Exercise

[Found in the Land of Lost]

We all know that it's important for our bodies and minds to move around and get the blood pumping regularly. What's your favorite way to get moving?

I have a gorgeous and peaceful lake (about 10 miles around) that's very close to where I live, so when the weather isn't hot or excessively rainy, hiking/walking there is my preferred form of exercise. I also like weight training at the gym, although I don't make it in as often as I always plan to (2 or 3 days if I'm lucky).

I made this a poll just because it sort of fits the topic, but I really mean this as more of a discussion thread, so don't feel obligated to answer the poll if you don't want to.

:)

[King of Snake]

I'm really getting into my weight training at the moment. I'm somehow motivating myself to go to the gym 5 times a week. I'm not sure how long it will continue though

[LPU]

Exercise, pfft.

[Found in the Land of Lost]

:p

[Leia Amos]

I wish I actually exercised. :p When I am in the right mode, I love to play tennis. I walk most places in Chi and ride my bike as well, I need an air pump though. Used to have a gym membership, which made exercise easier.

[wickedsweet]

I'm kind of a fanatic about it. i do 20 -40 min of yoga in the morning, and 40-65 minutes of the Firm every night, somedays i throw in a 40 min cardio tape as well in the afternoon. plus i dance around the house alot and playing with the kids can be a real workout.

I love basketball, volleyball and football and i swim whenever I get the chance. Surfing's a great workout and I like snowboarding in the winter. If I don't move i get sluggish and cranky and no fun to be around.

[The Life of Riley]

I dance three days a week. I do a lot of walking, mostly because I don't have a car. Once in a while I'll go to the gym as well.

[John Charles]

I go to the YMCA here and do the circuit, ride the stationary bike, walk the treadmill, swim and hit the sauna. Oddly, the YMCA's up North aren't thought of as a place to go work out. Down here in the South they're very modern and most gymn type facilities cannot compete.

i do 20 -40 min of yoga in the morning, and 40-65 minutes of the Firm every night
Best kind of exercise right there, uh huh. :D

[Found in the Land of Lost]

I go to the YMCA here and do the circuit, ride the stationary bike, walk the treadmill, swim and hit the sauna. Oddly, the YMCA's up North aren't thought of as a place to go work out. Down here in the South they're very modern and most gymn type facilities cannot compete.




Here in the Bay Area, the Y is how you describe, like a very nice sports club. If there was one closer to me I would probably have kept my membership there. I really miss working out and playing ball there.

Now I go to a women's gym about a half a block from my house. The proximity and free daycare make it a perfect choice for me. There are no hoop courts there, but for the price I can live without them.

:)

[Lawboy]

I road run 3-4 days a week for 3-4 miles a day. Good stress and tension relief. Helps the waist from expanding, too.

[Frecklestoo]

I have a bad hip that I'm planning on having replaced in the next couple of years. Once it's recovered, I'd like to start running again. I used to run and it was almost an addiction...

[ISIS]

I choose walking as in the dog. However; I do watch what I eat. I'm in second stage PBC (http://pbcers.org/whatis.htm)/with underlining associated illnesses. I should exercise more but there are days brick walls appear out of nowhere.

Become an Organ Donor

[9mile monster]

Oh, ISIS, I hope you feel good most of the days. My prayers to you. I started walking over 10 years ago. I would add up my mileage each day, month, then year. The total became my incentive to keep walking. Now I work up a sweat in the gym, too.

[ISIS]

Thanks 9milehttp://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x60/ISIS_058/throb.gif; I was going to Women Workout World a few years back. I slowly let it go. Actually I look better than I have in years on the outside; I lost probably 25 lbs just watching what I eat and staying off the bad soda. My husband has been riding me lately to get back to the exercise. I'm afraid to commit; it took forever to cancel my last membership; and money was wasted. Right now walking is all I do though.
:Cheers: Wooohooo 9mile sweaty in the gym!!!

[scotpgot]

About five years ago, my grandmother started walking two miles a day. We have no idea where she is now...

[John Charles]

She drowned when she got to the ocean.

[9mile monster]

About five years ago, my grandmother started walking two miles a day. We have no idea where she is now...
LOL:jester: that will be me one day and what a way to go.

[ISIS]

:rolleyez: Walking downhill might be easier for me.

[island_maverick]

I try and play sports most days on the way home from work. Current schedule in days order is; table tennis, racquet ball, soccer, badminton and gym, although it's rare that I'll do all five in one week.

[wickedsweet]

No basketball?????


So 15 years of yoga has finally paid off in a way i can actually discuss here....my 7 year old just started gymnastics and she's very mad because I can do a split and she can't:D

[Smirnoff_Ice]

Exercise is huge to me. I'll weight train and do a running workout everyday. The sports I do are organized and competitive, with baseball in spring/summer, basketball in fall/winter. Individually, I'll do running events year round and snowboarding in the winter (which burns a lot more calories and is a better workout than most people realize).

[Mattie]

Other:

Rollerblading. Swimming would be second. :)

ETA: I really really like rollerblading. In the summer I do it almost 4 times a week. Winter...1/2. Roads have to be clear and living in New England that's never a sure thing. The ipod, me, and the biking trails is my way to relax.

[Cr8tor]

During the week I'll try and get up and go to the gym at least 3 times plus once on the weekend. My routine is 10 - 15 minutes running to get warmed up and then lift weights for about a hour. Finish off with stretching and ab work. Keeps me fit. I'm about 6', 225-230 but most people don't believe I weigh that much. I wear it well. :D

[sals]

Other:

My daily regimin........



Carrying heavy things in.

Moving furniture.

Painting. Painitng. Painting.

Moving furniture back.

Carrying heavy things out.



