Rant Board Weight Loss / Exercise Thread

[Partha]

Unless I missed it I haven't seen the routine you're doing. Would be interested in seeing that. Might be able to give some incite as to why you feel worse off. That most definitely should not be the case. I do remember you mentioning that you thought you were increasing too fast.

Quick n' Dirty cycle:

45 seconds of 'rows', both hands - basically a slap shot with a bar attached to a bungee cord.
Incline presses - 20 lb. on each bar. 15 reps each arm.
Resistance pull-ups - 45 seconds.
Abdominal ball raise - 45 seconds.
Ankle touches - 45 seconds.
Curls (15 lbs) - 15 reps.
Squats - 15.
Triceps pulls (20 lbs) - 15.
Rope whipping - 45 seconds.

Then do it all over again. Considering I haven't stepped into a gym for a physical workout since 1984, this is impressive to me that I can do two full cycles. When I started I was also at 10 lbs. on the inclines and triceps, and I think I'll be going up again soon. I do this routine on Mondays, and then two or three times a week, I will go in, do one routine and then 30 minutes on the treadmill. As far as the 'not feeling well' the other day, I think it's a combination of plateauing, frustration, and I wasn't 100% over the flu like I thought I was.

[Minute]

Harlowe, thought this article was pretty decent for women. Touches on a few subjects that I preach to ladies that they just don't comprehend. Specifically that lifting weights won't make you bulky & that cardio cardio cardio will not make you fit. Good for a read through. The suggested routine isn't exactly what I'd prescribe but even it isn't bad. At least they do push/pull.

http://www.fitocracy.com/knowledge/why- ... ould-lift/

P.S. If any of you are on Fitocracy I'm Vastlee. As goofy as the concept sounds you will find yourself pushing to get extra points & the fitness community is wonderful. We have full on meets where 30+ people show up. Good stuff.

[Fallakin Kuvari]

Seriously thinking of joining a CrossFit box. Anyone got any advice/tips on CrossFit?

Read through a "beginners guide" on it over at NerdFitness -- http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/03 ... -crossfit/

Seems like it would be perfect for me; Get into a community with some great people and if I don't show up they hold me accountable - Don't have that with a LA Fitness and running daily isn't a "complete solution"... Lets be honest, I'm a novice when it comes to working out and am looking for something that is diverse and there will be at least someone there to provide direction.

[Harlowe]

Crossfit looks really appealing to me - the equipment, the heavy weights. I've just been more intimidated by the price locally. I wish I could build my own area for this at home. I want to flip a big ass tire down the yard!

I think Minute had some actual input on this awhile back when I was first looking into it.

[Minute]

CrossFit isn't my bag. It's extremely expensive & getting worse & I have some critiques on a few of their methods. Most often their gyms have a very limited range of exercise equipment. And back to the insane price, there's nothing they do for at an $1200 per year gym that you can't do at a $240 gym.

That being said, the 1 thing that CrossFit has going for it, and the reason they are so popular/successful is their group participation. I've already mentioned in this thread what a HUGE supporter of making the gym a social event as much as a physical one. The only reason that diet/exercise plans fail is because people don't stick with them. Most people start out thinking they are going to do it alone & almost every fails at this. The 2 best things you can do to stay motivated is 1. Make it part of your day. Like going to work or school. You don't think about if you want to go, it's just that time. You go. 2. Make fitness a social event. If people are expecting you at the gym at X time, you will be there. And it makes it fun. If you can make fitness entertaining a the same time you will be eager to do it.

So if you got the bank & you've failed at doing it on your own, sure. But in all honesty you would be better served by making friends with a fitness nut or 2 at a regular gym.

[Harlowe]

I think the other thing about CrossFit, is that it looks like hard, FUN work. Come on, look at the big damn weights, fucking BATTLE ROPES, tractor tires, it's like you were in some crazy ass Russian gym working out. There is something appealing and primal about that and it's raw-athlete environment, that you don't get at your local gym filled with fancy machines and dead-eyed people watching TV and doing cardio for hours (there's not a lot of interaction going on). There are weight rooms in gyms, but they don't come close to a CrossFit box. Not any that I've seen.

But damn, way too expensive. It's not like they have state-of-the-art equipment that needs constant servicing either, so they must be making money hand over fist.

If I had mad cash, I would do it though.

[Fallakin Kuvari]

FIgure buying equipment they have +Cost of place they're renting/leasing + 3000/yr to be certified. They're probably still pulling down a good profit.

Yeah, switching my diet and probably going this route -- Tired of current diet/lifestyle and want to make a drastic change and get in shape. Kid #2 is on the way and without a fuckton of coffee I hardly have enough energy for work and playing with my Daughter.

