run in about 15 minutes.
Now I appreciate for you fit club junkies this is a nothing feat, so bare with me why I slightly bask in this glory because it was the first time in forever where I didn't feel bored running.
Major thing for me...looking forward to tomorrow morning now.
Hell yeah Ian, not only music, butany sort of audio or visual stimulation makes a uge difference. Does your gym have threadmills where you can plg in your headphones and watch tv? I used to run for an hour non-stop at my gym on Monday nights wen Tough Enough was on. I wold slow my pace when there was dialogue and I wanted to concentrate on what they were saying, speed up when there was some in-ring action, then totally sprint during the commercials...lol.
Just never listen to Irish music or anything that makes it irrisistable to tap your feet in a jig. Accident waiting to happen.
Quote from: Trumpers on May 10, 2012, 03:06:14 AM
Music makes the man!
My biggest struggle with my gym or any gym ever...or any sort of activity which doesn't have an object with a purpose to score...is just stand alone running. I fucking hate it with a passion. So I went out...got myself some armband thing...hooked up my Ipod Touch...threw some generic rock and rap on there for inspiration and completed without stopping due to boredom or becoming self conscious of my breathing a 1.27 mile run in about 15 minutes.
Now I appreciate for you fit club junkies this is a nothing feat, so bare with me why I slightly bask in this glory because it was the first time in forever where I didn't feel bored running.
Major thing for me...looking forward to tomorrow morning now.
When I started out losing weight it was via walking, the EFK podcasts helped a LOT! It made it go buy so fast, so I get what you are saying.
So day two and once more music helps...
2.6 miles in about 29 minutes, no stops and left there feeling dizzy, eyes blood shot and slightly dehydrated lol.
Also fuck you doctors that told me I never needed an inhaler. For years I have tried running without one and chest tightens up like nobodies business, since I was 5 I was told I was borderline asthmatic and therefore didnt need an inhaler. I have had one for the last 3 months after much NHS protest and two puffs before I got to the gym at 6.30 every morning and I am away.
Seeing as the super gym is 2 minutes from my house walk, 45 second drive I dont think I could have asked for more convenience.
Alright. New regime underway. Lifting 5 days a week. Running 6 days. I'm devoting this summer to more fitness. I want to be in shape for warrior dash in August and a full marathon in October. I pussied out of the half marathon I was supposed to run tomorrow and am opting for a September one instead. Pissed off at myself and time to turn it up.
Two weeks ago I broke 24 for the first time in my life.
Today I broke 23.... by one second 8)
And being that it was one of the smaller races (still about 250 mind... my registration number was 211) 22:59 was enough to secure 3rd place OVERALL ;D 2nd male, 1st in the 30-39 category. Pretty fucking pleased with that.
Want to move back up to 10k so I will be monitoring how my knee feels over the next couple of days. Going for a run with some friends tomorrow and then play a game of soccer with my workmates, if I have no pains by say Wednesday, then I think I can increase the distance.
Getting a lot of cardio in lately, wish I could focus more on strength, problem is I seem to be playing soccer twice a week now, and if I do strength workouts a day or two beforehand, I will suck at the soccer! I've missed soccer so much, that it easily tops the list of my workout priorites now that I have the chance to play again.
Started boxing training this past Thursday. Still got a little lactic acid in my core but I'm cool with it.
Despite being a bit chunky I've learnt what my strengths are.
-Running/Jogging. For a lad who doesn't do a tremendous amount of exercise (I walk about two hours every day, but that's not a whole bunch) I have good cardio if nothing else.
-The circuit training that they had us do where we ran a third of the court, press-ups, two thirds, step-ups, then the whole way to lift a medicine ball. I'd get up from say the press-ups, absolutely dead and then I'd start running back like there was nothing wrong with me. I could do step-ups well too. Anything involving my legs was fine but as soon as it came to arm or core exercise I was scuppered.
-Going back on Monday. £10 start up fee, then a fiver a week for three one hour sessions. Seems reasonable.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on May 19, 2012, 01:51:10 PM
Glad to see this back up and going as I have a question for everyone.
Drama Queen mentioned monitoring knees, and I too have bad knees. I've been doing more lifting and find that my leg workouts are always hampered because of my knees.
That said, does anyone know of any ways to work out knees or strengthen them or do something so that they are no longer an issue, or at least, less of an issue?
Right now all I know is 'reactive' stuff like icing after a workout, but I would love to be 'proactive' and find a way to just make them less of an issue.
I find the more I build my legs, the more cushion I give them. The p90x leg & back routine works good for me (though I'm sore for a day or two after, but the good kind of soreness in the muscles, not in the bones).
The stronger my legs are, the better I can go, but I still have to be sensible. I have to build a tolerence before jumping into long distances. I still aim to do a marathon at some point in my life, but as I am debating whether or not to jump back up to 10k at the moment, that is obviously going to be a long slow build-up.
Threadmills worked good for me for awhile (I just haven't been going to the gym since I got p90x) becuase it is softer than pavement and I could go an hour without feeling pain afterwards. I have heard other people complain about threadmills causing/worsening knee problems though, so who knows, I can only speak for myself.
Always try to be consious of your center of balance,catch yourself if you are leaning to the left or right (I don't mean politically :-p ). If by any chance you have a Wii balance board, plug it in every now and then to check yourself. Never have your knees sticking out in squat routines and never stay in crouched positions that require you to break that rule for too long.
Sounds like simple stuff I know, but I am getting to the age where I have to start taking care of my bodyparts (well actually past that age, but hopefully better late than never).
And when your knees ask for a rest, listen to them, regardless of what good work-out intentions you may have had that day! You'll know the difference between muscular soreness and actual pain in the bones.
First time dropping into this thread.
Just started doing cardio. Got an exercise bike in the garage, and am trying to get myself into a routine of using it. Did two 15 min sessions last week, have done three 20 min sessions this week. I'm really just focusing on getting a routine going right now. So far, so good.
Update on me...
running on average 3 miles a day 5 days a week.
I just started dieting around January, no real exercise yet, so I don't know if this really goes in this thread.
Anyways, my diet consists of eating about 500 calorie meals, four-five times a day, about every three hours. I also have completely cut soda out of my diet, drinking only a mix of water, green tea, and some gatorade.
So far, since the dieting began, I've lost 30lbs, down from 250 to 220. Once I find the time, I'm going to start doing some exercising, not just dieting. So, here's hoping it goes well!
Jack, I've got an app on my kindle that's a full leg workout without weights thats good for stretching, hits all the muscles, and is easy to do everyday without icing everyday (I too have bad knees). If you want to look it up let me know I'll direct you to it.
Jack, try one of those bands that people put right under their knee to help with tendinitis and tightness. Some basketball players wear them. Try that when you work out.
In 9 days I have now run 22.66 miles. GO FAT MAN!
Did MMA for the first time today along with some boxing. Wow that felt great!
Well for the first time since august, kinda fucked up my workout routine, did jack shit this week. Decided to take the week off after not having time to do anything Monday or Tuesday, kinda give my body a re-charge after the months of pounding and then monday restart.
Quote from: Gary on May 25, 2012, 10:51:55 AM
Well for the first time since august, kinda fucked up my workout routine, did jack shit this week. Decided to take the week off after not having time to do anything Monday or Tuesday, kinda give my body a re-charge after the months of pounding and then monday restart.
Nothing wrong with taking a week off especially if you're pushing weights constantly. Lets those muscles rest. Get right back on it next week!
I've been doing 25-50 minutes of DDP Yoga every day for just over a week now and I just have to say...
...it's awesome.
I feel stronger and more flexible already. I can even touch my toes!
For someone with a history of back trouble, that's amazing for me. I haven't been able to bend over and touch my toes for a few years.
Can't recommend enough. Gutted I'm going away for the weekend and I'll have to miss a couple of days.
Since starting running on May 10th. I have now ran over 51 miles in just over a month. I had a personal best this week of 5.34 miles in one session.
In three weeks I am entering back into my weights training as well. Once I am content that I will not slip on the running.
Quote from: Dorling on June 14, 2012, 06:41:18 PM
I've been doing 25-50 minutes of DDP Yoga every day for just over a week now and I just have to say...
...it's awesome.
I feel stronger and more flexible already. I can even touch my toes!
For someone with a history of back trouble, that's amazing for me. I haven't been able to bend over and touch my toes for a few years.
Can't recommend enough. Gutted I'm going away for the weekend and I'll have to miss a couple of days.
+1 for embracing the awesomeness of yoga. What does DDP stand for though. As much as I love yoga I've pretty much limited myself to P90X and Wii (though the p90 is really intense). Keep meaning to expand on it.
I know what you mean about seeing improvements, it's the workout I see most improvement in myself.
In other news, I was at my son's tap recital last week and as with previous years was blown away by the older kids doing ballet. Am determined to try it out one of these days, at least a one-off trial class or something because to me it seems like the pinnacle of human fitness. Not sure if it is something that can be learned in one's mid-thirties, but willing to suffer through some soreness and humiliation to give it a go!
In not so good news, it's been a really muggy couple of weeks weatherwise and energy levels and motivation has dropped significantly. Thank God for soccer, it's pretty much the bulk of my working out.
Going to actually go and do some yoga right now actually, cheers Dorling for inspiring me.
Edited to add: Nice going Ian, I haven't done a 5 mile run in a long time, 5K (just over 3miles) have been it for me so far. Glad for you mate, it's good for the soul. You run with anyone or solo?
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 14, 2012, 06:57:43 PM
+1 for embracing the awesomeness of yoga. What does DDP stand for though. As much as I love yoga I've pretty much limited myself to P90X and Wii (though the p90 is really intense). Keep meaning to expand on it.
I know what you mean about seeing improvements, it's the workout I see most improvement in myself.
In other news, I was at my son's tap recital last week and as with previous years was blown away by the older kids doing ballet. Am determined to try it out one of these days, at least a one-off trial class or something because to me it seems like the pinnacle of human fitness. Not sure if it is something that can be learned in one's mid-thirties, but willing to suffer through some soreness and humiliation to give it a go!
In not so good news, it's been a really muggy couple of weeks weatherwise and energy levels and motivation has dropped significantly. Thank God for soccer, it's pretty much the bulk of my working out.
Going to actually go and do some yoga right now actually, cheers Dorling for inspiring me.
Edited to add: Nice going Ian, I haven't done a 5 mile run in a long time, 5K (just over 3miles) have been it for me so far. Glad for you mate, it's good for the soul. You run with anyone or solo?
The DDP is for Diamond Dallas Page, the former WCW wrestler. It's his own take on yoga and it's pretty intense in places. Needless to say, if this is how I feel after one week (and 3-4lbs down) then I'm looking forward to a couple of months time.
I'm going to Greece in a week and I'll definitely be doing some Yoga next to the mediterranean.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 14, 2012, 06:57:43 PM
Edited to add: Nice going Ian, I haven't done a 5 mile run in a long time, 5K (just over 3miles) have been it for me so far. Glad for you mate, it's good for the soul. You run with anyone or solo?
I run alone. I listen to music and go from there. Actually quite relaxing.
Brought my personnal best 5K time down by another 52 seconds to 22:07 today :)
Canton Ohio Half Marathon tomorrow. Big test. Don't feel ready. 13 miles is gonna suck after all the beer I drank yesterday. But this needs to happen. Lets go!
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on June 16, 2012, 03:51:47 PM
Canton Ohio Half Marathon tomorrow. Big test. Don't feel ready. 13 miles is gonna suck after all the beer I drank yesterday. But this needs to happen. Lets go!
Don't envy you mate, the half marathon I did was one of the worst experiences of my adult life. If I hadn't hurt my ankle playing badminton just a few days before it might have been better, but 13 miles almost killed me.
In better news, after a weekend camping at a cider festival, I did a couple of yoga routines last night that kicked my ass and made me feel a lot better.
Unfortunately I didn't end up running the half. I chicken shitted out of it when my boss offered me a spot on his relay team so I only did the 6.6 mile stretch of the 5 person relay. Pissed at myself but I also made the choice for ass kissing work reasons.
Which means training starts now for the Akron Half Marathon in September.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on May 25, 2012, 10:49:25 AM
Did MMA for the first time today along with some boxing. Wow that felt great!
I've been boxing three times a week for about a month now and I can fully reinforce this.
There's nothing more satisfying than landing a good straight left (southpaw baby ;D) into someone's mouth when you're in your stance and fired up, ready to go.
Progress has been rapid these past two weeks since I've stopped eating shit when I don't need to. Usually the summer (and other extended periods of time when I'm jobless and out of education) is where I fall off the wagon but I've dropped a stone (fourteen pounds) in the past two weeks.
How? Eating decently (not fantastic, I'm not a five fruit and veg a day man) but not horrendously and epic (for me, comparatively) amounts of exercise. Three hourly sessions of boxing a week plus High Intensity Jump Rope circuits (three minutes on, one minute off, five times) on my off-days is shredding weight like you would not believe.
When I'm down to a comfortable, athletic weight I'm going to begin parkour training. I've had friends that were free runners since way before John Morrison and have always been amazed by it. Thus, I want to learn.
To update my running to date as I am still going...
MAY: 39.11 MILES IN MAY
JUNE: 25.45 MILES IN JUNE
JULY SO FAR: 25.25
TOTAL FAT MAN RUNNING: 89.81
Not really losing much in the term of weight, but seem to be losing inches...like I seem more slim line. Feel fitter and also started lifting some weights again. Biggest concern for me is I know if I get too much into weights I will be off the running, onto the weights and the other stuff that goes with weights...so concentrated on the running mostly.
It's always good to do cardio work before you lift weights, that way your body is good and warmed for the weights. Also, only lift weights like three times a week and the days you don't you can get your good cardio in. That's how you can balance the two.
10 days into my 30 day DDP Yoga challenge - lost about 7 pounds and feeling pretty good for it so far.
I started doing DDP Yoga back in April/May after hearing about it during some sort of podcast. Was able to find a torrent with a couple of video's. Ended up not doing it in the month of June due to buying a house and moving in and not having any time for it. DDP announced the 30 day challenge at the beginning of the month and I figured it would be the perfect time to get back into it. I've found a torrent of the DVD's he sells on his website, which is so much better than the video's I've had before.
I'm 13 days into the challenge. Done some sort of DDP Yoga for 13 days. Everyday I feel more flexable and it shows when I'm doing the workouts. My balance is getting better. And its actually a fun work out. I'm not over weight to begin with, I however did lose 5 pounds.
I would recomend this. Check out DDPyoga.com for more info. There's also a support community too that you can join up too at teamddpyoga.com
I think the fact that DDP is one of my favorite wrestlers growing up and he's in charge of this, kinda motivates me a bit more to do this
Quote from: Hurricane Jeff on July 14, 2012, 01:02:53 PM
I started doing DDP Yoga back in April/May after hearing about it during some sort of podcast. Was able to find a torrent with a couple of video's. Ended up not doing it in the month of June due to buying a house and moving in and not having any time for it. DDP announced the 30 day challenge at the beginning of the month and I figured it would be the perfect time to get back into it. I've found a torrent of the DVD's he sells on his website, which is so much better than the video's I've had before.
I'm 13 days into the challenge. Done some sort of DDP Yoga for 13 days. Everyday I feel more flexable and it shows when I'm doing the workouts. My balance is getting better. And its actually a fun work out. I'm not over weight to begin with, I however did lose 5 pounds.
I would recomend this. Check out DDPyoga.com for more info. There's also a support community too that you can join up too at teamddpyoga.com
I think the fact that DDP is one of my favorite wrestlers growing up and he's in charge of this, kinda motivates me a bit more to do this
I echo everything Jeff said. I've lost another pound in the last two days and my back pain is non existent most of the time. I can now put my hands flat on the floor and raise my foot to my face which I would never have been able to do even 2 weeks ago.
It's fun, it's hard and it works. DDP is very motivational! He's also very eager to communicate with people doing the yoga and I've had a personal message from him as well as several of the guys that appear on the DVDs themselves.
Quote from: Hurricane Jeff on July 14, 2012, 01:02:53 PM
I started doing DDP Yoga back in April/May after hearing about it during some sort of podcast. Was able to find a torrent with a couple of video's. Ended up not doing it in the month of June due to buying a house and moving in and not having any time for it. DDP announced the 30 day challenge at the beginning of the month and I figured it would be the perfect time to get back into it. I've found a torrent of the DVD's he sells on his website, which is so much better than the video's I've had before.
I'm 13 days into the challenge. Done some sort of DDP Yoga for 13 days. Everyday I feel more flexable and it shows when I'm doing the workouts. My balance is getting better. And its actually a fun work out. I'm not over weight to begin with, I however did lose 5 pounds.
I would recomend this. Check out DDPyoga.com for more info. There's also a support community too that you can join up too at teamddpyoga.com
I think the fact that DDP is one of my favorite wrestlers growing up and he's in charge of this, kinda motivates me a bit more to do this
Jeff any info on what site you "obtained" this from. I'd like to give it a go.
Me too I think.
Somehow since the beginning of the year I've drop about 15 pounds. I've been doing little things to try to stay active despite having basically no life, and I guess it's working.
I think I might also like to try the DDP yoga.... damn this is becoming the new p90X...lol
After checking out the website prices...yes Jeff/Dorling...little help needed in the old "obtaining" scenario
Quote from: Trumpers on July 15, 2012, 06:25:37 AM
After checking out the website prices...yes Jeff/Dorling...little help needed in the old "obtaining" scenario
Here's the torrent link for it. 13 videos plus a work out schedule, which you don't need to follow cause I don't.
http://www.demonoid.ph/files/details/2927150?load_bal=001007072949&show_files=1&page=1&ref=1338188519 (http://www.demonoid.ph/files/details/2927150?load_bal=001007072949&show_files=1&page=1&ref=1338188519)
I paid for the DVDs myself - I figured if I put the money into it then it would serve as further motivation.
I was getting ready to pay for the DVD's, then found the torrent lol
Ok I have acquired this now...though I find the schedule somewhat confusing.
How much and what am I suppose to do per day?
I've been thinking about doing the DDP yoga myself.
My weight has fluctuated my entire life, and I seem to be on an upswing at the moment. Normally I run a treadmill but I've been having major problems with my back, and I've had two bad ankles since I was in 2nd grade, so I need a workout that's low impact on the ol' back and joints.
Quote from: Trumpers on July 19, 2012, 12:27:13 PM
Ok I have acquired this now...though I find the schedule somewhat confusing.
How much and what am I suppose to do per day?
Do as much as you want to mate. Personally, I'm doing at least 30 mins every day right now because I'm doing the 30 day challenge, but it's what you make of it really. If you're still doing your running, maybe alternate the 2?
Quote from: Dorling on July 19, 2012, 04:09:55 PM
Do as much as you want to mate. Personally, I'm doing at least 30 mins every day right now because I'm doing the 30 day challenge, but it's what you make of it really. If you're still doing your running, maybe alternate the 2?
Right so is there like an actual schedule to follow? I got all these videos and I dont know what order to do them in or where to start lol.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Which videos did you get? I know if you by the pack you get a selection of beginner and intermediate ones.
If you have a workout called the diamond dozen, start there. It's a guide to the 13 core moves that form the basis DDP yoga. Then you have Energy and Fat burner which I would say are the easier ones, though they still get your heart rate well up - I'd start there.
Red Hot Core is a 12 minute workout targetting your core that you can stick on the end of any other workout, although sometimes I do it before work if I have time.
Then you have stand up, which is all balance work and you don't have to get on the floor. Strength builder is my current favourite, it targets your shoulders, hips, lower back and knees.
Going from there you then have the Diamond Cutter workout which is 50 minutes and pretty tough. The hardest one in my set is the Double Black Diamond which is 70 minutes and I have yet to do that one. I figure the 30th and final day of my challenge will be when I bust that one out.
So that's what you should have if you've got the full set. Start with the diamond dozen, fat burner, energy and red hot core. I did those for the first week and then branched out and tried the others.
I've been mixing up Energy and Fat Burner. Some times adding in Red Hot Core after doing Energy or Fat Burner. Once comfortable with it, then move up to the next one. I'm hoping by the end of the month, I can move up to something more challenging.
Quote from: Hurricane Jeff on July 20, 2012, 06:40:24 AM
I've been mixing up Energy and Fat Burner. Some times adding in Red Hot Core after doing Energy or Fat Burner. Once comfortable with it, then move up to the next one. I'm hoping by the end of the month, I can move up to something more challenging.
That's definitely the best start point. I'm not in too bad shape really, I just have a beer gut. I don't have any fat on my arms, legs, back or hips, it's all gut. I do the fat burner or energy + red hot core on what I call my 'rest days' now. I've become addicted to strength builder, there are lots of push ups, planks (20 second plank with one foot off the ground is a favourite), side planks etc. It's hard as hell but I find I enjoy it.
I have noticed that my wrists are feeling it though - I'm 195lbs so holding myself up for so long every day takes it's toll. To prevent too much wear, I do 'stand up' every few days as it's a workout completely free of arm/wrist/shoulder work. Still tough though, as my balance needs improving. It's the best workout for showing your improved flexibility though, as you have to lift you legs up a lot.
This weekend I'll be doing Diamond Cutter, which features the 10 second push ups, which come along nicely after the 3 and 5 second ones.
I did the Below the Belt today. Didn't know what I was getting myself into but it kicked my butt. But it was still fun
I feel there must be a starting point in what I got...so what is it fellas...I mean like an intro to Yoga etc.
So which one didyou start with?
Quote from: Dorling on July 19, 2012, 04:51:24 PM
Which videos did you get? I know if you by the pack you get a selection of beginner and intermediate ones.
If you have a workout called the diamond dozen, start there.
Then Fat Burner, Energy and Red Hot Core.
Once you're happy with those, move on to Strength Builder, Below the Belt and Stand Up.
After that, Diamond Cutter. Double Black Diamond is last and one that I am yet to try.
As long as you do the Diamond Dozen first, the rest of it doesn't really matter TBH. Every workout features modifications of the moves that DDP does (one of the people on the video is in the 'modification zone' of each workout) if you can't quite manage it, and he talks you through how to adjust the positions so that you are more comfortable.
The best advice is to just get in there and do it!
I believe I do! Cheers mate!
Ian, I got this in a notepad document as well:
Quote
Proposed Schedule by Level
Beginner
01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13
M A - B - B - B - B - C - C - B - C - E - E - BD - CD
T X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X
W AB - B - AB - B - B - B - D - CD - E - C - B - CD - ED
T X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X
F B - B - C - C - AC - C - C - E - BD - BD - CD - E - F
W/E X - X - X - X - X - WA - X - WA - X - WA - WA - WA - WA
Intermediate
01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13
M A - C - B - B - C - BD - B - E - BD - C - SR - BD - CD
T X - X - X - X - X - X - ED - BD - CD - ED - CH - EF - EH
W B - B - C - AC - AC - E - X - X - X - X - X - X - X
T X - X - X - X - X - X - D - D - E - SR - EG - SR - ED
F B - C - C - E - E - F - F - F - F - F - F - F - FI
W/E X - X - X - WA - X - WA - X - WA - WA - WA - WA - WA - WA
Advanced
01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13
M AB - BD - C - AE - BD - CD - EG - FS - C - E - E - BD - CD
T X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X
W X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - C - B - CD - ED
T X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X
F B - B - C - C - AC - C - C - E - BD - BD - CD - E - F
W/E X - X - WB - X - WB - X - WB - WB - WB - WB - WB - WB - WB
A = Diamond Dozen
B = Energy!
C = Fat Burner
D = Red Hot Core
E = Below the Belt
F = Diamond Cutter
G = Stand Up!
H = Strength Builder
I = Double Black Diamond
X = Day Off
AB = Combine Diamond Dozen & Energy!
AC = Combine Diamond Dozen & Fat Burner
BD = Combine Energy! & Red Hot Core
CD = Combine Fat Burner & Red Hot Core
ED = Combine Below the Belt & Red Hot Core
EF = Energy! -or- Fat Burner & Red Hot Core
EG = Energy! -or- Strength Builder & Red Hot Core
EH = Below the Belt -or- Strength Builder
FI = Diamond Cutter -or- Double Black Diamond
FS = Fat Burner -or- Stand Up! & Red Hot Core
SR = Below the Belt -or- Stand Up & Red Hot Core
WA = Weekend Optional Saturday or Sunday Energy! or Fat Burner
WB = Weekend Optional Saturday or Sunday Energy! or Fat Burner or Below the Belt
I know the spacing messed up slightly on here, but still think you can see what it means. Hope that helps!
I got that as well, but I think I was missing half the key! lol! Hence NOW it makes sense as oppossed to looking like my 5th grade report card.
My computer tells me the DVD is a virus...
I guess I'm the only one that actually paid for the DVDs then?
They're expensive and I'm a poor post-grad...
Got a friend to find them somewhere else, 5 hours to download lol.
Got them and tried the first one. Gonna follow the schedule and see what happens.
