The Get in Shape, Eat Healthy, Better, Etc... 2010 Thread!!! :) :) :) :)

FINALLY got back to the gym after about 2 months away.  I haven't gained weight, but i started to just feel "blah" and gross, so i figured i might as well start working out again while i have the time.

Unfortunately, i woke up w/a migraine this morning, so my workout was cut pretty short.  I hoped it would go away as time went on, but no dice.  At least i proved to myself that i could get back into the routine.

Bails


I usually workout in the morning.  Today, I did it after dinner.  What difference!  It's much harder at night.  I didn't have anywhere near the energy I usually have, and my workout suffered.  I wanted to make sure I got it in, so I feel good about that, but it definitely wasn't as effective as usual.

What time of day do you guys (and gals) usually workout?

You know, I'm the exact opposite...

I workout in the morning about 5 days a week and I must say it is always a struggle to get started...once i do i am good but i am usually not in the mood at all.

One night a week I usually get a workout in around 7:00 and that is typically my most productive...something about being on my feet and loose I think.

Runs are different...running in the morning is all good...afternoon is much harder to handle...especially long runs...i think it has to do with my metabolism and that i generally front load my calories and taper off during the day.

a typical weekday is usually this:

Wake up
eat for about ten minutes 
Workout 20 - 50 minutes (lifting/strength/stretching)
Cardio 20-50 minutes
work 8 - 10 hours
Cardio 20-50 minutes
stretch
bed.

I typically get about 8 -10 hours of cardio a week which may seem excessive but is absolutely necessary for long races.  

The strength training is also super important as the last two summers I have really had to battle weight loss during peak training months.  It is a pain to put on ten pounds of muscle on to run it off of your body over a six week period!

Great arms session this morning

I had some shoulder ache from yesterday, but it was just training ache from a good session rather than a reaction, so it is all good

I get up at 5am every morning to work out. I would have no energy after work to do it, so it's either 5am or it won't happen. I mean I could get in 30 mins at the gym, but with the P90X, 30 mins at the gym isn't going to be enough.

Kenpo X today with 1.5 lbs on each weighted glove. Got a pretty good workout in, had to really push this morning at the mid point because my energy level took a dip. But I finished strong I felt so it's all good. I keep reminding myself this is only week 4, I've got 8 more after this and this is only the beginning of my lifestyle change so... BRING IT!!!

Keep it up everyone!!!

Last night's run: Too cold and slippery for outside -> Treadmill

10' warm-up (@6.5 mph)
3x[10' z3 (@9) + 2' recovery (1'@6, 1'@7)]
5' cool-down (@6.5)
stretch

Totals: 2% grade, 51 mins: 6.75mi -> 7.94mph avg

Tonight
Hill Intervals 2x 1/2/4
Type: Run
Planned duration: 0:50
Planned distance: 8.0 km
15min warm up @ z2
2 x [(1'@ z3.5 +rec) + (2'@ z3.5 +rec) + (4'@ z3.5 +rec)]
cooldown

Good gravy it felt great to get back in the gym this morning. Some light cardio then a total chest blast with multiple supersets, then some back and arms just to increase the jello factor. And then some abs just to finish you off.

I'm thinking that these workouts are getting rather repetitive and stale. I feel like I am typing the same thing in here every morning. Meh.

My town is having a 50 Days of Fitness contest that is essentially a biggest loser type setup. I'm thinking about joining up, just for kicks, as there are a lot of side benefits and I'd meet some new people as well. It's also coordinated through the gym I go to, so that's convenient as well. Gotta talk to the wife about it first, and get some more info to see if I can make the weigh ins given my grad school schedule at night.

SpacemanSpiff


Last night's run: Too cold and slippery for outside -> Treadmill

10' warm-up (@6.5 mph)
3x[10' z3 (@9) + 2' recovery (1'@6, 1'@7)]
5' cool-down (@6.5)
stretch

Totals: 2% grade, 51 mins: 6.75mi -> 7.94mph avg

Tonight
Hill Intervals 2x 1/2/4
Type: Run
Planned duration: 0:50
Planned distance: 8.0 km
15min warm up @ z2
2 x [(1'@ z3.5 +rec) + (2'@ z3.5 +rec) + (4'@ z3.5 +rec)]
cooldown

That's some kick ass pace there!

Thanks.

The reason I hate using the treadmill is because I feel like I'm working harder to maintain a lower speed. The perceived effort of that 9 mph (6:40/mi) pace is actually EASIER to do outside. For an equivalent effort (7 out of 10), I would have been able to easily hold a 6:00/mi (10 mph) outdoors.

The only way I could run a lot and like it is to drink 4 beer and GO. Tried the treadmill. It doesn't work, for ME.

LEntless

  I still have some bad stuff on weekends (beer and pizza), but I'm not lining up for 16 beer and 3 slices of pizza. Around 8-10 and 2, respectively.

 

LEntless

The only way I could run a lot and like it is to drink 4 beer and GO. Tried the treadmill. It doesn't work, for ME.

 
Yeah, I'm beginning to think that maybe the fitness lifestyle isn't for you. 