Sals

[melostmo]

*coughs*

[9mile monster]

I like to go to the gym three times a week and do 3miles (and work up a good sweat) on the eliptical then do a weight work out. I started doing push ups on a inclined bar at hip level. I'm working my way down to the floor eventually.

SMIRNOFF, that is very impressive what you do, a workout everyday. I kind of have it as on my off days at the gym I walk my dog a few miles, too.

[wickedsweet]

Exercise is huge to me. I'll weight train and do a running workout everyday. The sports I do are organized and competitive, with baseball in spring/summer, basketball in fall/winter. Individually, I'll do running events year round and snowboarding in the winter (which burns a lot more calories and is a better workout than most people realize).

Snowboarding is good, even the way i do it, all that falling down and getting up IS quite a workout.

I was doing 7 days a week but my body really started to hate me for it...sore joints, exhaustion, started getting colds. I cut back to "real" workouts 5-6 days a week with just doing something fun but easy on the 7th (easy hiking, biking, that kind of thing)

[9mile monster]

Snowboarding is good, even the way i do it, all that falling down and getting up IS quite a workout.

I was doing 7 days a week but my body really started to hate me for it...sore joints, exhaustion, started getting colds. I cut back to "real" workouts 5-6 days a week with just doing something fun but easy on the 7th (easy hiking, biking, that kind of thing)
Whenever I go at it too many days in a row, I start to feel really sluggish, not energized. I even experienced the colds, too. When I haven't worked out for two days, then I come back really strong and it makes me happy to accomplish so much.

[Smirnoff_Ice]

As for my weight training, it would take some sort of diagram too complicated for me to figure out and make to explain it. Running usually varies with the day, but it's usually either a distance type thing or a sprint workout.

Example from earlier today: 0.8 mi warmup / 200 m sprint / 220 m sprint / 240 m sprint / 260 m sprint / 280 m sprint / 300 m sprint / 0.8 mile cooldown. 2 minutes in between sprints to rest and +3 seconds for each 20 m added on.

[wickedsweet]

I've always loved The Firm workout DVD's....cardio and weights combined into one work out. The new system they have out now is the best yet, lots of reps with med weights ( i use 8- 15 lb dumbells) while keeping the heart rate up.

I'm doing 3 days on 1 off right now, and i switch patterns of strength focused cardio/intense cardio/strength focused again..then the next 3 days i do 2 intense cardio to one strength focused, and 20 minutes of "easy" yoga every morning....and I'm not getting the burn out that both 9mm and me talked about.

And I know what you mean about taking a couple days off and coming back stronger 9mm,I had to start listening to to when my body needs some extra rest and even though it frustrates me I take that extra day off.

I've always wanted to get into running I just am not built for it though.

[9mile monster]

Has anyone used the "slow" method? I read a book about taking about 15 or so seconds to complete one rep. It also talked about doin very slow reps with heavy weights and doing as many as you could do in 60 seconds. It was a good method to try and it helped me gain upper body strength. I'd like to use it more often but then I also like to spend only an hour at the gym so I go faster.

[wickedsweet]

I've seen some workouts like that popping up lately, endurance robotics or something like that....i can see how it would work but it would drive me insane,and once I got tired it would be way to easy for me to "cheat" and I would.

[9mile monster]

Wicked, I can't do the slow method too much because I have enough just counting my reps, let alone the seconds to do it.

[Indrid Cold]

I\'m in my 15th year of weight training, I have probably worked out every week of that 15 years with the exception of when I\'m sick. Before that I was the laziest of all, and then one day I joined a club and thats how it went.

[catnap]

I teach step aerobics and weight lifting classes 5 mornings a week, and one Yogalates (pilates and yoga) class a week. I've been doing that (teaching classes) for 17 years now, I'm really passionate about it. Also have my personal trainers certification, but I just don't have time to train anyone right now!

[wickedsweet]

Going to work out now.....way to late but oh well

[Rocky Raccoon]

:rotfl:

Anything other than biking.

[catnap]

What's so funny Rocky?

[9mile monster]

Lunges. Anyone ever do lunges? I mean the exercize where you travel by kneeling down on one knee, get and do it to the other side?

They kill me more than any other exercize. I can hardly sit down the next day after lunges.

[azteclady]

I work out at home, using DVDs from Beachbody.com [mostly their Power90 program, occasionally doing some of their TurboJam routines]. I also bike a lot since I don't have a car.

I find that working out at home can be both easier and much more difficult than going to a gym--easier because of the convenience, flexibility in scheduling workouts, it's much less expensive than gym dues, etc. The main advantage for me is that I can take the time I need to move to the next level--faster or slower, or even going back if I need to.

But working out at home, alone, does require will power, and that's where I struggle.

Sill, in the past two years I've felt much better by doing these programs. Like 9mm and ws have said, working out 5 to 6 times a week, and resting (or working out lightly) the other two is much better both mentally and physically than trying to work out 7/7. The body does need time to rest.

[Indrid Cold]

Not mine.

[wickedsweet]

Lunges. Anyone ever do lunges? I mean the exercize where you travel by kneeling down on one knee, get and do it to the other side?

They kill me more than any other exercize. I can hardly sit down the next day after lunges.

I do The Firm work outs 5-6 days a week and they are lunge obsessed.....I used to HATE lunges but now that I have the most amazing butt that I have ever had, I've decided that they are so worth it..they have a new move (for them) called the corkscrew, which is a lunge, holding a weight at your chest to start and then when you lunge you pull your abs in and, lowering the weight to graze the outside of your thigh, turn to the oppisit side of the lunge, pretty effective once you get the form and timing down..now if I could just learn to love push ups.