I find myself wondering if I'm doing these moves right. Guess I'll see.
I'm 10 months away from 30. But I had that realization when I was 25 years old and 50 pounds heavier. We are fully capable mentally of pushing ourselves but physically age just doesn't allow for some things. Its a very slow deterioration at first but for example, I'm lifting 5 days a week right now and there isn't a day I don't wake up in some kind of pain. When I was younger I'd recover faster.
Point is for everyone, push yourselves now to do something if you want to. And kudos to everyone who already is. I love seeing this thread bumped and reading all the different things everyone here is doing to stay in shape. Much love.
Just broccolied the above two posts because this shouldn't just be a "so I'm currently doing this, this and next week going to try that" thread, it's good to hear views on the mental aspect of it all.
I really hope this serves as inspiration and does not come across as boasting but at 36 I am in the best shape of my life. There life after mid-life crisis guys :)
Well that's a nice and depressing chat guys. Cheers. That's more likely to push me to drink than to exercise >_>
Doing my own modified version of P90x and I'm down 12lbs in 3 weeks, keeping strong.
What's going on slackers?
Cory how is your P90X going?
What's the verdict on DDP's yoga guys?
I just completed day one of Insanity. More cardio based than P90X of course, but a big plus is the work-outs are more intense but shorter, because let's face it sometimes there are not enough hours in the day.
Refereeing season is starting up again for me soon, that will keep me nice and fit even when I don't have time to work out.
Just been on vacation in New Hampshire, camping up in the mountains, did a lot of hiking and treetop adventure/zipline obstacle courses and was glad of my fitness level, it helped a lot.
Gary, where you at these days, miss you bro, you have been one of the most inspiring people in my fitness quest.
Training for half marathon on October 7th began this week.
Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - Heavy leg lift and core.
Wednesday - 8 miles
Thursday - Light leg lift high reps
Friday - 6 miles and a chest lift.
No lifts this weekend. Hoping to do the same schedule next week with 1 mile added to each total. I do all my running at 5-6am.
That's aewsome Doug. I'm a little jealous, my knees don't seem to be able for much more than five miles these days. Working on ways around it, maybe I need better shoes or something, or maybe I'm not running regularly enough to build the tolerance and stamina.
Still waiting to here some verdicts on DDP yoga.
Insanity is quite brutal at first, though I know it will only get better. Shorter that p90X so easier to fit into your daily schedule but very intense, you really do have to dig deep. Going to try to stick with it. If I do then I will be done by the end of October and that's when I would be looking to try DDP.
DDP Yoga is going well DQ, had to have a couple of weeks off with chest and sinus infections but back on it again, along with trying DDPs nutritional plan while my girlfriend is away and I've lost 8lbs in the last week.
All in all, I love it.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on September 03, 2012, 03:43:50 PM
Have you done P90X and if so, how does it compare to Yoga X.
Basically, I felt like Yoga X was a great workout, but it was long and boring and I hated it so much it has made me shy away from P90X as a whole...so the idea of a Yoga option I don't hate intrigues me.
I haven't done P90X. I haven't done a lot of standardised style workouts like this. Until recent years I've just played a lot of sports but they began catching up with me, in particular my back and knees. I always thought that yoga would be boring but DDPs Yoga is hard and, depending on which workout you do, can have a real sense of flow and pace about it.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to try it to be honest. The absolute best thing about it is wearing the heart rate monitor and seeing how jacked my heart rate gets. It's a real visual motivator.
I always feel like I've done a good workout at the end of it all and that's a great feeling.
Quote from: Drama Queen on September 03, 2012, 01:21:14 PM
That's aewsome Doug. I'm a little jealous, my knees don't seem to be able for much more than five miles these days. Working on ways around it, maybe I need better shoes or something, or maybe I'm not running regularly enough to build the tolerance and stamina.
I wear the Vibrams shoes that look like feet. They're amazing. I swear by them. I think they also improve my posture.
I love yoga X, I feel it is the work-out that I notice most improvement in each time. I can do things that I could not do before such as grab my toes while standing on one leg, whereas I could always do a push-up or a bicep curl (granted not as many as I can now or with as much weight) but to be able to actually do things I could not before is an amazing feeling.
BUT... yes it is long and hard to fit in to a day's schedule. I know onme person who splits it over two days at the half-way point where they finish with the vinyasas/warrior poses, but I feel that the work-out is meant to be done in one go so that the muscles are limber enough to do the second part, so I try to do it all at once or not at all.
But I've done it a lot, and now want more variety. It has given me a love for yoga that I want to expand on, and DDP sounds like the best bet.... UNLESS I want to incorporate a social aspect, then I might try to join a class.
On other topics, Doug, I have heard good things about those shoes, but I echo Jack's question about the impact.
Does anybody here take any pre-work-out energy boosts. I tried them for the summer when the weather makes me exhausted after work. I took C4 for strength training, which was mild but did it's job, got me through it. I tried these multi-vita packs from GNC for cardio which are way to intense. You're supposed to take them about an hour before you work-out but if I take them any time after 2pm I don't sleep that night!
I run on the street, track, in the gym, I hike in them, pretty much often I use them. As for impact, you can pay like 10 or 15 extra for a pair that has extra padding. The only time my feet get really bothered is like while hiking when I step on like a tree root sticking out of the ground for example that only hits part of my foot.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on September 03, 2012, 05:38:06 PM
are they good for street running as well? Or do you have to stay off hard surfaces? I've heard the impact can be brutal.
Update on me, I'm gonna be ready to play University Soccer this season, still not where I wanna be at weight wise, still 210 but I can play a full ninety minutes now. Lost 30 pounds over this summer and honestly hated it. couldnt enjoy BBQ's and all that shit and no cake for my birthday, but I guess in the end it was worth it.
Im hoping with soccer season coming up I can finally hit 190 by seasons end.
Glad to see this thread alive and well, and even more people getting in on the fun. Still doing my workouts, upped my workouts to p90x and an hour of cardio before each workout..it is killer but I feel fucking great. My upper body is pretty cut already and I have a 4 pack but sadly the fast weight loss I had at the start last year has reared its ugly head in loose skin around the belly. I hope that the extra cardio will help tighten it back though.
10 hours til my half marathon. I'm excited and nervous. Training hasn't been what I've hoped but I'm gonna give it everything I have for my first half. And then die after lol.
But also reviving this thread because its always motivating to see what everyone is doing to better their lives. And its even important for those who may have fallen off a touch because it could be the spark needed to get back on it. Love for you all!
Weighed in natural 200 lbs today, Im excited. 30 down, 15 left for my goal (much longer than anticipated but whatevs lol)
Started physio therapy 3 weeks ago and its been.. interesting. I guess I should back story it a bit. I was going to go a message therapist for my monthly back relief just before my fight (I messed my back up in a truck accident on Canadian thanksgiving when I was 15) but my mother-in-law (who is a retired japanese message therapist) decided that she wanted to try to do some treatment on me (she has hep so she doesnt have lots of energy, she was staying with us for 3 months at the time). So she got to work on my back and realized very quickly that my spine had been twisting. I want to chiropracter and he was able to like dead-on list every I was experiencing (incredibly weak shoulders, constant knotting in my lumbar, hip issues) just from running his hand down my spine. It was amazing. Now though, I have to go for physio (and pay out of pocket) twice a week but its been helping already. I can do half the push-ups as everyone else at the gym (where as before I couldnt even do 10%) but my back feels 10 times worse (but much stronger).
Oh yes, my next fight will be in January and will be at 205 pounds again. Its above my weight class for sure but I want to face the guy their offering me (6'4" with slick BJJ, 2-0 mma with both fights won by standing guillotene). I cant wait :)
13.1 miles in under 2 hours. I'm happy...
...and broken.
But happy. :D
Not directly linked to fitness, but I've not had a lot of time to do as much DDP Yoga as I'd like.
I have, however, adopted his nutritional guidelines and by changing diet alone I've lost 12lbs. It's not even that hard, it just takes a little imagination, a fridge full of greens and some forward planning.
Time to resurrect this thread!
Turkey Trot 5K this morning. Averaged just under a 7 minute mile!
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on October 07, 2012, 01:43:53 PM
13.1 miles in under 2 hours. I'm happy...
...and broken.
But happy. :D
That's fricking awesome dude, congrats. Any plans to go for the full 26 at some point?
I kind of got distracted from my workouts with Sandy, apart from lifting trees off the house lol. Back to playing soccer and running now, though I have noticed discomfort in my right shin, really hope it's not shin splints! Going to start Insanity again soon.
Quote from: Drama Queen on November 23, 2012, 03:44:20 PM
That's fricking awesome dude, congrats. Any plans to go for the full 26 at some point?
I want at least two more halves under my belt first so hopefully by the time I'm 31 in 2014 I'll be ready for my first 26. Not trying to push myself too hard just yet because it took me more than a week to recover from my first half lol.
I'm a horrible fit club member, I got fat again :(
Well okay, fatter. I put the weight I lost back on. Like all of it. I have lost 7lbs since that point tho.
Some people want to lose weight, some people want to tone or gain muscle. You just have to want it for yourself. You can do it!
My biggest problem is time right now. I am so stupidly busy that finding time to eat properly just doesn't happen.
Is it work schedule or school or anything? I love strategy when it comes to planning eating!
Let see.
I work full time (37.5+ hours a week), I'm involving in running Beaver Scouts (thats 2 hours a week), I train other leaders (which takes up an evening every other week), I'm doing paperwork for work (every night), running an efed, studying for my EYPS (post graduate status) and dealing with the general social life that runs with christmas time.
Yogurt would be hugely helpful if you're interested. Favorite is vanilla. Great morning snack.
I also pack peanut butter sandwiches and granola bars with me to work because basically between workouts and work I'm not at home between 8am and 7pm. I never eat after 9 unless I'm drunk which is my one fatal flaw. So yea, multiple small things to carry you through here and there on a break or when you get a chance to nibble. Yogurt is the big one. Very helpful to me personally.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on December 03, 2012, 10:59:57 PM
Yogurt would be hugely helpful if you're interested. Favorite is vanilla. Great morning snack.
I also pack peanut butter sandwiches and granola bars with me to work because basically between workouts and work I'm not at home between 8am and 7pm. I never eat after 9 unless I'm drunk which is my one fatal flaw. So yea, multiple small things to carry you through here and there on a break or when you get a chance to nibble. Yogurt is the big one. Very helpful to me personally.
Also plan a head. Prep easy meals/snacks a day or 2 a head of time so it takes minutes to prepare or just grab and go
How bad is eating late? It is 9:30 pm for me right now and I am forcing myself to eat rice because I am way under my calory goal for the day. In fact this is my main issue with health and fitness at the moment, I don't seem to be able to eat enough. I am doing insanity and there is no way I can do those workouts on a full stomach so I have to try and replenish myself just before bed time.
Anyway, that's the negative. The positive is I am back doing insanity full time and being more active in general since the storm and I feel like a freaking unstoppable machine :)
I'm just trying no to lose to much weight in the process!
I got back on the horse (figuratively speaking) today. I gained half a pound this week, and the fact that I didn't have a huge gain made me realise that I've been getting away with it for far too long and its soon going to come back to bite me.
So I'm planning food, I've done a really good shop and so far, so good.
Quote from: Drama Queen on December 04, 2012, 09:39:06 PM
How bad is eating late? It is 9:30 pm for me right now and I am forcing myself to eat rice because I am way under my calory goal for the day. In fact this is my main issue with health and fitness at the moment, I don't seem to be able to eat enough. I am doing insanity and there is no way I can do those workouts on a full stomach so I have to try and replenish myself just before bed time.
Anyway, that's the negative. The positive is I am back doing insanity full time and being more active in general since the storm and I feel like a freaking unstoppable machine :)
I'm just trying no to lose to much weight in the process!
Insanity is awesome. I'll recommend more small things throughout the day as well. Granola bars, yogurt, protein, an apple, etc. Do what it takes to get some extra calories but in a good way.
There are different things out there for when to stop eating. Its all about when you go to sleep I think. For example, I try to be in bed by 11-midnight most days so I try to eat for the last time by 7-8. Now if you're not crashing until like 2am, then there's nothing wrong with 9:30 by my standards lol.
I started Insanity last night with the woman, just trying to get in ideal shape for indoor soccer season, did the Fit Test, I actually beat the guy for more than half the exercises, but the chick was insane.
Anyways, combining this with an ECA stack (best fat burner ever created....kinda dangerous tho), already down a pound and a half in one day, but not really considering it progress becasue water weight, ect. But back to being sore everyday :(
Really appreciate the input Doug. Again I found myself trying to cram calories in before bed time. The problem is I'm doing overtime at the moment so I don't get home until around 6pm. If I eat a big meal then I won't be able to do insanity until at least 8pm (and even then I will still feel sluggish and/or nauseous during it) so I have leave dinner until after my workout as I want to be in bed by 9 or 10 preferably.
Tomorrow I am going to try and eat more during the work day. I eat plenty of the quick fixes for protein and carbs like Clif bars and yogurts but they really drive my sugar count up, although I think I'm in a position not to worry so much about that. I'll probably start getting some heavier food from the roach coach.
Tonight I had instant soup and stuffed it with as much whole wheat bread as I could and I am still over 400 calories short of my goal. And going to bed kind of bloated.
Insanity is going great though, I purchased a heartrate monitor and at times get up to 98% of my potential maximum. I found a cool site to covert average heartrate to calories burned so I can keep better track of how much I need to replenish. Previously I was logging in 300 calories for an average insanity session, whereas I have now found it to be closer to 600.
And haha, yeah Cory that chick is insane, even if muscle fatigue was not a factor, I don't think I have the agility to keep up with her footwork, her power knees and switch kicks are like lightning.
http://exrx.net/ (http://exrx.net/)
Outstanding informational site.
To give you an idea of what I'm trying to do. I'm currently at 163lbs. Ideally I'd prefer to be 175 so I'm below. My problem is that I'm trying to do too much at once. I want to stay in good enough shape for a half marathon but also lift more. Hard to do both. This winter I'm going to train on treadmill incline despite it being not so good on the knees because I absolutely suck at running in the cold. And I'm going to lift more. Come better weather, gonna start marathon training. I'm obsessed with my body because I have no health insurance.
Huh, looks like we have the same target weight. Except I'm currently at 154lbs so I need to really work at gaining. I really should be doing more lifting, but cardio helps me with other goals I want to achieve such as flexibility, endurance and overall better performance at things like soccer. And i just plain enjoy it more. I realize I have to squeeze some weights in there somewhere though. Cool link, I don't want to get to much into it at this hour of the night, I will check it out more thoroughly over the weekend.
A friend of mine showed me that site after using calipers to do body fat percentage the skin pinch way. Lets you plug in the numbers and do math easy. Its not the most accurate but its better than standing still and holding a toy thing lol.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/SeanSmythe/photo18.jpg) Gary in 2012, almost 90 pounds gone.
Well done Gary thats an awesome achievement!
Very awesome!!
I need to start working out again though, losing muscle mass, and since I started my new job my diet has changed cause now I eat at actual regular hours.
Impressive.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/afrohairdirk/gym_zpsd5fd087b.jpeg)
Hanging out, wearing 35lbs below me doin shit. Holidays.
Make it a resolution to hit the gym! Or do whatever you do to feel better and healthy.
I haven't ran or lifted since the 21st. Come Wednesday I'm going full steam again. I want to bench more than my weight and run a full marathon sometime in 2013.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on December 31, 2012, 05:32:30 PM
Make it a resolution to hit the gym! Or do whatever you do to feel better and healthy.
I haven't ran or lifted since the 21st. Come Wednesday I'm going full steam again. I want to bench more than my weight and run a full marathon sometime in 2013.
My sentiments exactly Doug. Healty new year everyone. Starting with p90x chest and back myself tomorrow.
I get weighed thursday, so I'll find out the damage I did over christmas and new year (I'm estimating around 5-7lbs) then hit it HARD again.
I've got potentially 3 weddings this year, and I don't particularly wish to be fat for any of them. Plus I need to do something about my weight as its getting silly.
Good luck to everyone in the New Year trying to accomplish their weight loss goals.
You tell em Justin!
Weighed in today, only gained two pounds over break. To me that means I gained like 6 and lost a few pounds of muscle lol.
Hitting it hard all week going on 3-6 mile runs in the AM in the snow if I have to and then a good lift. I miss the gym it lets me get out all my fucking anger! lol
My wife is looking to lose 10-20 pounds so she is cutting out all junk food and sugars. In an effort to support her, I too am cutting out the junk food. However I will be hitting the gym starting on Monday in an effort to put on 15 pounds of muscle by the end of November.
Quote from: JustinP on January 02, 2013, 03:37:24 PM
Good luck to everyone in the New Year trying to accomplish their weight Loss Gaingoals.
Fixed to include me... And apparantly yourself Justin lol. Weight gain is tough and nobody sympathizes because they all want to do the opposite!
What really annoys me is my calory tracker app. I otherwise love it, but I specifically put in my current weight as 155, my goal weight as 170, and it congratulates me when I finish under my recommended calory goal each day!
Post christmas weigh in tomorrow night and I don't think I'm going to like it.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 02, 2013, 07:40:43 PM
What really annoys me is my calory tracker app. I otherwise love it, but I specifically put in my current weight as 155, my goal weight as 170, and it congratulates me when I finish under my recommended calory goal each day!
Don't use it! lol. You gotta eat to change it to muscle. Eat well and eat multiple times to keep the metabolism high but make sure you eat!
Quote from: HarmonyFTW on January 02, 2013, 07:46:01 PM
Post christmas weigh in tomorrow night and I don't think I'm going to like it.
Best of luck. It won't matter if you like it now. What matters is how much you're going to like it after you kick it into gear!
I try to be motivational here lol. I wouldn't of accomplished any of my goals without my friends kicking me in the ass a lot.
You are probably right Doug, but it is interesting to keep track of the details such as sugar, sodium, cholesterol etc. and it has been useful overall because I had no idea I was not eating enough to compensate for the amount of cardio I've been doing.
I just don't think it should congratulate me when my breastbone is visible whenever I flex, lol.
So it was ugly. 8.5lbs on in 2 weeks.
But grocery shopping has been done so I am ready to get on it in the morning.
Well I'm back in the swing of things, started running again yesterday. Did some ab work today, and set my goal to actually have abs by the time i'm 30 which is in april.
Yeah I've realised that with the winter weather, I've become stagnant. I'm resolving to taking the dogs out every day after work, provided I'm not going somewhere straight from work and likely to be not home until 9.30pm (which is tuesday nights when I have Slimming World).
Hopefully once I've dropped a couple of stone, I can get back to going to Zumba.
I never did get on the ball with exercise plans, but a new year means a fresh start. And boy, do I have something that'll get me in shape...
Richard SImmons 'Party Off The Pounds!' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na9ZZ4ZjVa8#)
I wish I was kidding. I ended up getting a Richard Simmons DVD for Christmas through one of those "white elephant" gift exchanges, and once the shock wore off I got to thinking..."Hey, this might not be so bad."
So I'm gonna try it out. If I lose a few pounds over time, all the better.
Quote from: Alex K on January 05, 2013, 03:15:29 PM
one of those "white elephant" gift exchanges
Bit harsh.
I've been doing nothing but making excuses for year, and now I'm giving myself another week of excuses.
My birthday is a week from today, I'm having a big part with all my friends, after that, I'm going to take care of things.
I absolutely hate going to the gym and I think it's partially because I'm embarrassed of my inability to work out as hard I used to and partially because it's boring.
So I just purchased P90X, I'm going to do that for 90 days and hopefully stick with it enough to lose some serious weight.
Currently I'm 6'0" and 205lbs. I'm hoping to get down to 180lbs and to get rid of this developing double chin.
1st weigh in back in the game and I've lost 4lbs!
And it was a short week. Just imagine what it could have been if it had been a full week?
Good job!! :D
Did a double workout today. Felt so good. I'm at 165lbs and ideally I'd like to be 170-175.
So next week with the semester starting, I'm on a four day gym routine. Monday/Wednesday will be 3 mile runs followed by a boot camp class (my friend is teaching a 45 minute non-credit course basically like an adaptation of military workouts). Tuesday/Thursday will be straight heavy lifting days on whatever I didn't work on MW in boot camp. Then Friday will be 3 miles because its all I'll have time for. Saturday or Sunday I will do anything from 6-10 miles while taking the other day to do absolutely nothing and eat cheat food.
I know some of you may not care but I wanted to share.
Thanks. I lost half of the baby I gained over christmas haha.
I hit the gym for the first time this year and started my new bench press regiment.
So I got back on plan post christmas for like a week. Then it went downhill.
But I've got my head sorted and I'm back on it like a demon. Lost 6lbs this week.
Good!
I've given up candy for Lent. So my diet basically consists of proteins, coffee, and beer.
15% body fat. 21 BMI. I'm working to improve those numbers.
¸Ive been training my ass off for the last 2 months to get ready for my cuba trip. I started January 1st and I was 280lbs. Far from a fat ass tho, I could still run 2k in maybe 30 mins and was still benching 300 and curling 35's.....I had 21 inch biceps and lord knows how big legs... so a big guy with a gut...but not TLC sideshow big LOL.
But 6 and a half weeks in I weighed in at 248, starting to have some ab definition come back and my arms and legs are surly tightening up. Been taking ECA stack, back to curling 45's, and try and do Insanity Pure Cardio and run 2k every other day. I hope to be in the 220`s by Cuba time comes.
On my Hulk shit, shout outs to Lemke for support LOL, as well as my woman from the comments there.
(http://i.imgur.com/XsxzRTt.png)
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on February 20, 2013, 11:20:28 PM
Good!
I've given up candy for Lent. So my diet basically consists of proteins, coffee, and beer.
15% body fat. 21 BMI. I'm working to improve those numbers.
I tried to give up sweet tea for Lent.......I lasted a day.
Lost another 2.5lbs this week, thats 8.5lbs in 2 weeks.
Quote from: HarmonyFTW on February 26, 2013, 02:49:52 PM
Lost another 2.5lbs this week, thats 8.5lbs in 2 weeks.
Keep up the good work!
Had another hiccup with some putting on and fucking around, then my consultant gave me a call on the phone and we talked for a while. It got my head straightened out and I'm back on plan.
3 weeks later and I'm back up to having lost 9.5lbs. I lost 2.5lbs this week and I won Slimmer Of The Week!
Good that you got back on it! Nicely done.
Let's hear from some others too. How's our plans going?
I'm pretty much on pace right now. Half Marathon to run this Sunday lol.
I don't feel any lighter, but I've gone from not needing a belt, to using a couple of notches, to using six notches, so I guess I'm doing something right.
I'd lost 45lbs at one point and I didn't feel any lighter for it, but I definitely noticed the difference in my clothes.
Been doing my yoga for a while but have started some running again in the last couple of weeks as my cardio is pretty awful.
So tonight I stepped it up and did some High Intensity Interval training - as high as I can manage.
So basically sprint for your life/jog/sprint for your life/jog etc.
I thought I was going to die. I'll be doing that again though, great stuff.
3lbs this week, up to 12.5lbs lost.
I've finally recovered from my half marathon. Just over two hours this time which was slower than my previous but I was not well enough prepared for hills. Running a 5K this Sunday.
Weight is at 160lbs so I'd like to put on a few the right way. Doing BMI and Body Fat % next week so I hope those have stayed consistent. I've switched to a lighter weight lifting routine for April/May because of all the running. High rep low weight fast paced.
Eating is harder work for me than exercising these days. I have to eat like a horse and I'm still not gaining.
Almost finished P90X. I am on the penultimate week. As soon as I'm done I'd like to go back to insanity but really I should do some more muscle building rather than calorie burning.
I do kickboxing twice a week now which is an amazingly fun workout. Soccer season has started, I'm taking part in a full 11 aside. Running season should be getting into full flie too, i am planning to run a 5k through the lincoln tunnel in a couple of weeks. Hmmm.... Seems the problem for me is that all of my hobbies are all cardio based... It's just a lot more fun for me than lifting weights.
Oh and for the first time in my life, I have a six pack :)
My body fat ranges from 17-18% as it has done for the last few months, I dont know how to get that down, my diet has a lot more carbs and protein than fat, so I don't know whati have todo there. Bmi ranges from 22-23 which I've heard is good, but I still think I look to skinny, I hover around 155, I feel like I could to with another 10 lbs, preferably in the chest area.
I am very pleased with my flexibility and my strength.
A few months ago I could do about 18 push ups in a minute, now I can do thirty. I use 25 lb dumbells for exercises I used to use 15lbs.
I'm pretty much happy with my progress in all departments.
The only downside is exercise used to be my anti-depressant, and help me avoid mood swings and such. This does not always work now. I'm probably not getting as much sleep as I should, my new years resolution to get at least 7 hours at least 5 times a week seems to have gone out the window.
Thread revival time!
I would like to hear how everyone is doing.