[Arathena]

That being said, the 1 thing that CrossFit has going for it, and the reason they are so popular/successful is their group participation. I've already mentioned in this thread what a HUGE supporter of making the gym a social event as much as a physical one. The only reason that diet/exercise plans fail is because people don't stick with them. Most people start out thinking they are going to do it alone & almost every fails at this. The 2 best things you can do to stay motivated is 1. Make it part of your day. Like going to work or school. You don't think about if you want to go, it's just that time. You go. 2. Make fitness a social event. If people are expecting you at the gym at X time, you will be there. And it makes it fun. If you can make fitness entertaining a the same time you will be eager to do it.

This is why my fitness routine begins at a martial arts studio. It's not the planet's most efficient way of getting exercise, but the flip side of it is the social aspect.

[Minute]

Try to be sensible with the CrossFit though. Mark Rippetoe (knows his shit) was pretty critical of it.

"I tried CrossFit for 2 years. It exacerbated my injuries, produced some significant health problems, forced me to rationalize the illogic of the program in public, and set my strength back about 5 years. I'm just now recovering. So I'll be more careful in the future about trying things that actually make no ****ing sense.

Which is a lot of what I see when I visit a CrossFit gym. Just because you're moving a lot or lifting a lot doesn't mean what you're doing is good for you.

Really what needs to happen is more trainers need to run group sessions. Over the last 15 years or so it's really been pushed for a 1 on 1 experience. That's bullshit. Get 5 of your friends. Agree to meet at certain times & find a trainer that will do group sessions. Not only does it make it cheaper for the individual, it promotes the group mentality. I'd seriously consider starting a gym with this theme if Cali wasn't already wrapped up by 24-Hour Fitness. (Or I knew shit about the business side )

[Fallakin Kuvari]

To be honest I've also been looking at joining an LA fitness; Its 70/mo cheaper, theres one by my house and one by where I work. They have some "group fitness classes" (mainly looking at Urban Iron, Total Body Conditioning and Boot Camp Conditioning) that I'd be able to attend 3 days out of the week.

What I like about CrossFit is it seems to be a "total workout" if done right; but it depends A LOT on which "box" you choose and who the trainers are.

All in all I may be better off joining LA Fitness and attending some classes there as well as using their equipment to do some WOD (Workout of the Day) since there are apps out there that give you what the CrossFit WOD is.

[Harlowe]

Minute, do it ...and have battle ropes and tractor tires. =)

[Minute]

Someone needs to make a gym setup like the show Wipeout. That would be a blast!

[Ddrak]

I'd seriously consider starting a gym with this theme if Cali wasn't already wrapped up by 24-Hour Fitness. (Or I knew shit about the business side )

Would be better business to offer it as a service to corporations, possibly as part of a physical wellness program to save money on their health insurance.

Dd

[Fallakin Kuvari]

Got a pair of Vibrams today. Ran in them tonight.

Talk about a whole different kind of running (then again, I sort of just lumbered on my heels before, which is why I blew out so many cushions in normal shoes...). Once you start running more naturally (than I ever have), you just kinda glide along...

[Minute]

Got a pair of Vibrams today. Ran in them tonight.

Talk about a whole different kind of running (then again, I sort of just lumbered on my heels before, which is why I blew out so many cushions in normal shoes...). Once you start running more naturally (than I ever have), you just kinda glide along...

I love my Vibrams, but more for lifting. They do help you get your mid-stride though. Mine look funny though because of my skinny weakling legs now, but whatever. Still love'em.

[Alluveal]

Wipe out? Or Ninja Warrior?

[Ddrak]

Careful on transitioning to Vibrams...

http://www.runnersworld.com/barefoot-ru ... one-injury

Dd

[Arathena]

Careful on transitioning to Vibrams...

http://www.runnersworld.com/barefoot-ru ... one-injury

Dd

Unsurprising. We also know that you have to train bone for maximum impact strength, the same as you do a muscle. Your body won't commit resources unless its being stressed, and the body doesn't know its stressed until you exceed current capacities. Thus the punching post in karate schools, the insane pad regimen that accompanies Muay Thai, etc. We lift weights until we hit exhaustion - and when we recover, the body spends the resources to make itsself (transiently) stronger.

[Harlowe]

I love minimalist shoes, but I'm not absolutely in love with Vibrams for distance running on trails or cement (grass and treadmills are typically fine). Another thing, if you don't stop the natural heel-striking you grew up doing, you'll fuck your feet up. It's definitely something to SLOWLY transition in. They are great for gym/walking/hiking etc however. I've only had them for ...hmm 3 weeks maybe though.

Though they do look ridiculous.

[Bastards Last Stand]

As far as minimalist/barefoot shoes go, I've loved my Merrell Trail Gloves as a nice alternative to the ridiculous look of Vibrams. I realize it's silly to get hung up on the style, but yeah . . . I just can't do Vibrams.