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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: DragonmasterDan on May 06, 2015, 03:19:59 AM

Title: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 06, 2015, 03:19:59 AM
So like many people with a desk job and bad eating habits, as the years have gone by my level of fitness has dropped to unhealthy levels. This week I've started dieting and perhaps just as importantly joined a gym to try to get into better shape. Outside of my high school and college gyms, I've not really worked out at a proper gym before but am getting in the habit of going immediately after work everyday.

My question for the board is do you go to the gym? If so how often? What kind of workouts do you do?
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: _joshuaTurbo on May 06, 2015, 03:47:55 AM
No gym (but possibly in the future)

I try to get my exercising done in the AM before work whether that's just following a workout DVD (DDP Yoga, P90X) or if the weather is nice, I go for a 3-5 mile jog.

I'm not super athletic or anything, but I'm in way better shape now than I was 10 years ago.  (roughly 60 lbs lighter)

Dan, are you looking to just drop weight or build muscle? 

PS: I've seen your calves, they're HUGE!!
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 06, 2015, 03:50:17 AM


Dan, are you looking to just drop weight or build muscle? 

PS: I've seen your calves, they're HUGE!!

Looking to drop weight primarily.

When I was in high school/college I used to be able to do the max on my high school and college leg press machines which was 2500 lbs or so. I also used to be able to dunk a basketball, so my legs are pretty strong but definitely not where they were a decade ago.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: ClodBuster on May 06, 2015, 04:09:41 AM
I don't visit the gym, but I'm running every weekend, between 5 to 15 km depending on who is going with me. Some years ago I participated at a 21 km half marathon, and I'd like to repeat that.

EDIT: By the way, this is the kind of music that helped me surviving that run:
http://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/40094?tags=512kb
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: mitsuman on May 06, 2015, 04:14:09 AM
I go to the fitness center at my wife's work about twice a week, but am looking at increasing that. I go Saturday and Sunday morning, for about an hour a piece. One day I will ride the stationary bike for an hour. The other day I will work on upper back, shoulders, and abs.

Last year when I was dealing with depression, I got the fantastic idea to put on a bunch of weight to hurry along my inevitable death. Since I have high blood pressure and a bad heart (not weight related, I was diagnosed with it all when I was 17 and in prime health), I figured the quick increase in weight would do me in. No suicide means wife still gets my life insurance.
Well I worked through all of that, and am now working to drop all of that weight. I have gone down about 5 or 6 pounds in the past couple weeks because I finally got my diet under control. Now I just have to get my work out routine back in order and I should start dropping weight quicker. But in the end, I would really like to build a little bit of mass and tone up a lot.

A quick note on P90X, I did that 5 or 6 years ago, and dropped about 25 pounds in the 90 days. It was fantastic.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Necromancer on May 06, 2015, 04:25:21 AM
"Gym?  What's a gym?"

My exercising is limited to bike riding (~10 miles a day when it's nice out) and 12 ounce arm curls.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: cjameslv on May 06, 2015, 04:29:24 AM
"Gym?  What's a gym?"

My exercising is limited to bike riding (~10 miles a day when it's nice out) and 12 ounce arm curls.

Ahh this is me as well. I have a really nice bike trail that passes right behind my house and goes all the way to a wetlands preserve. Its a 8 mile loop there and back. Just got a road bike and what a difference from a mountain bike!
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on May 06, 2015, 04:32:48 AM
Some things that are working for me:

- Instead of driving, walk through the McDonald's drive-thru for your big macs.
- Let Majors talk you into walking "just across the parking lot" to buy your liquor.
- Use a shopping basket instead of a cart, it builds upper body strength to carry all those twinkies and energy drinks around the store with you.
- Keep one foot on the floor when weighing yourself.

That last one has been most effective for me, but I'm thinking about experimenting with tapeworms to break this plateau.

 :lol:
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: wildfruit on May 06, 2015, 05:03:42 AM
I've actually lost half a stone over the last couple of months just by eating less and doing a bit of wii fit u. The gym is a bridge too far for me.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: xelement5x on May 06, 2015, 06:24:24 AM
I used to go pretty regularly and was lifting but stopped because of life (and a baby!) so I've been slowly ramping back into it.  My work offers a free gym in the building so I normally do basic cadio while watching anime/tv or something.  I may get back into lifting again but instead use a coach to help make sure I keep proper form and such.

If you are going for weight loss like others said, diet is extremely important, and I have been told that lower intensity longer time is the best (with some caveats), but my number 1 advice is to pace yourself on starting out exercise.  I have seen a lot of folks go super gung ho then work out too long/or recklessly and strain or hurt themselves and get stuck waiting a couple weeks to a month to heal so they could start again.  Loosing that inertia in the routine is horrible and makes it hard to get back going to the gym again. 
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: bartre on May 06, 2015, 06:45:45 AM
I lol'd at the "across the parking lot" -mgc was grand

I try to go 3x a week, and do different things on each visit.
I swim one day, legs/abs/lower back the next, arms/chest/upper back the next
The two most important things are safety and varying your workout.

I'm sure you know this, but it's important to change your diet as well
Two hours at the gym is essentially ruined by a couple sodas.
Honestly though, I've found that drinking more water and just slimming the amount you eat helps hugely
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 06, 2015, 08:03:06 AM
I lol'd at the "across the parking lot" -mgc was grand

I try to go 3x a week, and do different things on each visit.
I swim one day, legs/abs/lower back the next, arms/chest/upper back the next
The two most important things are safety and varying your workout.