I just ran a half marathon about two hours ago. lol
With my potential new career beckoning I need to get in shape so I have been doing a weekly regime of yoga/short quick run/yoga/long run/yoga/longer run/bonus sunday.
I have a park near my house that is just over half a mile around and tonight I was aiming for 7 laps, which would be my best since starting 6 weeks ago, but I stuck it out and did 10 laps, which has me buzzing.
Not only do I have to get my endurance up for the bleep test, but I need to improve my speed and run 2.4k in 12 mins. In 6 weeks I have got my time down from a terrible 19 minutes to 14, so it's coming along nicely with 5 and a half weeks to go.
Going to try and get back to where I was a few years ago and be healthy and actually in shape. I have to go full cold turkey on a lot of things to do this but I will begin to document my progress here as well as the changes I am making immediately.
1. NO more alcohol (those of you who know me really well here know that this is going to be one of the hardest and something I have struggled with)
2. NO more weed, not something I was doing a lot before, but started to smoke a lot more in the last few months, but i have to cut that out.
3. NO more fast food, I tended to just get lazy after coming home from work and stop for cheap fast food, unhealthiest crap ever.
4. NO more soda, turning back to all natural juices and water again.
5. Actually getting out and exercising.
I've been able to drop my weight before, my problem will come with trying to keep it off
I'm training for a full marathon. Took a hit this week because my knees haven't been well so I got some treatment for that. Running a 5 mile race July 4th. And still benching over my weight. So no complaints here.
Since this thread started I dropped about 35 pounds and lowered my blood pressure to more acceptable levels. I've been more conscious about what I eat and how much I eat. My activity levels might have increased because of work, but really the more proper eating is what I have done to help myself.
Since I broke my hand in my last fight and then had baby, been off the wagon. Since then, found out I have to have back surgery and then, found out I don't. Only thing that both docs agreed on is that until my back gets fixed, no competing. So, my major motivator is gone to. Bad yet, I gained about 10 pounds since May (just from being outta the gym). I gotta figure this out
If any of you are trying to find new workouts, and can't get to a gym.
www.fitnessblender.com (http://www.fitnessblender.com)
The site is fucking awesome. Has a LOT of different workouts and 10x times tougher than p90x/insanity, and you can build your own program depending on what you want to do.
My head hasn't been in the game with my weight loss so I've been taking a break from Slimming World and eating no end of shit, therefore my spare tyre on my gut is back, but I'm going back in August.
I'm kinda ready to get off junk food, but at the same time, my birthday and 2-3 other engagements are coming up, so I know sticking to it is going to be difficult.
My wife wanted to do Insanity to lose some weight so as her husband I told her I would do it with her to support her. I figured I could use it as a way to increase my cardio and keep me fit. HOLY CRAP! We did the first workout tonight about two hours ago and my calves still feel like they're in knots. I'm not looking forward to this at alL!
Quote from: JustinP on July 24, 2013, 09:58:19 PM
My wife wanted to do Insanity to lose some weight so as her husband I told her I would do it with her to support her. I figured I could use it as a way to increase my cardio and keep me fit. HOLY CRAP! We did the first workout tonight about two hours ago and my calves still feel like they're in knots. I'm not looking forward to this at alL!
Don't you love it when after the ten minutes of jogging, jumping jacks, heismans etc you're ready to collapse and Shaun T is all like "ok, that's the warm-up complete" :)
Quote from: Drama Queen on July 24, 2013, 11:09:00 PM
Don't you love it when after the ten minutes of jogging, jumping jacks, heismans etc you're ready to collapse and Shaun T is all like "ok, that's the warm-up complete" :)
My thoughts exactly.
Did a ten mile run in just over 84 minutes this morning. For long distance running, the pace and time are personal bests. And this is two weeks after a minor dislocation in my foot lol. #WORK
Made the decision. I'm going back to Slimming World next week. I need to get some weight off.
Been trying to spot in some yoga and jogging through out my week.
Last night a friend and tackled the deck of woe. The game involves a standard deck of playing cards, jokers included. Assign an exercise to a suit of cards. So for diamonds we set diamond push-ups, for example. Shuffle the deck and draw cards one at a time. The suit tells you the exercise, and the number on the card tells you the reps. Face cards are 10, Aces are 12. Every 13 draws we'd assign new exercises to the suits. If someone draws a Joker, you come up with something devious and do 10 reps. My friend decided when he drew the joker we needed to do handstand push-ups. Hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I did manage five, which was five more then I expected to do. Lots of fun when you mix up the types of exercises. We made the mistake of assigning three push-up variants in our first set... Sore as hell from it today. But we got through the whole deck, 54 reps of various exercises.
(also this page is so fucking slow and I don't know why. Maybe too many moving avatars or something)
So I finally got back to slimming world last night (exactly 3 months after my last weigh in) and I was expecting a horrendous amount of weight to have been piled on.
Turns out I've only gained 13lbs since my last weigh in, which is good as I was expecting as least double that.
I've got up this morning and had a cooked breakfast (SW style) and then a bowl of strawberries and apple slices. Trying to keep my hands busy as I'm off work today and I don't want to snack!!
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on June 30, 2013, 08:49:43 PM
I just signed up for a 10k that everyone at work is doing. I'm super competitive so I'm planning on running every day and eating super healthy.
The 10k is Aug. 24th. Here goes something!
That's this weekend then. Good luck mate!
Just did the bleep test. Last time I did it I struggled to a 4.5. My aim is to get to 7.4ish. I've been finding it hard to find the time to exercise recently because I've been having work done on the kitchen and bathroom at my home, so I've been between there and my parents.
Long story short, I rocked a level 9 tonight and i think I could go further. Test is in just over 2 weeks.
Congrats on the accomplishment Jack.
Well done!
First weigh in back on plan and I lost 2.5lbs so I'm pretty happy with that considering I was out twice and my body is doing silly female type things atm. It always has had impeccable timing =/
Been a vegetarian for the last month or so (officially, at least, next Monday), and I've dropped about 5 lbs just by changing my diet.
What's your main sources for protein marq?
Well it's refereeing season for me, which is keeping me active...
Tuesday, did upper body in the gymbefore work. After work I refereed two soccer games
Wednesday I refereed one and it finished intime forme together to my kickboxing class
Thursday, no games, just kickboxing
Yesterday two games
Today I'm running a mud runner type obstacle race for the first time
Tomorrow morning a regular 5k and in the afternoon playing a full 90 minute soccer game.
Squeezing about 20 minutes calisthenics in most days also.
Think I'll take it easy onmonday haha!
Happy with diet, cut down on sodium and sugar a lot. Reduced carbs. Not actually trying to lose weight though I could do with gaining about 10lbs to be honest, want to gain it as muscle though.
If it sounds like I'm overdoing it, autumn has a tendency to be an emotional season for me and exercise is one of my main tool sin fighting off ailments such as depression. So far so good.
I got my best time in the 5k couple of weeks ago, 21:49, very happy with that.
I've been keeping myself pretty active with kickboxing, the gym and refereeing.
Last week I ran 8 miles, which is the most I've run in ages, and my knees were fine the next day, so that's encouraging. I'm convinced I have the cardio endurance to run a marathon, if my knees hold out.
I'm pretty comfortable with my diet now, I've been following enough of a pattern that I don't feel the need to use myfitnesspal now.
Trying to be productive outside of physical fitness. Mentally I've had a few meh sort of days, yesterday being one of them, but overall I'd say I'm doing good.
Bump! Come on guys, I thought this thread would have been dusted off for the new year and all.
So far I am happy with my lifestyle for 2014.
Iam actually sticking to my sleep rule this year (minimum six hours,must get at least seven twice during the work week, minimum seven on weekends) and it is making a huge difference mentally and physically. I have prioritized it ahead of working out.
Working out has improved because of it though. I am managing to squeeze in at least seven or eight workouts per week.
Eating a lot healthier, keeping well under my sugar and sodium limits, eliminating a lot of carbs, despite incorporating more fruit and vegetables into my diet. Have completely eliminated artificial supplements, I don't believe I need them.
Ran a 5k on new years day, 23:07 which I am really happy with. It's not my best, but I'm never going to beat my best in a winter race, it's so damn hard to breathe, lol.
I am bringing a lot more organization into my life, especially for physical clutter. Put up a bunch of bookshelves and pictures and it seems to make it easier to relax.
Deleted Facebook and apps such as candy crush, haha, very liberating :)
So come on, how is 2014 working out for everyone so far?
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on January 19, 2014, 11:39:59 AM
Also, I've been making sure I have a healthy breakfast every morning. The idea being that it will help me make better eating decisions throughout the day.
This. So important. Glad to hear it.
Funny thing about weight, I am not trying to lose any. To be honest I can't afford to lose any. But I am apparantly falling several hundred calories short of my target every day, days that I work out twice, the deficiency is over a thousand.
Now I could be recording stuff I accurately, but surely not by that much.
I am not losing weight thankfully, and I am honestly not letting myself get hungry, like ever at all. If I was under nourishing myself, my body would let me know, right?
Like I say, I'm feeling great, just mildly concerned about the math of it all. It's not adding up.
Marathon training is underway. April 27th I am running a full 26.2 mile marathon. Yikes!
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on January 30, 2014, 06:55:28 PM
I ran a 10k last weekend, and again hit my goal of under an hour...which is really impressive considering I went out the night before and ran on 4 hours of sleep, a ton of beers, and some McDonalds to 'sober up'
I have ANOTHER this weekend before the Super Bowl when my Seahawks beat the Bronc hoes.
My goal is to do a road race every month until November when they do the Rock and Roll half marathon in Vegas. My reward to myself will be doing that. If anyone is down for meeting in Vegas for this event, let me know. It will be awesome!
Vegas in november...depending on my situation this may occur.
I've been hitting the pool and yoga trying to get in shape for my new job. Running starts again on Sunday. Been doing at least 1k in the pool 4-5 times a week and yoga 4 times a week (following a DDP yoga 13 week plan so this will escalate).
Great job to everyone on the thread so far!
On this end, it's finally OFFICIAL -- I am 22 lbs. from where I was last August! That puts me a few lbs. away from my weight bracket in high school, but with a LOT more muscle than I had back then... which technically means I'm in the best shape of my life.
Should've taken pictures prior to the dietary change, but I honestly didn't think I'd go this long -- it's been FIVE MONTHs, and I'm still losing little over a lb. a week!
WERK, BITCH.
First off, good work to everyone! Please keep it going!
Secondly, I should chime in.
I'm 27 days away from running my first (and hopefully only) full 26.2 mile marathon. I'm tapering down the training with one last big run this weekend then just some short runs before the big day which is April 27th. Wish me luck (and hope I don't die)
Good luck Doug. I am not quite there yet, distance wise, but getting there. The day before you do that, I will be running my first 15k and then next month my first half marathon. Possibly by the years end I may be full marathon ready, but with the strides I'm making distance wise this year, I won't beat myself up if I end up having to wait until next year.
I too am setting a one race a month goal jack. Does not necessarily have to be road races, I also count trail runs and mud races/ obstacle courses, which will be getting popular now this time of year.
Running the Lincoln tunnel 5k April 27th, the day after I do the15k, it's just a bucket list one for me.
Way to go marq, diet is so tough to get right, let alone stick to, sounds like you're onto a good thing.
Dorling, I highly recommend trying a yoga class a couple of times. Having a live instructor in the room with you can really help get the most out of poses, and also helps you to get in touch wi the spiritual side of yoga, which I'm not sure can translate well from a tv screen.
Doing a diet series on YouTube....currently down 18.5lbs in 2 weeks on the dot. Figure water weight and being heavy makes quick gains easier, but I plan on being down 25lbs in 3 weeks. Kinda a extreme diet, intermittent fasting while taking an ECA stack daily. plus a pretty strenuous workout regimen.
Day 1 VLOG | Lose 60lbs in 3 months | Gamer Fitness | Diet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YivfsvSk9pA#ws)
*Yuri Boyka for the win*
I wish you luck but be safe. Nota big fan of anything that involves fasting. I'm not a nutritionist or anything, but I've never heard anything good about it. Just keep an eye on your energy levels.
Question for fellow health and wellness enthusiasts.... What is the healthiest peanut butter, cream cheese and jelly sandwich.
Currently I'm using Crazy Richards crunchy PB (0m sodium, 2g sugar); Philadelphia 2X protein; Smuckers sugar free (alas splenda replaces sugar which is probably almost as bad) and pepperidge farm light wheat bread (by far the lowest in sodium and sugar I've come across).
I eat four of these each work day, so any tips on how I can lower the sugar/sweetener intake without raising sodium would be helpful.
I'm allergic to peanuts. What I do know though
Brown/wheat bread is nearly the same as white bread. A flax or (I don't eat bread) would be better for you. It eat wraps, healthy wraps are supposed to be good.
I hear peanut butter has lots of additives and it's best to switch to cheat-nut butter (slang for fake peanut butter). I'm not too familiar but it's what I'm told.
Google making your own fruit spread. There is ways to make it healthy and tasty in your kitchen, cheaper and no sugar or additives.
Quote from: Drama Queen on April 05, 2014, 09:04:39 AM
Dorling, I highly recommend trying a yoga class a couple of times. Having a live instructor in the room with you can really help get the most out of poses, and also helps you to get in touch wi the spiritual side of yoga, which I'm not sure can translate well from a tv screen.
I'm not worried about that spiritual stuff. You won't find anyone more chilled than me. I do the the ddp yoga to push myself, not chill out.
That has been more difficult the last 6 weeks as I have beem suffering with sciatica for the first time in my life which is awful - I have 3 and a half weeks until I join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. I was off work for 5 weeks but am on the mend and managed a 5 mile run today. Need to pick up the pace but honestly didn't think my back would be up to 5 miles so happy with that.
Quote from: Ty on April 23, 2014, 01:56:45 PM
I'm allergic to peanuts. What I do know though
Brown/wheat bread is nearly the same as white bread. A flax or (I don't eat bread) would be better for you. It eat wraps, healthy wraps are supposed to be good.
I hear peanut butter has lots of additives and it's best to switch to cheat-nut butter (slang for fake peanut butter). I'm not too familiar but it's what I'm told.
Google making your own fruit spread. There is ways to make it healthy and tasty in your kitchen, cheaper and no sugar or additives.
Thank you Ty, appreciate the input. Definitely going to look more into the flax bread. Tomorrow I'm going to experiment by omitting the jelly from my sandwiches. It really adds no nutritional value, i just need to see how it will taste without.
Quote from: Dorling on April 23, 2014, 03:07:15 PM
I'm not worried about that spiritual stuff. You won't find anyone more chilled than me. I do the the ddp yoga to push myself, not chill out.
That has been more difficult the last 6 weeks as I have beem suffering with sciatica for the first time in my life which is awful - I have 3 and a half weeks until I join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. I was off work for 5 weeks but am on the mend and managed a 5 mile run today. Need to pick up the pace but honestly didn't think my back would be up to 5 miles so happy with that.
Ouch, I've heard thats a bitch, sorry mate, but glad to hear you're recovering.
Quote from: Drama Queen on April 23, 2014, 07:00:14 PM
Ouch, I've heard thats a bitch, sorry mate, but glad to hear you're recovering.
It sucked to begin with. Reduced to an ache for the most part now but I have lost some flexibility because it's tightened everything up. The best thing for it is to keep moving and keep popping the anti inflammatory pills!
Wish me luck.
I'm 44 hours away from running my first full 26.2 mile marathon.
You're a crazy person. Good luck.
Best of luck Doug! Lots of respect. And a broccoli.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on April 25, 2014, 11:16:45 AM
Wish me luck.
I'm 44 hours away from running my first full 26.2 mile marathon.
My friend Jack has a pb of 2h 46m. He is also a professor. Smash him Doug!
Quote from: Dorling on April 25, 2014, 01:07:07 PM
My friend Jack has a pb of 2h 46m. He is also a professor. Smash him Doug!
Oh HELL no. LOL
No speed in these old bones. Shooting for 4h flat.
15k race today. Longest distance for me to date. Set a goal for myself of one hour fifteen. Therefore very pleased with my 1:11:01.03 finish. It works out at a 7:37 mile which is better than some of my 5k times.
Lincoln tunnel 5k tomorrow, might be a bit sore, setting a goal of 23:30.
That's it then until half marathon in may. Hoping to get some long distance practise runs in in the meantime.
Well holy hell I just ran a marathon.
My final time was 4:20:48 which was a 9:57 mile pace. Happy I did that considering I blew my quad HHH style with 3 miles to go :)
Congratulations Doug, excellent result,and yeah I've heard the last few miles are brutal as hell. Hopefully I will find out some day soon lol. Hope you heel up quickly, I'd skip any workouts for the next two or three days!
Jack, that is how you do it, build up the distance slowly, and get as much practise in on weekends as you an if your going to do long distances. Do you have a group you can run with? If not look into it, makes it so much better, well for me at least.
Yeah congrats Doug. Can't imagine how hard the full distance would be ha
I got 23:30 in the Lincoln tunnel 5k which is exactly the goal I set for myself. Had a really nice stride going, truth be told, I thought I was doing better, was almost disappointed when I seen the clock at the finish line. But considering how sore I was yesterday evening after the 15k I really can't complain.
And then, since I was in the neighborhood, it seemed a shame not to take advantage and play soccer with my Colombian workmates which I hardly ever get to do these days. Played wi them for about 40 minutes.
I expect to be in a considerable amount of pain tomorrow, though nowhere near as much as Doug :)
I hate taking pictures, but it was pointed out by a cousin looking at old pictures of me that my face has deflated quite a bit since this whole fitness kick:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/skitchtastic/25172_645603243878_5297712_n_zpscb6cd766.jpg)
Vs.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/skitchtastic/10292516_10203595216223189_2196949108356111094_n_zps509ace31.jpg)
27 lbs. down since last fall! AND I can do pull-ups, now! Don't stop me now, world. :)
You look like a totally different person almost. Good job Marq!!
Oh...who is that chick hugging you on the right?
The ability to do pull ups is always a good marker!
Quote from: JustinP on May 01, 2014, 01:06:52 PM
You look like a totally different person almost. Good job Marq!!
Oh...who is that chick hugging you on the right?
Thank you, sir! It's been great.
As for the girl, she's this South African girl I met this past Saturday. Really cool girl who liked my singing (we were at this big karaoke place in the city) so we've been talking, since. Heck of a dancer, that one.
Quote from: Flins. on May 01, 2014, 02:44:56 PM
The ability to do pull ups is always a good marker!
Thanks, man! I literally had never been able to do pull-ups before (all this time, I worked out shoulders thinking that would help me do them -- wrong).
Quote from: Drama Queen on April 27, 2014, 04:53:33 PM
I got 23:30 in the Lincoln tunnel 5k which is exactly the goal I set for myself. Had a really nice stride going, truth be told, I thought I was doing better, was almost disappointed when I seen the clock at the finish line. But considering how sore I was yesterday evening after the 15k I really can't complain.
And then, since I was in the neighborhood, it seemed a shame not to take advantage and play soccer with my Colombian workmates which I hardly ever get to do these days. Played wi them for about 40 minutes.
I expect to be in a considerable amount of pain tomorrow, though nowhere near as much as Doug :)
Think that's about as fast as I'd go on a bike >_>
Quote from: Jerry McClean on May 03, 2014, 04:16:41 AM
Think that's about as fast as I'd go on a bike >_>
Haha, thank you :)
My actual official time when I looked it up was 23:09 I guess it was so crowded that twenty one seconds had passed before I even crossed the start line.
Marq, isn't it an awesome feeling to do something you never used to be able to? Be proud, as flins pointed out, pull ups are indeed a great bench marker. Congratulations? Are you at your weight goal now? You look great, it really is quite a difference.
Quote from: Jack Benevolence on May 06, 2014, 10:23:18 AM
Did another 5k on Sunday and already got my run out of the way for May! Woohoo! One month closer to Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon in Vegas!
Unnnnnhhhh. Get it!
Do a 10K next month!
I totally could dig a overall health support group. I'm kinda sluggish and have not the best diet in the world. I'd partake in recording my progress on here.
Wouldn't be a bad idea, Ryan. Seeing as not too many e-fedders can be confused with supermodels, it's good to have a support group with like-minded individuals trying to better themselves and get healthy.
Quote from: Marq on May 08, 2014, 06:13:55 PM
Wouldn't be a bad idea, Ryan. Seeing as not too many e-fedders can be confused with supermodels, it's good to have a support group with like-minded individuals trying to better themselves and get healthy.
We're still waiting for beards to be 'in'.
Flins wins! +1
What are you into Ryan? I started really simply with the whole fitness thing, believe it or not, my first step was Wii Fit board and other games. It did a really good job of steering me in the right direction. Then I got into running, and DVD series like P90X and insanity. They were good for a while, very intense, but then I realized I have no social life so I looked in Groupon for deals on classes and discovered that's really like kickboxing and yoga.
Not trying to give my life story, basically saying try different things and you'll find something that's really fun, which is half the battle really. (I try doing weights at the gym, but it bores the hell out of me).
As for diet, I found MyFitnessPal to be an immensely valuable tool. Not just for counting calories, but other important nutrition info such as sugar and sodium.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Quote from: Flins. on May 08, 2014, 06:16:07 PM
We're still waiting for beards to be 'in'.
Have you looked around? Beards are totally a thing, now. It's the triple-chins UNDER the beards that are suspect.
Quote from: Drama Queen on May 08, 2014, 06:50:22 PM
Flins wins! +1
What are you into Ryan?
I'm just looking to start out with cardio training and getting my weight back down. I'm 27 years old, 5'10" 229 pounds. The heaviest I've ever been was 17, 5'9" 265 lbs. The lightest I've ever been was 18, 5'9-10" 167 lbs. So i know I can do it. I just need to find my groove.
Quote from: Marq on May 08, 2014, 07:10:09 PM
Have you looked around? Beards are totally a thing, now. It's the triple-chins UNDER the beards that are suspect.
My new job starts next week so I'm not allowed a beard for 8 weeks. Sad Dorling.
I also have to compete physically with people 7-11 years younger than me. I will best their speed with my strength!
Quote from: Ryan Omega on May 08, 2014, 07:14:22 PM
I'm just looking to start out with cardio training and getting my weight back down. I'm 27 years old, 5'10" 229 pounds. The heaviest I've ever been was 17, 5'9" 265 lbs. The lightest I've ever been was 18, 5'9-10" 167 lbs. So i know I can do it. I just need to find my groove.
Not to discourage you, its gonna be twice as hard to lose the weight now. Damn age.
But yeah, I'm about at the same point right now, 5'9" and 225lbs. Just haven't been able to hit the gym. Kept saying, when my son hits one I'll go back serious, thats today so... yeah, looks like I'm going back to the gym starting monday (work evening tonight and birthday party tomorrow)
No Doubt. Just because it's tough, doesn't mean we shouldn't keep working for it.
First half marathon in the bag
1:44:45
I am over the moon about this time.
If I get enough training in over the summer, I will hopefully tackle the full 26.2 in the fall.
In other news I appear to be turning vegetarian.
eww gross
Well I'm at Britannia Royal Naval College now. I have a swim test tomorrow and the dreaded running on Thursday. My Division Officer is aware of my back problem and I have 7 weeks to pass if required.
I start marching tomorrow.
Quote from: Drama Queen on May 18, 2014, 04:34:17 PM
First half marathon in the bag
1:44:45
I am over the moon about this time.
If I get enough training in over the summer, I will hopefully tackle the full 26.2 in the fall.
In other news I appear to be turning vegetarian.
Let me know how that goes, man. I'm right at the end of my ninth month!
Half Marathon this morning. After doing a full it felt so short. Until I felt like I was stabbed in the hip with a sword. Might have to take some time off pending what the doc says.
Got destroyed by the Royal Marines this week and slept in a bivvy for 5 days living off rations. I feel broken.
Quote from: Dorling on June 01, 2014, 10:59:15 AM
Got destroyed by the Royal Marines this week and slept in a bivvy for 5 days living off rations. I feel broken.
Can I have a English to English translation for what a "bivvy" is?
I'm pretty sure it's the middle ground between a "belly" and a "devoe-y."
Quote from: Marq on June 03, 2014, 12:13:44 PM
I'm pretty sure it's the middle ground between a "belly" and a "devoe-y."
+1
Quote from: Mike Powers on June 01, 2014, 02:04:45 PM
Can I have a English to English translation for what a "bivvy" is?
It's like a very small tent but with no ends on it. It's awful. It's what the British Forces sleep outside under.
(http://www.anchorsupplies.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/i/bivvy.jpg)
I do not envy you my friend.
Did I mention you share it and my co bivvy man was a snorer. I also had 50lbs of kit plus helmet, camelpak etc in there. Glad it's over for now! Used my new powerboat license to go to the pub tonight so not all bad!
Quote from: Marq on May 20, 2014, 11:38:06 AM
Let me know how that goes, man. I'm right at the end of my ninth month!
Well I feel enough time has passed that I can give fair comment.
