Pump You Up: The Fitness Thread

[MochaVamp]

Watson,

Walking back from work is a great idea. When I was at one job, I used to take public transit to work and started walking back home. I did this when my schedule and weather permitted. You may be surprised at how soon you shave off time on your walk back. It was a great way for me to unwind after work and I arrived home ready for my non-work life!

[Gatito Grande]

GG - I've seen lots of charts that show calories burned per hour for lots of things--sex, laundry, vacuuming--so I don't doubt that you burn the calories that way. But it's not very fun I'd say...

Skip, sweetie: just stating the obvious, but if sex isn't fun . . .

GG . . . you're not doing it (or being *done*) right! Out

I actually do enjoy doing laundry, to a point: just not how long it takes, or how exhausted I feel after (related to how long I'm on my feet, more than anything else---hard on the back! )

[JustSkipIt]

GG - I mean the laundry wasn't fun, not the sex... Lol.

[Candleshoe]

Nice to see GG bragging about her ability to ensure fun...

and now I am ducking back out of this thread on the grounds that I don't really exercise, and therefore am clearly only here for the vicarious muscle size thrills...

[Gatito Grande]

Ah, drinking the protein shake of the Truly Worthy...

*Squats: 120 (kicked up another 5lbs)

*Did a "Century Leg Curl" (which was surprisingly easy---we'll see what my hamstrings have to say about it tomorrow, though!)

* Lovin' that Pec Deck thang: while I have to use much lower weights on it, than when bench-pressing, I can feel it hitting an entirely different place on my pec (more to the outside). I can't even remember where I found that Pec Deck---was it Play It Again Sports? Or did I just "find" it somewhere? (I have remarkable success that way---no, I don't steal! ) Speaking of which...

* For my Bicep Curls, I have an new addition to my weight collection. My newest "dumbbell": a 20lb. window sash counter-weight! (I have a total of 5 window-sash counter-weights---the others are all 10-12 pounds---all of which I got helping deconstruct/reconstruct a historic building in my town)

GG Collecting unusual work-out equipment is almost as fun as using it... Out

Last but not least, my waist is getting better: pants are looser, and would you believe, when I look in the mirror, I see . . . a Two Pack! (Now, I just have to "collect" the other four! ) If anyone would, y'know, enjoy that visual....

[beanie]

Wow, just reading this thread makes me want to go out and be active. Unfortunately it's midnight, oh shucks. But I was wondering, never mind the fact that time won't let me workout, is there a type of physical activity which will help me lose a couple without exacerbating my already hurt ankle. Or ankles rather. Due to several factors, I tend to twist a lot of joints, particularly ankles, and then I keep using them, never letting them heal properly. The result being constant aches and pains in my joints when I do anything involving running (even though I can't stay away from volleyball or racquetball for an extended period of time). My doctor says I should try swimming but swimming = gym membership = lots of money in the city. I'm sort of at a loss. Should I just suck it up and run anyway?

(BTW reading this thread has also made feel like a lazy buttface. It's about time I got a kick in my lazy buttface. =] )

[JustSkipIt]

Everyone is doing so great. I'm totally excited and happy everytime I see someone say they are inspired by the thread. Beanie - what about riding a bike? It wouldn't be as low impact (or no impact) as swimming ( I totally agree with your doctor) but it would be better than running I'd think.

Yesterday I went for a long walk and today did my 8 minutes (triceps & curls) and then 20 minutes on the Nordic track before Asher woke up. Have a great day.

[beanie]

mmm, how come I didn't think of that? I'm such a dunce sometimes. And this is great cuz I just learned how to ride a bike. Yes, yes, yes laugh away but at least I did. Yay! Danke Skip!

[MochaVamp]

Today was my first big walk since being sick . I had been so eager to get out. I actually still made a good time considering the break. Unfortuanately on the way back I got caught in a downpour. Too bad getting wet doesn't burn off extra calories.

[JustSkipIt]

MochaVamp - how are the leg cramps?

Yesterday short workout cause I got up late but today I did well. Did my 8 minutes and then 55 on the Nordic Track (5.31). Later.

[MochaVamp]

JustSkipIt,

So far no more leg cramps, knock on wood! Everyone's tips must have worked.