I'm sure you know this, but it's important to change your diet as well
Two hours at the gym is essentially ruined by a couple sodas.
Honestly though, I've found that drinking more water and just slimming the amount you eat helps hugely

I've given up on non-diet soda. Drinking a lot of water, and have been watching what I've been eating. With that said I'm only on day 3.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: MrBroadway on May 06, 2015, 08:27:20 AM
I've found that seltzer, even cheap seltzer, really curbs my appetite when I want a snack. I've only lost 5 pounds since, but I blame work right now for not having enough time to run. My goal is to get to under 190 by the end of the summer.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: mitsuman on May 06, 2015, 09:44:49 AM
I've found that seltzer, even cheap seltzer, really curbs my appetite when I want a snack. I've only lost 5 pounds since, but I blame work right now for not having enough time to run. My goal is to get to under 190 by the end of the summer.
I would think seltzer works about the same way as eating a fiber rich food would. It "fills" you up with gasses.

I have a zip lock bag full of almonds at my desk. I eat a handful, and they tend to tide me over for a couple hours.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Dicer on May 06, 2015, 10:38:03 AM
I'm rocking a well maintained "dad bod" which seems to be all the rage, so I'm gonna leave it as is...

Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: xelement5x on May 06, 2015, 10:50:44 AM
I'm rocking a well maintained "dad bod" which seems to be all the rage, so I'm gonna leave it as is...

Is that the belly which is created from eating all the food that your kids won't finish?  Because currently I have one of those starting to come in myself.  :O
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Dicer on May 06, 2015, 11:02:46 AM
I'm rocking a well maintained "dad bod" which seems to be all the rage, so I'm gonna leave it as is...

Is that the belly which is created from eating all the food that your kids won't finish?  Because currently I have one of those starting to come in myself.  :O

Yep, that certainly adds to the mass...

Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on May 06, 2015, 11:27:07 AM
ive been hitting the gym up about 3 times a week for the past few months. So far i have lost 10 pounds, and i have put on a decent amount of muscle. I have a personal trainer (5 more sessions left) right now, which has helped to just learn a variety of different workouts. I usually tend to run for about 10 minutes to warm up, then i focus on lifting, for upper body, and squats and the like for lower.

I'm getting a little board with the gym, so once my 5 training sessions are complete im going to join a gym that offers muay thai classes. 
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: MrBroadway on May 06, 2015, 11:38:36 AM
I've found that seltzer, even cheap seltzer, really curbs my appetite when I want a snack. I've only lost 5 pounds since, but I blame work right now for not having enough time to run. My goal is to get to under 190 by the end of the summer.
I would think seltzer works about the same way as eating a fiber rich food would. It "fills" you up with gasses.
Yep, sure does. Thing is, I do a lot of computer work, so I tend to want to snack to keep it from being monotonous. Coffee and seltzer has largely (but not completely) curbed that. I'm OK with being filled up so my body doesn't think it's hungry until an actual meal (and then, of course, I try to eat healthful foods, and not too much of it; calories in, calories out, you know?).
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 06, 2015, 02:09:53 PM
ive been hitting the gym up about 3 times a week for the past few months. So far i have lost 10 pounds, and i have put on a decent amount of muscle. I have a personal trainer (5 more sessions left) right now, which has helped to just learn a variety of different workouts. I usually tend to run for about 10 minutes to warm up, then i focus on lifting, for upper body, and squats and the like for lower.

I'm getting a little board with the gym, so once my 5 training sessions are complete im going to join a gym that offers muay thai classes. 

I've met with the personal trainer once and have a consultation with them again tommorow. After that I may try to schedule a weekly or bi-weekly meeting to help me with progress. How helpful has your personal trainer been?
Title: Fitness
Post by: turbokon on May 06, 2015, 02:30:22 PM
Good for you Dan:).

I work out two to three times at week.  During the week days, i go right after work. I mostly been doing upper body workout but I also do karate PT's once a week.  Doing the little things will help you for sure like quitting pop, cut on the sweets and carbs, walk more and use the stairs, etc.  For me its carb that is my biggest problem.  I'm Asian so I grew up on rice.  I have switch to brown rice for the most part for the past few months.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: cr8zykuban0 on May 06, 2015, 06:13:15 PM
i've been trying to also hit the gym more often as of last week since i chose to wait until getting close to summer time lol although skating helps a lot, i'm sure lots of cardio at the gym will help get me to where i want to be.

when it comes to eating, i've been drinking a lot of more but food wise, i got a lot of work to do lol
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: SamIAm on May 06, 2015, 06:19:05 PM
My current fitness plan is being too much of a cheapskate to buy new pants when my abdomen starts to enlarge. The constant discomfort is pretty good at putting me off from snacking.

I actually moved in with my girlfriend last year (married her two months ago, too). Before that, I used to lift every night in my house. These days, I just can't find the time, but in the last few weeks, I've been doing just a little before eating dinner. Also, during break time at work, I climb the building's six flights of stairs a few times. Hey, it helps.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: seieienbu on May 06, 2015, 10:11:11 PM
Just as I finished a big project last July I decided that I didn't like how I looked due to inactivity, diet, age, etc.  So I picked up a scale and it read 230.  I decided that was unacceptable and first changed my diet and started some moderate exercise: first a lot of walking, then some running, and I joined a gym at the first of this year.  I go to the gym 3~4 times a week and lift weights and go for the occasional run around the neighborhood on other days. 