I did to miss meat at all really it was a lot less sacrifice than I had feared... Until I realized I was actually craving carbs... The worst kind... Grains... Craving them like I was crazy or pregnant or both. Which seems weird since it was mostly proteins and some fat that I had given up!
Anyway now I have got that under control and my diet is once more very protein and fat based, with my carbs being mostly fruit and veg.
I get my proteins from eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, nuts and post workout protein powder. And tofu whenever I can be bothered going to the effort it requires to make it taste decent.
Overall I feel as energetic as before, I don't feel like I'm missing out.
In other news I broke my 5k record.... 21:41.... Which if you get your calculators, will see is exactly a seven minute mile pace :)
I've been knocking in decent 5k times overall lately which is funny considering I'm training for distance rather than speed.
Saturday morning I upped my distance to sixteen miles. The possibility of doing my first full marathon this autumn seems very real now.
In dietry news I started using MyFitnessPal again to keep things like sugar, sodium and sat fat in check and have been making the necessary adjustments. It's also useful to monitor vitamins and iron... If at the end of the day I'm deficient, I take a vitamin pill next morning.
Finally did it -- hit a FULL YEAR last week in my fitness journey. The dieting, boxing, and work put into the gym has been difficult, but I finally feel like I'm ready to hit this October cruise in serious style.
Didn't take any "official" before & after pictures (I didn't think I'd be a vegetarian past a week), but here's what I have to show for it, 365+ days later. For everyone else on this journey, keep pushing, let's do it!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/skitchtastic/BeforeAfter_zps4d606bfe.jpg)
Wow, what a difference, excellent work marq. I bet you feel so much more energy.
Great job Marq!
The energy's been good, it's the healthiest I've ever been, and the attention I've been getting isn't the worst thing in the world. It's also opened up a ton of options for me, clothing-wise, which is pretty awesome. Girly? Maybe. But being able to rock smalls and mediums with confidence is something I've NEVER done before.
Good work my friend!
Ha... Strange thing with me is medium shirts have become to tight and constrictive on me, but my pants is falling off of me. Maybe the push-ups paid off and I finally have a chest ;D
In an ironic twist .... Marq gave me a chubby ... heh
Quote from: Drama Queen on September 05, 2014, 05:43:29 AM
Ha... Strange thing with me is medium shirts have become to tight and constrictive on me, but my pants is falling off of me. Maybe the push-ups paid off and I finally have a chest ;D
Push-ups pay off in EVERYTHING. When I started, I strugged with doing 15-20 (proper) at one time. Now I can bang out 40+ no problem, and my moobs are gone.
NO MORE MOOBS. That should be a mission statement.
Really encouraged reading this guys. Fallen right off the wagon of fitness for a bit now since my job change and what not. Need to get back to it. Keep it going your end!
I just registered for my first 26.2.
Philly, nov 23rd
Seven weeks until Philly.
Today I ran 22 miles in 3 hours, 4 minutes.
Not bad going that DQ!
Marathon runners are mental. I have a mate who's done the 26.2 in 2hrs 46m. Crazy.
Oustanding! It took me 4hrs and 19min to do my 26.2. Get some!!
I have this problem. I was unhealthy skinny for many of years from poor choices. Now that I have changed my life around now I have a gut however a healthy weight. Should I get rid of the beer gut and be unhealthy weight or rock the beer gut?
Thanks for the encouragement Doug and Dorling.
Today I ran a 15k race. I took a minute off my previous (and only other) race of that distance, but the cool thing was I got third in age group and picked up a medal :) Not bad considering my main purpose for entering was warming up for Philly.
Anyway next weekend is the three week away mark, which means its my last long run before I'm supposed to start winding down, so I want to do a twenty miler at least. (Did you follow any particular training method doug?)
Krazy, I don't know what to tell you, weight in itself is just a number, it has to be taken into context with you're physique and your general activity level. I'm a runner and in general a cardio guy, so I need a higher portion of carbs in my diet than if I was a bodybuilder.
If you have a gut that is out of proportion to the rest of your body, it would suggest excess grain carbs to me. Beer is all carbs and it's usually drunk late at night, so that is what causes it for some people. I'm often guilty of eating cereal just before bed, and I feel and can sometimes see the effects.
Im not in any way qualified to give nutrition advice, especially as I don't know anything about you or your habits, it really comes down to how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally, because our food and exercise choices affect all of these things.
Quote from: Drama Queen on November 19, 2011, 11:42:47 AM
OK, I looked at things more closely and realised that I do indeed have goals, but they all appear to be long term.
Cardio: Run a marathon. The longest race I have run to date is a 10K so it's going to take me a long time to build up to this.
Strength: Build up to the maximum weight/resistance on each machine I use. Again this will be a long way down the road, I am at 70lbs on some of the machines that go to over 200!
Visual: Have a clearly defined 6-pack. This is probably the toughest goal of all because it requires more diet control than the other two! I can usually motivate myself to work-out but then it makes me hungry dammit, and fruit and good shit like that does not mentally satisfy me!
I should probably give myself some short-term goals, I will start thinking about that.
Hah. When all is said and done, barring unforeseen circumstances it will have taken three years and four days to achieve this one :)
3:38:06 :D
Had a skim read of this thread, some superb work going on here guys. Actually motivational for me as I'm in middle of a... less-than-full-on effort at the same (though I'm after more losing a slight gut than running anywhere).
I've dropped about three and a half stone this year. Was hoping for way more but I lost about three months with sciatica. Down from 19'5 when I started uni in September '13 to 13'8 at present.
Hopefully by end of 2015 I'll be done. Christ, hopefully by Summer 2015 I'll be there!
I'd say that's impressive....but I just don't know my stones you see...
(http://thedropp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-Rolling-Stones-still-matter.jpg)
1 stone = 14lbs
You Brits and your crazy measurements.
Probably about 80lbs. 36kg.
Anybody else do the Russian bench program?
(http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140514150011/villains/images/0/04/AlexendarRusev.jpg)
Welcome tonecold and bad news to the healthiest thread on the boards :)
80lbs in one year is huge!
Justin I force myself to do minimal weights about once a week, I never bench, I'm an outand out cardio guy. I'm trying to be a bit more balanced, but I can't see myself using a bar for a while yet. The machines and dumbells are what I'm comfortable with.
Today was day 50 of my running streak. Sofar the only days I found it physically difficult were November 24th (day after the marathon) and December 22nd (I was ill and had a stitch right from the start and could barely breathe). I usually like to do more than the one required mile, but with the holidays and illness, there's been a few days I've just done the minimum to keep the streak going. I've decided that if I lose the streak I cut my hair and shave my beard.
I never really talked about the marathon, other than posting my time. It was a really emotional experience to be honest. I'm glad I chose a big marathon like Philly for my first one, seeing so many people out cheering and holding signs was inspiring. A lot of people were shouting "come on John, you've got this, you can do it" and I thought there must be a LOT of johns in this race. After five or six miles it dawned on me that our names are on our bibs and that these strangers were talking to me haha. After I made this realization, I really enjoyed the encouragement.
I was really lucky in that I didn't hit the wall until mile 25. At that point I changed to a speed walk a couple ofttimes just for a few seconds, as it was a lot easier on my lower back. A the end of the race I was surprised that my back was a lot more painful than my legs. Enjoyed the massage tent afterwards.
When I seen my time I almost choked with happiness.
That's mighty dude. Absolutely mighty.
Looks like I'll be starting 2015 at about 13st (weighed myself and I was 13st'1 lbs today before doing a 10k and weights which will be repeated tomorrow) and 20% body fat.
Net weight loss of 57 and a half pounds since the start of 2014. 25 pounds or so to go...
1st race of 2015 in the bag, did a 5k in 21:35, which is a 6:57 pace. I've been wanting to beat seven minutes for a long time so this is a nice start to the new year.
It brings my running streak up to 55 days.
On December 30th I had the honor of joining a guy on a run to celebrate his 25th year of consecutive running! I have some catching up to do haha!
While this might not be a big deal to most, it's huge to me. After probably 16 years, I've given up smoking weed. And any tobacco. I've also decided to start doing DDP yoga.
I know, I know, new year, new me and fuck that. But honestly, after so many years of abusing my body and now really starting to feel the miles on the clock, I decided last week that enough was enough.
So I smoked my last joint last night. Threw everything I have in the rubbish and made a promise to myself that last night was it for smoking.
The yoga thing is to try and help my fucked up back, which I hope will in turn help me get fitter and exercise more. As it is, my back is so weak that doing any kind of lifting weights or even long distance walking really cripples me.
Anyway, I'm pretty drunk at the moment, which is why I'm doing something I never do and sharing personal shit with you guys.
There's no hope that I'll keep this up, because hope is something that you imagine. There's a weird certainty that's come from somewhere in me that I didn't know existed.
I doubt I'll keep you guys posted, because I'm not that kind of person. But thought I'd share that the fact that I'm going to turn into one of those people I hate - a healthy person!
Somebody cant hold their liquor.......
I'm still standing...barely! :)
Joining local council leisure centre gym later... yes I know, I don't wanna be that guy either, but for me the fact that it will be costing money whether or not I use it will be a motivation to use it and not let that money go to waste. I mean, otherwise that money could be going on some fine merchandise from http://mfxpodcast.spreadshirt.com/ (http://mfxpodcast.spreadshirt.com/) and cool shit like that.
Also looking for a swimming pool that runs decent hours as have found in the past that swimming is the exercise that benefits me better than anything else I've ever done (which admittedly isn't much anyways). The local council one is good but often open for only short bursts, and usually when I'm at work.
That's the DDP Yoga DVDs shipped. I know a few of you guys have used it. Any tips for a first timer, especially one who hasn't had any real exercise since high school (not strictly true but I am incredibly unfit). I'm basically starting from nothing here!
Quote from: Duckman on January 03, 2015, 10:12:19 AM
That's the DDP Yoga DVDs shipped. I know a few of you guys have used it. Any tips for a first timer, especially one who hasn't had any real exercise since high school (not strictly true but I am incredibly unfit). I'm basically starting from nothing here!
Pace yourself. Don't feel like you have to do a bunch at once. Just pace yourself and ease into the progression of your workouts.
Quote from: JustinP on January 03, 2015, 10:47:18 AM
Pace yourself. Don't feel like you have to do a bunch at once. Just pace yourself and ease into the progression of your workouts.
This. Sound advice that can be applied to any excercise program. It's important to start at a pace that you can maintain every day, rather than burn out after a couple of days. It goes for p90x, and for insanity, and I can't see why it would be different for this.
A friend of mine is doing this and he loves it.
Thanks guys. DQ, has he seen improvements since he's started?
Bitten the bullet and signed up for a year membership at local council gym and pool. Induction this morning. Going to be rocking my MFX Wolfie Approved tshirt, of course.
The BEST t-shirts to sweat in. That's a scientific fact.
Quote from: Duckman on January 04, 2015, 09:47:19 AM
The BEST t-shirts to sweat in. That's a scientific fact.
Well the workout counts double when it's boosted by MFX Merch, but of course you knew that.
Seriously though, actually pleasantly surprised with the stuff I did today.
Was shown armbikes, crosstraining, some weights and resistance stuff and was told what I was doing was more than they'd expect from a beginner.
Quote from: Duckman on January 03, 2015, 03:44:30 PM
Thanks guys. DQ, has he seen improvements since he's started?
He says he's feeling a lot looser in areas he is normally really stiff, so obviously a lot more flexible as a result, and generally in less pain. I think he mentioned losing four pounds as well. I suppose he must have started about three weeks ago, but he told me this after about a week and a half.
Good job tonecold, keep it up!
Tomorrow begins my transformation plan. I'm currently weighing in at 175lbs with over 18% body fat.
The next for months will consist of frequent switches between marathon training and weight training.
By the end of April I plan on still being 175lbs but only 14% or less.
Quote from: Doug E Fresh on January 04, 2015, 11:51:22 AM
Tomorrow begins my transformation plan. I'm currently weighing in at 175lbs with over 18% body fat.
The next for months will consist of frequent switches between marathon training and weight training.
By the end of April I plan on still being 175lbs but only 14% or less.
Good luck Doug, and if it works let me know, no matter how much work I put in, I always seem to be around the 17-18% range. I probably eat to much carbs, but I feel like I have to to fuel my running. I don't do enough weights admittedly.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 04, 2015, 02:44:44 PM
Good luck Doug, and if it works let me know, no matter how much work I put in, I always seem to be around the 17-18% range. I probably eat to much carbs, but I feel like I have to to fuel my running. I don't do enough weights admittedly.
Weights will do the trick.
Quote from: Duckman on January 03, 2015, 10:12:19 AM
That's the DDP Yoga DVDs shipped. I know a few of you guys have used it. Any tips for a first timer, especially one who hasn't had any real exercise since high school (not strictly true but I am incredibly unfit). I'm basically starting from nothing here!
Follow the instructions :)
It comes with a booklet and food planner if you want to do the diet thing too, and it details each workout and the progression through them - generally speaking the longer the workout the harder it is (except the 12 minute red hot core workout, which is quite intense and is designed to be tacked on the end of a longer session), unless you have any specific difficulties.
I, like you, have back problems and find that building up as advised is the best route. You can't really go wrong with it - don't expect to have immediate results but I couldn't touch my toes for 27 years and I was doing it within three weeks and can still do it now. It really is great, you just have to be prepared to dedicate 30 mins every other day to it in the beginning and then a bit longer as you progress. It's definitely worth it. I would never have survived being beasted by Royal Marines without it!
Currently waking up at 6 for a 20 minuet run, followed by a DDP Yoga session before breakfast. I'm also going on a very low carb diet for a while. Lots of meat, lots of fish, lots of eggs and a SHIT load of fructose vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli, pretty much anything green). I've unfortunately got to wait until payday until I can start with the weights again (naturally, Xmas and new year quickly ganged up to spit-roast my wallet) however it does go without saying that I love lifting heavy things, and putting them back down again. Drink wise, I'm sticking to the occasional straight spirits (also realized that I don't get hangovers with them, which I found to great amusement), other then that, it's nothing but water (I've worked up to 5 liters a day so far).
So far I've lost 4 stone over the last two years, and could easily lose another 4. I need to get it done this time. I demand it of myself. No more half-assing everything. I've come to the realization that if I'm going to lose this weight, then the more effort I put in, the sooner I'll get to where I want to be.
I can't wait to see the yoga DDP for myself. As someone who's big into yoga, I want to check it out. I'm aware it's not your typical yoga, so I'm really interested to see.
As for the weights I finally forced myself to do upper body yesterday evening. I use the machines mostly. I have no confidence in using a bar, for fear of giving myself an injury due to bad form. Dumbells I'm ok with.
Today I wore my 20lb weighted vest for a few hours, during which time I cooked and did the grocery shopping.
Way to go Brock rhysner!
Quote from: Brock Rhysner on January 04, 2015, 04:36:47 PM
Drink wise, I'm sticking to the occasional straight spirits (also realized that I don't get hangovers with them, which I found to great amusement)
I have similar reasons for drinking mainly ciders in terms of alcohol, especially if it's a night before a gym session where I can work it back off. :P ::)
Soft drink wise, have switched to skimmed milk from full fat, and at work I drink a lot of water anyway. Other than that it's tea, which I should probably start drinking black more often.
The guy down the gym said it probably helps that I do some lifting at work, and plenty of walking around on station platforms.
Quote from: ToneCold on January 04, 2015, 09:31:26 PM
I have similar reasons for drinking mainly ciders in terms of alcohol, especially if it's a night before a gym session where I can work it back off. :P ::)
Soft drink wise, have switched to skimmed milk from full fat, and at work I drink a lot of water anyway. Other than that it's tea, which I should probably start drinking black more often.
The guy down the gym said it probably helps that I do some lifting at work, and plenty of walking around on station platforms.
There are several milk alternatives, the best being unsweetened almond milk. I use organic soy milk myself for the protein.
Gonna try get back into DDP Yoga too. Just did my first stint of the year: Fat Burner followed by Red Hot Core.
Need to start toning up in conjunction to just ditching weight, DDP Yoga seems like it might be well suited for that.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 04, 2015, 02:44:44 PM
Good luck Doug, and if it works let me know, no matter how much work I put in, I always seem to be around the 17-18% range. I probably eat to much carbs, but I feel like I have to to fuel my running. I don't do enough weights admittedly.
I devour carbs. Weights are key.
Speaking of yoga, today in class I finally mastered an arm balance pose I've been trying for about a month. I think I am actually more excited about this than I was about beating my 5k PB ;D I love when I learn to do something new with my body.
Doug, you going to do another marathon?
Jack, milk is not great for us even in ideal circumstances But with the homogenizing crap process today's dairies do to it, it's a downright disgusting thing to put into our bodies.
Oh, I texted my friend about how is the ddp yoga going, and he said he was thinking of skipping ahead a couple of weeks because right now it's telling him to only do it every other day, but he feels like he is able for more than that. Any opinions on this from those of you doing it? I usually believe in following the schedule the way it's laid out with these programs, such as p90x and insanity.
He'd probably be ok stepping it up a bit - it's whether he has faith in knowing when his body needs a break. I tend to pick it up and drop at random points these days as my life has become somewhat unpredictable.
Ultimately, all of the workouts have modified positions to make them a bit easier, but some of the later workouts are over double the length of the initial ones and are in all senses more difficult. When I first started I did a couple of weeks as prescribed and skipped ahead a bit, no harm done. Then I tried the 70 min workout - I wasn't ready for it at that point, got about 50 mins into it.
As long as he looks after himself he'll be alright. It's a sign of how well the system works that it builds your confidence up so quickly.
I'm still dead corewise from Monday when I did Fat Burner and Red Hot Core. Fuck. Was hoping to do it again today after a days rest but not ready for it. Gym it is then.
Quote from: Bad News on January 07, 2015, 06:44:08 AM
I'm still dead corewise from Monday when I did Fat Burner and Red Hot Core. Fuck. Was hoping to do it again today after a days rest but not ready for it. Gym it is then.
I've been doing Red Hot Core every morning before I start college, really need to strengthen the core up. I mix it up in the evenings but I do have a dodgy wrist at the moment so have been favouring Stand Up.
Was able to get my first two pairs (like, in my life) of 32 waist jeans.
Quote from: Dorling on January 07, 2015, 03:35:23 AM
He'd probably be ok stepping it up a bit - it's whether he has faith in knowing when his body needs a break. I tend to pick it up and drop at random points these days as my life has become somewhat unpredictable.
Ultimately, all of the workouts have modified positions to make them a bit easier, but some of the later workouts are over double the length of the initial ones and are in all senses more difficult. When I first started I did a couple of weeks as prescribed and skipped ahead a bit, no harm done. Then I tried the 70 min workout - I wasn't ready for it at that point, got about 50 mins into it.
As long as he looks after himself he'll be alright. It's a sign of how well the system works that it builds your confidence up so quickly.
I agree with this. I had been to the gym for over a year, regardless of the excess weight I was still carrying. I ended up running them in sets of two until I reached the hour long sessions. He should try it, then if it's too much for him, he can easily back down to something he's more comfortable with.
As for myself, I'm coming up to my first week completion. Up at 6. 2.2k uphill run every morning, followed by either Energy or Fat Burner, alternating between the two (might start adding some Red Hot Core at the end of it too, seeing as I've realized how much time I have left until I leave for work).
Meals are a combination of Lunch: Steamed Broccoli, Kale, Spinach, Sweetcorn and Peas in Olive Oil and Vinegar, with a side order Frying Streak seasoned with Pepper, Sea Salt and Chili Flakes. Dinner follows the same pattern, with the steak replaced by a small chicken breast in spices (variety) and pan fried Fish (cheap white fish, it's called Basa). Breakfast, if I want it, is 4 medium eggs scrambled with mushrooms and balsamic vinegar AFTER the morning routine.
As I said, weights are coming later in the month, and I'm 5 liters of water a day, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Good effort man! I love Basa fish.
The only advice I would have I guess would be to try to fit breakfast in. I think your body works better with a steady and healthy intake of calories and skipping breakfast probably doesn't do you much good. I know working out takes the edge off your appetite but that means that often, if I workout before I eat, my portion control is a lot better.
tbh today was the first day I skipped it, and I know what you mean. I was craving by around 11, but held off for another hour either way (drinking water helps).
Either way, I think I'll keep the eggs. Big boys need their protein, afterall ;)
Awesome stuff with the jeans bad news!
Thanks Dorling and Brock for answering my concerns, I passed your opinions onto my friend.
Brock, even speaking as a vegetarian who relies on eggs as a source of protein and a vital source of b12, four a day is a helluvalotta cholesterol. Sounds like your getting enough protein with the steak and chicken, you can probably afford a few carbs for breakfast like some fruit or cereal or a Greek yogurt. (unless you were referring to egg whites only... Though personnally I don't see the point of egg whites myself)
hmm, I have got some muesli I've got to get through. Might change it up a little next week. Thing is I find that I tend to become slow and sluggish when I eat carbs. Add onto that I'm an endomorph by nature (smaller in height, packs on weight easily, difficulty removing it ect), and I thought about trying to avoid them for a little while. Still, I'll take your advice on board. Possibly lower it to two.
Althought, I've got to say boys and girls, after doing this for a week, I feel fucking fantastic!
Started using rice cakes as a snack instead of crisps etc... so that's a step on diet I guess.
Also lost track of time today and ended up doing 2 and a half hours over the different machines at the gym rather than the 1 and a half I meant to. Feels good at the end though.
Day 14 without smoking anything, tobacco or weed. That's the longest I've gone in years. Feel SO much better. It's only when you stop doing something harmful, you realise how dumb it was to do it for so long!
Also, DDP yoga stuff arrived today. Just done the first workout, learning the 13 moves. Arms, legs and back shaking because I've just used muscles I probably haven't used since the 1990s! Feels really good and while I struggled on a few of the moves, I did manage to do them all. It's amazing how little strength I actually have in my body. I think I'm going to enjoy doing this. It's exercise that doesn't actually feel like exercise, which for a lazy fuck like me is great!
Will keep you posted on my progress because it will keep me motivated and consistent with doing the work outs.
Quote from: Duckman on January 14, 2015, 03:02:18 PM
Day 14 without smoking anything, tobacco or weed. That's the longest I've gone in years. Feel SO much better. It's only when you stop doing something harmful, you realise how dumb it was to do it for so long!
Also, DDP yoga stuff arrived today. Just done the first workout, learning the 13 moves. Arms, legs and back shaking because I've just used muscles I probably haven't used since the 1990s! Feels really good and while I struggled on a few of the moves, I did manage to do them all. It's amazing how little strength I actually have in my body. I think I'm going to enjoy doing this. It's exercise that doesn't actually feel like exercise, which for a lazy fuck like me is great!
Will keep you posted on my progress because it will keep me motivated and consistent with doing the work outs.
Sounds like good progress, on the going cold turkey and on the Yoga.
I realised only today that despite my fridge being well-stocked with cider from Christmas, I am yet to have an alcoholic drink since the 1st (1 bottle of cider after my NY Shift, couldn't drink at midnight New Year's because I had a shift starting at 5am)... not by intention at all but amazing what you can sometimes do without knowing.
I've also had no booze since New Year, not by design, just been busy studying. Have also not eaten any desserts or crisps (chips for you Americans) since I got back to college.
Also today hit my 10th straight day of doing the DDP yoga red hot core work out first thing in the morning. Feels good.
Day 68 of the running streak.
Brock, eggs are definately a good thing overall in my book, but yeah, I would personnally suggest moderation. There are indeed many different body typs though, and it's possible avoiding carbs might be best for you, I can't really comment. Ive tried to avoid grain carbs myself, but each time I cut back I get stomach pains. I've resigned myself to the fact that my body needs them, especially for the amount of running I do. Hence a paleo or an atkins diet would never be right for me. Glad you're feeling great though, you're definately doing something right. Just bear in mind though that cholesterol is something that can build up without you necessarily feeling crappy, hence the caution with the eggs.
Tonecold, there are definately healthy things out there that can be viewed as snacks. It's all a matter of deciding what your goals are, and what you want more of, or what you want to avoid. For example Some people think protein bars are healthy snacks, but if you're trying to avoid sugar, probably not.
Tonecold and Brock, I recommend MyFitnessPal or something similar to both of you, it's where you type in every single thing you eat and it tracks your carbs, fat, protein, sodium, sugar, basically anything that is on a nutrition label. I found it very useful in deciding what foods to eat more of or cut down on.
Duckman, I am so happy to read about your progress, you're making huge strides already, and we're here for you when it gets tough. Quitting smoking is the hardest thing I've ever done (running a marathon is actually easier). You've got great times ahead mate, life is so much more enjoyable when youre healthy, and you're attitude towards it is spot on. Really proud of you man.
Nice work Dorling. Desserts have been a weakness for me lately, my kid Loves to bake cupcakes! I make him keep them at his moms, but only after I've already eaten half a dozen! Hey, did you get to your annual football charity gig over the holidays?
