Health & Fitness

[Avi]

At the risk of sounding preachy, I want to start a health and fitness thread so that we can share any tips we may have about getting or staying in shape. I'm not 100% positive, but I think it would be safe to assume that some of us (including myself) have some extra baggage that we can stand to lose...not to mention develop some core body strength and add muscle to impress the ladies (or whatever you're into).

Since the beginning of this year, I have nearly 40 pounds from my 6 foot 4 frame and I plan on losing a few more. I started out by getting rid of soft drinks (it's not as hard as you think) and passing on the extra bread during dinner. During my lunch break at work, I'd find anything with considerable weight to it in the back of the shop and just start lifting it. I'd lift for 1-2 minutes, then take a thirty second break. Repeat 3 or 4 times, then sit down on a chair and lift it with your foot. It doesn't take a home gym or a membership at Gold's to get started...just a little creativity.

I figured if we all started chipping in on this thread, it would become infectious and possibly kick off a health trend around this place (or not). This kind of activity is usually easier if you communicate with other people that are doing it with you so that you don't feel like you're the only person in the world working yourself to death. Maybe every forum member that wants to participate can post their routine from the previous day, or just throw out some good advice to those of us that are looking to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Okay, the sermon is over. Feel free to comment.

[data_ghost]

Well i can't comment on getting fit in such ingenious ways hehe. We're made to do sport 4 times a week so i think i sustain enough fitness but the first tip i can give to anyone wanting to build muscles is to buy a chin-up (or pull-up) bar. They are cheap, can be put away when not in use, and build your biceps, which (arguable) are the only muscles that are going to get a lot of attention.
If you are looking to get fit in general I'd say for a jog whenever you have time around the block. Doesn't have to be long, just long enought to get you out of breath. And DEFINITELY bring your ipod/mp3 player with you. Even if you think it is cliche, it takes your mind off the running so you can go further without callapsing in a heap of huffing and puffing after 5 minutes. I use us army cadences because they keep you running constant whilst also raising your manliness levels.
Here are some good ones to start off with, (get youtube downloader to get these videos into mp3 format, or video format if you like to view slides with your music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skgbs2r_iLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idiekwfsz_k

[Avi]

I hit the treadmill at the local gym, but that is the most torturous machine ever devised by man. Even with the MP3 player, I can only take ten minutes of walking in place before I get sick of it. For some reason, I tire more easily on a treadmill than if I were to actually be walking somewhere. I could go outside and walk all day long at a moderate rate with minimal rests, but that f*#$ing machine wears me down faster than a gang beating. I want to do 30 minutes straight, but I have to break it up in sections or I end up putting it off altogether.

I have different playlists on my MP3 player for different types of workouts. For example:
Pantera for core strength training.
Danzig for my back and arms.
GWAR for chest and abs.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Blood Sugar Sex Magik album and prior) for leg strengthening.

Sometimes, I'll work out to Bach or Bartok to keep it interesting, but at the end of the day I want something that pumps me up and gets my blood flowing.

[win3k]

Morning chaps

Get a dog. Here's mine (go go crappy camera phone):



Both Mrs Win3k and I now walk upwards of 3-4 miles a day, every day, gaining lungfuls of good fresh air rather than being stuck indoors.

Don't bother getting a toy breed (they're not dogs but are in fact aspirational rodents); get a dog that likes to play and happy fun times will undoubtedly result.

win3k

[Avi]

We usually take the kids for a walk on Sunday mornings (the one day that I don't hit the gym or the home weights). My oldest son gets on his Razor scooter, and we put the baby in a stroller and cruise through the neighborhood. I have some ten pound leg weights that add a bit of resistance to my stride so that it builds up the calves and quadriceps faster, but it's hell on my ankles and the bottoms of my feet.

[Daddyo]

... I have some ten pound leg weights that add a bit of resistance to my stride so that it builds up the calves and quadriceps faster, but it's hell on my ankles and the bottoms of my feet.

When your younger gets a little older, have them hang on to your legs, that's a good workout.

I try to use a row machine at work's gym for 20 minutes, doesn't hose up your joints. My uncle just had a bunch of knee surgery because he runs every morning and it pounded the joints so his bones were grinding (yech).

Ipod's are great, but if you want your mind melded with your body don't use it, at least not all the time. Ipod's (aka Sony Walkman?) also stop your brain from doing anything creative, right?

I got an idea, get some drums and play for an hour a day with full hits?

I gotta lay off the chips & soda, mmmm chips 'n sooodaaaaaaa

[Avi]

Tonight, I went for 15 minutes on the Treadhell machine at the gym, and for the last three minutes I jacked up the speed until I was jogging. Did three sets of 15 reps on my quadriceps, bench presses, bicep curls, lat pulldowns, and tricep rope pulls. I leg pressed 500 pounds just to see if I could move it, and found out that I could lift much more than that (but I wasn't about to kill myself doing it). High protein smoothie on the way home and now for a cold bath and some beers.

[SweatyPyro]

Don't bother getting a toy breed (they're not dogs but are in fact aspirational rodents); get a dog that likes to play and happy fun times will undoubtedly result.

win3k

QFT, Hahah.

You all ought to drink Green Tea, too. Nothing in terms of 'health' then drinking something right off the leaf. Not that good? Drink other teas. Find a style you like, you might enjoy it and that'll just be another positive as it gives its own benefits.

[TRON.dll]

Exercise?

This is madness..