They also have a new move that has really started to work on my abs (keep in mind I have kids) the Tricept Tummy Toner...lying like you would for a regular crunch, you hold weight up as you would for a tricept exstention, you do the tricept exstention and then pull the weights to your chest and do a crunch, my fave move ever (well except for maybe a ribcage pull over)

I work out at home, using DVDs from Beachbody.com [mostly their Power90 program, occasionally doing some of their TurboJam routines]. I also bike a lot since I don't have a car.

I find that working out at home can be both easier and much more difficult than going to a gym--easier because of the convenience, flexibility in scheduling workouts, it's much less expensive than gym dues, etc. The main advantage for me is that I can take the time I need to move to the next level--faster or slower, or even going back if I need to.

But working out at home, alone, does require will power, and that's where I struggle.

Sill, in the past two years I've felt much better by doing these programs. Like 9mm and ws have said, working out 5 to 6 times a week, and resting (or working out lightly) the other two is much better both mentally and physically than trying to work out 7/7. The body does need time to rest.


I love working out at home, if i have to drive to the gym I'll talk myself out of it, if I'm doing it at home, I don't let myself off the hook, I'll work out at 9 at night if I have to. It really keeps me sane.

And I have to say that I didn't really like the Power 90 work outs I love Tony, his sense of humor cracks me up, and their good for guys that want to work out with out feeling like they're doing a "girlie" work out.

[wickedsweet]

BTW...anyone looking for a great, full body work out DVD, you can not beat this one, I'm obsessed with doing this, and have to make myself only do it once a week (I like to rotate workouts to keep up "muscle confusion)

http://www.collagevideo.com/cart/default.aspx?GoTo=evideodetail&Item=7873&source=friend

[rosalind711]

The total body cardio machines are the best, where you move you legs and arms. There are diff. types, but any of them are my favorite.

[Indrid Cold]

One thing you really need to be careful of when you work out in a gym is germs. Its amazing how many germs you can pick up from those machines.

[9mile monster]

:yeah:I have picked up a few nasty germies in the sauna. Now my gym doesn't have those types of facilities. Lots of people bring a towel and sit on it. Personally I don't think it is good to wipe equipment down with a towel as the germs still stay there. I use the disinfectent spray, most of the time. I wash my hands before I leave though.

[Indrid Cold]

So would you guys say that you work out to keep your weight down or to just build muscle? I am a naturally thin person and no matter how much I eat I don't gain any weight so it's all muscle building for me. I am 5'9, and weigh between 166 and 170 pnds. But the funny thing about working out is that no matter how much you do it, nobody ever seems to be happy where they are at.

[9mile monster]

Lucky dog, you are, Indrid. I work out because my mum and her whole family had diabetes and most pasted away from complications of it. One way to beat that dreaded disease is to be active and keep your weight down. I'm tall (5'8") and could pretty much eat what I wanted until I got older, then every bit of a sugary treat ends up around my waist or under my chin. I'm at 160 and am going for 150.

[Indrid Cold]

The downside is that I work from my home, so my immune system is weaker than people who have alot of human contact. The result is I pick up germs from the machines even if I clean them. I think I have had the flu 4 times this year alone.

[John]

All that and it's only January 2.

[9mile monster]

:rotfl: AND GA ZUN TIGHT

[wickedsweet]

I work out to look good, shallow as it may be....but the great advantage is that i feel better for doing it.

I'm 35, and a lot of my friends are starting to "feel" the age we are but I actually feel better than i ever have, and it's the side effects of exercising and eating well to keep my weight down

[King of Snake]

I know this is a terrible cliche, but I put on a stone (14 pounds) over Xmas, so I've decided to start eating properly and going down the gym more regularly.

[azteclady]

ws, it's funny but I started to work out more regularly to feel better--and since I also look better, I feel doubly motivated to keep it up!

[MaxPower]

:yeah:

I've always done step classes, but due to my conflicting priorities, I'm only able to go once a week. But starting in June of last year, I began running in the mornings. I'm now up to 5 miles a run. It's become addictive. I feel sooo much better and have lost weight without any major changes to my diet. In fact, I can get away with more treats...as my nemesis is a horribly strong sweet tooth.

[9mile monster]

The sweet tooth is a terrible thing, IMO

[melostmo]

http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

http://www.suzannesomers.com/images/Products/ThighMasterGold.jpg :Cheers:

[wickedsweet]

ws, it's funny but I started to work out more regularly to feel better--and since I also look better, I feel doubly motivated to keep it up!

See, we prove that no matter why you do it, you're going to be glad that you did:D


I remember when i started seriously working out about a year ago, it was so hard to get motivated at first but now I look foward to my workouts and can't stand missing one.:D

[sals]

Someone gave me one of these today. She wanted to get rid of it,didn't use it, so I took it.

I need to start doing something I suppose and I never would have bought one.

Anyone know where the ash tray goes?

http://www.cheapfitness.com/Buttons/550r_bike.jpg


Sals

[wickedsweet]

Isn't that what that little cup on top is for?

[sals]

Isn't that what that little cup on top is for?

I think that's the cheesesteak holder.


Sals

[wickedsweet]

you must have a small chesse steak then:nanabobo:

[sals]

you must have a small chesse steak then:nanabobo:


You know what they say: "Small cheesesteak, big hoagie".:D


Sals

[Frecklestoo]

:yeah:

I've always done step classes, but due to my conflicting priorities, I'm only able to go once a week. But starting in June of last year, I began running in the mornings. I'm now up to 5 miles a run. It's become addictive. I feel sooo much better and have lost weight without any major changes to my diet. In fact, I can get away with more treats...as my nemesis is a horribly strong sweet tooth.I used to run...it was VERY addicting. I was in awesome shape and could eat whatever I wanted. I can't run any more. *sigh*

I think that's the cheesesteak holder.