I'm 195 at this point and I'm shooting for 175.  At that point I figure I'll re-evaluate what I want to do based on how I look/feel and plan accordingly.  I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing at the moment though; my weight has gone down, my runs are getting faster/further, and the amount of weight I'm lifting is going up.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Digi.k on May 07, 2015, 06:37:38 AM
I do weights but at home when I have time and space.. I pop onto the wii fit which is great if you can stick to it.  Also the dance central games are great as an exerciser
Title: Fitness
Post by: esteban on May 07, 2015, 09:14:05 AM
Jesus Christ. I love eating and I have been battling with my weight for 10+ years.

Working out/exercise is not enough, because I can easily eat 3-4 dinners a night if I stay up late.


I hate everyone in this thread who is healthy, exercises regularly, and lost weight. DAMN YOU ALL! I hate it when I am confronted with the truth. I don't want to reduce my food intake.

Damn you all. Except nullity.

P.S. I lost 5 pounds by only eating 1-2 dinners a night for the past 3 weeks. BUT, this only worked because I went to bed early every night.

P.P.S. I'm serious about everything I said, you skeptical bastards.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: BigusSchmuck on May 07, 2015, 09:19:11 AM
I play wii sports, that's enough fitness for me. :P
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on May 07, 2015, 09:49:50 AM

I play wii sports, that's enough fitness for me. :P

I play XaviX Boxing and Jackie Chan Power Mat.

That's all I need :)
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on May 07, 2015, 09:52:04 AM
ive been hitting the gym up about 3 times a week for the past few months. So far i have lost 10 pounds, and i have put on a decent amount of muscle. I have a personal trainer (5 more sessions left) right now, which has helped to just learn a variety of different workouts. I usually tend to run for about 10 minutes to warm up, then i focus on lifting, for upper body, and squats and the like for lower.

I'm getting a little board with the gym, so once my 5 training sessions are complete im going to join a gym that offers muay thai classes. 

I've met with the personal trainer once and have a consultation with them again tommorow. After that I may try to schedule a weekly or bi-weekly meeting to help me with progress. How helpful has your personal trainer been?

My experience with personal trainers has been awful. But i blame the gym that i'm currently going to. I'm at Youfit right now. its one of those $10 a month gyms. I have had about 8 sessions so far and i have had 4 different trainers so far. Mind you these sessions have been going on since March. I had to travel for work, and then i had my Japan trip. I'll be glad once they are over so i can move on to muay thai classes.
The sessions def helped with learning new ways to work out, but honestly thats about it. I have the motivation myself to workout, so i don't need a trainer for that. Also, it cost a good amount of money. So you have to weigh your options. If you are willing to do research on workouts and stuff then you most likely don't need a trainer
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 07, 2015, 01:24:04 PM


My experience with personal trainers has been awful. But i blame the gym that i'm currently going to. I'm at Youfit right now. its one of those $10 a month gyms. I have had about 8 sessions so far and i have had 4 different trainers so far. Mind you these sessions have been going on since March. I had to travel for work, and then i had my Japan trip. I'll be glad once they are over so i can move on to muay thai classes.
The sessions def helped with learning new ways to work out, but honestly thats about it. I have the motivation myself to workout, so i don't need a trainer for that. Also, it cost a good amount of money. So you have to weigh your options. If you are willing to do research on workouts and stuff then you most likely don't need a trainer

The gym I joined has a discount program through my employer's health and welness page. It's 30.00 a month but is near my house and has a nice big facility. The personal trainer costs are very high wanting you to sign 28 week or one year personal trainer contracts. Probably a lot easier to just research what to work out and when.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: xelement5x on May 08, 2015, 04:29:59 AM


My experience with personal trainers has been awful. But i blame the gym that i'm currently going to. I'm at Youfit right now. its one of those $10 a month gyms. I have had about 8 sessions so far and i have had 4 different trainers so far. Mind you these sessions have been going on since March. I had to travel for work, and then i had my Japan trip. I'll be glad once they are over so i can move on to muay thai classes.
The sessions def helped with learning new ways to work out, but honestly thats about it. I have the motivation myself to workout, so i don't need a trainer for that. Also, it cost a good amount of money. So you have to weigh your options. If you are willing to do research on workouts and stuff then you most likely don't need a trainer

The gym I joined has a discount program through my employer's health and welness page. It's 30.00 a month but is near my house and has a nice big facility. The personal trainer costs are very high wanting you to sign 28 week or one year personal trainer contracts. Probably a lot easier to just research what to work out and when.

Woah yeah, that's a red flag.  Any good trainer would let you do a couple one off sessions for free or possibly at an individual rate. 
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on May 08, 2015, 05:14:38 AM


My experience with personal trainers has been awful. But i blame the gym that i'm currently going to. I'm at Youfit right now. its one of those $10 a month gyms. I have had about 8 sessions so far and i have had 4 different trainers so far. Mind you these sessions have been going on since March. I had to travel for work, and then i had my Japan trip. I'll be glad once they are over so i can move on to muay thai classes.
The sessions def helped with learning new ways to work out, but honestly thats about it. I have the motivation myself to workout, so i don't need a trainer for that. Also, it cost a good amount of money. So you have to weigh your options. If you are willing to do research on workouts and stuff then you most likely don't need a trainer

The gym I joined has a discount program through my employer's health and welness page. It's 30.00 a month but is near my house and has a nice big facility. The personal trainer costs are very high wanting you to sign 28 week or one year personal trainer contracts. Probably a lot easier to just research what to work out and when.

