Who Here Works Out

[chrataxe]

I would be lying if I said I frequented the gym, but I do have a membership and go from time to time. I'm trying to get back into it and I'm thinking about starting P90X. I've also been contemplating Bas Rutten's program for a while. Either way, we have a weight loss challenge at work and its time to crank it in full gear to win!

I used to be in awesome shape. I would spend 6 nights a week in the gym doing 2-3 hours of weights every night and would run ~40 miles a week. Sadly, that was the better part of a decade ago....man I'm getting old.

 

[z-man]

Yup, I have a Gym membership.

I do too... I'm using it right now as I type this message [/sarcasm]

As far as I go, I really dislike mundane activities. I am the type who gets bored off running, lifting, or anything that does not involve deviation of some form. Because of this, I go to a dojo 3 times a week, and work out when at home. I do sparring every so often for hours on end (it is quite a workout). At home, I practice katas and forms. Try going an hour swinging around nanchaku and/or bo while keeping good form. It may not give you nice abs/pecs/etc, but it is a very good workout and burns many calories. It is not usually as boring as I find most other workouts.

When I do do more mundane activities, I always attempt to be thinking about something or watching something. For example, when I used to run, I would often think about how to solve a problem I had found while coding or I would think about new decks to play. I'm no psychologist, but I have been told that something happens to your brain while you work out and you get a clearer mind or something. IDK, but it is a good time to think about your life while you are doing mundane activities.

 

[secretsof2113]

When it is a bit warmer, I usually try and bike on my days off work. Typically I'll get in a 10-12 mile bike ride on the path near my house. Because it's the middle of winter in Ohio now, I'm using Wii Fit to try and stay active. I'm shooting to lose 80 pounds here this year, because I am very much overweight.

 

[Vegeta ss4]

When it is a bit warmer, I usually try and bike on my days off work. Typically I'll get in a 10-12 mile bike ride on the path near my house. Because it's the middle of winter in Ohio now, I'm using Wii Fit to try and stay active. I'm shooting to lose 80 pounds here this year, because I am very much overweight.

80 pounds, that's a lot to ask for in a year. Im a healthy guy and know fitness, 80 pounds is very much acheivable. I do however want to know what your eating habits are.

Idk how you would feel about supplements or things of that nature, but, I recommend Hydroxy cut.

Here is a quick diet for you, and will easily lose 80 pounds in less than a year.
Take Hydroxy cut
Drink A LOT of water, no milk, ever.
Drink Protein shakes for lunch and a Protein bar for a snack
Take vitamins
Walk 3 miles a day
Do not just sit around on a computer
occasionally lift weights, maybe twice a week. Nothing big here, but you are going to lose a lot of weight. You want your body to from as it loses weight, not look like an old potato.
eat healthy, stay away from porks, fried food, greeasy things, and desserts.

Oh and did I say drink water?

 

[Elite_4_Allen]

I like lifting weights a lot.
Don't really go to the gym, but at my home.

 

[Azure Kite]

Used to go to the gym, recently had it cancelled because I just couldn't find the time. There are different workouts depending on your goals. If you wanna build muscle, obviously you need weights and those exercises, but if it's just about knocking off pounds, just run everyday and eat healthy. Knock of the sodas entirely, drink a glass or two of orange juice and skim milk, and drink water the rest of the day. You'll see results for sure, even if it's not the premium workout/diet plan. I'll probably check out P90X when I get around to it, but like a lot of people, it's out of the question with school.

 

[toxictaipan]

Is P90X seriously legit? I first heard of it on an infomercial, so my initial gut reaction was no. Does it come with everything you need, or do you have to buy weights and stuff? How much does P90X cost?

 

[Azure Kite]

Is P90X seriously legit? I first heard of it on an infomercial, so my initial gut reaction was no. Does it come with everything you need, or do you have to buy weights and stuff? How much does P90X cost?

Can't answer about costs and requirements, but I can tell you it's definitely legit. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and I know a lot of people who do it.