SalsWhere does your beer bottle go? If you don't have a holder for it, I could stand there and drink it while cheering you on and yelling at you to peddle harder, Grandpa DUDE!!!!!:D

[sals]

I used to run...it was VERY addicting. I was in awesome shape and could eat whatever I wanted. I can't run any more. *sigh*

Where does your beer bottle go? If you don't have a holder for it, I could stand there and drink it while cheering you on and yelling at you to peddle harder, Grandpa DUDE!!!!!:D


Are you proposing marriage?



Sals

[Frecklestoo]

Are you proposing marriage?



Sals Why? Are you a mormon?

[sals]

Why? Are you a mormon?

Yes.

Oh wait, you used 2 "m"s.

No.



Sals

[azteclady]

*chuckling*

Do you have to be a mormon to have a harem?

[sals]

*chuckling*

Do you have to be a mormon to have a harem?



No, the other:)


Sals

[Frecklestoo]

No, the other:)


SalsYou have to have a harem to be a mormon?

[sals]

You have to have a harem to be a mormon?

:banghead:


Sals

[Lostitute]

I've worked out at various points in my adulthood, as recently as 4 years ago at a popular nearby facility. My routine started with a 16-lap (1 mile) circuit on the elevated track above the basketball court, and continued with either an upper-body or lower-body circuit on the machines.

In short time, I managed to lose 20 lbs. and 2 inches from my waistline, and all was goin' great until I got tired of puttin' up with my gym's constantly-filled parkin' lot. It was a very popular place, and it became sheer hell tryin' to park my car in a safe, well-lit area.

About five years ago, my grandmother started walking two miles a day. We have no idea where she is now...

:rotfl:

[wickedsweet]

Good Lord somedays weights feel way heavier than other days

[MaxPower]

I was on my run this morning and coming toward me on the path was a woman, all decked out in her workout gear, walking and smoking a cigarette.....

[wickedsweet]

Jeesh, you could have said Hi to me:D

[9mile monster]

Hi Wicked girl:). I know what you mean about those heavy weights. I've been mixing my workouts up by doing the weight workout first. I am powerful then. After a 30 minute cardio on the eliptical I lose some stamina and do less reps and very sloppily.

I've heard that if you work out on an empty stomach you lose weight more readily. However if I do that I run out of steam, too. Anyone tried that technique?

[wickedsweet]

Hi 9mm:wave2:

I always do yoga in the morning on an empty stomach, and there was a time I did my cardio then as well but I didn't really seen enough of a difference to make it worth while.

I do intervals of cardio and weights, and abs at the end because i enjoy ab work....when i'm really tired I try to get lunges out of the way as early as possible or drop my weights by a pound or 2

[Zaphod of Whiskers]

I need a good exercise routine to help my bowling physique. :D

[9mile monster]

WAAAA, I worked for two days at a middle school as a hall monitor. I walked the halls and got the lingers to move on to class, hunted down the red shirted kid who pinched someone, took care of an asthmatic girl and unlocked countless jammed lockers. Iwore a pedometer both days and clocked in 10 miles each day! Then on Saturday morning I get on the scale and I weigh 1/2 pound more than I was. It was great exercize and the majority of the kids were fun, but, I guess I just built muscle, huhh?

[wickedsweet]

Thats what I always tell myself..or I'm retaining water

[ILoveEko]

Muscle mass is a great excuse, lol. I put on about 8 pounds since I started working 4 months ago, which makes no sense. I'm down a pant size, I don't eat near as much, let alone near as crappy, and it's a really physical job. So, muscle mass it is!

[wickedsweet]

Clothes size is a much better gauge for what you're workout and diet are doing than the scale

[ILoveEko]

Yeah, I've been trying to pay more attention to the way my clothes are fitting me than the numbers the scale is telling me. Not totally ignoring the scale, but not letting myself get caught up in what it's giving me.

[wickedsweet]

The scale drives me nuts because I have always been thin but I never worked out when i was young and had no muscle tone, what so ever, so my weight on the scale stayed pretty low....now I work out alot and have a developed a decent amount of muscle which really makes that scale seem evil

[ILoveEko]

LOL, scales are the devil, that's for damn sure.

I honestly never owned one until last month. The first day I brought it home, I saw my weight had gone up and it was incredibly disheartening. A few hours later, I did it again and I was up 5 pounds from that. I was all "WTF are you doing to me, evil scale?!"

...damn accurate fluctuations. :mad: LOL.

It's down 2 pounds from my average over the past month though! :yahoo:

[wickedsweet]

It depends on when you weigh yourself to...you weigh alot less in the orning than the afternoon, and some days you do retain water, it flucates so much that it really is enough to drive a person crazy.

[azteclady]

Many years ago my ex bought me a diet book (let the mocking being...)

Anyway, one piece of advice made eminent sense then, and still does: if you must weigh yourself, do so daily at close to the same time and condition. I.e., in the morning before breakfast and no clothes, or some such. Then average your weight weekly--that's your 'true' weight for the week.

For me, though, it's definitely not the scale that counts, but how the clothes fit and what my energy level is. Everything else is really just numbers.

[wickedsweet]

No wonder he's you ex.

That's pretty much what i do but never thought to do an average for the week, but i will now....I'm kind of scale addicted

[9mile monster]

I avoid the scale because of what you all have been discussing. However, it is a necessary evil for me because I need to weekly monitor so that I don't go up too far. I am such a yoyo. I'll lose weight then a year later it is up again. I am now at the point where I'm not dieting anymore, but I am trying to change my eating habits. That means eating way less sugar. Unfortunately I can eat 4 desserts a day, but then it makes me not feel well. Sugar makes me retain water, believe it or not. Really as soon as I start cutting it out I pee like crazy and loose about 3 pounds quickly. After that it is a struggle.

