Pump You Up: The Fitness Thread

[Trom DeGrey]

Chris- First off, welcome to the "Why is That Sore?" club! Second, and I'm sure folks get tired of me saying this, but I'm a massage therapist, so it's my job... Get a massage. It will do wonders for your soreness and help your muscles recover (and therefore, grow) quicker.


I have been an absolute bum since Thursday. I so didn't want to drag out that Gazelle, so I didn't. Now I'm feeling sick and achy today which means I'll probably miss my lift night tonight. Not thrilled with myself.

[HalfCamel]

After a looooong weekend off, I started working out again. Today I did about half an hour of cardio, some ab work, and I worked on my triceps.

I hadn't really realized how much of a mood elevator (is that the right word?) exercise is. I hadn't done anything but sit around for four days and I was feeling kinda crappy, and now I'm starting to feel a little better.

[JustSkipIt]

I don't know if "mood elevator" is the right word but it certainly is true. I read in a magazine once that if you don't feel like doing your workout, you should just do 10 minutes of it and then see how you feel. And it certainly works.

Today: me = 40 minutes on the Nordic Track and 3.89.

The day before yesterday I tried on some smaller pants and they definitely all fit. None were ironed but I'd be perfectly comfortable wearing them rather than the current pairs. The current pairs are getting downright loose!

[Gatito Grande]

Oh man: Trom, I just did one of those "Century Squat" thangs you recommended (using just the bar for weight---about 15lbs.).

GG Boy am I wiped! Out

What the heck am I gonna feel like tomorrow, I wonder? The Agony of the Quads?

(I, too, feel my clothes loosening---especially in the waist. Yay!)

[JustSkipIt]

Oh God, Gatto. Sounds like you'll be totally aching today. Good luck and drink lots of water.

Did my NT today. 45 minutes at 4.20. I volunteered myself yesterday to be a "wellness" coordinator for whatever that means at work. I'll find out next week.

[HalfCamel]

I did about 45 mins of cardio and I lifted weights focusing on my triceps and chest.

[Foomatic]

JustSkipIt:

Is Slam Man one of those guys on the floor stand? Does it light up and stuff to tell you where to hit it?

Yeah, he's one of those, looking all dark and ominous in our spare room. He's got lights on him and you're supposed hit those spots when they flash, but I prefer to do my own routine, makes it less monotonous. It gets super loud when I smack him around, so I have to wait until my partner gets up before I can start boxing.

Still sticking with my morning work out. My boxing class is ending this weekend, and I've decided to get a membership to the boxing gym it's held at. I enjoy the work out a lot, so I'm hoping to go more than once a week.

Lately, I've been frustrated with my weight. It seems like I'm just maintaining instead of losing weight. Guess I'm just fixated with the scale; I keep telling myself that I'm gaining muscle, and that's why my weight hasn't changed in the last couple of weeks. That and my eating habits have been deteriorating. Too much Valentine's chocolate.

[Gatito Grande]

Skippy :

it actually wasn't as bad this morning, as I feared---but tightening up some more now (Dum, dum-dum-dum . . . . DOMS!!! )

Lately, I've been frustrated with my weight. It seems like I'm just maintaining instead of losing weight. Guess I'm just fixated with the scale; I keep telling myself that I'm gaining muscle, and that's why my weight hasn't changed in the last couple of weeks.

That's it exactly, Foo---don't get discouraged (and don't fixate on the scale!)

GG If only I could get my HEAD in as good shape as I'm getting my body . . . but maybe the latter will affect the former? I hope? Out

[Trom DeGrey]

GG - Glad to hear you weren't too sore. I was more sore from the 100 standing calf raises the first time than from anything else. I didn't really have any soreness the second time.

I saw a tshirt the other day that said: "This is't a Beer Belly. It's a Protective Covering for my Rock Hard Abs."

Absolutely my philosophy.