28 weeks, or one year?!?!?!. Yeah no thank you. I say just do your research, and once you get bored of simply working out, you can join a gym and learn MMA,Boxing, Muay Thai ect.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: technozombie on May 11, 2015, 10:22:12 PM
I've lost about 25 pounds since Nov '14. My wife's neurologist put her on a Keto diet and I did it too, to lose weight but also to support her. A keto diet is a low carb diet.  We do have a "splurge" day on Saturday that keeps us sane. It's very important to keep the splurge day to just one day a week though. Basically our diet consists of meat and vegetables. Once you break away from the carb addiction(it literally is an addiction) it gets easier. I also dropped Coke and bought a Sodastream, now I just drink the carbonated water. At the same time in Nov. I started jogging now I'm up to 3miles/5k  almost every single day.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: crazydean on May 16, 2015, 10:48:33 AM
I have been exercising for about 10 years. Goals change and so do workouts. For the most part it has been lifting, but at one point I was running 7-8mi 3x a week. Right now I'm looking to add mass in places that I have been cheating on for so long: back, traps, and shoulders. Right now I work out 4x a week and it seems to be getting me where I want.

As for personal trainers, I say that they can be helpful, but if they won't work with you and demand a 6 month contract, screw that. It's obvious they have no desire to help you and only line their own pockets.

If you're looking for exercises and tips, check out Scooby's Workshop: http://scoobysworkshop.com/
He gets a good bit of hate, but I think he is really helpful. He has a lot of good information, especially for beginners.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: BlueBMW on May 16, 2015, 01:20:30 PM
When I moved to colorado last summer I weight about 205.  I cut out most soda and started eating less unhealthy and overall just less food.  In about 3 months I had dropped down to about 180.  I have tried some other workout stuff but its sometimes hard to make the time for it each day.

Right now I'm seriously looking into a good bike to ride to work.  Its only about 2.8 miles each way and its 95% bike paths or bike lanes to get there.  And with the 300 days of sunshine we get here in Colorado its perfectly viable....  We will see.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 19, 2015, 12:16:36 AM
So in a little over two weeks since I started my new diet and exercise regimen and I'm noticing my clothes are quite a bit looser. I have more energy and physically am feeling quite a bit better. I've hit the gym every day since I joined for at least 45 minutes with a mix of cardio and some strength training.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on May 19, 2015, 05:09:38 AM
So in a little over two weeks since I started my new diet and exercise regimen and I'm noticing my clothes are quite a bit looser. I have more energy and physically am feeling quite a bit better. I've hit the gym every day since I joined for at least 45 minutes with a mix of cardio and some strength training.

Awesome man. Keep it up. I just joined a new gym focused on MMA training. I will be taking some Muay Thai classes, and also training with a friend of mine
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: roflmao on May 19, 2015, 01:12:05 PM
Woo hoo! Go Dan!

I think this thread has inspired me to be a little more mindful of my own fitness schedule.  Lately I've been more consistent about going for walks during my lunch break and have increased the length of them from 2 to 3 miles per walk. Also, I've been riding my bike more on the weekends.  I took a 14 mile ride on Sunday, which is my longest by far.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on May 22, 2015, 05:36:05 PM
I have decided to cut out my coca colas as well and switch to iced water. Drinking a glass of cold water before and after a meal gives you a bit extra full feeling, minus say 100 calories with a coke, and causes a minor burn of calories. It's a dieting trick I read, not to mention it helps keep you well hydrated which has many benefits to your health.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on May 22, 2015, 07:27:47 PM

I have decided to cut out my coca colas as well and switch to iced water. Drinking a glass of cold water before and after a meal gives you a bit extra full feeling, minus say 100 calories with a coke, and causes a minor burn of calories. It's a dieting trick I read, not to mention it helps keep you well hydrated which has many benefits to your health.

This is an old, but trusted, urination trick. Drink more water, and you will urinate. :)
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on May 22, 2015, 07:48:01 PM
Heh.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: MrBroadway on May 22, 2015, 11:56:12 PM
I love an ice-cold water after a big, hot meal. Feels more satisfying, and despite the superstitious, it's really good for you (http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/do-cold-drinks-alter-digestion/).
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: jeffhlewis on May 25, 2015, 04:59:00 PM
Dan:

Glad to hear you're taking the plunge - I definitely reccommend a personal trainer if you're starting out seriously for the first time (or even if you're coming back into exercising after a long hiatus). They can get you set up with a routine, make sure you're doing it correctly and safely, and in a lot of cases can set you up with things like diet plans and whatnot. They definitely run a little on the expensive side, but if you look at it as an investment and pay up front it's a little easier to swallow.

Some tips and/or things that worked for me:
1.) Going along with the trainer thing - I find that having someone instruct/coach/yell at me gives me 2-3x better results than just working out on my own. This doesn't mean you have to have a private instructor - look for things like boot camps and group fitness to get the same experience at a lower price (there's a new-ish chain of gyms called Orange Theory Fitness that does this pretty well).

2.) Get some workout videos and some gear to use at home for when winter hits or for days where you just don't get a chance to go to the gym. P90X, as cliche as it is, is a fantastic workout and has lots of variety. I haven't done Insanity but I've heard good things about that as well. Pick up some basic gym supplies - resistance bands, a yoga mat, some weights, maybe a medicine ball or two...there's a lot you can do at home with that stuff.

3.) Beware of the plateau - when you start out, you'll lose a ton of weight and see crazy results fast...then over time your workout regimen will become a routine, and visible results will come a lot slower (or stop altogether). If you reach this "plateau" you might want to try something new, alter muscle groups on different days, buy a couple training sessions, join a spin class...etc...

