Fitness Encouragement

[knight errant00]

A good freind of min just did that . . . he's been overweight as long as I've known him, bouncing between big and bigger for years.

Last year, he got serious about his health (being in throwing distance of 50 does that, I hear) and he cut soda, started watching what he ate, and began a daily waling regimen, using an iPhone ap to plot walking courses near work and home and then goiing for long walks while listening to various podcasts.

The result: in the space of a year, he lost 120 pounds. He exceeded his goal by 10 pounds, and is actually eyeing trying to go further and actual be in a shape some would call thin for the first time in his life.

A lot of work, and I'm proud of him for his accomplishment.

So it is do-able, for everyone looking to make that commitment.

Let me start off by saying I am still over weight 5'8 and 205.... I already lost 15 lbs. and have been working out 3 days a week as well as walking and using wii fit......

My strength factor is at a high again, I am benching 180 for my third set for 8 to 10 reps, and I think that’s pretty good for a guy in his upper 40s.

I am by no means an authority but here is what has been working for me.....if you drink soda, STOP! Switch to water today, this in itself will impact your weight loss dramatically.
I also still eat what I want but my portions have been reduced, as well as dropping almost all the processed goodies from my diet.

WALK!!! Leave the car at home if you can and walk to the store if possible, after dinner instead of grabbing the remote walk around the block a few times and the pounds will fade away......

Hope some or all of this helps.......good luck!

[megomania]

1.Find an online site/phone app that let's you start a nutrition tracking program; find out how many calories you need to budget each day based on how much you want to lose.

2.Measure and log your food proportions for each meal daily. You don't have to eat like a bird, just watch how much and how often you eat.

3.Cardio, Cardio, Cardio

4.Begin some type of exercise (in addition to cardio)

I have been lucky enough (knock on wood) to be able to use a personal trainer and the things listed above is the best advice he ever gave me.

This is just my advice - I'm not a fitness consultant nor do I play one on message boards. Don't hold me liable for anything.

Oh..and if you are getting a lot of calories from beer, wine, and liquor...limit or cut that ****e out.

Good luck!

-Chris

[Sideshow Spock]

Anyone have a good, tasty substitute for soda? I know most juices are loaded with sugars..

Diet soda isn't an option.. I hate the stuff.

[megojim]

I hit the eliptical machine 4 times a week for atotal of 10-15 miles. Squeeze in some ab work as well. Try to keep away from the carbs when possible .... getting prepared to loose them for about a month. During the spring/summer I count mowing the lawn every 4 days or so for a pretty decent work out as well.

[AJ Collector]

yeah there was a time when I was maxing 365lbs while weighing 190 and doing sets of 7 at 315 but the hell with that...I chill a bit now, I'm 5'8 also and weigh 200 and I start off with 1 warm up set of 135 , 30 times and then jump to 225 for 4 sets of 10...it's good for maintaing my strength...but yes 180 in your upper 40's is awesome!!

Thanks D.....

Damn 365 at 190, dude you were a beast!

[samurainoir]

Anyone have a good, tasty substitute for soda? I know most juices are loaded with sugars..

Diet soda isn't an option.. I hate the stuff.

I fall off the no soda wagon more often than not, but when looking at change, some people can go cold turkey and for others like myself, it can be a continuum. See what happens when you cut back or choose something slightly better instead. That way you don't feel entirely deprived.

Years ago at the beginning of my fitness journey, I started by drinking ice tea and juice as a soda replacement. Small changes to start right?

Water is best, but I usually like something with taste. We've been keeping some lemons around just to squeeze into the water.

In an ideal world, I would brew up a pot of green tea in the morning and chill it (add lemon). I don't do this as often as I should

I love smoothies. Depending on how you make them. I started out by using whole or frozen fruit and Juice. Still not perfect since I still use juice, but these days I also use Vega powder for whole nutrition, as well as whatever greens and sprouts we have in the fridge. Also soy, almond or rice milk. I make a blender full in the morning, share it with the dog and it lasts us for the day.


The wife is a total coffee fiend in the same way I'm a soda junkie. A couple of days a week we've started the morning off with double shots of wheatgrass from the Juice bar on the way to the transit (they give you a pineapple chaser). A little while back I had developed the horrible habit of doing a Red Bull or similar energy drink before teaching my kickboxing class at the gym so I could "fake it" in front of the participants. Really bad idea... we're talking gut-rot. I'm finding the wheatgrass a much better option for a boost.

[Type3Toys]

I am back at it pretty hardcore. I am training 6 days a week.
Day one: Chest, delts, biceps. 2 excersises per body part
Day two:Quads, hams, calves,abs 1 excersie per body part, only because I am doing sqauts
Day three:Back,triceps,forearms. 2 excersises per body part
Day four: 45 minute power walk
Day five off
Each workout takes between 45-60 miniutes with 60 second rest between sets.
Trying to keep protien intake near 150 grams per day.

[toys2cool]

Anyone have a good, tasty substitute for soda? I know most juices are loaded with sugars..

Diet soda isn't an option.. I hate the stuff.

when i cut sodas i go with ice Tea

[samurainoir]

Anyone have a good, tasty substitute for soda? I know most juices are loaded with sugars..

Diet soda isn't an option.. I hate the stuff.

I fall off the no soda wagon more often than not, but when looking at change, some people can go cold turkey and for others like myself, it can be a continuum. See what happens when you cut back or choose something slightly better instead. That way you don't feel entirely deprived.

Years ago I started on my fitness journey by drinking ice tea and juice instead. Small changes right?

Water is best, but I usually like something with taste. We've been keeping some lemons around just to squeeze into the water.

In an ideal world, I would brew up a pot of green tea in the morning and chill it (add lemon). I don't do this as often as I should

I love smoothies. Results vary depending on how you make them. I started out by using just whole or frozen fruit and Juice. Still not perfect since I still use juice, but these days I also use Vega powder for whole nutrition, as well as whatever greens and sprouts we have in the fridge. Also soy, almond or rice milk. I make a blender full in the morning, share it with the dog and it lasts us for the day.

[Hector]

I wish I could lift weights like before my five surgeries in 2004-2005...my abdominal area took a beating...so did my extremities...especially my legs...I have permanent neuropathy.

It's very hard for me to maintain an aerobic activity.

I do have an elliptical machine in my deck...but I get frustrated with it...





I used to ride bikes...but I can't anymore.

Man...I remember my weight lifting days...I was strong like Damien...but now...I'm all washed up...



I also used to have a heavybag hanging from my avocado tree...but I sold it a few years ago...perhaps I'll get another one...if my legs can't do the work...perhaps my hands and arms can...although...they are much weaker than during my glory days.

I also have a bad habit of eating once a day...but it's a HUGE meal...and it's just before going to sleep...it's a BAD habit...my metabolism shuts down doing that eating routine...I KNOW eating four or five SMALL meals through the day is the way to go...but I can't get into that routine.

The beer is another weakness of mine.

Thank God I drink Coke Zero 98% of the time...lol.

But I know...it should be water...I know, I know...lol.

I know I'll NEVER EVER be thin...but losing around 50 pounds would do wonders for me.

Luckily...I have NO diabetes...No high blood pressure...and NO high cholesterol (I take routine blood tests every six months)...go figure...lol.