The getting back in shape thread

[Sphinx]

I stopped going to the gym because of working all the time, but since I've gotten a dog, I take us both across the street to the park for a little run every night. I have also been cutting down LOTS of the stuff I eat and the amounts I eat. So hopefully this will help. Now if I could just ge some energy I would be doing great!

[Caveat Emptor]

I bought a treadmill a few months ago and am trying to maintain a 3 day a week 30 minute each schedule. I try to increase my jogging, right now I'm up to 5 minutes at a stretch at 5 MPH. My problem is getting discouraged; I need distractions to keep me from looking at the elapsed time or I else I tend to want to quit early. I guess I need an Ipod to listen to music, as I can't hear the TV when jogging. I lost 16 pounds in three months, but I think I'm gradually gaining it back. I'm afraid to look at a scale.

[The Scaly Bard]

November of last year, I decided to join the Air Force, but was WAY over the weight limit (Limit for my height was 197, I was 240 at the time). Since then, I've switched from the Air Force to the Marines, and have lost thirty since January. I have pants I haven't worn in years that are now loose on me!

My routine consists of running a 1.5 mile loop where I live (mountainous terrian, lot of hills), push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. It's been slow going, particularly because I'm a very heavy-built man, but I'm going to be in the best shape I can be before I ship out in October of this year.

Things I've noticed that help are many things that people have already mentioned.

-Lots of water
-Lean meats
-Lots of fruits/vegetables
-Occasional snack so it's not completely miserable

Cutting the soda is difficult, since I exist on caffeine. Sadly, caffeine is very bad, as it acts like a diuretic and can dehydrate a person.

Good to hear how great people are doing with their individual programs. Keep it up people!

[NightWolf]

ooops....Sorry Protege.

That must have been one helluva workout! I'd probably have died after a few minutes of doing it being the sweataholic i am.

And I8DaCookie, I would suggest to try eating more. 1200 calories is a bit short for someone who is avidly working out. Don't have to increase it significantly, but try adding some protien shakes in the mix or just have a few small meals throughout the day. Matter of fact, I just finished my Apple with a small amount of peanut butter. mmmmmm. Gotta get that protien in or my muscle development will just crap out.

I totally know what you mean though. I've been kinda stuck where I'm at too and I'm starting to think of what I can do to kick it up. I know damn well I'm not getting near enough protien. But....I'd actually have to have some cash to pick up more supplements. Uggg...I hate working only Part Time.

If you're looking for some supplements, check out www.fitnessone.com

I purchase the vitamin packs from Universal Nutrition. I like them very much.

[Kiwi]

Well im now living with 5 other people so eating is turning out very well.... if I dare buy anything remotely junk foody, it is gobbled up instantly.... they will even sniff it out if its in my room! Six people begging for a biscuit of two clears out the package fast!
They are all very slim active people so its having a good effect, it hasnt even been a week and ive given up diet coke, and only had 4 coffees!!!

Thats right only FOUR I usually would have two or three a day! Ive had three meals a day to, and because we all chip in, our fruit basket is full of delishious looking goodies.... plums, nectarines, kiwifruit yum!!!

[protege]

Ooooh, aaaah!!! Look at those biiiiiiig muscles on you!!! *bats eyelashes*

Better?

Hehe much better

But seriously, that's the only way I can get a workout now. It sucks that most of my free time is consumed by yard work. Hopefully, once things start coming together (and my yard no longer looks like crap!), I'll be able to hit the gym on a more consistent basis.

Before I started messing about in the yard, I was at the gym nearly every night. At least 4 nights a week. Two nights would be strictly cardio, the others would be a mixture of cardio plus the Nautilus machines. When 9:30 or so came around, I was a bit tired...and would finish things off in the hot tub

[ArenaBoy]

I upped my running distances as of late, I'm running between 6-10 miles a day now and I joined a soccer league a while back so I've been getting plenty of exercise.

[Bella_Vixen]

I figured that since I'm too lazy to exercise (I would, but I hate not having anyone to talk to while doing it...), I figured I'd start out slow. So I bought a Slim Fast.

After the first sip is when I realized why I haven't had one in years.

[Becks]

Big sis, if I were in WI, I'd exercise with you.

Slim Fast sucks, but I might have to start considering it. Again.

[NightWolf]

Yes, Slim fast does suck! I totally agree with ya there. Too bad i'm so far up in the state or I'd pump you up.....er.....wow, bad choice there eh?

I hate working out alone, but then again, there's also something to be said for working out alone. (no-one can see how badly you need to workout or how badly you sweat.)

I picked up a BowFlex and love it. So nice not to have to worry about dropping the weights on my chest or on my toes.

[PuckishOne]

I know this was mentioned earlier in the thread, but I'd just like to use my own example to hammer the point home: DRINK WATER. Between my last weigh-in (about 12 days ago) and yesterday, my weight was 8 POUNDS LESS than what it had been, and the only change I'd made was to have started drinking more water. Looks like my body was turning into a cactus and retaining all that water it needed that I wasn't drinking.

For those of you who like a little taste with your water, try slicing a lemon and a lime and adding a couple slices of each to the water bottle...I did this yesterday and it tastes great!

[NightWolf]

Wow WTG Puck!!! Gratz.

It's amazing what extra water will do. Plus I also read that it's important to keep the water chilled, as your body will have to burn up a few extra calories to warm the water.

I've been a bad lil monkey. Had kind of a crappy week and haven't been in a good mood to work out. I know that I probably should as it would give me an outlet for some of my frustrations.

[DragonRose]

Ok, so I'm just starting. I know all the typical advice, I'm just lousy at keeping up with anything. I was doing really good about a week ago, and then completely biffed, and fell down some stairs.

Gonna try working off frustration when I get home - today is the first day I haven't felt bruised and battered.

I'm fluctuating the same 5 lbs for the last 4 months - and I have 40 to lose.

congrats to everyone for sticking with it. Weight loss is one of the hardest things to do!!!

[Rine]

Hey guys I have a question for you...

What is better? An elliptical trainer or a treadmill? To me, an elliptical looks more "fun" to train on, whereas a treadmill is just walking and running. Eh.

I am looking at a few cheap cheap ones at Wally World and Sears. I can't afford to spend over 500 dollars, but I really want something to work out on because I am really afraid of going to a gym and it's too frickin' hot here to go walking like I usually do.

Any tips?

[EvilGnome]

For me, the elliptical will wear me out in just 5-6 minutes at a low setting. And it doesn't make my knees hurt! But I can fast walk on the treadmill for a quite a while without feeling the same impact as I do on the elliptical.

I just took the summer off from my work out routine. My gym is in the local high school, so it’s only open during the school year, and after school hours. No matter how much I hate it, I’m still looking forward to getting back into it.

A bit of a bonus is that an “AnyTime Fitness” is building in my little town. I’ll have to check them out whenever they finally finish.