"Fitness Club" Thread

GWC Community GWC Fitness Club
#961

Good for you for trying new things, identifying what works and making decisions. I am pretty good at tracking what I eat mentally and entering it into my tracking app twice a day. Knee injuries are the WORST. Samantha has a chronic knee issue that prevents her from doing a lot of activity. Do you regularly use a knee brace or other type of support? Also, if you have access to one, stationary bikes can be good for people with knee problems, depending on what the issues are. It can also be a good way to break up monotony.

Speaking of S, one of our constant couples quibbles is that I demand several hours a week with the apartment to myself, but because I’m a crazy-ass overachiever who’s scheduled to the hilt, there is literally no time that this occurs naturally with any regularity or predictability. Last semester she had night classes twice a week that kept her out past ten, but this semester her latest class ends at 8:30 (I generally get home either at 7:00 or at 8:30 depending on if it’s a gym night). So we’ve been arguing about whether it’s fair to ask her to leave the house at a time that she would otherwise be home… yada yada yada relationship stuff… but the solution is that she’s going to go to the gym after class every Tuesday! This makes me very happy. S will be taking better care of her body and I will get my precious alone time :slight_smile:

#962

Just wanted to report in to let everyone know I’m still going at it. I’ve had some off days (weekends are rough with friends and family and their penchant for fast food) but I’ve still lost a few pounds. Five of them. Woot!

Even more important, I just feel better overall. Today, I did a double length session so that we’d have time to take my full measurements. We’ll do it again in another month to see what kind of progress I’m making. Regardless, it’s fun. Well, it’s fun for a bit, then I become convinced my trainer is trying to make me vomit, pass out, or just plain die (or maybe all three) … and then it’s over and I feel good.

Wolverines!

#963

My Confession:

I got busy with work, and busy with stuff off-hours as well (which are lame excuses, I know). I stopped going for my walks, and have not put any consideration into watching what I have been eating. The battery in my scale died months back, and I’ve only now just ordered replacement batteries for it. I have no idea how far I’ve backslid, though I’ve likely wiped out all the progress I made over the past yet.

Want to see a JuanFail? You just did. :frowning:

#964

Juan, I’m currently in what I like to call a “transitional phase” which means I’m backsliding, too. It’s really discouraging when you start to put pounds back on that were a bitch to get off. But I try to find a balance between holding myself accountable and not beating myself up too much.

I’m hopeful because backsliding means that at one point I was on track, so I know we can do it again.

#965

I’m just too ADD to keep track of it unless it’s right in front of me, but for some reason, if I have that points number to focus on, it works. I don’t do meetings. I just use what I know from doing it before, but it works for me.

No, I haven’t tried a brace, I’ve just been taking advil and icing it. I’ve thought about it, but haven’t gotten around to picking one up yet.

And yay! for alone time!

I hear you guys. I put back on 10 of the 25 I had lost. It sucks. For me, the impetus to get back on track was my knee. I know the only thing that’s gonna get it back to 100% is shedding some of this extra (empirial) tonnage.

We can do it!

#966

Nike, Juan,

I learned a long time ago that for me I would get caught in a really nasty cycle that if I set a goal and didn’t achieve it I would double down in the opposite direction. For example, I did the whole Atkins thing once upon a time. I remember vividly after months of the meatfest with no carbs I was at a restaurant staring at the breadbowl. I wanted one but knew I shouldn’t. I ate it anyway. I then proceeded to beat myself up, felt guilty and depressed and basically went on a carb bender.

I have learned to set manageable goals that if I don’t achieve them it isn’t the end of the world. It is good that you both acknowledge that you haven’t been meeting your own goals, I just caution you to not let that be an enabler to do even worse thing (another piece of cake? Sure!)

Stay strong. You know what the right decisions are. When you are ready start kicking ass.

#967

well the theme as of late seems to be everyone now trying to turn themselves around

I too have been going in the wrong direction for about 5 months now, I had a couple injuries that prevented me from exercising and then as I got healed up the hours at work shot way up there.

