"Fitness Club" Thread

nice :smiley:

I’d really like to get into some kayaking but I’m thinking a new bicycle would be a better investment since I’d likely use it a lot more

Kayaking is such fun! I really love it. It’s amazing how much of a workout you can get, too.

Remind me to tell you about my benevolent employer at the meetup and how much I’ve struggled just to break even weight-wise at my new job. I guarantee it will put your donuts and breakfast burritos to shame!

Ok, so I’ve been lurking here for a while, and I figured that it’s about time for me to join in. The short version is that I was decently fit at one point, then had a health issue come up where I couldn’t pick up more than 5 lbs and couldn’t exert myself beyond “walking.” this lasted for about 3 months, and then I got pregnant. So I managed to put on a good chunk of weight in a year, and am now trying to get rid of it.

The problem is, I’m working a full time job and have a 45-60 minute commute each way with about 1-2 hours of overtime each day, and I have a 5 month old. Throw in housework and cooking, and I barely have time to just breathe. My “plan” so far has been cutting back on the sodas, drinking more water, and trying to cook more healthy meals. The birthing process took care of 27 lbs, and the five months of my “plan” took away another 15. I’m only including the 27 because it sounds better in my head;) but I still have 15 to go before I get back to the weight I was before, and if I’m being totally honest, about another 15 to get to a healthy weight.

So, in the past week, I’ve started a 15 minute kettlebell routine that my sister has been doing every other day. I’ve also got 3 20 minute workouts on a DVD that came with my pilates ball that I’ve done once, each. Last, I’ve got a wii fit plus, which doesn’t give me a lot of strenuous activity, but is mostly there for fun. Within the week, I’ve dropped 3 lbs (included already). But I’m looking for some ideas for short routines that I can fit in here and there, along with some healthy recipes that are relatively inexpensive and tasty (my husband and I both come from meat & potatoes homes).

Everyone’s stories have been really inspirational, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading about your future progress as well.

Welcome to the fitness forum - Now drop and give me 50 evil evil laugh

Kettlebells are the DB’s (Dog’s…), they will do wonders for the muscles in your body. Your core, back, legs will get smoked…

As for for exercises you could do the following (Not an expert, just things I’ve picked up from reading)

Kettlebell Swings
Goblet Squats
Turkish Getups
Push Press
Bent over rows
Kettlebell Snatches
Kettlebell Cleans.

As for a routine, could use the one I’m doing but use kettlebells instead. It takes longer than 15 minutes but its worth a look. If I only had 15 minutes, I would do the goblet squats, swings, push press and cleans and possible the rows. However, do the longer version with minimal rests (ala circuit fashion) and you’ve got the cardio aspect as well as blitzing your core,etc.

In terms of short routines. You have to think of the bang for your buck, that hit alot of boyd parts in one go. So

Bodyweight Squats
Burpees
Lunges
Pushup variation (T-pushup)
Dips

I understand about the whole short on time as I’ve got work, and a son…I’m lucky that I don’t have to cook or do any major cleaning.

I’ll do some more thinking about the routines and diet and get back to you…This is just my brain dump at the moment, maybe there are some nuggets in there.

Have you ever tried quinoa, with roasted veg and something like sausages…yummy I have a whole range of foods that I can pass on…I’ll see what I have at home.

I’ve got a great kayaking centre about 30 minutes, as soon as the boy is old enough, this is going to be our new weekend activity. I did a 30 mile kayaking challenge in approx 3ish hours with some work mates. I was so depleted by the end, I could feel the tanks emptying. It was good though (raised 1k for charity).

As for me, I’m doing good, lost a couple more pounds so I’m not 221lbs, my BMI is creeping out of the obese category and I can fit into 36 inch jeans. Although that is a bit of a push, as I can button them up as long as you don’t mind knowing which way I’m situatied (IYKWIM) and I don’t have to breathe easy or move/sit down. However, the fact that I could do that is a step in the right direction.