4.) Diet is crazy-important to weight loss and maintenance - almost more important than going to the gym, in my opinion. Drink a ton of water, as everyone has said. Cut out soda as much as you can (that includes Diet Soda, which I've personally scaled back on a ton...and I love diet soda like no other). Think in terms of calories-input vs. calories-output. If you eat that value meal, you've just negated like 2 days worth of workout in some cases.

Good luck!





Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 25, 2015, 10:19:48 PM
Dan:

Glad to hear you're taking the plunge - I definitely reccommend a personal trainer if you're starting out seriously for the first time (or even if you're coming back into exercising after a long hiatus). They can get you set up with a routine, make sure you're doing it correctly and safely, and in a lot of cases can set you up with things like diet plans and whatnot. They definitely run a little on the expensive side, but if you look at it as an investment and pay up front it's a little easier to swallow.

Some tips and/or things that worked for me:
1.) Going along with the trainer thing - I find that having someone instruct/coach/yell at me gives me 2-3x better results than just working out on my own. This doesn't mean you have to have a private instructor - look for things like boot camps and group fitness to get the same experience at a lower price (there's a new-ish chain of gyms called Orange Theory Fitness that does this pretty well).

The gym I joined offers various classes that are free with membership. I may attend some of those. Thus far (only three weeks in) I'm noticing excellent results but I realize that's going to taper off over time. I'm feeling considerably stronger. I've definitely lost some weight. Both upper and lower body strength and endurance have improved at levels I never would have expected. I definitely need to work on my core more.

I may eventually hire a personal trainer, but not through the gym, check Craigslist and look for an independent one that doesn't require a long term contract.

Quote
2.) Get some workout videos and some gear to use at home for when winter hits or for days where you just don't get a chance to go to the gym. P90X, as cliche as it is, is a fantastic workout and has lots of variety. I haven't done Insanity but I've heard good things about that as well. Pick up some basic gym supplies - resistance bands, a yoga mat, some weights, maybe a medicine ball or two...there's a lot you can do at home with that stuff.

I've been trying to do my core exercises at home, usually either right when I wake up or right before I get ready to wind things down for the night. I may hit a secondhand sports store and look for a mat, and some weights, I've been checking thrifts for it without much luck.

Quote
3.) Beware of the plateau - when you start out, you'll lose a ton of weight and see crazy results fast...then over time your workout regimen will become a routine, and visible results will come a lot slower (or stop altogether). If you reach this "plateau" you might want to try something new, alter muscle groups on different days, buy a couple training sessions, join a spin class...etc...

Yep, changing up my routine is going to be key. I've watched a lot of youtube videos on adding variety to your workouts.

Quote
4.) Diet is crazy-important to weight loss and maintenance - almost more important than going to the gym, in my opinion. Drink a ton of water, as everyone has said. Cut out soda as much as you can (that includes Diet Soda, which I've personally scaled back on a ton...and I love diet soda like no other). Think in terms of calories-input vs. calories-output. If you eat that value meal, you've just negated like 2 days worth of workout in some cases.

I'm keeping a pretty close eye on calories and trying to emphasize protein over carbs. I am drinking diet soda as I have a rather awful caffeine addiction and need it in my system to wake up early in the morning. I drink way more water than diet soda though and have totally dropped drinking regular soda.

Quote
Good luck!

Thanks!




Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: mitsuman on May 26, 2015, 09:07:35 AM
FINALLY got around to working on my arms today. Went to the fitness center/gym at my wife's work and did some lifting. I forgot how freaking hard it was, but also how great I felt after. Looking forward to doing it again on Thursday (different group of muscles of course).
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on May 29, 2015, 11:30:59 AM
Im really enjoying my kickboxing/muay thai training with my friend Anthony. We have been training for about 2 weeks now. I purchased some hand wraps, gloves and shin guards. We go about 3 times a week. We got a great deal at my gym where they allowed us to sign up on 1 account. so instead of each of us having to pay $100 a month for access to the gym, and unlimited classes. We each pay $50.

We have yet to take any classes yet. Mainly because my friend Anthony has been doing KB/Muay thai training for like a year. So we just practice and spar with eachother.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Digi.k on May 29, 2015, 01:35:51 PM
Sorry hate to sound like your strict parent but...

Just in case you don't know this.  Don't have stuff with artificial sweetener ie Diet Coke etc.  Studies have shown that it makes you hungry.  Your body produces insulin and since there is no sugar there you end up eating.

Also fruit juice despite being good for you has a lot of carbs.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Jibbajaba on July 27, 2015, 12:42:49 PM
Progress report / check-in time!

I started doing atkins (the original version) on father's day, and today I hit the 30 lb lost mark.  I've had great success with atkins before, and I'm hoping to stick with it through triple-digit losses.

Anyone else still committed to the cause?

Thant's great!  I did a keto diet (basically the Atkins induction phase) for about 9 months and dropped like 60 pounds.  Now I just try to eat a healthy diet, and I ride my bike like crazy.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: jtucci31 on July 27, 2015, 01:32:25 PM
Congrats null, that's awesome news!

I've been trying to ride my bike lately too, or at least just get out and walk the dog. I figure if I ride my bike enough I'll maybe work up to actually running, but riding my bike is just so nice and fun.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 27, 2015, 01:48:56 PM
I gained 10-15 pounds in July.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Jibbajaba on July 27, 2015, 05:21:28 PM
Progress report / check-in time!

I started doing atkins (the original version) on father's day, and today I hit the 30 lb lost mark.  I've had great success with atkins before, and I'm hoping to stick with it through triple-digit losses.

Anyone else still committed to the cause?