 

[dave628]

I believe the P90X videos are a little expensive. P90X are a series of exercise video. You will need your own weights or go to gym.

 

[ColdCoates90]

Is P90X seriously legit? I first heard of it on an infomercial, so my initial gut reaction was no. Does it come with everything you need, or do you have to buy weights and stuff? How much does P90X cost?

P90x is diet and exercise, so of course it works:wink:. If you follow its directions you get results. What those directions entail is devoting 1 hour per day that target specific muscle groups and eating healthy. I weighed about 170 before I started and had ,for the most part, no muscle mass. I now weigh 150 and am a great deal stronger than what I once was, so I fully endorse it.

The P90x program itself is right around $140.Additionally You will need to buy a pull up bar + weights + exercise mat and you'll need space in your house to do the workouts of course.It might seem like a lot of money, but you can reuse it over and over again after you initially buy the items as opposed to a gym membership which you have t o continually buy and have to drive to and whatever.

I wouldn't recommend it if one is under the mentality that if they eat X way for a limited period of time and exercise for X days they're set for life, the program is more about teaching a lifestyle of change that you take with you well after you've finished.

Vegeta- I 'd say cut milk for vanilla silk, and make the protein shake a second snack as opposed to a meal replacement, just make sure the lunch is a salad or some lean protein meal. I don't know what to say about hydroxycut, seems weird.

btw all those people who say they don't have the time are lying, lol. You have time for what you make, whether its surfing the internet ,playing video games, poker, movies, etc. you can find 1 hour a day somewhere to get in some exercise, for sure.

 

[Jaeger]

Coates: You just probably made the biggest point, be healthy isn't about going on a diet for 2 months its about a life style. For those of you who are overweight and am trying to lose it, it really is quite simpe

Amount of Calories you Burn > Amount of Calories you Eat

I promise you if you follow the above you'll lose weight. But most of you won't or don't care enough to. You really need to find your own reasons for doing this. I'm very active in Martial Arts I love to compete, I love to win this is reason I train hard. I enjoy going to the beach in the summer and having 6 pack abs while my friends don't, thats a reason I do this. But you really need to find your own reasons, write them down, tell your friends (you feel more oblicated if you tell people). But until you really truely make the descesion to get in the shape you want to be in, nothings going to change. Talk is cheap and its true here than anywhere. Diet and excerise are key and you have to do both not just one or the other. It takes time, dedication, will power and persistance. Its not easy otherwise everybody would do it.

 

[toxictaipan]

P90x is diet and exercise, so of course it works:wink:.

Yeah, but there is so much bull crap out there about losing weight and getting fit it's worth double checking, lol. For instance, I tried Proactiv and didn't really see the results they were hyping up. But I went to a dermatologist who gave me some antibiotics and prescription acne cream and the results were so much better. I've completely been off the medicine for months now and my acne still isn't as bad as it was.


I don't know if I have enough for $140 dollars + workout equipment. Plus there isn't a lot of space in my house. I might wait until I have my own job. I'm not really in serious need of working out, I'm just looking to tone up a bit. Thanks for explaining it, though!

 

[ColdCoates90]

Jaeger- you make an equally solid point about finding a reason to eat/exercise better. Most people who make a new year's resolution to eat better/workout do so and quit within the first month or so. It's because their reason for starting in the first place was so flimsy. It's also the reason that about this time of the year craigslist is flooded by all kinds of exercise equipment on the cheap, haha.

One needs to find out WHY they want to live a healthier lifestyle before pursuing it. Maybe you want to get involved with sports, crave more energy, live longer, whatever the reason find it and remind yourself every time you feel like quitting.

Since this has become a bit of a diet thread, Jaeger, what kind of stuff do you eat to keep up with all that?