Seems like you are getting some great workouts on the NordicTrack.

[Artemis]

GG: good idea, I found a couple of those sash weights lying around (I live in a 120-year-old terrace, there's all sorts of bits and pieces like that), and I've got one handy for arm-workout-type stuff while I'm watching Futurama. Might help my tennis, too. I'm getting back into the hang of it - I'm about 50/50 at being able to hit a ball back across the net, rather than hitting it out, framing it, or missing it entirely, which is a lot better than the past couple of weeks. I've discovered I still have a kick-ass one-handed backhand, but I could use some extra arm strength - hitting the shot, with a very quick, vicious motion, I could feel it taking pretty much all I had to drive the ball the way I wanted.

The weight is about 9 pounds - it feels pretty much the same, in terms of how difficult it is to lift, as the thick stretchy cord my trainer has me use.

[Gatito Grande]

Just went for another great hike today: heard the calls of several different kinds of birds, heralding spring...

For anyone who's curious as to where I go on my (regular) hikes, it's right here: http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/

GG While you can get cardio exercise just about anywhere/anyhow, there's just nuthin' better than getting it out in nature! Out

[Foomatic]

Finally got a chance to workout, after a couple of days of ickiness. We did a bunch of rounds on the heavy bags today. I'm trying to get my form and technique down now. It's neat the mechanics of a punch. People tend to think it's in the arms, but the power comes from twisting the hips and shifting your weight. When I work the bags now I find that my legs tire out rather than my arms, which means I'm doing it right.

We did a really funny drill that was supposed to simulate how it feels after you've been hit in the face. He had us raise our arms and look up while we spun around 5 times, then try to walk straight on a line of tape on the floor, heel to toe, heel to toe. We looked like a really bad DUI checkpoint. Even the big buff guys were all wobbly on their feet! It's a lot tougher than it sounds cause you have to tuck your arms in while you walk, so no help with the balance there.

We finished up with a few insane ab drills. There was one where we had to lie with our stomachs on a medicine ball, hands behind our backs and knees off the ground, and basically roll around on top it to strengthen the abs so you could take body blows. Crazy! I stayed a little later and was able to work the punch mitts with the instructor, which is always a lot of fun. It's more engaging than the heavy bags, plus we do it in the ring, which makes me feel like a total bad ass. Finished the work out with a few rounds on the speed bag. I'm to the point where I can do it at a consistent pace, and I can really feel the burn in my shoulders.

PS Great job everyone! Keep it up!

[k-prime]

Wow, Foo, that's hardcore! It sounds like you're having a lot of fun boxing. That's awesome that you could find an activity you love like that.
I've been lazy this week, due to work and hangovers, and today was my first day at the gym since Monday. I still managed to do 40 min of cardio and 45 min of weight training, but I really need to work on being more consistent in my workouts.
Oh, well. I might be getting my scheduled changed to 9-5. I'm hoping a regular work schedule will make it easier.

[Trom DeGrey]

Wow, sounds like everyone is doing terrific!

I, on the other hand, am sucking mightily. I haven't done anything in two weeks. It's a bad time to lose motivation too. I'm planning on going to football tryouts the second Saturday in April. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get myself together.

[JustSkipIt]

Everyone sounds like it's going great. Trom, you'll get back to it. Foo:

There was one where we had to lie with our stomachs on a medicine ball, hands behind our backs and knees off the ground, and basically roll around on top it to strengthen the abs so you could take body blows.

I'm goiing to have to try that one. It sounds really great.

Today's report. Well this weekend I didn't do any formal exercise. Lots of shopping and playing with Asher and housework. So, nothing aerobic... Today my 8 minutes which was calf raises and then kickups (those things where you're on all fours and kick your heel at the ceiling). Then 42 minutes on the Nordic Track (4.3?)/

[Gatito Grande]

I love it when I figure out a New&Improved way of doing an exercise.

Case in point: calf raises (Mooooo! )

Having had access to full-service gyms in the past, I know that there are machines which target just about every muscle group---including the calf muscles. The trick is, how can I get that same targetted benefit, w/ the equipment I have? (FYI, I have a "mid-size" bench, w/ Standard---as opposed to Olympic---weights). Off and on for a year or two now, I've tried to make some kind of platform, upon which to stand---right on the edge, w/ my heels lower, and then raise up on my tip-toes, for the calf-raise (actually, it's other way around: I begin on my toes, lower s-l-o-w-l-y until my heels hang lower than the platform, then contract the muscle back up. One rep!)