Thant's great!  I did a keto diet (basically the Atkins induction phase) for about 9 months and dropped like 60 pounds.  Now I just try to eat a healthy diet, and I ride my bike like crazy.

Sounds like you are where I'm trying to get back to.  When I was I my 20s I got down to 6% body fat by doing atkins and maintained it for years... fatherhood has not been kind to me, though. Lol... not going back to cheetos ever again if I can get the weight off this time.

6%?  LOL, no.  Not even close.  I've still got enough padding left to survive a harsh winter.  But I'm pretty healthy at this point, so hopefully some more fat finds its way off by virtue of the fact that I try to basically eat right and I exercise my ass off.  Remember, it's not sweat, its your fat crying.

And Chee-Tos?  I can't bring those in the house very often, because I'll f*cking murder a whole bag.

Edit: Yeah and f*ck running.  I'm almost 40.  That shit is bad for you.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: seieienbu on July 27, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
I was in Las Vegas for a week and took a quick break from working out.  I finally got back to the gym yesterday.  I haven't been to the gym for 2 weeks; now I'm quite sore.  Feels good to be back at it, though.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: DragonmasterDan on July 28, 2015, 01:58:46 AM
I'm working out 4-5 days a week. Breaking up weight lifting from cardio. Doing upper body and core excercises at home, doing lower and cardio at the gym. I've wound up tiring myself out a few times or pulled a muscle which has led to a few setbacks but I'm making progress, I have a lot more energy, feel better even though the weight loss has tapered off.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: _joshuaTurbo on July 28, 2015, 02:52:18 AM
Progress report / check-in time!

I started doing atkins (the original version) on father's day, and today I hit the 30 lb lost mark.  I've had great success with atkins before, and I'm hoping to stick with it through triple-digit losses.

Anyone else still committed to the cause?

Thant's great!  I did a keto diet (basically the Atkins induction phase) for about 9 months and dropped like 60 pounds.  Now I just try to eat a healthy diet, and I ride my bike like crazy.

Awesome to hear Null!!  We should all get fitbit watches and be fitbit pals.  :)
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: turboswimbz on July 28, 2015, 12:08:24 PM
I feel off the fitness wagon for a while. But have been back on it, gotta get access back to a lap pool though.  I miss this immensely.    I dropped about 10 pounds in the last 6 months.  (I didn't have too much to lose.)  I want to start some strength training but, motivation escapes me.

Glad to hear that the three of you Dan, Nullity, and Jabba are doing so well, I hope things keep up for you all.

Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on July 29, 2015, 04:57:50 AM
Good to hear, nully. That's impressive! Yeah, I got a buddy of mine that could really use a diet program (he's at 250+ I believe), but it's too late for his knees, one of them was already operated on (resurfacing), but it didn't go well so he's still in pain and relies on painkillers to get by.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on June 14, 2016, 09:19:10 PM
I've gone up to 190 lbs. for the first time... Guess I should use the scale more often. Heh. I gave about 6-7 jeans away a few days ago, and 3-4 are left to get rid of also... It was like, wow, WTF, these don't fit after trying my next 2 clean ones, so I just went through my collection to test and found many more were impossibly tight...
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on June 16, 2016, 02:32:48 AM
Due to my sluggish efforts, I have only lost a few pounds over the last few months.

I need to starve myself for the next few weeks.

Lose 20 lbs.

HEALTHY!
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: munchiaz on June 16, 2016, 05:07:40 AM
ive been slowly getting back into it. I either walk for 3+ miles a day with the fiance, or i'll ride our stationary bike for like 6 miles,
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Enternal on June 16, 2016, 01:25:07 PM
After breaking up with my fiancee (different priorities in life I had just started classes at UF and she wanted to move to Cali and start life in Hollywood). I was 195 @ 5'10, stalky build. My exercise was limited to home weights.

I switched to diet drinks and started running on a treadmill 2 days a week. In 3 months I had lost 30 lbs.

About two years later I started going to a gym on campus with a friend. (I'm not a person that prioritizes heavy lifting or considers lifting ability the end all to fitness. It's just the only stat that I have remembered after all this time.) But I was benching around 150 at my max and working out with 115-135. When I first started.

As the first year passed I continued to get stronger and more lean. I was just hanging out with friends and non of us were doing any research on eating, or reps, and just did a few different things in the weight room. While that way of working out isnt the best. It had two critical things that helped the most important factor was going with friends. It was fun hanging out and rotating in and out it let us get rest as well as not slack off and kept at a consistent rate of visits each week. My weight was 177 lean. And my bench was peaking around 200.

A guy from my work was a competitive bodybuilder and one day he offered to look at what I was doing during the week and see what advice he could give. He said I was benching too much (3x a week, and not complementing my work out with other exercises. Mainly my legs) He had me doing a more well rounded work out as well as benching once a week and dropping to a weight that I can do 5 sets of 5 at and adding 2.5 lbs to each side once I do that on the following week.

By the end of the summer I was back to 187 lbs still lean and benching 260 and by the end of the year I was able to max out at 6 Cadillacs (315) thats what the black guys in the gym say. Eventually school fun ran out and we all graduated, people moved away and I just kept the habit up, 2x a week.

The point of all this is, back before all this started I was a chubby guy that collected video games and today I'm a guy who feel asleep playing dukes of hazard on the gameboy color last night because I didn't want to be bored while taking my nightly dump and brought it to bed with me. Today while on my lunch break I had Game Sack playing on my phone. I'm basically the same guy I just cut out excessive food that was bad and got casually consistent about getting exercise and it made a world of a difference.