Other good news is that clothes are feeling looser, my exercise is doing great and I’m going up in weight with the spartacus workouts. I can now finish 2 rounds in one sesssion as I’m mixing the circuits with heavy weights.

So my sessions look like this now

Monday: Spartacus workout aka circuit training
Tueday: Heavy Upper Body work
Wednesday: Day off
Thursday: Spartacus workout
Friday: Heavy Lower body work

Weekends: Active Rest including Dance Central on the Kinect.

Mix in swimming on some days and the weight is coming off nicely while keeping the muscle.

I have my doctors appointment tomorrow so it should be good to see if he’s going to put me forward for the cosmetic surgery. Although I haven’t hit his 14 stone goal, I’m going to have to explain that I went up in serious weight and that now I’m coming back down and should hit it. Although from his view, all his patients say that so it might be a case of come back to me in a couple of months. sigh Just have to see.

So I jsut wanted to update everyone, because I want to be more involved in this. You guys are better support than any meeting I could go to.

I started on Weight Watchers 3/1/10, that’s right 2 weeks before the meetup! Eesh! I gave up that weekend lol! Anyway, it’s been a struggle at times but in many ways easier than I imagined once I got into the swing of it all.

My weigh in was this morning (I only weigh myself for real once a week, first thing Monday morning after I get up) So, I have now lost a total of 112.5 pounds. I am now 19 pouns from my goal. I can hardly believe it!

I’d really like to get into some kayaking but I’m thinking a new bicycle would be a better investment since I’d likely use it a lot more
Darth

That sounds like so much fun. For now I’m just using the elliptical machine for my cardio, but eventually I want to do more things outdoors like kayaking, or nature walks, dance, etc.

kirsten, I find it hard to carve out time to workout and eat right and I don’t even have a child so props to you. I do know that small steps really worked for me.

It’s Monday and the start of a new workout week. I missed one day last week and that’s unfortunate, but I must now forgive myself and move on. Go us!

that’s ossim, Aset! I’ve gotten kind of stalled lately. I hit my lowest weight last year right before the meetup. Then I moved, and I got out of my daily exercise routine :frowning: But reading this thread has inspired me :slight_smile:

WOLVERINES!

That’s awesome, how did you manage to keep going for the long haul…What tips do you have to offer :). Although I did read that wrong and thought 112lbs in a couple of days, surely that’s a mistake (I thought you started on 1st March 2011 ! :stuck_out_tongue:

Hi, i’m Chris, and i’m fat…

actually i’m morbidly obese… and my dr has suggested gastric bypass as i’ve tried a number of “diets” and such, with nothing ever sticking…

after going through all the pre op meetings and such, its occured to me that i have to make a major lifestyle change with or without the surgery, so why not just hold off on the surgery and try to make another go at it on my on.

anyways, i started yesterday… so i’ve devised my own plan rather than worknig from any given plan that hasn’t worked for me so far… will try it out and adjust as i go.

Starting yesterday i am now doing the Jillian Micheals 30day Shred (level 1 currently) and walking 3miles a day. My original thought was to do the shred twice a day, but i’m afraid if i try to start out that fast, i’ll overdo things and my body will rebel. Later on if i plataeu i’ll see about starting a 2nd regiment as well as doing other work in a gym if needed (not one close/handy for me).

Diet wise, i’m putting myself on a 1500 calorie diet while trying to maintain a low fat/low carb component to that. Carb wise will be the most difficult, but i’m going to restrict as much as i can, though part of my “normal” daily diet does include subway, which of course has bread.

First day started out well. though i’m really sore today from the workout, i didn’t die as much as i thought i might. The problem with most diets for me is always that my stomach will start grumbling or i’ll get very hungry (mentally). I’m working through this, by eating very small portions multiple times per day as well as making sure to chew my food much more than actually needed. From all my pre op RYNGB info, this is how gb patients have to do things anyways, so i figure why not try it.