[Artemis]

A friend of mine has decided she'd like to play tennis, so - several years after getting lessons, just so I'd know roughly what was going on when I watched the game (aside from "Oooh, she's cute") - I've finally got someone to play against on a weekly basis. This may or may not aid my campaign to be not-unfit, but at least it'll be fun. And I get to use my sexy racquet. There'll be no getting frustrated and smacking it on the court - I remember all too well what it cost.

I do hope the courts we'll be playing at (attached to Sydney Uni) rent out baskets of tennis balls. I've only got three, and with that amount - and both our ability levels - I suspect we'll spend more time retrieving wayward shots than actually playing the game.

[HalfCamel]

Chris - Tennis is quite the workout and it's fun. All that stop-start motion from running down the balls really works out the legs, and the twisting for getting the forehands and backhands works out the trunk. Playing regularly kept me fit for years.

Today I only did 25 minutes on the elliptical machine with increased resistance. I skipped the weights.

[JustSkipIt]

Chris, I always figure if you want to know if something is a good workout, just look at the bodies of the folks who play. In this case, professional tennis players are in fantastic shape. Their legs are totally muscled and trim. So tennis has to be a great workout. That's my theory.

Anyway, today (a weekend!) I did 40 minutes on my NT at 4.01. I got one of those tech shirts that wicks (sp) the sweat away from my skin and it seems to help. My brother is a bicyclist and he recommended it. Of course he also has to worry about the weather when he's getting dressed for workout. I think I'll get another of these shirts when we head out today.

Everyone have a great weekend!

[Artemis]

Chris, I always figure if you want to know if something is a good workout, just look at the bodies of the folks who play.

I do... oh, you mean fitness-wise? Yeah, uh, that too. Ahem.

[Alcy]

Just got back from my 7km run...got the same time as last year so I'm a little disappointed but it was stinking hot and I arrived late so I got stuck behind all the walkers. All in all tho, not bad for the first one of the year.
Looking forward to doing some more! I'm running in a relay on Wednesday but it's a real short one, just a 2.5km sprint around town. I'm not much of a sprinter so it will be interesting to see how well I can go.

Hope all the kittens are staying on track and putting in the hard yards! Kia kaha! (stay strong!)

Alcy

[Trom DeGrey]

Finally broke out the Gazelle and decided to burn out whatever illness was left in me. I went about 1.3 miles in 20 minutes. Not too hot, but I was sweating like a fiend. At least I should sleep well.

[Gatito Grande]

I definitely spoke too soon re the post-Century Squat pain thang: here it is Sunday (did the Century on Wednesday), and I'm still feeling it! (especially where the right quad attaches at the bottom of my thigh, just above the knee )

Today, however, I did probably the best thing I could do: went for a hike (despite the current Midwest cold snap! ), and let it work out that way (w/o undue stress).

GG I hope to lift again tomorrow---w/ exercises that don't focus on my *quads*! Out

[JustSkipIt]

Yay Alcy! Way to go. I'm sure the times will come down. Trom - good plan sweating it out. GG - ouch.

I blew off yesterday. I didn't want to get up at 5:00 (it just seemed wrong since I had the day off) and didn't have another chance to workout. I ate junk this weekend--lots of chocolate. Way too much chocolate. My wife's birthday is this week and someone gave her 2 boxes of truffles. Not good stuff to have in the house. At least we've eaten it all now... Or most of it.

Did a good NT today: 41 minutes (I didn't notice when it crossed 40) and 4.06.

[Trom DeGrey]

The Gazelle and I have officially called it quits. I can only take my foot or calf cramping while using that piece of shit so many times before I give in. Tony Little is a sadistic son of a bitch.

So, now I have to find another low impact cardio workout. I could do taebo. That's kind of fun, even though I have to watch it muted. One of the roomies offered me one of her workout DVDs.

Bellydancing.

Do not laugh.

Actually, laugh, cause I can't see me doing that either.

[Alcy]

Another work related run tonight, a 2.5km relay. Was fun, I havent raced over so short a distance before but managed to resist the urge to sprint at the start and didnt do too badly. The only bad thing was the hideous oversized orange t-shirt I had to wear, my work really needs new t-shirts!