 

[Chompy]

I work out 3-4 times a week. Also, I have year pass, so I can go there as many times as I want! As far as my work out goes, I stretch my arms out, then I do 8 sets of 8 reps of 2 exercises a day, but different machines/exercise each day. When I do the weights, I go one step beyond my comfort level zone. For example, I use the 40 lb. dumbbells for the shoulder press (not the machine), and the other exercise is the butterfly machine, which I go 145 lbs.. After that, I go on the elliptical for 25 min. on level 11 the entire time and burn on average 475 calories. Last but not least is the ball, which I do 100 sit ups and 100 side to side exercises. Shame that everyone in the health club is 30 years and older :frown: . The other negative is the workers there are unfriendly and it's their way of saying "Get out of my sight".


And so that's the story of my work out life...

 

[Jaeger]

Jaeger- you make an equally solid point about finding a reason to eat/exercise better. Most people who make a new year's resolution to eat better/workout do so and quit within the first month or so. It's because their reason for starting in the first place was so flimsy. It's also the reason that about this time of the year craigslist is flooded by all kinds of exercise equipment on the cheap, haha.

One needs to find out WHY they want to live a healthier lifestyle before pursuing it. Maybe you want to get involved with sports, crave more energy, live longer, whatever the reason find it and remind yourself every time you feel like quitting.

Since this has become a bit of a diet thread, Jaeger, what kind of stuff do you eat to keep up with all that?

Depends on what if I'm cutting or not. Right now I'm cutting Christmas break was not kind not much just a little over 5lbs and I want to get it done now before warm weather gets here. My out look on it is if I'm going to work out as much as I do and I have the will power to eat right I'm going to walk around without my shirt on as much as much as possible when its hot out

So like I said right now I'm cutting.

Breakfest: I'll usually eat light, but I still make sure I eat (skipping meals is one of the stupidest thing you can do cutting or not, its not healthy and its easier to gain weight since your body goes into starvation mode). Maybe a bagel, Apple and some low fat yogurt, something to get in my stomach and hold me off till lunch.
Lunch I had some fried rice (no not resturant style) this is actually a very healthy version lots of vegatibles, and brown rice tastes amazing.
Dinner: I had a Chicken Sandwich and some yogurt.

Here are some general tips of mine

-Water and Milk (cut the pop and other highly calorie drinks, its so easy to lose count here) I also use Splenda drink mixes 5 Calories and 5 Carbs 0 Sugar per serving. I love it and haven't had any problems
-Its huge your drinking enough water every day, I carry a water bottle around with me all day in my bag and like I said when I'm at home I'll treat myself to Splenda.
- I don't eat high carb food late at night, I love Pasta and stuff but I have it for lunch so that way my body as all day to burn it off.
-This is one is what really helped me, I switched all my snacks to fruits and vegs. I even have some premade bags of vegs in my frige, I'll even take a bag with me to class so I have something to munch on.
-One of the things that always held me back was the feel that I was limiting myself or I would still be hungry which always made cutting hard so I made the deal with myself that I could eat all the fruits and vegs I want so I don't feel like I'm starving myself.
-I do drink Protien alot of crazy stuff you can do with protein, fruit and a blinder but that usually takes more time and clean up than I like so I usually throw it my water bottle, shake it up, and bottoms up. Everyone really has to find there own here. I found I like Strawberry mixed with Skim Milk. But everybody has their flavors and what they like to mix it with just have to play around with it.

I'm not a personal trainer or anything, this is just what I found works for me.

---------- Post added 02/01/2011 at 12:18 AM ----------

I work out 3-4 times a week. Also, I have year pass, so I can go there as many times as I want! As far as my work out goes, I stretch my arms out, then I do 8 sets of 8 reps of 2 exercises a day, but different machines/exercise each day. When I do the weights, I go one step beyond my comfort level zone. For example, I use the 40 lb. dumbbells for the shoulder press (not the machine), and the other exercise is the butterfly machine, which I go 145 lbs.. After that, I go on the elliptical for 25 min. on level 11 the entire time and burn on average 475 calories. Last but not least is the ball, which I do 100 sit ups and 100 side to side exercises. Shame that everyone in the health club is 30 years and older :frown: . The other negative is the workers there are unfriendly and it's their way of saying "Get out of my sight".