So far it’s working. i was actually under by almost 200 calories yesterday, and when adding in the extra exercise was well under things. Not sure how long this will hold up, but i’m going to try to take it as far as i can before restructuring things.

I should mention i’ve also added a vitamin regiment to my daily routine to make sure i’m getting everything i need with the sharp cutdown of food intake, and i’m also doing a “cleanse & detox” program, though i’m not sure how well this will work for me, i have a friend who is a trainer that assures me it will not hurt me and will be good for my body lol.

With all that said, i’m going to try to stay active on this thread and post updates here at there to keep myself honest with the program. I’m currently starting at a weight of 338 pounds as of Sunday, so lets see how this goes. My previous best attempt at diet/exercise was 2 years ago when i got down to 275 before i had a major car wreck and was in bed for a few months and gave it all up.

my goal is 220, which is what i was in Jr High School. that’s 118 pounds of fat that i need to lose.

LOL! Yup, probably that kind of weight loss involves lopping off body parts :smiley:

Okay, I suppose if I don’t post numbers here I won’t be accountable to y’all :slight_smile:

In November I hit a high of 405lbs (yeah, I :eek:'d too), and ever since have been putting forth more effort to eat better foods and smaller portions, and increase levels of activity and exercise. I’ve not succeeded at this as much as I’d like to, but as of now I’ve dropped to 385lb. Most of my progress was in the November to January period. I’ve stalled out a bit, but I’m hoping that posting regular updates here will keep me more honest to myself about my efforts and subsequent progress (or currently, lack thereof)

BTW, this thread is another reason why GWC rocks so much! We can do it!

Hrm. “The Jaime Lannister Diet” has kind of a ring to it.

I am down another pound this week for a total of 10. :smiley: I bought this Bollywood excercise video the other day and it’s been really fun. I love dancing so I thought I would incorporate that more into my cardio routine and so far its been going well.

Welcome Chris! :slight_smile:

ETA! Aset, congratulations! That’s fantastic! :smiley:

Good for you Chris. Listen, I’ve been dropping weight pretty painlessly by:
Making big-ass salads for lunch. Buy a few plastic containers, and a box of sandwich bags. Hit the grocery store and load up on some fruit, veggies. Lots of lettuce, lots of mushrooms, tomatoes, cukes, apples, carrots, broccoli, whatever!! with some salad dressings you really like. Make a sandwich too, fine. But eat the big-ass salad first, it’ll kind of fill you up. And man, I make BIG salads :slight_smile: But start making your own meals, for sure! Fast food is just the pits as far as diet and health go.
I can’t stress this more, because it’s working for me: you’re at home and have a minute? Hook your feet under the couch and do a few sit-ups. You’ve got room for that? Pump out some push-ups. Walk. Walk. Hell yes, walk. And make it a routine. Don’t feel quite like walking tonite? Frakk that. Walk somewhere.
And come back here. We’ve got your back here in the Fitness Thread. Good or bad, we’ll listen. We’ll suggest. We’ll support.
That’s what we do. We are the GWC Wolverines. :smiley:

Damn Juan, 20 pounds since Nov is nothing at all to scoff at my friend! :smiley:
I know Chuck can give you all kinds of really great advice, so I’ll keep mine quick: Eliminate potato chips. Cheese is a 4 letter word. Salads, man. Really. And start walking. In the evening, or the morning before you grab a shower, just get in the habit of walking somewhere. Even if it’s around your yard, it’s something, and it burns calories. And drive by the drive-thoughs !!! :smiley:
You’re doing really well so far! Keep it up sir :smiley:

You guys are all OSSIM!

I’d have never guessed you were bigger than me Juan (it sure didn’t seem that way when i saw you in December), but sounds like you are doing a good job on things so far! We’ll have to keep after each other to stay the course!

Thanks! My height tends to help, but the real secret is that I part it on the side :stuck_out_tongue:

Seriously though, I think that keeping accountable with the GWC community is going to help. Can’t let mah peeps down! :slight_smile: