Fitness Encouragement

[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.

[Bizarro Amy]

I have trouble with soda too, especially since I can only take so much coffee in the morning. I was doing really well for a while, but I get on track, fall off the wagon, get back on...I've been having some medical problems that sometimes make me feel so lousy that eating right and exercising just seems impossible. I lost 15 pounds since last year, and kept it off at least. But I should be much lower by now. I'm using a program called Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople to help me track my food and guage portions. I also bought a small food scale, which has been a big help.

[ScottA]

I'm a sode junkie. I have no problem drinking 3-4 a day, everyday. I hate diet soda so that's out. To me they just taste really awful. My brother is trying to get me to drink Coke Zero, which is what he switched too. And tea is out, I hate that stuff. I must be the only Southern who can't stand tea - and I'm the only one in my family who doesn't like it.

The weight room is right across the street from my apartment. Everyone is trying to get me to go there during the day while I try and find work. I just haven't and I have no one to blame but me.

[Hector]

I'm actually more addicted to the "fizz" of sodas than the soda itself per say.

Mmm...I might trade sodas for something like Perrier or Pellegrino...they have a tad of sodium (so does sodas anyway)...but since I don't have high blood pressure...may take up on those...they are great really cold...with some lime/lemon squeezed...on some tall glass with lots of ice...

[toys2cool]

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...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2793814005_4335bb7a31.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2794664596_3429f9fd43.jpg

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.

you gotta start somewhere bro, don't ever think you can't do anything....if you start off negative like that then you'll only see a negative outcome...trust me, start with your arms with light weights, when you start seeing a difference and start to feel better your lower body will wanna follow and you'll push that much harder to get it done...I have faith you bro

[toys2cool]

I'm a sode junkie. I have no problem drinking 3-4 a day, everyday. I hate diet soda so that's out. To me they just taste really awful. My brother is trying to get me to drink Coke Zero, which is what he switched too. And tea is out, I hate that stuff. I must be the only Southern who can't stand tea - and I'm the only one in my family who doesn't like it.

The weight room is right across the street from my apartment. Everyone is trying to get me to go there during the day while I try and find work. I just haven't and I have no one to blame but me.

yeah bro i can't do the diet soda either or the zero stuff...the best I can do is caffeine free and that's pushing it

[Hector]

I'm a sode junkie. I have no problem drinking 3-4 a day, everyday. I hate diet soda so that's out. To me they just taste really aweful. My brother is trying to get me to drink Coke Zero, which is what he switched too. And tea is out, I hate that stuff. I must be the only Southern who can't stand tea - and I'm the only one in my family who doesn't like it.

The weight room is right across the street from my apartment. Everyone is trying to get me to go there during the day while I try and find work. I just haven't and I have no one to blame but me.

Have you tried Coke Zero with Cherry?

That's my favorite diet soda....it's pretty darn good.

I recently tried Diet Dr Pepper Cherry flavor...that one was excellent too.

I dunno...something about cola and cherry...they go great together.

BTW...this is coming from someone who absolutely LOVES regular Classic Coke...especially the Mexican version...it is the BEST...but I know consuming that much sugar is bad for me...so I switched to the diet ones...and yes...it took a while getting used to them...but eventually I did.

Oh...I still buy regular Coke...but that's mostly to go with my rum...Rum & Coke = YUM...

[samurainoir]

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.

I hear you Hector, I'm the same way these days.

I've been meaning to Front Load my day, which is a similar principal in that you do your biggest meal when you first get up, a lighter lunch and dinner should be lightest. Assuming that most people live a nine-to-five lifestyle, not eating much after seven is a good habit. Even if I'm not modifying WHAT I eat too much, reshuffling the when is a good start.

I did half and hour on the elliptical last night, and I usually find the machines really monotonous, but my ipad made all the difference. These machines usually have a "magazine rack" thingy right in front of you... how about putting your new iphone on it and stream some shows? Most of the networks and cable channels have apps that stream on demand episodes of whatever your favourite shows are. I just wish they would let me have the Cartoon Network Adult Swim app up here in Canuckle land.

[ScottA]

Have you tried Coke Zero with Cherry?

That's my favorite diet soda....it's pretty darn good.

I recently tried Diet Dr Pepper Cherry flavor...that one was excellent too.

I dunno...something about cola and cherry...they go great together.

You know Hector I haven't, which is weird since Cherry Coke and Wild Cherry Pepsi are my favorites. I drink them more than any other. Maybe I've just never noticed they made that flavor since I don't go looking for it. I may have to try it and see if I can ween myself off the real stuff. I know I have to do more but it would be a start. Thanks for the tip.

[Hector]

[samurainoir]

The wife is a coffee fiend as much as I'm a soda junkie, but on the way to the transit in the morning, a couple of times a week lately we've been doing a double shot of wheatgrass at the juicebar (they give you a pineapple chaser) for that morning boost.

A while back I developed the awful habit of shotgunning a Red Bull or similar energy drink just before I taught my kickboxing class, just to be able to "fake it" in front of the participants. Bad Idea... afterwards it wasn't so much the crash as that gut-rot feeling. The wheatgrass seems to be doing the trick, despite tasting like lawn trimmings.

Coke Zero is a good place to start rather than going cold turkey. There are also all these new brands of carbonated "Juice beverages" as well that are a little better than cola as well... they give you that fizz and bite at the back of your throat that you crave. I've seen them at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods down in the US.