I used to do those walk-a-thon's, walk 32 km and make money from pledges for MDFoundation. I always noticed a two inch loss around my hips after one of those marathon's. I wonder how much the 60mile breast cancer walkers loose?

[wickedsweet]

I know what you mean about sugar, i am a complete carb/sugar addict...I've learned lately that I pretty much have to keep myself limited to carbs for breakfast only or I'll binge on them all day long, but as a bonus I'm losing that hard to get rid of weight around my stomach finally!!

[azteclady]

9milemonster, do you drink a lot of water regularly? Don't quote me on this, but I remember reading somewhere on those "health tips" places that the more water you drink regularly, the less water you retain. It may not work for you, but I drink ten to twelve half liter bottles of water a day, and it has helped A LOT. Perhaps you could check with your doctor, see if that would work for you?

[wickedsweet]

I'm horrible about getting enough water...I just always chose coffee. The only time I really drink water is when I'm working out and then I can go through 2 bottles in an hour

[Dorkfish]

I'm more of a runner than a dancer or a tennis player. I got into it after trying out for the XC team at my school. Thanks to them I was in the best shape of my life. I was able to run 5 miles without breaking a sweat. One time we ran through the woods on the outside of town and it was just beautiful.

Unfortunetly, XC only lasts for one season, so afterwards I settled for Dancing class (some type of extreme ballet/yoga/taichi thing). It was a great class, but after a while I couldn't keep up with the payments and had to quit.

So for my next (and current) form of exercise I found the wonderful sport of tennis. It's really starting to grow on me, and its reaching the likes I had for XC. Its great to hang out with the team, and our coach is great and incredibly funny. And I must admit, my tennis legs are killer!!

So there is the history of my exercise habits. I will have a workout DVD in no time if you are interested in learning more.....:D

[9mile monster]

I know what you mean about sugar, i am a complete carb/sugar addict...I've learned lately that I pretty much have to keep myself limited to carbs for breakfast only or I'll binge on them all day long, but as a bonus I'm losing that hard to get rid of weight around my stomach finally!!
Holy smokes, you have said what I am! We must have come out of the same barrel, Wicked.

Azteclady, thanks for the tip. I do try to drink alot of water. Got into the habit when I was younger and getting bladder infections. Now I drink alot, but not always. Thanks.

[wickedsweet]

And a great barrell it was to!:D

[9mile monster]

Hey, yall, I was taking with a personal trainer and he was telling me that it (the best part of the exercize) was important to take your time on the contraction. Move your weight out with a quicker motion then when you contract your muscle for the return do it more slowly and in a controlled fashion. I'm going to give this a try for a few weeks and see if it helps.

[wickedsweet]

I try to do that now, but after a few reps...I can get a little swingy with my weights

[cricer]

Situps, pushups, weights. That's how I keep in shape.

[9mile monster]

Hi Cricer:)

Every day?

[cricer]

Yeah, pretty much.

100 sit ups (2 sets of 50), 100 pushups (4 sets of 25) and then I bench around 220, and curl 40.

[wickedsweet]

Nice!

I could do sit ups all day long but push ups still kill me!!

[cricer]

At first I found push-ups hard, but then I got to a point where everyday it seemed as though they just got easier and easier. Just keep at it, it'll get much easier to do them. Now I usually do 50 clappers, and 50 regular pushups... before doing 10 straight pushups was a strain.

[azteclady]

I hate push ups with the passion of a thousand exploding novas--I rather do weights.

Sit ups get easy relatively quickly (gotta love abdominal muscles) so I keep doing variations of crunches and sit ups.

[cricer]

I hate push ups with the passion of a thousand exploding novas--I rather do weights.

Sit ups get easy relatively quickly (gotta love abdominal muscles) so I keep doing variations of crunches and sit ups.

I also found the 'traditional' situp to get too easy to quickly, so now I've tried some much harder variations that my personal trainer recommended. I've been working out for 8 years now, and I still find these sit-ups incredibly difficult. For one, make sure nobody is standing on your feet, your feet should be flat on the ground with nothing else touching them. Secondly put your fingers on your temples and do not move them. Instead of just doing a normal sit up, sit up as slowly as you can while keeping your body in complete control. It's much harder than it sounds, good luck! :)

[wickedsweet]

Over the last years i've progressed from barley doing a couple on-me-knees push up, to, on a good day, 20 full "boy" push ups, some days I can barely push out a dozen, but I have to say they're worth it, my chest looks, ummm, "firmer" than it ever has.

I do all kids of differnt crunches, in differnt orders, and so on, I added planks about 6 month ago and they killed me at first but now they're even almost feeling to easy, I'm now doing a lot of weighted crunches, and standing ab work...for me the biggest challenge is keeping the abs drawn in when i work them but the second I get even the hint of a twinge in my low back I'm reminded to firm them up for whatever exercise I'm doing.

[9mile monster]

Nice!

I could do sit ups all day long but push ups still kill me!!


originally posted by azteclady
I hate push ups with the passion of a thousand exploding novas--I rather do weights.


I've been working on the push ups by starting out on an elevated angle. The push off poll was about 40" off the ground so I was about 45degree (or more) angle to the floor. I did this for a while until I got stronger then I started lowering the bar. I'm doing it.

Wicked, what are planks?

[wickedsweet]

Planks are easier to show than describe so:
http://www.funfitnesssolutions.com/Plank.JPG

http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/images/side-plank-2.jpg

[9mile monster]

Which picture is you, Wicked? I bet you are the blonde who is floating in that inclined plank pose. Anyways I had a huh and LOL moment looking at that because of the optical illusion.

[MaxPower]

Planks are easier to show than describe so:
http://www.funfitnesssolutions.com/Plank.JPG

http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/images/side-plank-2.jpg


Those both suck. I hate them. I'll do them because they work miracles, but I hate them.