Have decided I should cut down on my running, I'm almost through another pair of running shoes. A new pair every 6 months at $270 a pop! You'd think running was cheap! I supposed its not too bad compared to having to pay gym fees and I do like buying new shoes, pity you have to buy the ones that suit your feet the best rather than the coolest colour!

[JustSkipIt]

Trom - You may like belly dancing. I know quite a few people who really love it and you don't have to look like Jessica Simpson to do it well. Goodbye Gazelle.

Alcy - You only need new shoes every 6 months? That doesn't seem that often to me. I buy them that often without running (of course mine aren't $270). Orange = yuck!

Me: Nordic Tracked 40 minutes at 3.94. I just started watching Veronica Mars and it's quite excellent. Definitely making me appreciate my decision to get NetFlix.

My work is instituting a wellnesss program over the next few months. I went and met with HR and volunteered to brainstrom with them. Did that and came up with some suggestions and thoughts. And I'll be a team leader for a team of 15 in trying to get more "well" and win some prize.

[Gatito Grande]

I love, love, love to buy used work-out equipment at thrift stores.

In so doing last week, I came up w/ some "mystery" items. What are they for/how are they used---if they're work-out equipment at all? Can anyone help me out?

What I purchased the grab bag (box) for, was some "grip strengtheners": really wanted these (and no mystery there).

Also in the box, were some large blue rubber bands (marked "DP", for the sports equipment company), about 3/4 of inch in width---forming a circle about 5 inches in diameter (unstretched). I believe these are "resistance bands", as recently mentioned . . . but how are they used?

Finally, there's one more piece of "mystery equipment" (I think!): it's a chain, just over a foot in length, w/ a (non-sharp) hook on one end, and a leather strap on the other. The leather strap forms a loop, w/ a snap on it, of about 1.5-2 inches in diameter.

OK, here's what I think this is: I think one uses the hook, to loop the chain, and attach a free weight on that end.

But what does one do w/ the leather strap? How do you use this? (I've seen "Strong Men" competitions, where the competitors hold onto weights, on a chain, w/ their teeth---but I don't think that's what the leather strap is for)

If anybody can help me w/ these mysteries 1) how do you use the rubber (resistance) bands?, and 2) what's the chain-with-leather-strap for? . . . I'd be most appreciative. Thanks!

GG Who had another good work-out today (including using the grip-strengtheners). I did leg-extensions on my bench---giving my quads their first real work-out in 10 days! (since the Century Squat) Out

Oh God---I just had a thought . . . about what that 1.5-2 inch diameter leather strap MIGHT fit: a body part I don't have! Please tell me I'm wrong!!!

[Candleshoe]

I'm thinking that your "work-out equipment" may be a lot less innocent than it looks, GG. Even the bands could have a whole different use in the right hands.....

[JustSkipIt]

Finally, there's one more piece of "mystery equipment" (I think!): it's a chain, just over a foot in length, w/ a (non-sharp) hook on one end, and a leather strap on the other. The leather strap forms a loop, w/ a snap on it, of about 1.5-2 inches in diameter.

OK, here's what I think this is: I think one uses the hook, to loop the chain, and attach a free weight on that end.

But what does one do w/ the leather strap? How do you use this? (I've seen "Strong Men" competitions, where the competitors hold onto weights, on a chain, w/ their teeth---but I don't think that's what the leather strap is for)

Ok, I have very bad mental imagery skills so I'm trying to picture this. What if you had a short broomstick (2 feet?) and you attached the leather strap on it and then you held it in front of you and raised and lowered the weight, exercising your forearms al la Karate Kid?

Lol about buying a grab bag though.

Me???

Ok, a sinus infection and 5 days of antibiotics and decongestants later I'm back at it. Honestly, I only felt bad enough to not work out for 2 days but my wife has this crazy thing about my not being stupid. Whatever right? Anyway, a good workout today: NT40 3.96 but it felt fantastic. I think I'm ready to bump up the length of workout.

Oh yeah, and while I was at the doctor, they weighed me. I wish I'd asked them to look at my prior weight because I've forgotton but I've definetly lost. Either 7 or 10 pounds since starting workout out again. I'd like to lose about another 15 which is 2 pants sizes. Slow and steady wins the race...