Often times people want to rush into weight loss and its very difficult to go all in. If your a soda drinker make a push to low calories drinks, after a few weeks that "diet taste" you'll likely prefer the taste of them than to sugary drinks. If you're eating fast food all the time don't go all salad. Do a slice of pizza and a salad instead of two slices. Instead of a burger and fries do a burger and salad.

Make the gym a fun activity, even if you are going solo you can check out girls/guys and watch some Game Sack on your phone.


Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: NightWolve on June 17, 2016, 03:43:30 PM
So are you game for participating in a weight loss competition/support group thing? Weekly weigh-in via PM. I'd maintain two progress charts comparing lbs lost and % body mass lost for all participants.

Sorry man, too much commitment for a lazy bum such as myself. ;) I've been away from here for ~2 weeks actually.

It did catch me off-guard cause it's unusual for me as my weight rarely ever fluctuated but at ~40 I guess it comes easier with man-o-pause and testosterone levels dropping. :/ Shit takes longer to heal too I've started to notice, e.g. my knee sprain after 8 months is still causing me grief. I fear the knee won't be the same ever again or at least not 100%... And I shouldn't have taken the anti-swelling shot from my family doctor with that metal pipe excuse of a needle - I think I can still feel it at the injection site and that's what is causing the extra grief also.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: TheClash603 on June 17, 2016, 04:33:38 PM
I will only join if I can send pics as proof of my weight loss, where my penis head slowly peaks out from behind my gut with each subsequent week.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Punch on June 18, 2016, 01:09:44 PM
Null, nice link but I won't survive with carb limitations! I'm used to have rice and beans everyday. Actually up until last year I believed it was more or less the same everywhere outside Brazil -- if there's no rice and beans, it's not lunch/dinner  :lol:


Pictured: I eat more or less this everyday for lunch and sometimes dinner.
https://zefinhasnacozinha.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/100_0692.jpg


I'm never going to lose weight am I?
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Sadler on July 26, 2016, 09:44:20 AM
190 is only 10 higher than my goal. :P

So are you game for participating in a weight loss competition/support group thing? Weekly weigh-in via PM. I'd maintain two progress charts comparing lbs lost and % body mass lost for all participants.

I've given a little more thought to prizes and will probably give away some turbo magazines to the winner(s), and a JO crystal to any participant who finishes with a net loss... assuming anyone wants to participate.

I'd be down for this. Last November I hit my all time fattest: 237.4 lbs. :( Most of this year I've been fairly steady around 220-225 without really doing anything special. July 5th I started really trying to make an effort again. I gave up all beer and I've been trying to eat at keto as possible the past week or so. I'm probably taking in too much protein and not enough fat, but today I clocked in at 212.6, down from 223.8 on the 5th.  I feel pretty damn amazing. :D
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Sadler on July 26, 2016, 10:01:38 AM
Congrats man! You're killin' it. :D

I've been stuck at the same weight for months now... actually just redoubled my efforts on Monday, so perfect time to revive this thread.

Anyone else want to make this contest a thing? If not, I'll just send sadler a prize and he and I will trade pics of our rock hard abs and marvel at all the ladies we're getting while everyone else drowns their sorrow in a bag of Cheetos, wishing they were us.

 :lol: Awesome. I'd be willing to throw in a TG16 or SNES (*gasp*) game or something to the prize pool if we can get some more people. Dan, where you at?! :D
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: mitsuman on July 26, 2016, 10:23:05 AM
Hell, I noticed I posted in this thread last year. Things did not go well the past year. I topped out at 270+ at my highest. As of Sunday morning, I am hovering around 256. I have been going to the gym A LOT more the past few weeks, and really started watching what I eat. I think I have finally fallen into a pattern and it feels "weird" when I don't work out.

Good luck to everyone, and remember, persistence is key!
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Punch on July 26, 2016, 10:25:08 AM
Clash and everyone else: cockshots or gtfo.

Punch: just buy a mobility scooter already.

Fine, but can I send dickpix anyway?
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 26, 2016, 10:59:45 AM
I'm in for all of the above. I need to drop at least 20lbs asap so that I can get on the ground and play NES games again, playing hockey again without tendon issuses would be nice too.
Title: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 26, 2016, 04:59:52 PM
Congrats man! You're killin' it. :D

I've been stuck at the same weight for months now... actually just redoubled my efforts on Monday, so perfect time to revive this thread.

Anyone else want to make this contest a thing? If not, I'll just send sadler a prize and he and I will trade pics of our rock hard abs and marvel at all the ladies we're getting while everyone else drowns their sorrow in a bag of Cheetos, wishing they were us.

My brother challenged me to lose 25-30 pounds by the end of summer.

Now, here's the thing: he presented that challenge to me 3 months ago.

I lost 10 pounds 2 months ago.

GAINED IT ALL BACK.

So, I need any f*cking incentive I can get to lose weight.

Goddamn I hate getting old and fat.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: xelement5x on July 27, 2016, 05:39:31 AM
I was doing okay staying around 165 until we had a second kid.  Now I don't go to they gym anymore cause I'm so tired and my weight is creeping back up.  Need to get back on it.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 27, 2016, 07:33:25 AM
I was talking to null and we were both saying we should have a "biggest looser" competition, similar to a raffle, where we all register our weight and then make it percent of weight lost based - not # of pounds - and have prizes for different tiers of winning depending on number of people.

I have quiet a few things I was going to raffle soon, but I would be down to instead put some up as prizes for such a competition, reducing the raffle count I was going to throw up by a bit.