[wickedsweet]

Nope 9MM, neither pic is me:D I did post some recent pics in the NFL thread, or superbowl thread, showing off my Pats jersey:D

Max I hated them to, but now they're feeling almost 2 easy, so I'm looking for more diffacult variations if anyone has some suggestions.

[MaxPower]

I look forward to them being easy.

Try lifting a foot off the floor on that first plank.

[wickedsweet]

I do that now, right now I'm trying to master the side plank "sit up" where you drop your hip to the floor then raise it back up...I keep losing my form when I try it

[MaxPower]

I do those on my elbow instead of my hand, but I also alternate the "push-up" with a twisting of the other elbow toward the floor...hips still up.

[wickedsweet]

I'll have to try the elbow.

Right now I'm kind of obsessed with bellydancing, I added in a daily 20 minute bellydance work out in the early afternoon, I definately feel my abs afterwards

[9mile monster]

Ehh, I made a mistake at the gym today. I was feeling strong and I did 18 lunges on each leg. I'm good now, but can tell that I will pay for it tomorrow.

Bellydancing! I took lessons a few years ago. I was so shy watching myself in the dance mirrors. It was alot of fun though. I still listen to the music tape I got. Did you get some music, Wicked, to practice with?

[Warthawg1]

Tennis and weight lifting, but I must be careful with the type of weight training I do. I went through a period where my weight training was causing tennis injuries. I was constantly pulling my calf muscles, and eventually tore a 4 inch vertical rip in my calf muscle which took about 18 months to heal properly.

I found that the way I was doing my lower body work outs was causing me a gain in bulk, but a loss in flexibility. Then when I played tennis, the extreme starting and stoping and hyper extention of my calf resulted in these pulls and tears. I gave up doing heavy weight training on my legs, and opted for concentrating on flexibility.

[wickedsweet]

Ehh, I made a mistake at the gym today. I was feeling strong and I did 18 lunges on each leg. I'm good now, but can tell that I will pay for it tomorrow.

Bellydancing! I took lessons a few years ago. I was so shy watching myself in the dance mirrors. It was alot of fun though. I still listen to the music tape I got. Did you get some music, Wicked, to practice with?

Hope you weren't to sore:) I love the bellydancing, when I do it at home i do the "Shimmy" workouts from fittv, I dvr them so i have a ton to choose from. I'm amazed at the ab workout and results I'm getting, plus the different isolations and moves have really loosen up my upper back and side ab area which is making my other workouts more effective because I can get deeper into the moves and still hold my form.


Warty I love tennis, I'm terrible at it but I have a lot of fun when i get to play.

[talia0803]

walking upstairs to my office and dancing. well, not dancing in the office, but you get the pic. nothing like walking up and down a flight of stairs five to six times a day to get a girl thirsty!:Cowdance:

[MaxPower]

Stairs suck, but are really effective! I usually run in the mornings...about 4-5 miles. But it was raining last Friday, so I decided to try running the stairs (at work...before anyone was there.) It's 7 floors and I ran up and down for about 1/2 hour. I still can't walk right from my muscles being soooo sore. Unfortunately, my calves were sore. I was hoping it would be my butt.

[Smirnoff_Ice]

Why not run in the rain? I do.

[9mile monster]

I had a friend who told me that she wasn't a "weather wienie". It made me chuckle and I asked what she meant. She said that she was out in any type of weather, doing her jog, she just dressed appropriately. So I try not to be a weather wienie, but it's hard. It gets very cold where I live and that usually keeps me in. When it's down in the mid to low teens I don't walk outside. And wind, that keeps me in on a medium cold day too. One thing that helps me get outside is my dog, Tasha. She's a hyper golden and has to walk almost everyday. So we go out as much as we can.

[wickedsweet]

I'm thinking about taking up jogging, I can pretty much breeze through my advanced cardio work out anymore, time to bump things up again I guess.

[MaxPower]

Why not run in the rain? I do.
I used to run in the rain, and loved it. I'll need a new route for that. Where I run now is right along the S.F. Bay. I mean...right there, so it can get pretty nasty when the weather is bad. Plus it's pretty early in the morning and if I take a wrong step and hurt something, who knows when I would see another human.

[azteclady]

I hate hate hate jogging/running. It's painful, and I don't mean charley horses either.

[wickedsweet]

I've never been a fan either but I'm not sure how else to bump up my intensity with my cardio work out, I use weights, I use steps (6, 8 and 14 inches).

If the weather wasn't all ice here i would start biking but it's to dangerous right now.

[MaxPower]

I've been doing aerobics for years...I felt as if I'd hit a wall as well. I used to occasionally jog, but I only started really running late last year and I've really noticed a difference in my stamina in my other exercises. And it will make your cardio feel even easier...at least in my experience. I think the key is variety...IMHO.

[azteclady]

How about dancing? Anything out there that inspires you?

[wickedsweet]

I agree Max it's all about variety for me.

Az i love dance, I will always dance and it just never even occurs to me that it should feel like exercise:D I've been taking belly dancing lessons, which i love, and I do caberet ork outs at home. I'm thinking about looking into adult balet classes, it's something that I've always wanted to get into plus I like anything that makes me move in a more graceful way

[lrob]

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2008/01/fat%20and%20happy.jpg

he exercises

[9mile monster]

I had a great work out yesterday, unfortunately I did it right after I had a 6" sub. I did get sick and almost threw up. I had GERD for the rest of the day.

['Stoon]

Friday


Stretch 5 min jog warm up


Dot2dot x 2


4 rounds for time of:


¼ mile run
5 box jumps (30inch)
15 wallballs (15lb ball)


Pushups -3 sets 1 min rest between


Regular – 26
Close – 13
Wide – 13
Turn and Bounce - 22

4 miles 8 minute pace



My workout from today. Crossfit inspired with some distance running. Very intense for the first part and then work of form for the pushups. Finishing with a good steady run.