The trouble was, I could never keep my balance on this system.

So today, as I was lifting, I noticed the frame of the bench, when I had seat in the up-right position (the following is probably going to make little sense: I need show you a picture!). The bench frame provided a perfect platform on which to stand, and w/ the seat back behind me, it helps me keep my balance. Ta-dah!

The long and the short of it, I felt like my calf-raises in today's work-out, actually approached the targetting of pro gym equipment. I think my calves are going to ache tomorrow, and that's a Very Good Thing!

GG Also feeling it, in my Tricep Extensions: Buh-Bye, "Bye-Bye Arms"! Out

Good luck to everybody else in their work-outs/various sorts of exercise. Keep it up!

[JustSkipIt]

GG - awesome. Believe it or not another idea is if there is a light pole or column by the step to your house or apartment or whatever, if you take out the weight, you can use the pole for balance and do the calf raise that way.

I just couldn't get out of bed today (very unusual for me). I slept until 6:00 and then did 11 minutes on the NT before Asher got up. I'm hoping he'll be willing to go for a walk after his nap. It's better than nothing.

[Gatito Grande]

Calves today, aching: check!

GG Forgot to mention, also did a Century Bench Press Out

[Trom DeGrey]

Oooh! Century bench press! Thanks for the idea, GG! Did you use any weight? I saved it for the end of my arm workout tonight and just did the bar. I was surprised that I made it through without any problems. It's my weakest muscle set and I haven't seen much improvement in it. Let's hope this gets me out of that plateau.

What a difference two weeks makes! I did okay yesterday, managed to run/walk/sprint for about 40 minutes before I said, "Forget this crap!" Lifting tonight was a harder pill to swallow. I knew all my weights would be down. Just didn't expect by how much! I really struggled with the 20lb. curls. *sigh* Oh well, back on the horse!

Great job Kittens!!

[k-prime]

Yesterday was my 3rd day in a row at the gym (yay!) and I increased my cardio time by ten minutes, which I was pleased with. I've also increased all my weights in the past week by a step. It kind of makes all the work worthwhile, when I can actually see improvement like that.
I'm wimping out today so I can go watch V For Vendetta, but I've got tomorrow off, so I can spend a couple of solid hours working out. Scarily enough, that really excites me. I think I'm turning into a gym rat.

[Alcy]

Well, it has been pissing with rain here in Wellington for the past week and given that I am shaking off a cold I thought it wise not to run outside.

You'll be pleased to know that I have not given up and have simply moved my running indoors on the treadmill (what a great investment to buy!), although the poor old thing does start to protest when I use it for longer than 40mins or try and run faster than 12kms/hr.

Marathon is coming up in June, definitely time to pick up the training!!! I'm inspired by watching the Commonwealth Games at the moment.

[JustSkipIt]

Man, everyone is doing so fantastic. I'm again really grateful for starting this thread. I know it inspires me to get to read everyone's notes every day and to post my own. Century bench press? Trom - glad to hear you're feeling better. Alcy - man, if we had the room, I'd love to get a treadmill but I'm afraid to get a crappy one. I mean the gyms have such great quality ones and that would be cool but totally a dream. For now, I do love the workout I get on the Nordic Track.

Speaking of which, today I blew off the 8 mintues because I knew I wanted to NT long enough to finish my Veronica Mars DVD. Went 55 minutes (5.54). I had planned to go an hour but Asher and Rachel woke up and he really wanted me to play so I got off when the DVD ended.

Yesterday, we did end up going for a good walk. We walked through a few nearby neighborhoods and then he wanted to walk/run and fell over and over as kids do until he wanted to be carried (not pushed in the stroller) home so I got that arm workout until I couldn't hold him and convinced him to go back in the stroller.

Also yesterday we took him to a dentist (everything is fine) and the dentist had a scale. I need to find out what I weighed when I weighed in September but I know I've lost between 8 and 12 pounds since September, most of it since I really stepped up the working out in November. Yay and also yay!!!