If one of us started a thread, I wonder how many people would be down?
Title: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 27, 2016, 09:54:30 AM
I was talking to null and we were both saying we should have a "biggest looser" competition, similar to a raffle, where we all register our weight and then make it percent of weight lost based - not # of pounds - and have prizes for different tiers of winning depending on number of people.

I have quiet a few things I was going to raffle soon, but I would be down to instead put some up as prizes for such a competition, reducing the raffle count I was going to throw up by a bit.

If one of us started a thread, I wonder how many people would be down?

I'll do this.

I honestly was jealous the last time this thread had a competition and I just GAINED WEIGHT the entire time folks were losing some weight.

I don't care about actually winning...I just need a little game to make me focused.

ALSO, I think I need to get another FitBit, or an equivalent, because that stupid shit worked for me (gave me an incentive to hit daily goals of steps and climbing stairs).

I know, I didn't think I would fall for "gamifying" weight loss.

My biggest challenge, no joke, is not eating three dinners every night.

Sad, but true.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 27, 2016, 09:59:56 AM
I'll do this.

I honestly was jealous the last time this thread had a competition and I just GAINED WEIGHT the entire time folks were losing some weight.

I don't care about actually winning...I just need a little game to make me focused.

ALSO, I think I need to get another FitBit, or an equivalent, because that stupid shit worked for me (gave me an incentive to hit daily goals of steps and climbing stairs).

I know, I didn't think I would fall for "gamifying" weight loss.

My biggest challenge, no joke, is not eating three dinners every night.

Sad, but true.

I'll start a list here locally of everyone who's down, I don't have a lot of retro stuff to offer (Who wants a copy of CoD Black Ops III PC or Transformers Devestation PS4.. That's the kind of stuff I have that I'd give out) as a prize but maybe other participants will toss in on the prize pool. In the past when we've done this at offices there was a buy in, which helps people stay committed once they've invested.

My company provides fitbits and has a HSA health incintive program, and I use it and max it out usually and it helps for sure no shame in that - tracking progress of activity and monitoring food intake is the only sure fire way to drop them lbs sir.

I agree, I just need to cut back on the heavy drinking of beer, and those late night 4th meals of burritos and burgers. The triple B diet is what I've been on for about a year and a half - burgers burritos and beers. Easy way to pack a gut on and outweigh ligament support.
Title: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 27, 2016, 10:02:16 AM
^ Yup. A cash buy-in is a good idea, since I don't want to part with my Magical Chase (sealed).

I would still offer something UNIQUE and PCE/TG-16 related though (something that might not be worth much, but someone will want).
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: crazydean on July 27, 2016, 10:03:10 AM
I would go down err... I mean be down. I have been meaning to lose 20-30 pounds since I started going back to school.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Sadler on July 27, 2016, 10:27:02 AM
What start and end dates are you guys thinking?
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 27, 2016, 10:31:27 AM
August 1st to April 1st? :P
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 27, 2016, 10:48:56 AM
hahah hence the question mark - I was hoping to somehow find escape from the gluttony that is the holidays
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: crazydean on July 27, 2016, 11:00:38 AM
I would recommend MyFitnessPal. It's a phone app and tracks your food intake, especially useful when deciding on whether or not to get seconds come dinnertime.

Also, I concur with the three months and buy-in.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 27, 2016, 01:21:59 PM
I would recommend MyFitnessPal. It's a phone app and tracks your food intake, especially useful when deciding on whether or not to get seconds come dinnertime.

Also, I concur with the three months and buy-in.

Yes,everyone I know seems to like this app.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 27, 2016, 01:32:12 PM
I would recommend MyFitnessPal. It's a phone app and tracks your food intake, especially useful when deciding on whether or not to get seconds come dinnertime.

Also, I concur with the three months and buy-in.

Yes,everyone I know seems to like this app.

The fitbit app has nice food tracker software as well, I stopped using my fitness pal after I got my fitbit because it did basically the same thing
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: BlueBMW on July 29, 2016, 02:38:19 PM
I'd join but college life isn't being kind to my figure.  I went from a low of 178 to a high of 195 now.  though I lost 5lbs this week to some food poisoning.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 29, 2016, 06:30:03 PM
UPDATE: tonight I ate 6 slices of pizza,drank a 2 liter of soda, leftover garlic broccoli, a huge bag of chips, and other stuff.

I have problems.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: TheClash603 on July 30, 2016, 07:41:17 AM
UPDATE: tonight I ate 6 slices of pizza,drank a 2 liter of soda, leftover garlic broccoli, a huge bag of chips, and other stuff.

I have problems.

Nice appetizer! What was for dinner?

I read that as "I ate broccoli" and assumed he was bragging about his healthy lifestyle.
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Enternal on July 30, 2016, 08:01:53 AM
I lost 4lbs from playing pokeman go, but life on the pokemon road caused in intake in gas station food this week which probably will put me up more lbs than before go  :(
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: crazydean on July 30, 2016, 10:46:07 AM
So are we starting August 1st? I'm ready to go!
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: Gredler on July 31, 2016, 07:01:51 AM
I'm down to start tomorrow, weigh-in in the evening?
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: crazydean on July 31, 2016, 12:56:09 PM
Here is the link for the weight loss challenge. If you miss the start date, don't worry. It's a three month challenge, a few days isn't going to make much difference. That being said, I recommend getting started before this weekend.

https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=21288.msg466695#msg466695
Title: Re: Fitness
Post by: esteban on July 31, 2016, 06:14:31 PM
Evening of Aug 1?

Weigh-in

Damn