Managed to run twice this week, still haven’t had a decent lifting session in months but small steps eh?

Looking to really get rolling again, we can do it gang! It’s good to know I’m not alone in going the wrong way, I actually felt embarrassed about it which is why I hadn’t come to this thread in quite a while :frowning:

#968

Juan, Nike, DRR, & Rachel:

Solai has good advice. Start small. Every day is a new day and all that BS–except that it’s true. You can always handle doing one day well–it’s a small, achievable goal. But if you have a rough day, you can put it behind you and start fresh the next day. And every day that you do well, you can repeat it, because one short day is doable. For making healthy food choices, that’s my approach.

Making the right choices about exercise is more about the long view. Some days you can’t get it in; some days you feel so tired your workout is half-assed. Some days you conquer the world, but even when you can string several of those days in a row, you still need to vary things enough to maximize the physical benefits (I have to be really careful not to fall into a rut at the gym and do the same thing every day–that’s my biggest weakness).

I’m at home w my mom now and although I talked to her beforehand to let her know that I am not drinking anymore and that I’m trying to eat healthy. There was wine at dinner and dessert. So. This might be a tough week for me in terms of eating well. If so, I’ll get back on track on Tuesday.

#969

well after a less than stellar holiday weekend of eating I managed to have a extremely good eating day today along with running 4 miles!

how did everyone else do this weekend?

#970

I rode my bike Fri, Sat and Sun. I probably got 6 or 7 hours of ride time in, and then Sunday afternoon I sat down and Played Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Played all night Sunday, slept, got up and played all day Monday until I finished it. Now my lower back hurts like a mofo! I’m gonna have to break my game time up into shorter periods.

#971

Hey guys - still going strong here. Actually, today was the first day that I have taken a rest day outside my normal 6-days on : one-day off training routine in about a month. I slept through my alarm this morning, which was probably my body telling me I needed more rest. Happy to take the day off.

This has been my training split
Monday: 35 min cardio, 15 min core, 40 min shoulders (front/mid/read delts and traps)
Tuesday: 45 min cardio, 5-10 min abs, 45 min arms (bicepts/tricepts)
Wednesday: 35 min cardio, 15 min core, 40 min legs
Thursday: 45 min cardio, 5-10 min abs, 45 min arms (chest)
Friday: 35 min cardio, 15 min core, 40 min back (lats, low back)
Saturday: 30 min cardio, 45-60 min arms (bicepts/tricepts)

I really focus on only one or two muscle groups per workout and really hit them hard, with lots of cardio. I try and superset everything, either with another part of the muscle group, or with plyometrics (think jumping or explosive bodyweight exercises). I also like to drag around a skipping rope and jump rope between lifts several days a week.

Some days I’ve had to skip morning workouts, but have managed to get my cardio in at lunch, and lifting after work (but it makes the next morning a real beyotch). I also try and crank out extra cardio once or twice a week in the evenings when my Sweetie is at life-drawing.

Gonna try and keep going as long as I can. I turn the big “Four-Oh” in December, and I’m pretty jacked to be in some of the best shape of my life at this point. I also ordered the texts for my personal trainer’s certification, but with all the working out on top of work, family and sneaking some time with the PS3, it doesn’t leave much time.

Glad to hear everyone is kicking butt, trying to get back into the swing of things, or just starting out fresh. The first couple times either back in the gym, on the road, or even considering a piece of fruit instead of junk food, are the hardest - but trust me, it gets easier and you’ll be happier and healthier for it, and you’ll be around longer to enjoy all the geeky goodness out there :slight_smile:

Lots of love for all my GWC Fitness peeps - you guys are the greatest. “Wolverines!”

#972

I lost 100 lbs about 5 years ago, but have gained about 25 back and am working to re-lose it. I got a Y membership, but damn, apparently paying the $62 a month doesn’t help – apparently you have to go and work out too. I need a kick in the arse and some encouragement to get me going again. If there’s anyone in St. Paul, MN that would like to team up well, that would be awesome.