Everyone have a great day.

Now it's Thursday but I don't want to double post. Great workout today 55 minutes at 5.65. I would have gone longer but Asher woke up so I stopped. Yay me.

And now Friday. I only did 30 minutes (3.15) today because I'm going to spend the afternoon helping a friend lay sod for her new yard.

[Trom DeGrey]

Is anyone else experiencing some seasonal affective disorder with this resurge of winter (at least here in the midwestern US)? I cannot get myself moving. I realize exercise would make me feel better, but if I can't even motivate myself to change clothes... I'm just for the sun at this point. I hate cardio work, so I think starting next week I'll go from lifting twice a week to three times a week. I get some cardio workout when I lift anyway. I take very little time between sets and exercises. And with football coming up soon, I want to improve my strength. I enjoy lifting more too. Something's gotta break me out of this rut.

[JustSkipIt]

Trom,
I totally get what you're saying about seasonal affective disorder. I am continually thankful that we live where we do because I get moody after about 2 days of dark weather. I don't find that it affects my morning workouts very much though because the weather is the same when I'm inside and it's dark outside. Does that makes sense?

Anyway, increasing lifting sounds like a good plan? What totally switching yourself up by doing some activity you virtually never do: rock climbing, kayaking, rapelling, pick-up basketball?

[GayNow]

I've added about 1 1/2 miles to my walking 5 days a week (so that's about 2 miles, I guess). My new job is further away and requires that I not only transfer between train stations, but that I walk further between the last train and the office. And because I have to keep to a train schedule, my most of that walking time is at a pretty quick clip. I'm keeping an eye on the amount of time it takes me to get from place to place...I'm hoping to see that time shorten over the next few weeks.

And I'm drinking more water than I have in a long time. I'm talking on the phones for 8 hours a day, so I have to keep water at my desk so I don't lose my voice. So, that's gotta be good for me too, right? More water in my diet?

[watty]

Walking home from work is almost a routine now. I slacked off one day last week, and today I had dinner plans. But 4 days a week ain't bad. My secretary noticed that I might have lost a little weight, so it's all good. (Then again the possible-but-not-confirmed-since-I-don't-weigh-myself weight loss is probably due to the stomach upset I contracted in India.)

Keep the motivation level up, team.
[br]

[JustSkipIt]

Yay Watty & Car for all the walking. I love walking. When I used to take the bus I often got off the bus early to walk the rest of the way. Now I drive so that's not really an option. I totally think that drinking water is a great habit. I'd have to estimate that it's something that nearly no one does enough. If talking on the phone is forcing you, then any reason is great.

Well, I ended up laying sod for about an hour and a half. The sod was supposed to arrive at noon and arrived after 3:00. Still, it felt great and I worked up a good sweat.

[JustSkipIt]

Man, what a great weekend. Yesterday the entire family went hiking for about an hour and a half. For the first half, I had Asher on my back in a back pack. If you are wondering what may amp up your workout, putting a 30 pound kid and pack on your back will certainly do it. It challenges your balance and is much more tiring. Then he walked about 1/2 of it which he loves. It was awesome.

Today we had a babysitter so we went down to the lake (which is a river but is called a like--don't ask me) and rented a two-man kayak. The last time we went, we had Asher and he liked it but one person (Rachel) had to hold him so he didn't try to pet the ducks or jump over or anything and the other rowed (me) and tired myself out royally. Today we could both row and it was awesome. It was only about 60 but there was some sun and also some wind and waves. We had a fantastic time.

ETA: not to double or tripple post or whatever. Just did 50 minutes on the Nordic Track (4.86 km or whatever they are). I started doing the 8 minutes but the exercises are so boring some days. I'm not noticing as much difference in my body as I expected at this point but I do have a lot more energy. I feel good about how I feel. Also, I think I'm losing weight in my breasts and believe it or not, I'm happy about that. I mentioned it to Rachel and then the other day she was watching me change for bed and she said she thinks so too.

ETA (2): Today did the 8 minutes which was overhead presses and kickouts (they call them something else). Then 40 minutes on the NT which seemed very hard today but I still did 4.06 so that's pretty decent. My favorite part is afterwards when I'm stretching and Asher asks what I'm doing and wants to do it too.