Really exploding with the running. Some stats... I ran a total of 539 miles in 2014. I've already ran 53 in 2015. During weekdays I run two or three miles during my lunch break (pretty fast, between 7:00 and 7:30 pace) and on weekends I go longer distance at a slower pace. I'm on course to do a hundred this month, and well, if I can do 100 in January, I can do 100 any month! So my goal this year is that. 100 every month. Doing yoga about three times a week, and trying to do more strength training, even though it's not as much fun as yoga or running.
The game still went ahead DQ, but I didn't play this year as I was in Scotland with my girlfriend and her family. Another £800 was raised this year so we've now raisd over £3000 for the variety club in our 5 games. My team won without me though so will have to compete for my place back next year!
Thanks DQ, as I said on MFX - it was your email about your highlights of last year that inspired (shamed) me into sorting my life and health out. You have no idea how inspiring it was!
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 14, 2015, 09:58:50 PM
Tonecold, there are definately healthy things out there that can be viewed as snacks. It's all a matter of deciding what your goals are, and what you want more of, or what you want to avoid. For example Some people think protein bars are healthy snacks, but if you're trying to avoid sugar, probably not.
Tonecold and Brock, I recommend MyFitnessPal or something similar to both of you, it's where you type in every single thing you eat and it tracks your carbs, fat, protein, sodium, sugar, basically anything that is on a nutrition label. I found it very useful in deciding what foods to eat more of or cut down on.
I will certainly look up MyFitnessPal, thanks for the advice on that :)
Had a chat with one of the staff at my gym and she was telling me a better mix of weights with my workout would be good for boosting the fat burn. As it is I have weights as a secondary concern but I'm doing better working the legs with those.
Day 69
Well, put my name in the lottery for the NYC marathon. Will know in about a month. Gives me plenty of time to pick a different autumn marathon if not lucky this time around.
Tonecold... I dont understand, I thought you already were including weights in your workout? Also, yeah the MyFitnessPal was most useful to me after a doctors appointment when I was told to cut down on sodium and sugar. I could clearly see what the biggest culprits were. Three weeks later for my return visit and she was super impressed with the turnaround I made in such a short time.
I LOVE the new influx this thread has seen lately.
Ian, after listening to the show, good for you setting up the gym downstairs, you are spot on IMO, getting the environment right is a major plus. Also yeah, a bag is a great addition, is it standing or hanging? Do you kick also?
I was going to go to kickboxing tonight, but my hamstrings felt really tight, so I took a rest night. Sometime we got to put the ego aside and listen to our bodies!
Namaste :)
First post here.
Bought DDP Yoga today. Fiancee has agreed to do the workout with me. It'll be here soon. Duckman's speech on the latest show motivated me to do something with myself too. I'm not getting any younger so I thought I'd give it a shot.
Quote from: Judge on January 16, 2015, 03:46:23 PM
First post here.
Bought DDP Yoga today. Fiancee has agreed to do the workout with me. It'll be here soon. Duckman's speech on the latest show motivated me to do something with myself too. I'm not getting any younger so I thought I'd give it a shot.
Way to go judge, excellent news.
On the other hand, dammit, I'm going to be the only one NOT doing DDP yoga soon ;D
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 16, 2015, 04:50:45 PM
Way to go judge, excellent news.
On the other hand, dammit, I'm going to be the only one NOT doing DDP yoga soon ;D
Screw yoga.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 15, 2015, 10:18:33 PM
Tonecold... I dont understand, I thought you already were including weights in your workout?
Yes, I am but it's a lot more Cardio (arm and leg bikes, crosstrainers) compared to a few weights (lat pull and leg press at relatively low weights and reps at the moment)
Quote from: ToneCold on January 17, 2015, 02:23:51 AM
Yes, I am but it's a lot more Cardio (arm and leg bikes, crosstrainers) compared to a few weights (lat pull and leg press at relatively low weights and reps at the moment)
Oh, so you're in the same boat as me then, ok. I find cardio a lot more fun than weights, but alas weights are important in most fitness goals, including fat burn.
I've reached the sad conclusion I'm going to have to really cut down on other cardio activities if I'm going to focus so much on running. Basically, no more kickboxing and insanity for a while, my body just isn't going to get a break otherwise.
Aside from running I will be continuing yoga (screw you Justin p... Ooops, I meant to say namaste :P ) which is essential and yeah the rest of my gym time will be dedicated to weights.
Does anyone use a fitbit or other like device?
I got my wife one for Christmas and it has helped her immensely. It helps you track your activity level, calorie intake amongst other things. I would recommend it.
Quote from: JustinP on January 17, 2015, 04:05:13 PM
Does anyone use a fitbit or other like device?
I got my wife one for Christmas and it has helped her immensely. It helps you track your activity level, calorie intake amongst other things. I would recommend it.
I've been curious about them, but I have a first generation iPad that won't upgrade any further than iOS 5. Most of these things seem to require something more advanced to sync all of the information, or at least it seems that way. I would be curious to track my sleeping patterns of I could figure it out.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 18, 2015, 08:53:29 PM
I've been curious about them, but I have a first generation iPad that won't upgrade any further than iOS 5. Most of these things seem to require something more advanced to sync all of the information, or at least it seems that way. I would be curious to track my sleeping patterns of I could figure it out.
Pretty much all of the fitbit like devices require either a smartphone with bluetooth and a recent OS release, or can connect up to USB via the computer. Some of the older model fitbits would plug in via USB.
I'm personally holding out for the Apple Watch.
Moved up from just working on the 13 core positions to the 'energy' work out in DDP Yoga. Yes, I'm actually doing exercise on a weekend (when I'd normally just lie around all day in a heap) and man do I feel the burn! Whole body is trembling after that one!
Maybe a little quick in moving up, given I'm coming from a zero level of fitness. Still, starting to feel the benefits and feel stronger each time.
A nice healthy dinner of grilled salmon, cous-couse and mixed veg and I'm pretty damn proud of myself today!
I'd say you're doing it right mate. Energy is really the start point of getting the best out of DDP yoga. Once you've mastered the positions it's best to put it into a workout, because that's when you start to get the combination of flexibility/strength training and some cardio/heart rate work.
Onwards and upwards from there mate. If you got the booklet with it, there's an excellent 13 week programme for beginners (and one for intermediate and experienced too) which will ease you in.
I did get the pack with the booklet. So I'm working off that. Just not so sure I've mastered the moves quite yet. Found myself lagging behind a wee bit on the work out. But got a sweat on and felt like I was working hard.
I'll give it another try tomorrow and see if I can keep up a bit better.
Guess it's just like anything - practice makes perfect!
Quote from: Duckman on January 24, 2015, 11:36:27 AM
I did get the pack with the booklet. So I'm working off that. Just not so sure I've mastered the moves quite yet. Found myself lagging behind a wee bit on the work out. But got a sweat on and felt like I was working hard.
I'll give it another try tomorrow and see if I can keep up a bit better.
Guess it's just like anything - practice makes perfect!
The last line is the truth. Insanity, p90x, and I'm going to assume with DDP yoga and any specific workout which you end up doing on a regular basis. It can be disheartening at first, not being able to keep up with the demonstrators on the DVD. But each time there is improvement and you will look back in amazement and you'll burst with pride.
Quote from: Judge on January 19, 2015, 06:35:35 AM
Pretty much all of the fitbit like devices require either a smartphone with bluetooth and a recent OS release, or can connect up to USB via the computer. Some of the older model fitbits would plug in via USB.
I'm personally holding out for the Apple Watch.
Yeah, using one of these things is not enough reason in itself for me to upgrade my iPad or switch back to a laptop or pc. I do have a smartphone now, but I really try to keep my usage of it simple... Calls, texts, web browsing, email, notes, pandora and my guilty pleasure clash of clans. I really don't want to get involved in anything more complex than that.
Oh yeah DQ, got your PM mate. Special mention on MFX111 for you.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 14, 2015, 09:58:50 PM
Brock, eggs are definately a good thing overall in my book, but yeah, I would personnally suggest moderation. There are indeed many different body typs though, and it's possible avoiding carbs might be best for you, I can't really comment. Ive tried to avoid grain carbs myself, but each time I cut back I get stomach pains. I've resigned myself to the fact that my body needs them, especially for the amount of running I do. Hence a paleo or an atkins diet would never be right for me. Glad you're feeling great though, you're definately doing something right. Just bear in mind though that cholesterol is something that can build up without you necessarily feeling crappy, hence the caution with the eggs.
Thanks for the advice. I've got some blood work done by my doctor recently, and the worst thing he could find was a vitamin D deficiency. Regardless, I'll be sure to consult him again in the next few months, just to keep an eye on things. As far as the carb thing, as you said, everyone is different. Over the last few days I've kind of been splurging out on them, and I've felt like shit both mentally and physically for doing so. I personally wouldn't advise people doing what I'm doing unless they honestly feel as if they had tried everything else.
Alright, I'm going to admit it. Life kind of gotten the better of me over the last two weeks. I've gotten more responsibilities at work (which is great), however, the stress has left me feeling unmotivated to do my jogging/yoga, especially not at 6 in the morning when I got home late the night before. I lost two inches in the first week, and after the stress I've been going through I'm expecting I've put it right back on again. I feel like shit, and especially unmotivated to continue. There are other reasons, which, considering I've signed up to one of the blogs, I may address there. Regardless, this thing right now is something I'd like to share with the group.
This isn't the first time that this has happened to me. In fact I'm willing to bet that those who have been doing the fitness road for a long time have probably done this themselves (if you're truly one of the lucky ones who haven't done this, then your dedication to your cause is unquestionably the envy of most of us). They get to a point where they make some progress, then something happens. You have a cheat day to reward yourself, you decide to sleep in instead of going to the gym in the morning, or decide that because Yoga was really hard yesterday, I'll skip out on today. These things are fine. In fact it's healthy to reward yourself from time to time with progress, otherwise you begin questioning the reasons you're doing it to begin with.
The problem stems with that ideal progressing. One day off turns into two. Your diet begins to slip. Other things get in the way, and as such your fitness gets put on the back burner. As I've stated before, it happens to most of us, unless you possess a will of fucking iron. I wanted to bring this up because a lot of you are new to the health thing, and I'd like to give a sage word from the guy who's been doing this a few years now.
We all fail. The thing you've got to remember is that you will fail at some point. You're going to have a bad day, and you didn't lift as much as you wanted to, you didn't made it around the track as quickly as you would have liked, you only half-assed your yoga as you stared at the small blond woman in the tight tank top next to DDP (Oh yes Sam, I very much know the one you're talking about...). And if you're anything like me, you're going to fucking beat yourself up about it to no end.
What you've got to remember is that you WILL fail...But you tried. It's the same thing with getting a woman's phone number (if there are any ladies participating, I ask you excuse my metaphor), if you decided to give up after the first time you get rejected then you are going to get fucking nowhere in this world. You already had the no, so at least you asked for the yes. Fitness works the same way. If you beat yourself up over every time you drink a beer or eat a slice of cake, then all that will do is drive you to eat more cake and drink more beer in an effort to make yourself feel better. it is a nasty downward spiral, which is incredibly hard to pull yourself out of, especially as it is your first time around. This I believe will be my third, but I've gotten better at it.
You can't beat yourself up over the inevitable. Even Messi and Ronaldo miss the goal sometimes. It's about having the strength to get back on the horse after it tries to throw you off. For most of us, myself included, this is a marathon. Not a sprint. And sometimes you're going to trip over.
Harsh reality is I didn't really want to come to the boards over the last few days because I was ashamed that I'd let you all down, especially after the encouragement you've shown myself, as well as the continued support you all show one another. So allow for this to be my gift to you all for all your hard work.
I give you permission to fail...But you're not allowed to beat yourself up about it.
Either way. It's not all doom and gloom. I got paid, so I'm going to pick up heavy shit tomorrow in a gym, and as of Thursday 22nd of January, I've been cigarette free for two years (I've had green twice, I think, in those two years. The last time was in late September, and don't look to be getting back into it either.) So yeah, that's my progress report since my last post. Thanks to Drama on his advice so far.
My DDP Yoga pack came in today. Got it set up on the computer so I can stream them without using the DVDs, and I'm ready to get going tomorrow. My fiancee is going to do this with me, and it's motivation enough to get started. Going to try the first two moves tomorrow.
Awesome stuff Judge. I'm finding keeping people updated on progress in this thread is a really good motivation to keep going.
Brock, you've described my life to a T there buddy. The trying, the failing, the punishing yourself and letting the negative and depressive thoughts affect your actions and behaviour. It's one of the worst parts of battling depression. You never get over it and the first instinct is always to go to the negative thought or feeling, because they're the strongest and the easiest to give in to. I guess the main thing I do is always tell myself it's a blip - not a way of life - and I can break that by just getting back to it the next day. It's not easy, if it was - there wouldn't be any relapses into depression or comfort eating/drinking/smoking, whatever it may be.
The first step is recognising that (which you've done) and then trying to get that positive mindset right.
I know from doing 6 months of Cognitive behavioural therapy a few years ago, that it is possible and there are a lot of tricks you can use on your brain to keep those dark and negative thoughts in the back of your mind, as opposed to dominating the forefront.
Louis CK made an interesting point about over eating and the shame you feel from it. A psychologist friend of his pointed out that the over eating or whatever is a symptom of something else - it's not the cause, it's just the end result. You can't hate the food or even yourself for eating the food. You need to address what anxiety or depressive thought your trying to compensate for by over eating/drinking/smoking. It's such an instant gratification, that's quickly followed by shame that you get the reward (hormone release from eating) and the shame almost at the exact same time.
The point about addressing the issue, rather than blaming yourself or the food is something really worth keeping in mind.
And never be ashamed or guilty about sharing anything with people here. You won't be judged mate. Only supported.
I've just done another Energy session and it was so tough. My limbs and muscles just aren't used to this kind of work, so I was stiff and sore, but the more I did and the more I sweated my ass off, the better I felt.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. Keep up the good work folks and keep supporting each other - I think we've got something really good here.
Cheers,
Duckman
Huge thumbs up to Brock for that post. It's so easy to come here and brag after the good stuff, takes a lot more effort to talk about the things were not so proud of, when the overwhelming feeling (at least in my experience) is to want to just slink away. The fact that you are sharing this with us shows that you hold yourself accountable in your quest for fitness and health, and leaves me feeling confident you will be back on track with a vengeance sooner rather than later.
One side note Brock. About the getting up really early in the morning to jog/workout... How much sleep are you getting the night before? Because I am becoming more and more convinced that anything less than seven hours just does not cut it. Sleep is SO important and SO under acknowledged by people these days. Truth of the matter is that depriving yourself of sleep in order to work out might help you achieve certain goals, such as weight loss, or endurance building, or training for a particular sport etc, but in the overall picture of general health it is hugely counter productive.
Quote from: Judge on January 24, 2015, 09:42:07 PM
My DDP Yoga pack came in today. Got it set up on the computer so I can stream them without using the DVDs, and I'm ready to get going tomorrow. My fiancee is going to do this with me, and it's motivation enough to get started. Going to try the first two moves tomorrow.
Looking forward to hearing about your progress judge. Awesome that you have someone to do it with.
At some point I am going to try DDP yoga and do a compare/contrast with regular classroom yoga just to settle my ever growing curiosity about it. Again, not heard a single bad word about it anywhere!
To me, there's nothing more important that a good night's sleep. When I had my dark times a few years ago and basically had a bit of a mental break down, I went 3-4 days without sleeping. It's an absolute killer.
Sleep is your body's chance to sort shit out in your brain and body, right down to a cellular level. I've seen studies that show lack of sleep or a fucked up sleep pattern can alter the internal clocks of each cell, which can lead to illness and disease.
I found getting a routine going was amazingly beneficial. So no TV for an hour before I want to go to sleep. No phone especially - the light from the screens kick starts your 'wake up' hormones and it's been shown in studies that if you look at one of these screens, it will put back the time you fall asleep by half an hour.
Eating before you sleep is a really bad idea too. Your body fires up and burns calories during the night, which in turn wakes you up. Same is true with drinking. It's why you never feel refreshed after a sleep following drinking. Your body is processing the booze and you never get into that deep, REM sleep stage - which from the studies I've read is the most important phase of sleep.
Getting at least 7 hours of sleep is essential for me. I find reading in bed relaxes me down and I get a much deeper and less interrupted sleep. It's not all the time, and sometimes I find myself awake for hours on end, but it's much better and less frequent than it used to be.
Can't stress enough how important it is and how much it helped me with my depression when I was able to get a solid, deep night's sleep.
Ugh, even knowing and acknowledging this, I am still often guilty of the last minute iPad browsing (though a LOT less since I deleted Facebook) or the late night eating.
Well, now that I've admitted to that, time to start addressing it. Less iPad, more old fashioned paper books.
Have to agree on Sleep, when I was working nights, I was fine for about 8 months, then I went massively downhill, depressed and irritable, no motivation...
I have not been to the gym since last monday, but every day I have made efforts to do something to try and make up for it, seeing as I've been moving flat. I still feel better than pre-gym and days of work combined with moving have hopefully been a good substitute.
Apparently the old Kindles are ok, because they use a different type of light. But the phones and tablets, the light they use is the kind that kick starts your brain into wake up mode. Those bastards! Trying to keep us up all night checking pointless shit on the net! :)
Quote from: Duckman on January 25, 2015, 09:40:47 AM
Those bastards! Trying to keep us up all night checking pointless shit on the net! :)
Indeed, comin in 'ere, taking MFX and Twitter's jobs... ;)
Exactly!
Thanks for the support guys. Means a lot.
As far as the sleeping goes, I can't agree enough. I just went for a nap now, thinking that I'd be down for maybe an hour, and almost 4 later...
I was being good with it. Laptop off by 9, watch TV until 10, then typically out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow (The fact I LOVE my bed helps considerably). Weekends I'd usually stay in bed until 8:30 or so, but still do the excersize as I typically have all day to do it unless I've plans booked. The good news is that I've got next week off work, so I'll be able to get the routine back into order, of which I can't agree more with Sam. Routine is key with something like this. Before everything went off the deep end, I was finding it getting easier and easier to get up every morning with a smile on my face because I know I was benefiting. I believe one guy said something, which seems kind appropriate;
"It all starts with effort. Effort then turns into routine. Then routine turns into habbit. And we all know how hard it is to kick those..."
Some guy Brock can't remember the name of
It gets easier with time, remember that.
Getting a good bed is really really essential to having that good sleep. I never had a problem falling asleep, even if I was using an iPhone right before I went to bed. I tend to fall asleep within 10 minutes of closing my eyes. The problem I had was that the bed I had was fucking up my back and causing it to twist itself and causing muscles to tense. This was making me wake up constantly and never really falling into a REM sleep cycle. I knew this too because I wouldn't dream.
As has been discussed, REM sleep is when the body goes into it's "repair mode" and fixes things and regenerates tissue, repairs internal damage, etc. Well coincidentally I never fully healed from my surgery I had nearly two years ago. After finally getting tired of lack of sleep, I went and dropped over a grand on a good memory foam bed. Let me tell you that the change was near miraculous. I was able to get a good REM sleep for the first time in years and I finally had a dream while sleeping. My back stopped hurting and I woke up refreshed and not shitty groggy. And within a month I finally started completely healing from the surgery.
So moral of the story: Get a good goddamned bed.
After an incident involving me, an idiot on a bike, and a cold canal yesterday evening on my way to work, I had to borrow some dry uniform. I usually wear size 38 but found that 34 was biggest size trousers in the office.. imagine my surprise at being able to just about squeeze into them! Must have done some good these last few weeks.
That first set of smaller clothes is always the best feeling. Excellent work Tone.
DDP Yoga: Day 1
Fiancee and I started learning the moves and positions tonight. We spent 20 minutes perfecting the first two. Holy crap biscuits my arms and legs are burning. I was sweating like crazy and my heart beat was way up. This is legit stuff.
That's excellent tonecold, must have been a wonderful feeling!
Keep it coming judge, the more I hear about it, the less I can wait to try it!
Today is my 82nd consecutive day of running, not a milestone number or anything, but I did run my 100th mile of 2015 today at lunchtime (followed by my 101st). Nice feeling and has made me determined to have 100 miles each month as an additional running goal.
DDP Yoga: Days 2 and 3
We've learned up to move 6 of the Diamond Dozen. This is the first time in the history of my life I've ever done anything like a "down dog" Also the slow burn pushups were killer, they've got my muscles hurting in a good way that I haven't felt for a long time. I'm incredibly sore but not mad about it. I'm looking forward to running through all the moves again and learning 7 and 8 tomorrow.
We're building up the workout, learning 2 moves a day and repeating them at the start, doing the new moves and then redoing the whole move set including the two new moves. Gets me really familiar with the moves so when it comes time to do the workouts, I'll be ready to go.
Quote from: Drama Queen on January 28, 2015, 08:07:32 PM
That's excellent tonecold, must have been a wonderful feeling!
Thanks :) Just been to gym for a mini/light workout after the last of 5 night shifts. The scales say I've lost about 7lb in this first month. Not sure of the scale of it, but with the drop in waist size (I was 38 so gonna call it 36 as 34 was a tight-as-fuck squeeze), I think I'm happy with it so far, which can only be motivation to do more :)
The holidays did me dirty, working crazy overtime for more spending money mostly, took me about a month but I'm getting back to Ddp yoga, did the energy workout twice, man a couple months off does a lot more damage than I thought.
Good stuff Teej. I'm really starting to feel and see the difference now I'm doing the work outs regularly and getting better with the positions.
Third Energy work out of the week tonight. Then if my back isn't too stiff I'll add another over the weekend at some point.
Also really cool to see Judge doing this and taking the right approach. There's no point in diving into the work outs and trying to do too much too soon, you'll just end up hurting yourself. It's funny, cause it just doesn't seem like something like Yoga would be phyically demanding (as compared to lifting 'bro' or running) but it really is! Been a real revelation to me.
Plus, that's me now into my 6th week of clean eating and no smoking! Loving it.
Keep up the good work folks!!
It's really amazing what this has done for me. I haven't been able to do more than 5 pushups in like 15 years but now I'm holding a pushup for a 5 count and backdown and repeating that about 10 times. I'm really enjoying this.
I'd love for a gym rat to go up to DDP and go "do you even lift" and he goes "no".
Now that's progress, judge! Isn't it an amazing feeling, being able to do something new? It's why I love yoga so much. Sure I can maybe run faster or for longer with practice, or lift heavier or more reps with weights, but with yoga you actually learnto do things that seemed physically impossible (or at least unlikely). I've been making really good progress with arm balances lately.
Funny thing, about the downward facing dog, obviously it hurts when your muscles aren't used to it, but when they become accustomed, the downward dog is actually a resting pose, and the stretch feels good.
Teej, (and everything else for that matter as we probably all have to do overtime at some point), I have found through my own experiences and watching others, the bigger danger of working more hours is not that you skip working out, but that we resort to convenient and less healthy meals, and less healthy eating environments (eating on the run, or late at night etc).
As for time off of working out, sometimes a week off here or there from a familiar routine is good, because we get rid of the muscle memory and it hurts again like it should. I got too used to the p90x workouts, especially ab ripper x and I think that's one of the reasons I was platau-ing. Man, if I tried to do them now though.... I'm actually scared of how much it will hurt, despite the fact that I've still been working out like crazy. Hmmm, maybe I'll force myself one of these days.
Very happy to hear about the lack of smoking duckman, and love hearing the plugs for these threads on the show, I'm really proud to be a part of this.
Still going strong with the running, to be honest I've gone past to point of running for health reasons now, as I do way more than I need to for that purpose, at this point it has become a hobby and a passion in and of itself. I could easily cut my running in half and get just as much benefit health wise ( though probably would not be performing as well athletically speaking). I'm getting more benefit from the yoga and the once or twice a week I force myself to do strength training. But hey there's worse addictions a guy can have right? ;D
Just finished my first fat burner work out with DDP yoga. Holy fuck that kicked my ass! In a good way though. The crunching in various positions was tough but felt awesome after doing it. Plus during the final stretches I totally realigned my back - which has been giving me some jip for a few days. So that saved me a £35 bill from the chiropractor!!
What have the rest of you been up to this week?
I've not really been doing my yoga or running, however I've been focusing a lot on my powerlifting, and today I hit something of a landmark in any lifters life (through lack of a better word).
Today I dead lifted 140kg. For those who don't use metric, that's 22 stone, or 308lbs. raw (meaning no straps/bands/any other assistant apparatus) Attempted 150 but that just wasn't happening, even with straps. Still there's my next target.
So yeah...good day.
22 stone!! Fucking hell man, that's like lifting one of England's prop forwards over your head! Well done man.
As much as I'd love to take credit for that, I'm afraid that a deadlift isn't a lift that is performed over the head. ;)
Here's what a deadlift it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4qRntuXBSc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4qRntuXBSc)
Still damn impressive man!
Thank you. However my overall goal is the mystical 500lbs. deadlift. That's my next major goal, but in truth I know it's going to be a few years of dedication to achieve it. So right now, I'm aiming for a 500 before I'm 30. Probably won't take THAT long, but it's reasonable given how progress slows the futher along you get (in terms of weight lifting anyway).
My goal is to drop 75 pounds in time for my next high school reunion, to show those fuckers who never gave me the time of day that they can piss off now.
Always do things for yourself, Judge. Soon you'll run out of people to get vengeance upon, and at that point, what then?
Fitness is a one horse race against yourself.
Haha, Brock has a good point... Vengeance should only be a bonus ;D
Hey Brock... Want to swap some of you motivation for lifting with my motivation for running. I have the reverse problem, it's the weights I've been neglecting! Excellent work with the dead lifting though man! But yeah, try and balance it out if you can... And if either of us learns how to do that we'll let the other know ok? ;)
Duckman, I've mentioned this to you already, but for the benefit of anyone else going (or contemplating going) sugar free, fair play, it's not easy at first, but everything I've heard from people who've done it suggests your body becomes accustomed to it and you soon don't crave itor even like it anymore. It worked that way for me with soda... I have to admit I've never stuck with sugar-free long enough to get to that point but the idea of soda repulsed me.
Some excellent things to read since I was last in here guys, props to all of you :)
My latest gym training visit resulted in me learning to use different weights and I've also been given a few Core exercises after saying I wanted to work on getting rid of the beer weight. Got a few Mat things to do (which are good as I can try to fit them in at home along with basic things like curls.
I'm guessing from this reading that there are elements of Yoga that would help with Core stuff?
Well you have to figure anything to do with balance is working your core, so the balance aspect of yoga, absolutely. There are also crunch type maneuvers in the flow aspects of yoga, and some instructors like to include v-shape or boat or plank type positions where you'll be shaking like a leaf, trying to hold it, so you can bet that's working the core.
However if you want to try something mat based that really focuses on the core you've got to give Pilates a go. There's a helluvalotta core work in that, but yeah you'll probably find there's an even larger ratio of women to men in the class than in yoga even, so if you can get over that then go for it.
In other news tomorrow I hit my 100th consecutive day of running :)
I've just started new work outs in ddp yoga. Tons of planking, crunches and different types of core work. Given I'm pretty sure I had my core removed some time in the early 2000s, this has been incredibly tough. Shaking like a leaf, sides and stomach working like crazy. It was so funny the other day, I felt my side and there's this lump there, kind of sore but not bad. I panicked and thought there was something wrong. Then I checked the other side, same thing. Then I realised I'm actually developing muscles there - for the first time in years! I'm literally rebuilding my body! Got muscles in places I didn't realise where places!
Gonna be out the gym for a few days as my throat appears to be swollen. As such, I'd though I'd give you all some advice:
Struggling to cut down on the fizzy drinks? Carbonated water mixed with sugar free squash. Tastes just like Fanta.
Quote from: Drama Queen on February 14, 2015, 06:17:18 PM
Well you have to figure anything to do with balance is working your core, so the balance aspect of yoga, absolutely. There are also crunch type maneuvers in the flow aspects of yoga, and some instructors like to include v-shape or boat or plank type positions where you'll be shaking like a leaf, trying to hold it, so you can bet that's working the core.
However if you want to try something mat based that really focuses on the core you've got to give Pilates a go. There's a helluvalotta core work in that, but yeah you'll probably find there's an even larger ratio of women to men in the class than in yoga even, so if you can get over that then go for it.
Once again, thanks for the informative post :)
Still plugging away with DDP Yoga and clean living.
No smoking since mid night 31st December. This is the longest I've gone without tobacco or weed in years. Feel utterly amazing. Lungs better, mind clearer and despite a few brutal cravings hitting every now and then, I'm holding out and haven't cracked. I now think of myself a non-smoker, not someone who used to smoke, and that mind set is really helping.
Since Jan 1st I've lost a ton of weight. Recently bought a suit that was 4 sizes smaller than one I bought last year.
I'm onto Fat Burner work out, which was so difficult at first, but with more work and practice it's getting better. My body is changing shape rapidly, slimming down, toning up and I'm getting great muscle definition back too. I can't believe how effective DDP Yoga is and now much I enjoy doing it now.
My sugar free diet is now a month old and holding steady. The first few days were pretty bad, but I'm adjusting to it now. I haven't drank anything apart from water since 1st January.
I know it's only the start of a long process, but to already feel such a great benefit and see and feel changes in my body is awesome!
Sorry for sounding like a gushing idiot, but to feel so alert, happy and alive is something I've not had in a long, long time.
Coming from the guy who wasn't going to post his updates.
It's nice to share something positive for a change.
Sorry if that annoys you or something.
I knew you would warm up to it. Keep up the good work.
I'm on week 3 of DDP yoga and I can feel myself getting stronger. My fiancee is doing it right beside me which is a great motivator. She does like to yell at DDP to "shut the fuck up" while we're holding a broken table for 20 seconds, sometimes it makes me laugh and fall.
But any case I like doing this and want to continue it.
Not sure what was going on but just followed a nightshift at work with an hour of swimming... felt more awake after the swim (which I intended to tire me out) than I did on leaving work. Crashing a bit now though.
In other news: After the swim, went to get some new jeans for a thing at the weekend. 36s are now a proper comfortable fit, goodbye the 38s and 40s I WAS wearing.
Quote from: Duckman on February 25, 2015, 06:18:07 PM
Sorry if that annoys you or something.
Not at all I was just making mention of it cause I remember when you first posted about it (when you were drunk) that you said you would post constant updates.
My workout this morning:
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes:
5 Power cleans (135 lbs.)
10 Toes to Bar (while laying on the ground, you're holding a 45 lbs. bar up and basically doing a sit-up to bring your toes to the bar)
15 Wall Ball Squats (20 lbs. ball; you throw the ball up 10 ft. against the wall, catch it and squat, repeat).
30 minutes of Yoga
21-15-9 (Number of reps- first set is 21 reps, second is 15, third is 9)
Snatch (75lbs.; I'd never done this before...brutal).
Burpees
GHD situps (don't know how to describe these- here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqFzFhY08I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqFzFhY08I))
I can no longer walk.
Quote from: JustinP on February 26, 2015, 08:28:24 AM
Not at all I was just making mention of it cause I remember when you first posted about it (when you were drunk) that you said you would post constant updates.
Oh right, sorry. I thought you were being sarcastic and shitty! I don't even remember writing that. Must've been cause I was drunk! Apologies for the crossed wires.
I find updating here keeps me honest and keeps me motivated. Not what I expected at all. A pleasant surprise to say the least.
No problem man. Guess I could have been more clear as to what I was referenci referencing. But im glad its helping you. Staying motivated is the hardest part but as long as you have a support system you can and will make it.
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/dpfy.gif) (http://reactiongifs.com/?p=20085)
Quote from: J-Reb on February 26, 2015, 08:45:58 AM
My workout this morning:
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes:
5 Power cleans (135 lbs.)
10 Toes to Bar (while laying on the ground, you're holding a 45 lbs. bar up and basically doing a sit-up to bring your toes to the bar)
15 Wall Ball Squats (20 lbs. ball; you throw the ball up 10 ft. against the wall, catch it and squat, repeat).
30 minutes of Yoga
21-15-9 (Number of reps- first set is 21 reps, second is 15, third is 9)
Snatch (75lbs.; I'd never done this before...brutal).
Burpees
GHD situps (don't know how to describe these- here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqFzFhY08I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqFzFhY08I))
I can no longer walk.
This sounds like an awesome workout.
With your permission I would like to attempt it and then review it in a blog entry (giving you full credit of course)
I would love to do reviews/segments that include suggested work-outs. The same goes for recipes. I'll go I to more details when I post my first blog entry, hopefully this weekend.
Quote from: Drama Queen on February 26, 2015, 06:07:03 PM
This sounds like an awesome workout.
With your permission I would like to attempt it and then review it in a blog entry (giving you full credit of course)
I would love to do reviews/segments that include suggested work-outs. The same goes for recipes. I'll go I to more details when I post my first blog entry, hopefully this weekend.
Of course. Good luck!
The Crossfit open (15.1) was revealed last night and I attempted it this morning. The workout was:
AMRAP (As many rounds as possible) in 9:00
15 T2B (Toes to bar)
10 deadlifts (115#)
10 snatches (115#)
After that, you have 6 minutes to get a 1-rep max clean and jerk.
It was absolutely brutal. I attempted it twice this morning - something I probably shouldn't have done. I made it 4.66 rounds (I finished the deadlift/snatch portion but couldn't get to the bar fast enough) the first time. I've never really done a snatch before but 115# is miserable. It may sound lightweight but it's absolutely brutal. I managed to C&J 155# the first go round which was slightly disappointing.
The second attempt I managed 3.66 rounds; same scenario. I couldn't finish the toes to the bar - my hands were screaming at me. I had to break them up in to sets of 3 after the 1st round. However, I'm pretty stoked to say I got 185# up for the clean and jerk. I'm going to attempt it one more time on Monday, and I'm going to get over 200# - it's going to happen.
Either way, a heckuva workout. The deadlifts were the easiest part of this and I hate those.
If you want to see the two fittest people on the planet going toe to toe with this workout, here's the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF6YOekxnNs. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF6YOekxnNs.) Those guys are nuts.
My score wouldn't have placed me in the top 4,000 in the US... but the progress I've made so far has been pretty awesome.
Have you enjoyed to crossfit J-Reb? I ask 'cause I know you used to be high-level athlete and am wondering how you feel. People I've talked to are either hardcore "it's the best thing ever" - or find that they get a really crappy work out because it doesn't really fit into athletic training to improve on X.
Quote from: Captain Metro on February 27, 2015, 02:36:34 PM
Have you enjoyed to crossfit J-Reb? I ask 'cause I know you used to be high-level athlete and am wondering how you feel. People I've talked to are either hardcore "it's the best thing ever" - or find that they get a really crappy work out because it doesn't really fit into athletic training to improve on X.
It's a different work out, that's for sure.
For me, it's the community aspect that drew me in more so than the actual workout. I needed someone to push me - lifting/running on my own got boring quickly. I'd skip a day or two here and there and it of course nobody would notice. Being at the gym, I've got people who push me to work harder, and that's kept me motivated.
As far as the actual workouts, I love Crossfit because you can scale any workout. So, if a buddy of mine is lifting 185# and I know I can't keep up, I'd drop to 155# and still do the same workout - with slightly lesser weight. That doesn't even begin to get to the countless variations that you can do. There are only so many ways to do chest fly's with free weights, you know?
I'm also enjoying getting a lot of cardio in with my lifting. Have you ever tried to do countless rounds of deadlifts/snatches/sit-ups? Man, I'm dead after the 3-4th round. But I can understand how it'd be difficult as a top-level athlete (which I'm not by any stretch of the imagination any more) but some of the exercises are really stretching me. There is always a way to make it more challenging on yourself. Mastered the 24 inch box jumps? Move to something higher.
I don't know if that's the all-around answer you were looking for - but I absolutely love it.
Just did the first Fat Burn workout in DDP Yoga. Holy shit that kicked my ass. He moves at another level than the Energy workout.
Oh yeah, fat burner is a whole different animal. Much higher pace for the movements and those 'crunching' moves are a killer when you first do them. Especially the broken table one. I've been doing fat burner 3 times a week for 3 weeks now, with an energy work out on with Saturday or Sunday. So I'm up to 4 days a week and the difference in my energy levels and mood is amazing. Keep at it buddy, the more you do it, the less painful and exhausting it is! :)
Quote from: Jack on March 09, 2015, 12:25:15 AM
Fantastic moment today. Really something I've been working towards since the beginning of the year...
When I started being more conscious about what I ate, and starting the slow carb diet, I told myself it would be a secret to those around me. I've yo-yo'd so often that I was embarrassed to tell people I'm losing weight again.
So when people asked me "Have you lost weight?" I would say "Nope." or if they said "Have you been working out?" I would say, "Nope...just the same."
Today I was at a party with a few friends and someone said "Jack, you look like you slimmed down. Are you dieting?" I said, "Nope." Like usual and someone said..."Bullshit Jack...You've lost weight." I tried to hide it for a bit but it was great to hear everyone basically corner me and say "admit that you've been losing weight!"
It's great to know that it's visible now beyond dispute. Feeling great!
Got a few goals to accomplish first, but may do some DDP Yoga once done. Sounds like others have had such great success with those videos? Is there a 'test' video I can use? I'm a big fan of paying people for what they earned so I don't want to steal the videos online but would love to see how it is (P90X Yoga was a great workout but so boring! Would hate to buy a whole video package of that.).
Love this thread and so glad to see people being healthy!
Every now and then, I'll yo-yo anywhere from 3-5 lbs., and -- well, considering I'm half-girl -- that's enough for me to completely lose my shit and take eating/training up a notch. Where you at right now, Jack? From what I've seen on FB, you look fantastic!
Congrats, Jack. That's such a great feeling!
This morning's workout:
(http://i61.tinypic.com/286x0le.jpg)
Partner workouts this morning. You split the reps however you want as long as you hit your target.
We started with 4 rounds for time -
10 deadlifts at 275# (kill me)
20 walking lunges at 135 (kill me again)
30 knees to elbows (hang from a pull up bar and pull your knees up to your elbows; a third death)
I don't remember the time but I ended up scaling the deadlifts in the third round. I had to drop to 225 lbs. in order to finish.
Then round 2 - we set a 25 minute cap - adding extra reps each round:
50 double-unders (jump-rope but instead of turning the rope once each rotation, you turn it twice)
20 snatch (at 95#; if you've never done a snatch before, check them out, brutal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3abD7z6vRPM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3abD7z6vRPM))
20 jerks (just a push press with a little leg added in)
20 box jumps (24 inches)
2 rope climbs
Still split the reps. We went 2.5 rounds before our cap expired. I'm going to be sore for hours.
Ah, first DDP Yoga work out since Wednesday. Wasn't as tough as I thought it would be. I'm getting stronger every time and recovering a lot quicker. Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and getting back to clean living/eating after the wedding blow out!
Have done ddp yoga strength builder every day since I've been at sea. Feeling great!
Great to see the founder of this thread posting again :D
Glad to hear of your progress jack, moments like that can be so motivational along the way. Being vegetarian, my diet is a bit more intentional by nature, though there are a lot of unhealthy things I still partake in, mostly an over indulgence in baked goods... Sweet ones especially. Now that the winter is over I'm Trying to cut down to one muffin a day!
Dorling, yeah, I had a feeling we wouldn't have to worry about you slacking off ;)
Duckman, I think it should be said, that to do what you did... Take a weekend off and let go, and then get back into it again requires a lot of discipline that not everybody has (myself included) and I think it shows that you are in a fantastic place mentally.
J-Reb, yeah I think I'm going to have to make do with trying your cross fit exercises individually rather than in a set workout, as well, I'd pretty much need my gym to be empty to guarantee all of the equipment available, let alone placed in a set order. Still though, as someone who's not into lifting at all, is should keep me honest and take me out of my comfort zone when I get around to it.... Any day now... Honest ;D
Judge, how does the fat burner feel two weeks later? Sounds like a well engineered program that it doesn't hit you with everything all at once. Again, reminding me of insanity, after the first month is a whole new level of torture haha.
Well I've been keeping up with my running goals. I ran a half marathon two weeks ago in freezing weather (about 20F if I remember) and knocked ten minutes off my only other time for that distance. To say I was happy is an understatement. Obviously I'm doing something right.
I've been coming on in leaps and bounds in certain areas of yoga. I can almost do an unsupported handstand now! It's also teaching me new ways of activating my core. Again, I recommend trying a yoga class at least once to everybody in this thread. There are many different styles and therefore many different kinds of instructors, but generally speaking I haven't had a "bad" class... An occasional mediocre one maybe, but because of the wide range, I am usually able to learn something from each class, even if I find myself being one of the more advanced students in a particular class.
Now to the less positive side of things. I've been neglecting strength training. I just haven't had the same motivation over the winter. My philosophy was to keep doing the things I enjoyed, rather than forcing myself to do the stuff I didn't, that way I wouldn't just give up on fitness completely. And... I guess to an extent it worked.... I did not stop everything for my annual winter blues as I have done in previous years. I guess I shouldn't beat myself up to much about the weights, and I did go back to them this week.
Keep up the good work everyone.
Fat Burner still makes me its bitch. I'm getting better but I collapse on the floor after doing the pushups instead of lowering myself down like he says. DDP is an evil evil asshole for that workout. I'll show him though.
As some of you know, I am in the US Navy. So being in somewhat physical shape is mandatory. I wouldn't say I was in terrible shape, I've always kind of had a decent metabolism and have never reached 200lbs in weight. But I wouldn't say I was in good shape either. So, I have begun to recommit myself to getting in the gym on a regular basis as part of my New Year's resolution. And in 2 and half months I am already seeing the results come into fruition. Although I have slacked in my cardio aspect of things (I was always a decent runner, so I haven't stressed myself on this part of working out), I have put an emphasis on weight lifting. Now I am still not lifting crazy weight, but my body is already transforming and with it, I'm starting to rebuild that self-confidence I've lost through the years of not exercising regularly, not eating healthy, and drinking beer, haha. Starting this upcoming week, I'm going to begin a pescetarian diet (fish, seafood, vegetables, and fruit). I'm also going to cut out beer... or at the very least minimize my intake.
Some results I have noticed so far...
My pushups in a two minute time frame (Navy PT Test)... went from 50 to 90. I only need 84 to reach my MAX score for my age bracket.
Tricep dips... I went from doing about 2 to doing 15-20 and 5-10 weighted (with 25lb weight on a belt).
Pullups... went from about 2 to 10-15.
I haven't tried maxing out on any weightlifting yet. But I'm not overly concerned with lifting heavy weights either. I've been more focused on less weight, high reps. Although I do tend to test myself on my final set.
I workout 5 times a week, M-F. Chest on M, Shoulders/Legs on Tue, Back on Wed, Triceps on Thur, and Biceps on F. I do Abs twice a week and cardio three times a week on no set schedule. I just fit it in on one of the days.
I'm hoping that moving to a healthier diet will further improve the results I've already been showing.
first post in this thread......or on the forum so Hello :)
Well i am now officially no longer over weight ;D i started to loose weight in october 2014 when i bent down and my belly got in the way of me tying my shoelace! i know i could of just tucked them in lol.
i stared doing the 5x5 strong lifts workout program (http://stronglifts.com/5x5/ (http://stronglifts.com/5x5/)) and stopped eating so much crap and i have now loat over 4 stone! when i started i was 18.7 stone i am now 14.5 (im 6 foot 3) im feeling fantastic! i also quit smoking in March 2014 so its been good working out and loosing weight. If i can do it anyone can! keep at it everyone, i still want to loose more weight and start gaing more muscle i work out 5 days a week and the strange thing is that i look forward to it and if i miss a day i get into a bad mood :-\
here is a unflattering before photo
(http://i58.tinypic.com/674egi.jpg)
this was taken in januray
(http://i60.tinypic.com/30clgex.jpg)
and this one was today after i weighed mysef at the gym (ignore the clobber)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2qjm04i.jpg)
Awesome work buddy! On the stopping smoking and the weight loss. You're a great example for someone like me to follow.
I know what you mean about looking forward to the work out and feeling down if you don't do. I get the exact same thing with DDP Yoga - I think it's the happy hormones that get released during exercise. You really miss them!
Anyway, cheers for this post bud and well done, all your hard work paid off!
I read that exercise releases the same hormones as spicy food. That's why people get all giggly after eating spicy food. So if you eat some chillies while jogging, you'll probably end up high as kite...and in the end, addicted to chilli-jogging - which will no doubt become a new craze at some point! :)
Chilli-jogging... imagine the heartburn!
EDIT: Just had to double check I didn't type Chilli-dogging... 'cos, well, that is just whole other kettle of fish.
Good work everyone!
Have managed to return to the treadmill after not really running since September. My back feels nice and strong so have started alternating yoga and running days. I really enjoy doing the yoga but the buzz from getting a new time or distance while running really spurs me on.
I just have to be tactical when I do it as we only have 1 treadmill on board ship...and sometimes there are a lot of marines hanging around the gym!
Quote from: Jack on March 21, 2015, 11:50:00 AM
Question for you guys:
I've been working out very regularly for some time now and I've got a routine going. Today I'm really under the weather though and struggling to make breakfast!
Should I:
1. Just get through a work out to keep up the routine
2. SKip today and try to get better so I can get back at it tomorrow.
Thoughts?
If your body needs rest, listen to it. That's always my rule.
Quote from: J-Reb on March 21, 2015, 12:09:16 PM
If your body needs rest, listen to it. That's always my rule.
Pretty much this.
However if you HAVE to work out due to maintaining a certain program or keeping a streak going, just do the bear minimum and go through the motions. Less weight, less distance, less speed. Even when you just dial it in, I believe you are still developing muscle memory.
Some people suffer psychologically if they skip entirely, particularly if you have ocd tendencies, others are comfortable enough with where they're at in their goals and their habits that they can take a day off and think nothing of it.
I can skip anything except running. I have to run at least one mile a day to keep the streak alive though one mile for me at this point is in itself a rest day.
I think you know that you've reached a certain point in your fitness journey when you can look at the gym, or your running shoes or your weights or yoga mat and realize that these are your tools, you own them, they do not own you.
Another thing to consider, is dedicating whatever time your work out would normally consume, towards a good stretch routine, and use a foam roller if you have one. Be good to yourself, you've earned it. If I remember correctly you've done P90X before right? If you still have the dvds, use the stretch one, it hits all the parts nicely.
Quote from: Judge on March 15, 2015, 08:19:04 AM
Fat Burner still makes me its bitch. I'm getting better but I collapse on the floor after doing the pushups instead of lowering myself down like he says. DDP is an evil evil asshole for that workout. I'll show him though.
Love the determination Judge.
Hetro... anyone who comes to the forums and makes their first post in this thread is off to a good start in my book ;D Great work man, keep it up.
Excellent work Jon, I am the opposite of you, I've been slacking in the weights, really focusing on running and yoga, and I've seen a lot of improvement in both... but I DO kind of feel guilty about the weights. Its like I know I need it, but its the aspect I'm least motivated for. I'm thinking of taking a break from doing them at the gym and going back to the P90X workouts, just to change it up. I think maybe if I set myself a regular calisthenics routine at home it would help at least.
Duckman, Jack... sometimes I feel I am becoming overly addicted to the happiness hormones, I feel so crappy if I skip! I guess its not a bad thing as far as addictions go though.
I have a love/hate relationship with the dreadmill Dorling... its so boring compared to running outside... except in really crappy weather haha (or if you are on a boat I imagine lo)l. Its the only time I use headphones when running.
Well, I'm going for my Sunday morning run now, keep up the good work everyone.
Introduced to Interval training last week, holy fuck that kicked my arse, I was glad the highest level was only for a minute! On the other hand, managed 20 minutes on crosstrainer at my previous highest level, so pleased with that and will work in Intervals once a week as have been advised.
Weight training also going well, seem to make progress on one set of weights or another each time I go. Needing to work on bicep curls to overhead now, but feels like another good thing to add in.
Introduced a couple of crew members to DDP Yoga a couple of days ago and they loved it.
Also got near my first running goal today - my first target is a sub 30 minute 5k. Been running now for two weeks and this is the first running I've done since September and today I managed 5k in 30m15s, so very close. Pretty happy with that.
Starting to get into that zone now where I feel annoyed if I don't do any exercise in a day.
Also picked up a fitbit surge in Abu Dhabi and for a number chaser like me it's excellent. Measures your heart rate, steps, floors climbed, calories burned, sleeping patterns etc, syncs them to your phone and collects data over time. The app also lets you challenge friends to weekly targets for distance, calories, steps etc. Very cool.
Also surprising how much I move about on ship. Most days I walk over 6 miles up and down the ship, and I generally climb at least 60 flights of stairs (I live on the 5th deck up and I often work in the 3rd of 4th deck down, so that's 8 flights just to get back to my room). Step wise the daily target is 10,000 but most days I've done 17-18,000 steps. I love how much more active my new job is compared to sitting in the office back home.
Keep up the good work everyone.
Just a quick one - beat the 30 minute barrier today and ran 5k in 29m34s, so the next target is 28 minutes.
Ideally I want to get as close to 20 minutes as I can before getting off the ship.
Have really been pushing myself on the treadmill and took my 5k time down to 26:42 today. Starting to feel strong now and feeling the benefits.
Today the ship was rocking and rolling quite a lot (huge sandstorm earlier too - that was a sight to see, or not to see since everything went yellow) today so the treadmill experience was interesting to say the least. One minute you're running uphill, then downhill, then on a camber. All at a nice 27 degrees with no air con or breeze.
Still enjoyed it though!
Dorling, that's almost a minute a mile improvement in the space of four days.... damn good work man, keep it up. You should totally enter a 5k when next you get the opportunity.