#973

I walked/jogged my first 5K today! It was put on by the local High School as a fundraiser. My 9 year old son talked me into it, and we did the race together. The kid loves to run! He took off and ran almost a mile by himself. I had 2 goals today: to finish the race, and not come in last. I’m happy to have met both of those! I really need to get into better shape, and this was a good kick start.

#974

Mmk. So I’ve been reaalllyyy bad about keeping up with workouts. It seems to go in cycles for me, I do well for a while and then just quit. It just seems that ‘life’ and work get in the way and I get so tired that I just can’t get myself to the gym. What seemed to work best was to record when I did go so that I would focus on that and make sure to go and share the workout after. I am going to force myself to go tomorrow and then try to really report back regularly! I’m happier when I’m fitter and feel like I’m ready for the Zombie-pocalypse or any other thing that might come my way that I need to be able to outrun or beat up. So that’s my plan. Hopefully I’ll be back around here more : )

#975

“These workout videos are no good! I’ve watched them, like, 25 times, and I’ve GAINED 2 pounds!”

Awesome! Congratulations. Great work. Wolverines!

#976

I made it! Went to the gym and ran for about 30 minutes, grabbed a bar and did some squats and lunges to get the legs muscles to wake up a little again. I could feel which muscles will be sore already. The shins did not like me taking that long off from running, but after the first half mile realized I wasn’t stopping and they started working. The plan tomorrow is to take a BodyPump class after work since it’s good for a general body workout to finish waking everything up again. Go Wolverines!

#977

Hiyah Wolverines! I haven’t posted in awhile…after I dropped the weight I was looking to drop (about 20 lbs) I admit I’ve been slacking on the gym. But a couple of workouts with Chuck and Audra while they were out here on the west coast have convinced me to get back into a regime, so I expect to be posting here more often now!

Did about 45 minutes on the treadmill tonite, intervals of alternating fast walking and running, all inclined, so I torched a few calories and worked the legs a bit. Going again tomorrow night for some weights.

I’ve been going thru the thread here and checking out everyone’s progress, and it’s very inspiring! Keep it up!!

#978

Hey all, need a little boost here. I am in a weird place. I have been working out nearly every workday for the past three weeks and feeling pretty good. Given my focus on the treadmill I actually surprised myself last week to discover my quads have become quite toned and there is this one muscle in my shins that I didn’t know existed that has visibly gotten stronger. My clothes feel a little looser, but nothing to write home about. Haven’t lost a belt notch or anything.

So my brother-in-law has a Wii-fit balance board lying around and gives it to me. Everyone goes to bed last night and I fire it up to setup my profile. Long story short It asks my height, my age, it weighs me and promptly informs me I am overweight, borderline obese. I sat down shocked. I get that I am overweight, no surprise there, but borderline obese?

I will admit it just sucked all the wind out of me. I am not a vain man, but seriously. I went to the gym today but could hardly run the mile as I was distracted and slightly pissed off. I know I need to be patient, I know this takes time and my goal has always been to simply sweat once a day by increasing my overall activity. The one/two punch of not feeling much of a change and being told I am borderline obese was a bit much to bear.

I know I am just venting and when I think about this I know I need to take the long view. But frak.

#979

BOOST! I think it’s worth going back in this thread and finding some of Chuck’s earlier posts, just a thought. The most important thing to keep in mind is what makes you feel better. You’ve said many times that hitting the gym and getting the feeling of stronger muscles is what’s doing it for you, so keep those things in mind when you’re working out. Maybe don’t set the profile on the Wii-fit, just do the excercises that you think would be fun and use them as a workout but continue to keep track of your loss and excercise amounts separately, the way that it’s been working for you. Don’t let the technology tell you anything, the frakers will get you every time (as has been proven before and will all happen again ;} ) So keep up what you’ve been doing, every bit makes a difference.

#980

I think you should find the irony amusing, you have the wind taken out of your fitness sail by a video game telling you you’re overweight. It’s probably programmed on a curve, so that it tries to make you think you need it more.
Seriously, don’t listen to the Wii. keep doing what you’re doing, you’re doing great.