[MaxPower]

Does anyone out there run long distance? I'm just starting to train for a half marathon...and I mean just. The longest I've gone so far is 7.5 miles. Just looking for tips.

[9mile monster]

I'm only good for an hour or hour and a half of work out then I quit. I could probably keep going, but it has become my routine to do that amount of time everyday.

How long do marathons usually last if you are running a 25mile one? Can you walk and run? Do people usually do that or keep running all the way through?

['Stoon]

longest I run right now is 8 miles... I try to keep a 8 minute mile pace which gets pretty hard towards the end... sometimes i puke sometimes i don't

suggestion... don't eat anything LOL...drink water and don't be afraid to feel a bit of pain...just keep pushing and you will do better and better...

currently I run everyday... 1 long day (current 8 miles) then the rest of the days I will go as high as 4 and low as 2 (fast run)... I do a sprint workout at least once a week, sometimes 2 (depending on crossfit's wotd)

oh, BUY GOOD COMFORTABLE SHOES... and don't run on concrete...if you run on a bikepath, run next to it instead...will save your knees...if at all possible go to a track...

good luck

[Dezie]

I started doing yoga many years ago. I got into pilates about 4/5 years ago. I enjoy them both but pilates really works your entire body in a way you are not aware of until the next day. Yoga is soothing and easy on your body, IMO. It is true what they say.....Body, Mind, Spirit.


Namaste!

[MaxPower]

I'm only good for an hour or hour and a half of work out then I quit. I could probably keep going, but it has become my routine to do that amount of time everyday.

How long do marathons usually last if you are running a 25mile one? Can you walk and run? Do people usually do that or keep running all the way through?

I've never done or even seen one before, so I have no idea if people walk. My goal is to not walk any of it. As for how long it is, I just did 10 miles Friday and it took an hour and 1/2. So I'm hoping they give you at least 2 hours....it would be pretty embarrasing if I couldn't finish it.

longest I run right now is 8 miles... I try to keep a 8 minute mile pace which gets pretty hard towards the end... sometimes i puke sometimes i don't

JEEZ, I have to puke to progress??? Meh....



But man, that's a great pace! I can do that, but only for about 4 miles. But then again, I don't like to puke.



currently I run everyday... 1 long day (current 8 miles) then the rest of the days I will go as high as 4 and low as 2 (fast run)... I do a sprint workout at least once a week, sometimes 2 (depending on crossfit's wotd)

Ok....sounds like I'm on the right track; if 'Stoon is correct, heaven forbid! :p I'm now running every other day. One day is short and fast. TWSS One day is about 6 miles, and one day is about 9-10. Once that feels comfortable, then I'll try the actual 13 miles every other week. The other 3 days (1 day off) I'm doing aerobics and strength training, so I think I've got an ok variety.

['Stoon]

Sounds good.

My workouts are pretty intense, I am trying to get in the best shape of my life by July 10th and getting there. I don't puke all the time, just when I eat before and I can keep my pace right at 8 minute miles. I don't start to feel anything until about mile 6 then I kick it up a notch and finish strong. I also on top of the running will do agility drills, the Crossfit Workout of the Day (crossfit.com) and either my pushup or situp routine. Generally spend 2 hours a day at the gym and I am usually the first one to be working out in the mornings (5:30am).

Currently have lost 61 lbs since November 1 (started at 253, weighed yesterday at 191 and am around at 8 or 9% bodyfat) When I reach my goal of 180 and 7% I will post before and after pictures. So look forward to that.

[MaxPower]

That's awesome! Congratulations! May I ask what July 10th is?

[lrob]

i only work out with "little people"

[9mile monster]

Wow, Stoon, you must be mighty proud of yourself. That is awesome. And the body fat percentage, just wow. I almost puked once, but I stop before things go that way. I really should have kept going towards the puke because I just gave myself nasty heartburn for the rest of the day.

I can't wait to see your before and afters. Are you getting married or something like dat? (said with a raising of my eyebrows and head dip)

Max, that is incredibly fast, me thinks. Good luck and be sure to post your progress.

[MaxPower]

Max, that is incredibly fast, me thinks. Good luck and be sure to post your progress.

Sorry...the 2 hours was for a 1/2 marathon...not the full 26...that'd be nutty insane fast!

Today I ran the fastest ever....I did 2 miles of running 10 mph (in intervals of 45 seconds) Boy did that kick my ass. At least I hope it knocked a couple pounds off. :D

[9mile monster]

Today I ran the fastest ever....I did 2 miles of running 10 mph (in intervals of 45 seconds) Boy did that kick my ass. At least I hope it knocked a couple pounds off. :D

MaxPower, phew, that is great. Did you melt some pounds away? The only thing that works for me to loose weight is to not eat so much. The muscle building and workouts help too, but for me I have to do push aways (from the table)

[blue sunrise]

I've never done or even seen one before, so I have no idea if people walk. My goal is to not walk any of it. As for how long it is, I just did 10 miles Friday and it took an hour and 1/2. So I'm hoping they give you at least 2 hours....it would be pretty embarrasing if I couldn't finish it.
I'm sorry, I'm jumping in without reading the whole thread. Max, have you run shorter races? I ran 5K's two summers ago. One of the races was in conjunction with a 10K and a half marathon (we all started at the same time, from different starting points). Generally, you finish when you finish. From what I've read, it sounds like you're going to do great!