The nice thing about interval training Tone, is that while you get your heart rate up so high, that while you're resting you're still working. But yeah, its tough. If you get a chance to try Insanity, give it a whirl, that's about as HIIT as I care to go.
In my news I held a handstand for three seconds today :D
I also came across the Wii balance board whilst cleaning up junk and plugged it in for nostalgia... and forgot how much fun it is. Believe it or not, twas my first step on the road to fitness!
Quote from: Drama Queen on April 02, 2015, 10:50:07 PM
Dorling, that's almost a minute a mile improvement in the space of four days.... damn good work man, keep it up. You should totally enter a 5k when next you get the opportunity.
The nice thing about interval training Tone, is that while you get your heart rate up so high, that while you're resting you're still working. But yeah, its tough. If you get a chance to try Insanity, give it a whirl, that's about as HIIT as I care to go.
In my news I held a handstand for three seconds today :D
I also came across the Wii balance board whilst cleaning up junk and plugged it in for nostalgia... and forgot how much fun it is. Believe it or not, twas my first step on the road to fitness!
I'd love to be able to do a headstand - not there yet, but my balance is a lot better than some of my fellow crew!
Interval training sure is hard work, but it can certainly help build your fast twitch muscles and increase speed. It allows you to work at your maximum for longer - it also does exactly what DQ said and gets your heart rate into those zones that improve your cardio and fat burning and it stays there. Nothing better than seeing your heart rate it is still nice and high and you're into a cool down (or fall down as can be the case!).
Took another 52 seconds off the 5k yesterday (25:50) - really pushed towards the end and felt it afterwards. Looking to take another 20 seconds off today before my rest day tomorrow and then go for the big 25 minute barrier on Monday. That will signify big progress for me, so really looking forward to pushing myself.
Once I get as near to 20 minutes as I can for 5k, I will then start to extend and maintain, firstly by continuing to run for 30 minutes at my fastest pace, and then 40. A 45 minute 10k is probably my ultimate aim, but that will take some serious work.
That's interesting Dorling, I find a 20 minute 5k tougher to achieve than a 45 minute 10k... though as you said you are focusing on the speed first before you start expanding the distance. Either way, awesome goals, regardless of which order you achieve them.
I'm planning on running the Lincoln Tunnel 5k in a couple of weeks, my current PR is 21:34 set on New Years day, so Ill see if I can beat that. The tunnel gets kind of crowded though so Ill need to get to the start line early to get a place up front. Also my gps watch wont work so my pacing will have to be blind.
Going to be a fun day regardless.
Anyhow, you are making huge progress man, very impressive, you will absolutely get there at the rate you're going.
You stretching out good afterwards?
Smashed it in 24:52 today! Delighted by that. Rest day tomorrow, I think I need to recharge.
I will definitely be looking into running a few races when I get back ashore.
The stretching out afterwards is where my 2 years of DDP Yoga comes in - I know which stretches and positions really help my back, hamstrings and hips (my main problem areas), so I grab a mat and spend a good 10-15 minutes stretching out after I've run and done a couple of laps of the ship to cool down.
I think the yoga afterwards is what's helping me stay flexible and strong and not feel the after effects of running like I have done in the past.
Good luck for the 5k mate, that's the kind of time I want to be able to run out on the road.
Personally I use runkeeper to record all my running stats. As a man that loves stats based stuff (fbl players will know this!) its a pretty cool addition for me. My gym at home now has a treadmill, weights bench, two mats for exercise a standing punch bag and a TV on the wall. Inspirational potraits of Captain America and a signed Ole Gunnar Solksjaer/Teddy Sheringham shirt framed from a certain Nou Camp moment!
I have logged this week 11.5 miles of running. Lots of weights work (always been my passion) and havent smoked a cigarette since last Sunday (vap trying again)
I had a hashtag and catchphrase in mind at the beginning of the year. I started changing my diet, finding reasons to exercise more and the 3rd step was quitting smoking. I kept out of this thread because although its quite encouraging the changes for me start with me first and foremost. So far I have lost around 15-16 pounds and feel a lot better. My personal hashtag and catchphrase which I would like to share with you all which I hope could become OUR catchphrase or hashtag is
#CML
CHANGE MY LIFE
I hope you will all join me on my CML whether its through yoga, running, general fitness, dieting, cutting out vices whatever your change of life needs to be.
All the best and keep up the great work
Ian
P.S. I have actually written a piece of a blog so to speak about this which I have sent to Duckman. I am not a writer, but the impact this thread and the Awesome List thread has on me and this site I don't think can be ignored without putting pen to paper or keyboard to html anymore :)
MFX SHOP - NOW WITH MFX CREW SHIRTS #CML/ (http://mfxpodcast.spreadshirt.com/)
Agreed about the food thing - my working schedule on ship is pretty regimented and there are no places to get snacks, and I made a point about not bringing any with me.
When I joined the ship my BMI was in the 'increased risk' category and my waist measurement was in the 'high risk' category.
In the last 2 weeks I have dropped 10lbs and 2cm off my waist, putting my BMI below 29 and in the 'safe' bracket, and my waist size into the 'increased risk' category. Another 2 centimetres and I'm considered healthy.
The weight lost combined with my increase in speed and stamina on the treadmill has me feeling great, and the yoga is keeping me strong and balanced.
I'm looking to lose weight and I've been eating much cleaner - less fats, less processed food, less food (reduced portion size) and cutting out almost all sugar - bar that in things like fruit.
I've been hearing a lot of people talk about going to low carb, or no carb diets and having great results in dropping weight. I find myself eating a lot of bread, crackers etc - thinking I'm doing well by not eating crisps. But from what I'm reading, if I cut these out or at least reduce my carb intake, I'll see results in terms of weight loss.
I think I can easily drop bread from my diet and reduce things like pasta and spuds. I'm more of a protein eater anyway. And I've been reading up on low carb snacks to have during work - which look good.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here has gone low carb or no carb, what advice you'd have, how you found it and if it worked in terms of helping to lose weight.
You need carbs to function - I tried no carb but I just felt crap all the time. It's surprising what benefits you can get just by cutting them down and not eliminating them altogether. Have 1 roast potato on Sunday not 3, have a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich - it makes a difference.
It's all about balance - targeting certain food groups is great in principle but I always find it disrupts more than aids. Being more active and reducing carbs a little should do you fine. I've gone the other way on ship - I'm more active than I've ever been so I've lost weight without altering eating habits at all - I probably eat more now! I've covered nearly 10 miles today and the ship is only 220 metres long!
Carbs is where your energy comes from and given that you do the DDP Yoga you will need energy. The best way to find out is to not eat carbs for a week and do your yoga. Then eat some pasta and do the Yoga the next day and see how much more energy you have.
That's what I'm thinking man - do a bit of trial and error and see how it goes.
I don't intend to go carb free or on the Atkins diet or anything like that. But maybe just cut bread out of my diet and instead of having carbs with every meal, have 'em with 2-3 a week. Something like that.
Anyone who likes this thread should read this thread and the blog Ian has done:
http://www.marksforxcellence.com/boards/index.php?topic=21534.0 (http://www.marksforxcellence.com/boards/index.php?topic=21534.0)
Thanks Jack, that's what the majority of people I've spoken to have said.
I find with some slow release carbs, like a banana, that it gives me enough energy to get through the morning, or afternoon, at work. Considering I sit at a desk all day, I don't technically need that much energy anyway!
What sort of things do you eat instead of say rice and noodles (I'm a junkie for both), is it mostly just green veggies and salad?
I've cut out all soda from my diet. I used to have an obsession over Coke Zero...I'd drink at least 2 cans a day. I've cut that out completely and I seem to feel better. I drink water and unsweetened iced tea for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes I'll toss a lemon in the water to flavor it up, but I don't think I'm missing the Coke at all.
The thing about fitness discussion, and particularly when it comes to nutrition is there is so much white noise and it usually originates from people who stand to make money from it.... including governments with their "milk is good for you" propaganda as an example.
Trial by error is kind of how I get through it all now. But you have to exercise common sense when taking that approach and listen to your body. Really observe... every time you feel fatigued, every time your stomach is off, every morning you wake up with a headache... think about what you ate and other factors (for example, its not ALWAYS diet.... if I sleep with the heat up to high, I wake up with a feeling almost like a hangover).
As humans we have so many individual factors in what makes us tick that no diet is universal. The carbs cutting thing works well for Jack but not for Dorling. It sucks for me, every now and then I am reminded of how evil grain based carbs are and I cut down and within a couple of days I have a gnawing nauseous sensation that no amount of fruit and vegetables can overcome. And it makes me not want to work out, not want to do anything except curl up into a fetal position in bed and pull the covers and cry like a little bitch. (bear in mind, I'm a vegetarian, so that's probably a factor... also as far as weight goes, I cannot afford to lose any... I'm not underweight, but I'm about as low as can be considered healthy... then consider I run every day... basically what I'm saying is the carb cutting is not viable for me personally. But it might work fine for you.
Pretty much Justin had the best idea.... try it for a week, see how it goes. If it doesn't feel right though, don't let it go a full week.
Judge, yeah soda is terrible for every living creature, good decision. From a health point of view I would take a beer or a wine or hell, even a shot over a soda any time. (I don't drink alcohol, but that's because it makes me want to smoke cigarettes, rather than for any direct health reasons.)
Feeling very sentimental about this thread because of Ian. Great to hear about your progress though mate, that's nice going. And yeah, setting up the right environment like you did with your home gym can be hugely motivational.
I hit 205 on the power cleans for the first time today. I'm beyond ecstatic. I've been trying for months and took me 8 attempts this morning but finally nailed it.
I'm down 20 lbs. since I began my journey back in November and I've still got about 20 to go.
I'm also running my first Spartan race on Saturday and am a little nervous. It's only a 5k but with multiple obstacles throughout the run. Should be a good time.
Can't wait to hear about the spartan race, they look like so much fun. I've done "mudman x" races which is the same principal, but not as intense. I would like to up it a bit and try a tougher one, (as long as I know there's no swimming involved)
Way to go with the weights, I love the fact it took eit attempts this morning, shows a fantastic determination!
Alright lads, my turn now!
I've been wanting to do this for a while, now reading from you guys (and listening to Duckers & Trumpy) I'm finally going to do it. I actually kinda started this about 2 months ago - I kicked smoking - am currently smoke free for 9 weeks and counting :)
Next is the weight. I'm 6'4, I'm currently 19.5 stone (that's 273lbs/124 kilos), my overall target weight is 16 stone (224lbs/101 kilos). I'm actually down from this time last year, when I was 21 stone.
I've waited until now because I'm a self proclaimed hedonist and all my vices I take immense amount of pleasure from - chocolate, beer, soda, smoking, sugar in all it's glorious forms (Oh cake, you vile temptress...) and changing my diet plus giving up my cigarettes/cigars/other things that fit in a rolling paper is a recipe for success. So targetting one at a time to minimise the trauma seemed the right thing to do.
My current diet is completely shit. I eat way too much fat, salt and sugar. My main downfalls are crisps/potato chips, soda, chocolate and - generally - portion control. Coupled with this I'm terrible at "Calorie counting". So, my main priorities diet wise are;
- The ol' "Smaller plate" trick for portion control
- Replacing half my potato/pasta/ with additional greens/protein
- Replacing rice with Quinoa
- Replacing chocolate with oranges & plums (oddly, apples & pears are my least favourite fruits)
- Making Carrot chips to replace potato chips (slight trace of sea salt)
- Replacing soda with water/milk/coffee (I'm a caffiene addict, it's next on the list! and I can't drink unsweetened tea :( )
Fitness wise I'm not TOO bad - lots of LARP from march - october means alot of walking/running/fighting in 40lbs of chainmail and armour (on a normal three day event I'll cover at least 20 miles in that). However, I know this isn't enough as it's usually 1 weekend in 3. I'm not a fan of running (at my weight it puts alot of strain on my knees) so I'm starting DDP yoga tonight after work and - with the aid of my other half - am getting into rowing.
Multiple hurdles in my way... but I'm a stubborn bastard :) lets see what I can do! Any tips, tricks or help you guys can offer will be very, very helpful :)
Nothing makes me smile more than when I finally get to glance at my phone during a hectic morning at work and see that there's a new face in this thread. Welcome aboard bam bam!
As far as any tips? Well you mentioned trying to replace certain foods with healthier alternatives... Let me ask you... Do you have a blender? Because that is by far the easiest way for me to get my share of fruits and veg (and the most tolerable method for my taste buds).
Track everything, there are a bunch of free tools online for that, I used to use MyFitnessPal. It tracks so much more than just calories, it tracks everything that is required by law to be on a nutrition label... Ie fats (including saturated and trans), carbs (including fiber and sugars), protein, sodium, potassium, vitamins a and c, iron and calcium. So useful. I specifically monitored my sodium one time when I was told I had high blood pressure, could clearly see by using this, what the main culprits were, and three weeks later my pressure was perfect.
Welcome to the crew Bammer!! You've come to the right place for advice, support and motivation.
I'm currently going through a bit of a food revolution myself - decided to give a low carb diet a try. My main vices are crisps and bread. I counted up between breakfast, lunch and supper, I was eating at least 4-6 slices of bread a day! Which is a lot of carbs. Add in a couple of packet of crisps a day and that's a ton!
I don't really have any major tips or advice. All I will echo is something Ian and others have said - change has to be for you. You have to want and almost need to do this. Don't do it for anyone else other than you, because at the end of the day the only person who can make that change, is you. Sounds so simple, but it's so true.
I'm making these changes for a couple of reasons (two big health ones - high blood sugar and high blood pressure) and also because I felt it was time to stop putting things off, to stop lying to myself and to test myself to become fitter and healthier.
The guys here and this thread has (despite my initial feelings) become a really important part of that. Even just for motivation to think, "those guys can do that, so can I."
But everything you do is going to come from within and you need self discipline, self respect and inner strength to make any kind of lifestyle change.
I've been smoke free since 1st Jan. Sugar free since the end of Jan. I've found addressing each change as a separate challenge has helped. I've also found that stumbling or slipping up isn't the end of the world, just go back to it the following day and try to keep that resolve and determination going.
When my Dad was giving up smoking, he never said he was giving up, or trying to give up - he just said he was a non-smoker. That was 20 years ago and he's never smoked since.
It's all in the mind buddy, and being a stubborn sob is going to help a lot.
Keep posting, keeping communicating and the people here will keep supporting you!
Thanks guys :)
Drama - I do have a blender (All hail MagiMix!), though it'll probably only get used infrequently. I work as a programmer, so I'm sat infront of a computer screen most of the day - that's where most of my snacking happens - so i'm hoping to substitute all those snacks (crisps, chocolate, cereal bars, whatever) with more fruit, nuts, cucumber/carrot sticks etc. That'll go a long, long way way to starting :) I'll definitely keep the idea in mind though - at LARP weekends the food tends to be kinda.... burger van-ish, so making some form of veggie/fruit smoothies and freezing them could actually really help! :D
Duckers - Bread is my downfall too :( Sandwiches are just too damned convenient. There's a ridiculous amount of sugar in bread too, so that's another big one to tackle (I've heard lettuce leaves make a substitute... not a good one, but a substitute)
Thanks for the words guys, I'll keep you updated, even it's just "I WANT CHOCOLATE SO BAD I WILL SUCK YOUR DICK FOR A CANDY BAAAAAAR" lol :)
Good on you Bam!
I too am a massive fan of cake, chocolate, crisps etc. Easiest way to not eat them is to not buy them. Don't have them at home. Don't take them to work. The ship has made it easy for me because the food is prepared everyday - there are no chocolate bars or crisps on board. I eat one sweet thing a day when I run, and nothing on a rest day.
What it has made me realise is that I don't miss the rubbish food - once you get into the mindset of working out and seeing the results, you yearn for more substantial food and you feel like you deserve it when you eat it.
Mentally, once you start seeing positive results, it will surprise you how quickly you switch to an attitude where you don't want to cheat yourself because what you really, really want to see is lower numbers on the scale or faster numbers on the treadmill or whatever it is you want.
DDP Yoga is a great starting point. It will strengthen you in all the right places and start taking some fat off so that when/if you want to increase cardio work your body will be better prepared and cope with it so much better. I honestly can't believe that I've been able to run 45km in 12 days - that would have had me stuck in bed before DDP Yoga but you can do it.
Go for it man and let us know how you get on.
I second the DDP Yoga - it's changed my life completely. I had no exercise for years (office job, sit at desk all day, come home and sit in front of TV - for years) and it's been an amazing way to get back into exercising regularly. I love it and it's making me so much fitter and stronger. It's been brilliant for me. Absolutely brilliant.
Visual motivation ordered...MFX Crew shirt has been dispatched. Hurdles hit this week, but Sir Ian gets up and never gives up #cml
I think it's time to hop on the health wagon here. I bought the ea sports active thing for playstation a few years ago but haven't touched it going to start using it tonight and try to get back in shape
Quote from: Sgt. Josh Underpants on April 10, 2015, 08:58:46 PM
I think it's time to hop on the health wagon here. I bought the ea sports active thing for playstation a few years ago but haven't touched it going to start using it tonight and try to get back in shape
That's great bro! Just start out slow and work yourself into it.
I have to decide really soon if I'm going to do the New Jersey marathon on 26th of this month!
I ran 18 miles today, I ran 18 last Sunday also (at least it didn't leave me in as much pain this week). with this winter being as long and drawn out as it was, it was really hard to get long runs in.
I'm really on the fence about it... I think I can do 26.2 if I go at a more moderate pace, and don't even attempt to match the time I got in Philly.
One piece of motivation is, if I do get it done, and then NY in autumn, that will be PA, NJ and NY covered... three down, 47 to go ;D
Welcome aboard Josh, if the EA active for the PlayStation is anything like it was for the Wii, I recommend it. Its very funny you mention it, because I'm working on a blog about something similar. The Wii was my introduction to fitness believe it or not, and well... now, read above, I'm deciding whether to do one or two marathons this year!
EA Active really worked my legs more than anything and made me very conscious.... for example, if I drop anything nowadays, even if its something light, like a piece of paper, I bend my knees to pick it up instead of stooping over. But yeah, my legs got strong on that, and this was long before I did any of the intense programs like P90X or Insanity. In fact Josh, I would love to read a review of it in your blog at some point.
#CML... F'ing LOVE it Ian.
Bam Bam, Yeah, for me the blender is put to use in the evenings when Im home from work.
Heres a typical list of what I bring to work.... see which ones appeal to you, or are appropriate (remember I do a lot of carbs, which works for me, but not for everyone)
2 PB & FF sandwiches - I can find organic bread and organic PB, but jam/jelly is harder to find and more expensive... so I get a bag of organic frozen berries (berries have less sugar than other fruits) and place them on the bread the night before and keep them in the fridge... I eat them during my 10am break the next morning, and they are fucking divine... the actual fruit thawed out is so much better than jelly. The bread is obviously whole grain.
1 hard boiled egg
1 bag of edamame - its like a Japanese soybean... I keep it in the freezer at home right until I'm leaving for work... I eat this later in the day, its thawed out, just squeeze them from the pods into your mouth... all protein
1/3 cup (roughly) of an organic trail mix that has pumpkin seeds, toasted soy nuts, sunflower seeds, cranberries, dates and dark raisins.... this one comes ready made where I am, but the thing about trail mix is its easy to put it together yourself, then you have full control over the ingredients.
1 apple (I like Pink Lady, but that's just taste preference, an apple is an apple)
1 banana
That keeps me going most of the day. I'm thinking of adding something else, because I do end up getting a muffin from the roach coach in the mornings. (Dorling, that's my sweet thing for running, lol)
Anyway, the whole organic thing is important to me, if you don't care about that (maybe pesticides and gmos aren't as predominant in Britain, I'm not sure), then these kinds of foods will be even easier and cheaper.
Like I say, they might not all appeal to you, especially the sandwiches as you mentioned you are trying to cut down on bread, and you mentioned you don't like apples.
I used to prepare a salad and bring it everyday, but I found both the preparation and the actual eating to be hard work (unless I used dressing, but dressing is not healthy and defeats the purpose of salads, and that's when I decided I would rather get those important nutrients in other forms such as chili and smoothies.
Also, did you check my recipe for the veg chili in my blog? I make enough for a couple of weeks at a time (or at least one week if I eat every day) and whilst I prefer to heat it up each time, it is also quite tasty cold. Not sure if it might be a bit messy to eat by a computer though.
Spartan race in the books.
It was brutal. 4.5 miles of some of the most difficult challenges that I've ever done. Atlas stone (125 lbs) carries, carrying 5 gallon bucket of rocks (had to easy be 75-85 lbs) up and down challenging terrain, rope climbs, rope swings, cargo climbs, and about 300 yards of Army crawling through mud underneath barbwire are just a few of the highlights. It really kicked my butt - I finished at 2 hours, 8 minutes which so far has me in the top 1400 for the event and somewhere in the top 50% for my age bracket. So, for a first attempt, I'm pleased with the outcome!
Wow, Spartan sounds way more intense than mudman x. Way to go j-reb. You've earned a major cheat day lol. Seriously though, isn't it amazingly satisfying to finish one of those things. And finish quite well by the sounds of it.
Oh I hear you Jack, all of my hangovers these days are from food. My first blog entry is about a recent chocolate hangover!
Thanks for all the tips DQ - currently in work with a bag of edamame, 2 bananas and about 1/3rd of a cup of raisins for snacks. Lets see if it works!
Sadly I can't take your chilli advice - Chilli has a tendency to send me into anaphylactic shock and I like breathing :(
I have found a damned good recipe to substitute though, which was "Italian Stew" - basically chopped tomato, diced lean beef, yellow pepper, onion & garlic (with some herbs in). Freezes well, tastes decent, fills you up pretty damned well when coupled with green beans :)
Current plan is to find 5-6 recipes like this, make a giant batch of one of them on a sunday, freeze them and just reheat them in work. Theory would go, this should help ALOT as I'm a horrific eater when in work :)
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on April 13, 2015, 03:39:20 AM
Sadly I can't take your chilli advice - Chilli has a tendency to send me into anaphylactic shock and I like breathing :(
What in the chilli sets it off? Wouldn't it be easy to avoid that?
Capsaicin - basically the chemical that makes chillies hot. Makes the throat close up and subsequently need an EpiPen quickly after. Or a purple crazy straw stuck down my throat by a panicking friend.
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on April 13, 2015, 06:49:28 AM
Capsaicin - basically the chemical that makes chillies hot. Makes the throat close up and subsequently need an EpiPen quickly after. Or a purple crazy straw stuck down my throat by a panicking friend.
Jesus. That takes the joy right out of eating. I'm sorry.
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on April 13, 2015, 06:49:28 AM
Capsaicin - basically the chemical that makes chillies hot. Makes the throat close up and subsequently need an EpiPen quickly after. Or a purple crazy straw stuck down my throat by a panicking friend.
Yeah, shit, I looked it up, it's the peppers themselves are the problem, right? Anyway, important thing isyou found a substitute that is proper food, with a decent amount of vegetables in it. And nice going on the other snacks. Let us know how you felt overall about it by the end of the day.
Man if I couldn't eat chillies I'd go insane! Love spicy food. Sorry to hear about that Bammer.
My low carb eating is going well. I've had no bread or spuds now for five days - the lack of roast spuds with Sunday lunch was tough at first, but I substituted that with more veggies and beef! I'm feeling a lot fresher and less bloated these days. Plus I'm still eating a small amount of carbs, had a little portion of rice with some fish the other night, just because I don't want to go full Atkins!
So far, so good. Did my first DDP Yoga work out in 2 weeks as well. Had a week off when I was away at my brother's, then got ill with a bad throat and chest when I got back! Thanks to my snot factory nephew! So last night I did an Energy work out to get back into it. Felt good, nice and strong and while I still got a sweat on, I wasn't struggling at all. So I'm stepping it up to fat burner for the next couple of days, see how that goes.
Keep up the good work folks - oh and check out the latest MFX show, there's loads of positive chat about life changes and lots of love for this thread!
Cheers.
Progress on the 5k speed has stalled at 24:00. I'm working the 12-4 watch at the moment so finding a time where my energy levels are right for attacking it at speed is hard - having to split my sleep between 1930-2330 and 0400-0900 means that I don't have a full intake of calories (I like to run late afternoon usually so I have breakfast and lunch in me) compared to a usual day. I also have to sacrifice breakfast (which is served at 0730) for sleep!
As a result I've backed off the speed a bit so I'm running a 28:00 5k 3 days out of four - I still burn the calories and get my exercise/cardio hit so it's all good. Still using the DDP Yoga as a warmup and cool down too.
Hopefully I'll change watch soon (my other options are 4-8 and 8-12) and find a suitable time for upping the pace again!
Good work everyone else, I love logging on from the middle of the ocean and seeing life in this thread!