[Gatito Grande]

I'm thinking that your "work-out equipment" may be a lot less innocent than it looks, GG. Even the bands could have a whole different use in the right hands.....

Careful, Candleshoe: you could be in trouble!

What if you had a short broomstick (2 feet?) and you attached the leather strap on it and then you held it in front of you and raised and lowered the weight, exercising your forearms al la Karate Kid?

A "short broomstick"? Is that what we're calling it now? (2 feet wouldn't just not be short, it'd be a World Record . . . I hope!!! )

Yeah, my grab bag of "work-out toys" seems to be less work-out, and more other kinds of toys! (Now, if I can just find someone to show me how to use them... )

GG Seriously, though: am I gonna have to go back through this thread, to find out who was talking about using resistance bands? Out

[JustSkipIt]

GG - lol! Are you sure you were at an exercise store? Good luck.

Me - I just finished Nordic Tracking an hour! 5.63 km or whatever they are. I don't know, miles, kilometers, since they're just relative to the movement of the skis, I don't really care. Anyway, an hour! I'm not saying it was the most intense workout, well the first 45 minutes was faster than my usual but the last 15, I just kind of went a steady pace. Still an hour!

Yesterday I wore a new (used from a friend) pair of slacks that were smaller. And you know what, they were a little loose. I felt great about it. What's funny? I've lost probably 10 pounds in the past 4 months but no one ever says anything about it. I mean my friends that know I'm trying, if I say, "hey, I had a great workout..." they're like, "yeah, I can tell you're losing" and I ran into a friend at the store yesterday who commented on my going down a belt hole but mostly no one says anything. Maybe it's a trade off because they also didn't say, "hey you are getting fat" when I was going up???

[Candleshoe]

Trouble, GG, moi?

And, no, you aren't going to have to go through the thread, because I already did that. Trom mentions them twice on page 5.

I also picked up some resistance bands this weekend. I'll feel safer doing another Century Workout with those for some of the exercises. I'm going to try that workout again this week and add a little more weight where I do use the free weights.

and

I’ve also found I really like resistance bands. Not only do the muscles pulling through the exercise get worked, but the antagonists get worked on the return movement and smaller muscles are worked to maintain a smooth movement.

None of this makes any sense to me, as I haven't voluntarily moved since 1986, but I am bored at work and I love research, so there you go...

[watty]

My department had an offsite today and part of the program was a yoga session at the fitness club. It's my second time at yoga and I managed to keep up. I still don't quite like it, seems like I'm not doing enough exercise. I'm still blowing off basketball practice -- 9pm on a weeknight is tough. When the pool in my building opens (usually in April) I'll go swimming. Please could someone remember and nag me.
[br]

[Trom DeGrey]

Thanks, Candleshoe. First you cause me to have a Random Moment and now you're getting me in trouble with GG cause I haven't been checking the board like some addicts I know.

GG - What do you want to know about them? You can do most of the same exercises as you would do with machines or some free weight movements. Stand on the band or tie it to something (Minds!! Dirty minds out of the gutter!!!) and use them that way. Mine don't tie; they have clips.

[JustSkipIt]

Watty did yoga! Good for you. Basketball or swimming would be good too.

Quickly did an hour on NT 5.65. Yay me.

[Gatito Grande]

So, the whole point of that "Century Squat" thing was to get me past a plateau?

Et voila! After being stuck in my squats at about 80-90 pounds, today I kicked it up to 115!!! (that is, I loaded my 15 lb Standard bar w/ all four of my 25 lb. weights---the biggest weights I have, unfortunately)

GG I'm sure I'll be paying for it in a day or two (three, four)---but feeling VERY STRONG today! Out

Trom: I thought you said something about adding resistance bands to your other exercises? (or am I just delusional?) I'm afraid I still just don't get how one uses them...

Also: so very glad I figured out how to use my bicep curl attachment, as a lat pull: there's something about exercising your lats which is just . . . sexy? Y'know what I mean?