Anyone up for a "Beer Mile"?

SpacemanSpiff


Thanks.

The reason I hate using the treadmill is because I feel like I'm working harder to maintain a lower speed. The perceived effort of that 9 mph (6:40/mi) pace is actually EASIER to do outside. For an equivalent effort (7 out of 10), I would have been able to easily hold a 6:00/mi (10 mph) outdoors.

Totally!!!!

I do most of my treadmill runs in the winter...(though I still hit it snow and all at least once a week...)  and damned if it dosen't kick my ass to get in a good 10 miles...

also there is the mental bummer of being on a treadmill...

You post crazy times....what is your race of choice?  10k?

After almost 18 months, I've done 3 treadmill runs in the last 30 days: I'm getting soft.

Crazy times? Maybe. I post mostly in here. Currently training for a 1/2 marathon in May, a slew of 5&10k races and some triathlons (sprint and olympic).


(5k 16:58, 10k 37:56, 1/2 1:25:29)

well...I will say that a 37:56 10K is quite good!  

my PB is in the 45:00 is range...

I am trying to add some shorter sprints into my training but my goal is a 50 miler this summer so it is pretty much always about distance for me...

want to add in another Triathalon as well....but it is so hard to find the time to get my swim times up to par.  The biking and running are always there but that damn swimming kicks my ass if I haven't been in the pool enough.

Good luck on your 1/2!

Day off today

Did not get to bed until 12:10 so no way I could get up 4 hours later and still function today

My first "off-day" (as in non-class day) session in a couple weeks. Did some intervals on the elliptical and felt great! I need to get at least one off-day workout in a week, preferably two, if I am going to see the results in the time frame I want.

But I did lose 1.4 pounds this week, so I'm heading in the right direction. Right now I am tracking about 3 pounds behind schedule, so its time to focus and dial it up a bit.

DTD any weight loss is a good weight loss! :)

Today was X-Stretch which is around 58 mins long, nice to stretch and try to loosen up all those muscles. Really looking forward to tomorrow morning because Core Syn is back, what a great workout! But then I won't see it after tomorrow for 4 weeks, heh

BRING IT!

Keep it up all!!!

aredore


DTD any weight loss is a good weight loss! :)

Today was X-Stretch which is around 58 mins long, nice to stretch and try to loosen up all those muscles. Really looking forward to tomorrow morning because Core Syn is back, what a great workout! But then I won't see it after tomorrow for 4 weeks, heh

BRING IT!

Keep it up all!!!

I just realized you're doing the classic version, that's nuts, I'm doing the Lean version, I see Core Synergistics every week!

I'm still bringing it!

Just signed in for pilates classes - seemed quite interesting..
..for all the girls on the forum - go check it out ;)

I've been doing Pilates every other day.  My mother bought a Pilates "sliding-type" machine from QVC and wasn't using it, so it's mine now :-)  I use the cardio DVD, which engages the legs and core.  It also simulates running, and supposedly burns more calories than a treadmill.  So, for me, it should provide cardio, core, legs, balance, and just a change of pace from my weight training.

Good luck with your class, Shesmovedon.

aredore


DTD any weight loss is a good weight loss! :)

Indeed it is! Just keep moving in the right direction!

MudGuts


 
Yeah, I'm beginning to think that maybe the fitness lifestyle isn't for you. 

rofl. I'm somehow losing weight, so....

I guess there is definitely a difference between being fit and being thin. Right now, I'm neither.

Either way, I'll have to hop on the treadmill when I lose 40 more pounds in order to keep the rate up. It'll definitely be a LOT easier as well, so I guess I wouldn't be able to complain, eh?

Well, I said I wouldn't weigh myself...however I got the chance to.

I thought I would weigh 285, from my original 302.
Nope. 270.

30 pounds in a little over one and a half months, with no intense workouts....just general heavy labor from time to time. I guess what I'm doing is working fine!

That's great, but you won't keep it up.  Gradually improve your diet and add some exercise (even just walking) and not only will you lose/keep off weight, but your general health will improve as well.

Progator

aredore


DTD any weight loss is a good weight loss! :)

Today was X-Stretch which is around 58 mins long, nice to stretch and try to loosen up all those muscles. Really looking forward to tomorrow morning because Core Syn is back, what a great workout! But then I won't see it after tomorrow for 4 weeks, heh

BRING IT!

Keep it up all!!!

I just realized you're doing the classic version, that's nuts, I'm doing the Lean version, I see Core Synergistics every week!

I'm still bringing it!

Yep Classic all the way and I'll do the Classic for 2 more rounds after I finish this first one before I change anything up. I've got a long ways to go!

Core Syn is tomorrow morning, eek! hehe

Bails


That's great, but you won't keep it up.  Gradually improve your diet and add some exercise (even just walking) and not only will you lose/keep off weight, but your general health will improve as well.