Dorling
Results are currently skewed to fuck :( Some form of illness struck me yesterday in work. shivering, cold, sore throat, insane amounts of tiredness. This is bad as I'm an admitted comfort eater and was craving chocolate eclairs all night. That said, I didn't crack. I wasn't exactly pleasant company though.
gonna try and keep at the low carb/high veg & protein whilst I'm sick - theoretically I should feel even better when I kick this damned thing lol.
That's exactly what I had Bam Bam. There's some really nasty cold/virus type things going around. Every morning for the last two weeks I've been waking up and felt like I've been gargling razors!
I completely bricked it when I woke up, coughed and up came a small glob of blood.
Quick trip to the docs, thankfully not the dreaded C word, I coughed so much I actually tore my throat. Grim.
Day 5 - have not touched A) Cake, B) Chocolate, C) Energy drinks in 5 days. It's been hard, especially when the Mrs. decided to make chocolate cake, because she's an amazing baker. Bread intake has been limited to one slice a day. Have had 1 teaspoon of sugar a day in my coffee as a weaning measure.
Still struck down with horrid illness. No exercise as it feels like I have arthritis in every single joint. I have however, splurged my backpay on a new bike which was delivered an hour ago. Planning on cycling to work every day (8 mile round trip) to augment my DDP yoga, when I finally get around to it.
Hopefully, when I'm up and about, I'll start feeling alot better :)
Averaging between 12 and 14 miles running on the 'mill a week now. Added another 40 pounds to my bench press routine and becoming quite Beastley....
#cml
#mfxcrew
My mfx crew shirt should be here next week will post pic on arrival
Whole week on low carb diet now done. Feeling great, plenty of energy, sleeping well, nice and alert during the day. Still able to do my DDP work outs without any problems.
Will keep this going for a month and see how I feel.
And well done Ian, good to read about your progress buddy!
This is just a quick note to say how pleased I am that all of you have carried on like this. As some of you may or may not have guessed, I haven't been keeping up with the gym due to my personal situations. Regardless, you'll all be pleased to know that I'm back with vengeance seeing the CML thing, as well as reading back at your posts being a little motivation too.
So much so that my 140kg deadlift...has now become a 150kg deadlift.
Nope. I've no idea how that happened either.
Have managed to get into a routine where I can run around my watchkeeping hours on the bridge of the ship. It's hard! I haven't improved my speed over 5k since I hit the 24:00 mark but what's important for my progression is that I keep running and keep burning off those calories and keep my metabolism going, so I've consistently been running 5k in 26:00 - any faster than that early in the morning just isn't happening.
I've resorted to running at 4am. It's odd but my body clock has adjusted to it now (just in time to change my watchkeeping hours in few days - ho hum), so my daily routine now looks like this:
11:30pm - wake up
12-4am - keep watch on the bridge
4-5am - run and yoga
5-7:30am - college work
7:30am - breakfast
8-10.15am - nap
10.15-11.30am - miscellaneous ship work
11.30am - lunch
12-4pm - keep watch on the bridge
4-11:30pm - sleep
It's fairly unsociable!
Glad to see everybody is going well and Rhys is back in the game. Good work everyone.
5.01 miles today with boxing and weight lifting I burnt 1,189 calories in a 2 hour work out. Wore my MFX Crew shirt through it all...
#CML
Finally back to doing 10k again. Granted it's taking me an hour to do it but I want to gradually get back to where I was at in January (PB was 48.30). Swapped gyms, started doing pretty big cardio stints and adding weights (machines) afterwards. Walked in gym space about 11, left at 1.10. Past three days cycled 30k in an hour, 4.5k on cross trainer (an hour) and 25k on treadmill (2hr:37min). Cardio machines estimate that at being 3,000cal burnt, but on top of the limited amount of weights and like possibly a little.
Back to kicking ass and taking names.
Great to hear that buddy! Keep up the good work.
I go to the gym 4-5 times a week but NEVER do cardio. So finally last week I decided to do 8-10 minutes before I begin lifting and I finally got back into competitive basketball which definitely helps with cardio. I say all that to say that I have even more energy and I feel more refreshed.
I've been working on upper body the past few days and today, I did BTN-STO (behind the neck - shoulder to overhead). You're setup in a squat position and then thrust above your head until your arms are fully extended. I started with 135 lbs. and thought I'd breeze through my 3-rounds of 10 reps but I was sorely mistaken. It was brutal. You don't use those back muscles often so trying to jerk them above was miserable.
I took a few weeks off after my elbow tendonitis kicked in (I'm old; leave me alone) and I felt it. I've gained 5-10 lbs. and I hate it.
Have managed to get back on the treadmill at a more reasonable hour and am pushing my fastest times for 5k again. Ran a 24:29 today and I have 3 more days before I go back on to watch keeping hours, so the aim is to run a sub 24 5k before then. Going to aim to equal my record of 24:08 tomorrow and see how it goes.
I felt strong today, really strong. It leaves me feeling pretty good about it all. Also lost another 2lbs so that's 12lbs down now.
After a week on 12-4 watches I decided to have a relaxation day on Sunday and do nothing except watch movies and chill out. My back actually felt worse after that than it does after running.
Take note sciatica sufferers - keep moving! Exercise really is the best remedy for the pain sciatica can cause.
Tried to gym today. Wasn't happening. Body was like "THE FUCK ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME DO!"
Forced it do some weights. I'm going to give it a well deserved break. Back again on Saturday. Looked at scales today and down from 80kg on Sunday to 78.2kg today. Which means I've dropped 7st 1lb since September 2013. 99 pounds I believe.
Let's do some injury moaning. My upper back is wrecked at the moment. Locked up solid right down the muscle that runs down my left shoulder blade. I move my head forward and I can feel the whole muscle lock up and 'pull' - it's now got to the point where it's waking me up during the night, four times last night.
I went to my back cracking lady last week but it's not really helped this time. Going to make another appointment and probably going to need to get some kind of muscle relaxers from the doc, cause it's really uncomfortable and painful at the moment.
On the plus side, still able to do DDP Yoga fat burner. It actually helps loosen my back up, it's just an hour or so after that it all starts to seize up again and get painful.
This morning I could barely get out of bed.
The same thing can happen to me if I sit down for too long or sleep in a certain position (granted, the number of 'bad' sleeping positions is higher on these MOD mattresses), and it is a complete pain. Ibuprofen and plenty of movement can shift it sometimes.
If your back cracking lady doesn't work, see if you can try acupuncture. I won't pretend to really understand it - something about freeing up and realigning muscle fibres - but when my back was at it's worst and I was trying to get ready to go to Navy Officer Training, acupuncture saved me. It really loosens you up, and guaranteed you'll get a great night of sleep when you do it.
I would do it again in a heartbeat if any serious back trouble comes back.
The other thing that might help is a massage, rather than the back cracking. A massage will probably hurt but again it's something that did the job for me in terms of loosening my back up and allowing me to function better.
Wank it out boys...wank it out
Thanks for the er...contribution Ian :)
Made more significant progress with my 5k this week. My new watchkeeping hours of 4-8 will probably make it easier to find a good time to run.
I'm down to 23:02 now. I wasn't actually trying to go fast when I achieved that time, I started off at 11.5kph (to put it into context, to do 5k in 24:00 you have to run at 12.5kph), but felt strong so kept upping the pace and was running well at 15kph towards the end. It makes me feel happy that I can run at 13+kph for 10-15 mins now as when I got on the treadmill 6 weeks ago today, I classed running at 12kph as my sprint finish.
Overall, my 5k has come down from 31:15 to 23:02 in 6 weeks. I feel really good right now.
Nice Dorling! Excellent work... You've been going about it the right way. Run every day or as many days as possible, but only go for top speed once, maybe twice a week.
Ever since I started my running streak my speed and endurance have improved so much, despite not going flat out every day. Every mile you run regardless of speed, is conditioning.
Going to catch upon the rest of this thread later today.
Just weighed in for this month, gone from 238lbs to 225lbs since 10th April. Happy with that.
Considering that I had due a small lapse in routine to being scheduled on Late shifts for a week and preferring to work AFTER and not before my job, actually expected to lose less. Maybe the break of a week or so from gym (but while still active at work) also did some good.
Monday I started eating real people food and started a new workout routine for the first time since like junior year of high school. Mainly got fed up with how i looked, felt and acted all the time so wanted to make a change, but am also hoping I can get back in ring shape and get back into the indies, I miss it.
Anyway... real people food sucks... I just want a pizza.
This is going to be 2 Tuff, like Tony. But I'ma make it work, hopefully.
Good stuff Tritch. Even a small change in diet and a bit of exercise is a great way to kick it all off and it really makes you feel so much better.
I haven't run a 'fast' 5k for a while now - it's just too hot out here. Temperature in the gym is easy hitting 40 degrees celsius now with high humidity, so I've just been running steady 25 minute 5ks at least 3 days out of four. I should get back to a reasonable temperature soon so can hopefully start picking up the pace again.
I feel good though - saw a friend in Dubai who I last saw at the start of my trip, so 3 months ago, and she remarked that I looked good - I can live with that!
Went for a weigh in today and I've lost 18lbs in the last 10 and a half weeks. Proper chuffed with that.
People won't recognise me when I get home...NEXT WEEK (a little excited by that prospect).
Good man Dorling! You'll be strutting off that ship like a new man! Bet you can't wait to get home.
In less exciting news, I did my first DDP Yoga work out last night, after 2 weeks off due to holiday/back injury. Surprisingly it wasn't total hell and my body responded well - no back spasms that left me lying on the floor like last week when I tried to tie my shoe laces up! Nice to get back into a routine.
Oh and my blood sugar level has dropped from 15.5 to 8.5 in the last 5 months - pretty damn chuffed with that! Medication and major liftstyle changes have really helped and I feel SO much better. One more point and I get into the 7s, which the doctor considers a well managed level. Then I've just to keep bringing it down and by this time next year, I'll be non-diabetic (hopefully).
Good stuff Duckers!
Well, I fell off the wagon about 4 weeks ago - at a larp event I took a nasty blow which knocked me clean out, I fell awkwardly and fucked up my shoulder and pulled my hamstring (at the same time. Beat THAT one). Due to this I've been less active and slipped back into eating crap. This morning I slapped myself, have been a good boy all day and just did my first DDP workout in a month. Shoulder is still killing me (it's the muscle group directly to the right of my left shoulder blade) but I managed it and feel looser. Lets try this shit again :D
2 weeks into the new job, so just DESTROYED the routine I had going, but this week I've been able to get back on track, didnt lose any real progress either. All my maxes are the same, still killing the HIIT on the treadmill....I recommend that for those of you who dont have a whole lot of time to do cardio. I can usually get 2.5 miles done around 20 mins or less, and im in the 250-60 range.
#TeamShitPants
Quote from: Jack on June 02, 2015, 11:47:16 PM
As mentioned I've been doing a little lifting and while I still have a long way to go, the way I feel has improved dramatically. The past few days, while jogging I can feel a drastic difference, especially when going up hills and my overall speed has improved a lot.
Great to see all the guys who fell off the wagon getting back on. Once we're all shredded we'll have to have and MFX Fit Club Calendar! ;)
+1
After 10 consecutive days of running 5k daily, I had a rest day on Friday. Saturday I ran the easiest 5k of my life. A leisurely 25 minutes and my heart rate was comfortable throughout and I felt great during and afterwards.
Today I started with the same idea but felt excellent so pushed up the speed and came in with a new PB. Finally cracked that 23 minute mark and ran it in 22:51. That puts me at 60k in the last 13 days, with one 5k left to run tomorrow morning before arriving in bonny Scotland.
Not really a fit thread thing, but along with my blood sugar levels dropping like a stone, my blood pressure is also going down and I'm almost back into the 'healthy' range.
It's amazing what eating clean and exercising regularly can do. When I first went to the doctor and she told me what was wrong with me, I thought the absolute worst. Now, after six months hard work, I'm almost in the clear.
I'm in for the long haul though. Just cause I've dodged a couple of bullets doesn't mean I'm going back to being the wreck of a human I was before. This life changing stuff is hard work, takes a long time, but I'm really feeling and seeing the benefits now.
A big part of that has been the support and inspiriation I've taken from this thread. So thanks for that lads!
Everyone keep up the good work and keep changing your lives for the better.
Full week without sugar. Had a serious "I'll fucking cut you" when someone brought a giant triple chocolate cake in to work on friday, but got through it.
Carb intake is reduced to minimal levels.
Have taken a different approach to DDP yoga - have done "Stand up" workout three times in the last week. Am having to take an extended break - it's improved my posture so much in just three sessions that the muscles in my left shoulder (which has always been a problem joint for me) are in lots of pain - they've shrunk and distorted so much over the years due to overcompensating/general slouchiness that they're being stretched brutally. I still view this as a good thing.
I've also picked up the book "Becoming a supple leopard" by Kelly Starrett - the man is a genius. his method (which at the minimum require just a lacrosse ball - £2.00 baby!) have put me through minor agony this weekend, but sweet jesus it's helped my flexibility and just general movement!
All in all, so far, so good.
Very proud of everyone in here, especially Duckman though, that is a HUGE turnaround dude, and I'm so glad, because you deserve it man. Like I mentioned before, you're always respectful of others, you deserve the same respect yourself, FROM yourself.
Way to go Bam Bam, cutting sugar is not easy. I'm struggling with it myself, although I feel this week is becoming a turning point. And yeah, posture makes an amazing difference. So many people have made surprised comments if I had to tell them my height for some reason, everyone thinks I'm much taller than I am. A little trick I learned from one of my favorite yoga instructors is walk and/or stand with your palms facing forward as often as possible... it automatically pulls your shoulders back (though you may look a bit psychotic walking in public that way... but what do you care, you're an axe-wielding maniac anyway)
Dorling, isn't it so good be at a stage when you can breeze to a time that you used to really struggle to get anywhere near. Keep up the good work man, and take it off the treadmill if you get the opportunity. Do you have a GPS watch or app on your phone by any chance? Very useful (though the watches are expensive... not sure about phone apps)
Cory, that's a really impressive time for someone in that range... your legs must be fucking ripped dude!
Jack, the biggest difference I find that lifting helps with is in the shoulders... I used to feel them ache with every bounce when I ran, not any more. On a sidenote, did P90X chest and back for the first time in ages on Monday. Damn, I cant do as many push-ups or pull-ups as I used to... bit of a wake-up call there!
How is the real people food thing going Tritch? Its not easy, I know. Lately I've been using the running as an excuse to eat what I like. I've since been reminded of the saying "you cant outrun a bad diet". Try being as creative as you can with vegetables, and a blender is your friend for fruit and veg intake.
Tonecold, thank you for the top ten list in your journal! Quite inspiring, reminded me of some of my favorites. Except swimming. I will only do that if I'm drowning. and even then, I'm like "meh, I'm sure someone will jump in and save me!"
Been a while since we posted in here. I'm still doing DDP Yoga 3 times a week. Really feeling and seeing the difference now. Dropped a ton of weight and forming some serious muscles in place of all that nasty flab! I've moved up to including the below the belt work out, which is all about the legs and lower body. Lots of crunching and balance work, a total killer when I first did it but it's really good and I'm enjoying it.
Also going to start doing some more walking on the days I don't do DDP yoga. When I move into my new place, which is hopefully soon, I've got a really nice area near me which has a canal, so I'm planning on working out a circuit from my new place, around the canal for a couple of miles and will do that as many nights a week as I can.
Still bringing the blood sugar and pressure down - the improvement in how I feel is remarkable now I'm getting both of those under control. Sucks having to take medication every day, but I'm keeping in mind is reversable and temporary and that's keeping me positive.
Also still doing the low carb thing - which has really helped in losing weight. I've cut out bread (expect on weekends when I have some toast in the mornings and maybe a sandwhich for lunch) and I haven't eaten any crisps, chips or much else. Still have carbs with dinner once or twice a week, but sticking to thinks like cous-cous or rice. Getting a bit sick of eating salads for lunch every day, but I'm looking at it more like fuel, as opposed to a pleasurable thing. Just shovel it down and get on with my day!
Anyway, got a long way to go yet, but I'm still at it and really feeling/seeing the benefits of this lifestyle change.
Hope you guys are too and would be great to hear from you all!
Cheers.
Good point Duckers, haven't posted this in a while! Good to hear you're doing well with it - keep it up :D
Currently I'm at week 6 of "not quite sugar free". I had some very nasty "I WILL FUCKING CUT YOU" moments, so I'm having a lunchtime yoghurt once a day to take the edge off the sugar cravings. Aside from that... nada :) except beer & mead, of course!
Carb intake has gone down significantly. No bread, no crisps, no chips. Alot of salad & greens + protein & cheese. Oh, lots of nuts too. will usually have brown rice once a week.
I've stopped doing DDP yoga - I genuinely just don't have the time at home to do it nowadays (yup, I don't even have half an hour, that's how busy my life is) - when things get less crazy I'm intending to get back into it. For now, I've fixed up my bike and cycling to work & back every day. That's approximately a 6 mile round trip - not that much, but it's still 30 miles a week that I'm cycling. All adds up :)
As to weight, I've lost around a stone at this point - so down from about 20 to about 19. Currently on about a 44"-46" waist, my aim is to get to 38.
An odd statement here - but my torso is kinda like Mark Henry - I'm very barrel chested, making my moobs rather prrominent. This time, my weight seems to be coming off my "pectoral meat" instead of my waist - this is good, as a 52" chest and a 38" waist would give me the appearance of a carrot.
Just gonna keep plugging away at it :)
Good job on the ~30 drop Jack! I know what you mean with the diet, alot of people (myself included in this) fail at a too-strict diet. Switching it to a more healthy eating regime with some nice stuff in there stops you resenting it and, ultimately, helps you succeed further. Keep it up dude :)
I've been switching off all electronics by 8p.m.each night over the past week and in bed by nine, reading (actual print on paper) for a while (hour max). I end up sleeping like a log and get a solid 7-8 hours.
I believe I owe duckman a thanks for that, he posted that advice in this thread a while ago, and I'm happy to report it works.
I'm tapering.
Basically for about a month I was running 22-24 miles on a Saturday morning, and a decent 5-8 on a Sunday as well as 2-3 every other day of the week.
And then the dreaded taper began... Down to 16 on Saturday, then 12, and then 8... And only a mile a day the rest of the week.... And I am bouncing off the fucking walls. God damn I'm so restless. But it all ends tomorrow with the twin cities marathon.
After that I'll be in recovery mode... Still not running as many miles but I'll be to tired to care haha. (and I won't be able to build back up to soon because I have the ny marathon four weeks later.
After that I'm probably just owing todo the bare minimum to keep both streaks going over the winter and concentrate more on strength and yoga.
3:29:12
Despite completely blowing it from a strategy point of view. (I crossed the 13.1 mark two minutes ahead of my half marathon best!)
Yesterday I seemed to be suffering from some sort of emotional turmoil. Not sure if this is something else or if it's a marathon thing... This did not happen to me with Philly or NJ.
It could account for why I stormed out the gate at a pace I could not hope to maintain.
I got the night before/morning of nutrition part right... Took I enough to stay hydrated and have something to burn, but for the first time ever, did not have to relieve myself during the race.
I misjudged the weather.... Ended up having to discard my Philly shirt (my first marathon shirt!) six miles in... Hope it goes to somebody who needs it.
The hair and beard must be coming along nicely, at least three different people yelled "run Forrest run" at me during the course :)
I'm stuck in the airport now my flight back is delayed... Not that I'm in a hurry to spend three hours in a cramped plane tbh!
Great work DQ. How many of those do you run a year? Do you just build up to one a year, or is it a year round thing?
After coming up with some excuses - moving house, injured foot etc. I'm back on the health kick. Cleaned up my diet over the past few weeks - although I was still on a low carb, no sugar diet to bring my blood sugar and blood pressure down.
Incorporated a brisk walk into my exercise now. Managed to do a couple of miles a night for the first few nights.
Did my first DDP Yoga work out for a few weeks last night. Blasted through fat burner and while it was a bit tough to get going, I was surprised how my body reacted and how familiar it felt. Feeling good today, so going back for round 2 after work tonight.
It's tough to keep things going in the winter months - especially getting out walking or running after work when it's dark and cold - but I'm giving it another push to build on the good work I did in the early part of the year.
What about the rest of you guys?
Thanks Sam. Minnesota was my third and I'm doing NY Nov 1st (shit... only eight days away). Technically all four have been within a calendar year. I don't have a set schedule, but like to at least get a spring one and an autumn one done each year.
I'm starting to seriously consider Philly on Nov 22! It's not to late to sign up... I'm debating with myself whether that's insane or whether I should just go for it.
It's been tough lately because September and October are the two months of the year when I referee soccer games. The running involved in that is way to much stop-and-start to consider it as adequate training for my marathons, yet it is running nonetheless. So basically, as it coincides with marathon season, Everything is running... I can't wait to get back to yoga and weights and become a bit more balanced from a fitness point of view.
It really IS tough to keep going through the colder and darker months. But even more important. I can't speak for others but for myself, this is the time of year I am more susceptible to mental and emotional issues. I rely a lot on the endorphins from working out.
Having said that, I believe getting more sleep is crucial this time of year also. Our bodies are crying out for rest, but sometimes I think I'm resting by watching Netflix or playing online, when really I should be turning everything off and sleeping more.
Good stuff with the lifting Jack, what a boost it is when somebody notices.
As for the dietary side of things, still strictly vegetarian, and now eggs are also off the menu. Dairy is the only difference between what I'm doing and outright veganism at this point. Though the reasons for this are not all health-based.
Hey DQ, just with you mentioning about feeling particular bad in the winter months, when it comes to your mental health, you could be suffering something my Dad has - Seasonal Affective Disorder.
While this article talks about it being more prevalent in women (mainly because men normally don't seek help for mental health issues, or self medicate) this might be an interesting read for you:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/11951327/SAD-Seasonal-Affective-Disorder-How-it-affects-women.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/11951327/SAD-Seasonal-Affective-Disorder-How-it-affects-women.html)
I know when my Dad got a SAD lamp during the winter months, it really helped improve his over all mood and well being.
As I'm up at maritime college and only have myself to cater for, for the last couple of weeks and until christmas I had made a lot of changes to my diet. I have a lot of friends that are gluten or lacto free for various reasons and they all rave about how good it makes them feel, so for for now and until christmas I am:
- avoiding lactose so eating lactose free cheese and using almond milk (which is delicious)
- avoiding most wheat and gluten (but I love my Weetabix in the morning so that stays)
- not eating meat (and have enjoyed a lot of vegetarian alternatives to my favourite meals)
So far I've lost a couple of pounds with minimal exercise and I've noticed that I can maintain alertness in class more and I have been completely headache free for weeks (I have in the past had problems with headaches and even migraines (that got really bad at one point). In general I feel pretty energised, find it easy to get up and go about my business, like the food I eat and all in all am happy with how it's going.
Dorling, are you still eating the same as when you last posted? If so how does it feel?
Thanks Sam for the recommendation on the SAD lamps. I did not end up getting one, thought it is always in the back of my mind now as I consider my day-today mental health. I had always just assumed we all suffer a touch of SAD in the winter. That does not mean of course that I shouldn't consider all options for dealing with it.
So... I am now 100% vegan. Have been for a couple of months. My main reason for this is that my son is determined to be vegan, and hence I am doing it with him in order to make sure we are doing it in a healthy way, tracking our intake of calcium, iron and B12.
Last year my focus was on running. This year I am backing off (still running long distance on weekends, and going to do at least a couple of marathons... first of which coming up March 13th in North Carolina). But the everyday consecutive running streak ended in December after 410 days. There were several reasons behind this. My knees were starting to feel the wear and tear, and I was neglecting other aspects of physical fitness. (So yes, I shaved my hair and beard, got rid of the Forrest Gump running look haha)
This year, from a physical point of view I am getting back to a more well-rounded schedule with more yoga and strength training.
I am also allowing more time for self-improvement in other areas. Not sure if it belongs in this thread because it is not related to physical health and fitness as such, but I personally find it harder and harder to separate the different pieces of the puzzle that go together for a healthy lifestyle.
I'm learning Hindi and generally stimulating myself mentally in other areas (such as playing lumosity). I'm also trying to become more spiritually rounded, like trying to apply the philosophy of yoga to all aspects of my life, or expanding my reading to encompass various cultures from around the world.
Again, not so much health and fitness related, but the whole thing helps me achieving my goals which include physical ones.
Hope everyone's getting through the winter in good shape.
Quote from: Drama Queen on February 13, 2016, 01:51:15 PM
Dorling, are you still eating the same as when you last posted? If so how does it feel?
Trying, but have gone for a more moderate approach. Have cut down on things like bread, milk, chocolate etc, but now the weather is improving (the North West of England is a horrible place, don't come here) I can add to my 3 weekly hours of football (soccer) with some running and walking and generally being outside without wanting to hurt myself.
Gonna bump this because...I dunno. Looking for ways to keep me honest I guess. So let's get this bump parade started!