I'm trying to get back into running. I started having back problems last fall, which I stupidly ignored, so now I'm in physical therapy. My therapist is a runner, and when I told her I used to run, she got all excited and is doing what she can to get me back out there. She wants me to run on the treadmill for her next week, and I'm laughing, because I have NEVER been able to run on the treadmill, even in good condition. I apparently have no balance whatsoever. So, I told her I agreed to be her comic relief for the day. :p

[MaxPower]

She wants me to run on the treadmill for her next week, and I'm laughing, because I have NEVER been able to run on the treadmill, even in good condition. I apparently have no balance whatsoever. So, I told her I agreed to be her comic relief for the day. :p


Well, avoid looking at Freck's treadmill sig (if it's still there). :D

Good luck and have fun getting back into it!

[clarke]

As a Exercise i prefer for walking 1 hour (depend upon your time) in the early morning to keep healthy.i never forget to do this exercise.
One could easily do this exercise except of running or other exercises.

[blue sunrise]

Well, avoid looking at Freck's treadmill sig (if it's still there). :DThat was in my head the whole time. :D

Good luck and have fun getting back into it!Thanks. It went pretty well, and I'm trying a bit of road running with lots of walking involved. It's been so long-- those muscles were not happy with me last night. :rolleyes:

When is your race?

[MaxPower]

When is your race?

It's a month from today. But now I'm not too sure if I can still do it. I haven't been able to get out and train much this week and I don't know how much that will affect me with such a short time left. (My kids are both sick, which of course, means I'm now sick. :mad:)

[9mile monster]

Hang in there Max. Don't work out too hard when you are sick. I used to think that I'd get my temp up higher from the work out and I'd burn the germs away. Didn't work. I just felt more miserable at night.

Time and lots of liquids, girl. I'll be wishing you lots of power, Max (LOL) during your race.

[Frecklestoo]

She wants me to run on the treadmill for her next week, and I'm laughing, because I have NEVER been able to run on the treadmill, even in good condition. I apparently have no balance whatsoever. So, I told her I agreed to be her comic relief for the day. :p

Well, avoid looking at Freck's treadmill sig (if it's still there). :D

Good luck and have fun getting back into it!

That was in my head the whole time. :D

For you guys:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Frecklestoo/aFi_TredmillLady.gif

On another note, I really envy you guys being able to run. I used to run about 5 miles a day (I was also on a crew team) and I MISS it big time. Running is like an addiction. Unfortunately, I tore cartilage in my hip (went undiagnosed for 19 years!) and now have arthritis worn to the bone in my hip. I will be getting a replacement in the next couple of years and will hopefully be able to return to running.

[blue sunrise]

For you guys:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Frecklestoo/aFi_TredmillLady.gif:D I love that so much.

On another note, I really envy you guys being able to run. I used to run about 5 miles a day (I was also on a crew team) and I MISS it big time. Running is like an addiction. Unfortunately, I tore cartilage in my hip (went undiagnosed for 19 years!) and now have arthritis worn to the bone in my hip. I will be getting a replacement in the next couple of years and will hopefully be able to return to running.
19 years!? Holy smokes. How did they finally catch it?

[wickedsweet]

I did a new workout tonight on a balance trainer....holy smokes, I'm sore already!

I have pretty good balance and don't really feel it in my core like they said I would but man do i feel it in my glutes, hamstrings and chest (push-ups on it, I had to go down to my knees to finish after the very 1st set, usually I can do several sets without having to drop down to the knees)

[9mile monster]

I was reading an article the other day that stated it didn't matter what your BMI was, if you had a large waist, then you could be a candidate for heart disease. Unfortunately for me, my waist has always been on the big side. I have really long legs and a short torso so this, IMO, facilitates a larger waist. I've never been really heavy, chubby at times, but now I am 5' 71/2" and weigh 149. I've been doing sit ups and roman chair side lifts, back lifts, and a few others I don't know the name of. Can anyone recommend some ab workouts that my help whittle my waistline. I'm tired of my love handles always being around (haha---a round)

[MaxPower]

Planks are always good for your abs....and there's many different versions to hit all the different spots.

[9mile monster]

Planks it is then. They hurt my lower back, though. I'll keep them a short duration.

[wickedsweet]

Planks are good, they use to hurt my back to but if you play around with form some you should be able to find that spot where you feel the work but but its easier on the back.


Losing weight in my middle is that hardest for me. My legs and arms tone fast but my stomachs way more stubborn.

[9mile monster]

Same here. I'm trying to work my large muscle groups twice a week. It is said that those muscle workouts will help you keep your weight down. They are so large and use up alot of calories. The only way that my stomach went down is to loose weight.

Why is it easier to exercise than it is to diet? The hardest workout is for me to do push aways, my dad's joke, push aways from the table. Really I had to crack down on my eating habits. Stop eating so much sugary things to loose weight.

[Farmer Ted]

Mountain biking all the way.

[wickedsweet]

Same here. I'm trying to work my large muscle groups twice a week. It is said that those muscle workouts will help you keep your weight down. They are so large and use up alot of calories. The only way that my stomach went down is to loose weight.

Why is it easier to exercise than it is to diet? The hardest workout is for me to do push aways, my dad's joke, push aways from the table. Really I had to crack down on my eating habits. Stop eating so much sugary things to loose weight.

I'm the same way. i love to exercise but have a really hard time saying no to the foods I love, and once i start eating them I can go full on binge!!! I've learned that the only thing that really works for me is to stick with pretty much the same foods everyday, and don't keep tempting foods in the house, if I deviate, or keep junk on hand i get craving I can't control.


I recently started working out with Kettle Bells, and I love them, very easy on the joints, I don't get the the wrist/elbow pain i get with free weights...I also switched up my style of working out, I still do my yoga and cardio every day but I'm doing a more calenstetics (spelling way off, sorry) approach to my strength training,the change seems to be doing me wonders, I'm seeing some nice definition appear:)