Very true. Once I get down to 250, I'll start it gradually. By then, I won't be shredding weight off as easily. Still, I'm surprised that I lost that much that quickly, as I'm not starving myself to do it. Either that, or the scales are wrong. :)

Great back session today

I cannot believe how good the shoulder is

I think it is due in part to a new machine in the gym that can be used for chest flies and rear delts

It has a great action and the rear delts workout appears to be helping the shoulder stablise better

Core Syn this morning... this workout wipes me out!!! But I feel sooooo amazing afterwards too! That endorphin rush is just awesome! Diet is still kicking butt!!!

BRING IT!!!

Keep it up everyone!!!

aredore


Core Syn this morning... this workout wipes me out!!! But I feel sooooo amazing afterwards too! That endorphin rush is just awesome! Diet is still kicking butt!!!

BRING IT!!!

Keep it up everyone!!!

So I'm trying to visualize these P90X workouts. Do you just follow a DVD or what? How does it work?

Great training class this morning. It was a better mix of weights and cardio, and I was pretty spent at the end, so that's a good thing. I love the feeling about 90 minutes after an intense workout where you just feel great and ready to tackle anything!!

DTD

aredore


Core Syn this morning... this workout wipes me out!!! But I feel sooooo amazing afterwards too! That endorphin rush is just awesome! Diet is still kicking butt!!!

BRING IT!!!

Keep it up everyone!!!

So I'm trying to visualize these P90X workouts. Do you just follow a DVD or what? How does it work?

I'll answer since I'm doing this too, yup you just follow the workout, it's a different one every day. They are really well designed, you don't get bored of them and you always wanna push yourself harder. What is remarkable is I'm in my 4th week and I could do some of the exercises now that I couldn't on day one. It's crazy how it's building my core strenght.

Totally genius program, it's doing wonders for me!

Gary

DTD

So I'm trying to visualize these P90X workouts. Do you just follow a DVD or what? How does it work?

I've been doing P90X for almost a year now, so I am qualified to answer.  Big picture, you have a 90 day schedule, broken into 3 phases.  Each phase is 3 weeks of weights and cardio, and the 4th week is recovery (mostly cardio and stretching).  Each weight week is alternating days of weights and cardio, with the 7th day being rest.  The weight exercise days are about an hour long, with 10 min. of warmup, 45 minutes of exercises, and 5 minutes of cooldown.  Plus on the weight days, you do a 15 minute ab/core routine.  The cardio workouts are plyometrics (jump training, hard!), yoga (which isn't hard cardio, but stiil a workout), and a variant of kickboxing.
 
It a good regimen to stick to, and you decide with the weights you use how big you want to go.  Write it all down and keep increasing the weights over time.

ScotSHO, awesome to see you have been doing it for about a year! And yes between ScotSHO and Prog, they pretty much answered the questions I think.

I can't explain it, P90X is just addicting, I can't stand not getting up and pushing play. I actually woke up 50 mins later than normal this morning and I didn't care if I was going to be late, I was not missing my workout!

Hey Progrator, I noticed on the Classic one that I'm doing, that starting Week 5 (this Monday) that there are 3 days a week where they have an AM and PM workout. Are you going to do the doubles or just stick to the normal? I'm going to sit down tonight and decide what to do as I'm not sure yet.

BRING IT!

Bad day today.

Didn't work out at all.  Had a 12" Roast Beef/Turkey hoagie for lunch and three slices of pizza for dinner with a vanilla Coke.  Right now, I'm eating a nice big bowl of ice cream (low fat, of course).

If I'm gonna get away from it, I'm gonna do it right!

Tomorrow, snow shoveling, weights and cardio.  I gotta get back into it.

If I wanted to use p90x to build muscle, are dumbbells a requirement?  How about resistance bands, are they a good substitute?

Gonna pick this up in the next few weeks.  How does this price sound?  (see the frequently bought together section)  

Linky

SacredTerror


If I wanted to use p90x to build muscle, are dumbbells a requirement?  How about resistance bands, are they a good substitute?

Gonna pick this up in the next few weeks.  How does this price sound?  (see the frequently bought together section)  

Linky

Dumbbells are better, but bands do provide a different type of resistance and you will see gains for a while, but I think you would eventually plateau.  With dumbbells you can keep increasing the weight.  I use bands when I travel for work.

I would look around on Craigslist for some dumbells, adjustable ones are best, but maybe to start just get some old fashioned steel ones and enough weight to do most of the moves.

I have the cheaper pullup door bar, that 39.99 one is a good deal.  If your handy you can build one with 3/4" pipe and wood.

I SURVIVED WEEK 4 OF P90X!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diet is still rockin and everything feels great! Going to take my "30 day" pics tomorrow to see if I notice anything. Other people have said they see a diff, time to see if *I* can yet.

BRING IT!!!

Keep it up all!!! Tomorrow is my normal rest day so I'll enjoy the rest and the Superbowl!

Did a 40 minute session on the elliptical this morning, with the middle 20 minutes being 30/90 intervals. Pretty good session and I'm happy I got four days in a row in. I may go tomorrow as well and do medium intensity cardio.

Today is rest day, no workout for me. I did my weekly weigh in this morning... I lost 5 LBS!!! I wasn't expecting much, maybe 1-2. That was a HUGE surprise!

BRING IT!!!