And so that's the story of my work out life...

Three things I found that really help

Best advice I have ever gotten about working out, is nobody else matters. You came to the gym for you! Do your workout for you! Your not trying to impress anybody, your not trying to show off for anybody! We have all seen those people more often than not they end up looking like idiots. The other guys their don't care how much you can bench fyi neither do the girls (besides omg actually talking to them might get you farther than trying to put another 20lbs on your bench)

Avoid the machines when ever possible, free weights are always best.

-Effort and intensity, I used to think I was a total stud going into lift 3 times a week for 2+ hours. But now I realize, I would do a set and than stand around or talk, etc. Now I get in there get my stuff done and I get out. I get twice the workout I was getting before in half the time.

 

[Azure Kite]

Best advice I have ever gotten about working out, is nobody else matters. You came to the gym for you! Do your workout for you! Your not trying to impress anybody, your not trying to show off for anybody! We have all seen those people more often than not they end up looking like idiots. The other guys their don't care how much you can bench fyi neither do the girls (besides omg actually talking to them might get you farther than trying to put another 20lbs on your bench)

I don't know about anyone else, but at least at my gym, a good number of the people there are in worse shape than me. That's a morale boost right there.

And something I'll just add to the mix; it's overlooked a LOT, but something essential not just to a healthy workout/diet, but a lifestyle, is SLEEP. I've slept really really badly lately; bad enough I've often wondered if it's a clinical problem. (besides the point, but it is getting better) But every time I would try to diet, control what I eat, or workout, I'd find I was too exhausted to do any of it. In addition to that, and the fact that you burn calories in your sleep, I've found that when you stay up later, you eat more. A LOT more, if you're football size like myself. (no joke, EVERYONE thinks I play football, but I don't) Since a lot of us are teens, I will say, teenagers are genetically programmed to stay up late, and sleep in. It's especially easy to let that take over during the Summer. Changing/controlling that is essential in just about all things health.

 

[pokemonmaster50000]

i work out every day and every time i feel like i need to work out

 

[Arcanine/Arbok Master]

Just today at the gym with my roommate, I managed to strain my shoulder while doing inclined bench press. I dont know what I did, but lifting my arm hurts and I cant move my arm much without a good amount of pain. I dont think I broke anything, but I tore a muscle perhaps? Does anyone know what I might have done and whether or not I should be concerned about it?

Right now, Im just hoping to take it easy on that shoulder and hope it goes away within the week.

 

[Jaeger]

Coming from a non medical professional I would say its a pulled muscle, probably from a lack of strecthing. The first thing I do when I go to the gym is I do some basic streches with my arm and try to loosen up (arm accross the chest, etc.) I than grab a 10lbs circle weight (I can't think of the name the weight you put on your bench) I swing it in a full circle around my body (like a windmill) I go 3 times in both directions front and back both sides. I find this works great for getting my arms loose.

 

[Ninjask88]

-Water and Milk (cut the pop and other highly calorie drinks, its so easy to lose count here) I also use Splenda drink mixes 5 Calories and 5 Carbs 0 Sugar per serving. I love it and haven't had any problems
-Its huge your drinking enough water every day, I carry a water bottle around with me all day in my bag and like I said when I'm at home I'll treat myself to Splenda.

Okay all you points are excellent suggestions and tips, but I would like to say one thing. Milk is an great source of protein and vitamins especially chocolate milk, which is great for after a workout. But, it really should only be drank if your goal is to gain muscle or if you are toning your body.

For a person who is trying to lose an amount of weight over, say 15lbs, I would not suggest milk to them. In wrestling, I have found that cutting milk out of your diet will help you lose weight more easily. Dairy products in general tend to stay in your body for a longer time then other foods, and pass through slower.

So, I would suggest to stay away from the milk if you are cutting a large amount of weight. I'm not saying your wrong or anything, but this is just what I have found.