Getting Fit

[Ally-Ann]

So I've started jogging again. I can jog a mile without stopping and I can pedal a mile without stopping as well. I'm hoping to be mostly in shape by this summer so I don't have to worry about looking awkward in a swimsuit. More than that, I'm doing it for my health (diabetes and heart disease runs in my family). I'm starting field hockey again in April, and my dad taught me the awesome sport that is racquet ball. Anyone else here trying to get fit and/or playing sports?

[aliveinHim]

I run (well, I'm trying to get back in shape) 3 miles non-stop 3 times a week. I used to do a lot more weightlifting when I couldn't run due to a foot injury. I used to run track/cross country but now that I have a job, I run for exercize instead of competition.

[TopazRaven]

I'm trying to exercise for in least 30 minutes a day to get me started. I'm very weak and out of shape so just walking around non-stop for half an hour makes me ache terribly. Even as a child when I was healthier I was a short distance runner though. I can only jog/run up my street before I have to stop because I get this terrible sharp pain in my ribs. xD I've been trying to get my mom to excericse with me, we where thinking of joining a gym.

[TWWK]

Ally-ann and aliveinHim, it's great to see that you're committed to being fit at such a young age. I wish I'd done that.

I used to work out semi-frequently, but that came to a standstill (besides the ocassional game of basketball) when the kids arrived. Right now, I'm able to have some time at night after the kids go to sleep because I'm not working my part-time job for several months. I'm back to using the step machine we inherited and pumpin' iron. It feels good, and I hope I can stay motivated to keep it up.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Oh dear, I started to get into several weeks ago- About 15 minutes on the elliptical and eating salads and lots of protein. Then I worked a weird early morning shift at work (4 AM to 1 PM) and lost it. Then I caught a cold for about 2 weeks and have just been lazy.

Still, I'm trying to reduce my calorie intake, letting myself feel like I'm a bit hungry (Usually I'm just almost dehydrated) and eating a bit healthier. Of course, here I am at the computer when I could be on the elliptical. My goal is to drop about 25 pounds or so. I'm 5'3"- I need to be at about 125 pounds. Sad really, I've kinda given up since 2005 when I moved and had to give up martial arts.

[Nami]

I am, I've been doing so since the beginning of February. I dance DDR on my PS2 for around 2 hours. I burn 500 to 600 calories a day. ^_^ I lost it for a week thanks to my period. But I'm getting back into it. And I think, I'm just going to have to cut out almost all sweets unless they are minor. Sweets damage my face too (my acne acts up when I eat/drink anything sweet) so coffee is my new drug for that. ^_^

[aliveinHim]

I'm 5'5 and 130 lbs. In the summer, I'm only about 125 lbs. Not only do I run (in the summer, I run 5 miles everyday but I'm not in good enough shape to do that anymore), I also go to the pool all the time. I hate lap swimming but 3 hours of non-stop sharks and minnows is definately a workout. I hate the way I look in the winter because I'm not as tight nor tan.

[ShiroiHikari]

Just be sure to do these things because it's what you want for yourself, and not to please other people or to fit into a certain image. :>

[aliveinHim]

I do it so I can be healthy.

[TopazRaven]

I try to be healthy, but I just like junk food to much. My downfall no doubt. I'm eating those yummy cheesy goldish crackers as we speak. In least I still eat my fruits, veggies and wheat products. xD

[Nate]

I've given up on eating healthy. I bought some V8 and every time I drank it, it would give me a massive splitting headache. I'm healthier without eating vegetables apparently, so looks like I'm sticking to microwave dinners and junk food.

[TopazRaven]

Me and my mother have been trying to have somewhat healthier dinners in least. My problem is like candy, chocolate, cake, cupcakes, ice cream, banana bread, cookies, cheese burgers, tacos, cheese in general....the list goes on, way to much. I'm really surprised I still only way just 118 pounds. Hm, well the last time I was at the doctors in least. Might have gained more by for all I know. 0.o I do love fruits, veggies, wheat bread and pasta and certain nuts so I still have some healthy stuff! Whoo!

[Nate]

Why am I even posting in this thread?

[aliveinHim]

I love junk food. At a young age, my mommy taught us all to shun junk food and fed us healthy food. That doesn't mean we don't have junk food occasionally. We eat dessert almost every night. Mommy cooks for us every night. She is the best cook ever. My sisters and I also cook from scratch. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. My mommy's friends all wonder why she's 5'3 and is only 120 pounds even though she's had 5 kids. She and daddy were the ones who got me into running. I feel bad for slacking though.

[Ally-Ann]

About a year and ahalf ago, maybe more, I was about 5'1-5'2, could jog a mile, and finally made it to 137 lbs. Then we went to Michigan, I got terrible allergies to the point where I couldn't run, the doc gave me steroids, I got a ravenous appetite from them, my mom wouldn't let me run it off, and I've been lazy ever since. So, yeah. Trying to lose at least 30 lbs by summer.

[Jingo Jaden]

Heh, I managed to gain an unfortunate 30 pounds in a stressful year. I had two strict months of dieting/ 1 hour training each day in which I lost 20 of them. Then, I simply continued the diet and lost ten more. I quit the diet, almost certain that I'd gain some weight which I really would not mind. Turns out, since I quit drinking soda, I lost four more pounds doing absolutely nothing to deserve it. Right now, I am trying to stabilize the weight loss as I am pretty much at the ideal BMI.

[aliveinHim]

I gained a ton of weight during the cross country season a few years ago. I didn't look bulky but I tend to eat more during the running season.

[Yuki-Anne]

I need to start running again. My knees hurt when I don't run. It's weird, but I think it has to do with my back issues. Running stretches out my back and gets some kinks worked out so that my knees can function properly, I guess. It's weird.

3 miles 3 times a week is actually my goal. I was running over a mile nonstop pretty regularly but then the weather got cold and I got lazy. *sigh*

I fully intend to do it today, though; the weather is beautiful and I think I'll have time. Plus, my weight hasn't been going anywhere lately, which is irritating. I've lost five pounds this year, which is great, except that I lost it all in January and I've been stuck ever since.

[Sammy Boy]

It's good that there's a getting fit thread, because I have a question about toning.

I am not overweight, but I would like to be stronger (not bulked up, just with stronger muscles).

What kind of exercises could you recommend for strengthening the abs? I used to do sit-ups everyday, but I found I had to do heaps over a year to see any difference. I'm just wondering if there are more effective exercises for this?

I'd also like to improve my cardio. Apart from running, do you recommend any other types of exercises?

Thanks.

[Rusty Claymore]

I practice martial arts and run. What you eat is most important, having weight problems in my family has resulted in my learning a lot from some of our friends who really research this topic. Smaller portions relative to your daily routine of physical activity(basically if you work in the field or something that requires strenuos physical activities) don't start eating off of postage stamps. In fact, never eat off postage stamps. (I'm refering to stupidly small portions) Starving yourself is a good way to increase your fat content, since your body knows it needs to store food because a shortage. Then just try to eat things as close to their original state as possible, and eat a wide variety of meats, fruits, veggies, dairy, and breads. As someone who not only eats well, but also likes processed and fast foods every once in a while, I would recommend avoiding the organic craze and instead base your diet off your wallet. If you can afford organic prices and feal the need, feel free, but it costs a lot. Well, in Alaska anyways. If you live somewhere where you can easily grow fruits and veggies, that's always the best. n.n Growing things is hard when you have 7-9 months of winterishness a year. XP

@Sammy: For abs, supine bicycles work well, basically you get into a sit-up position laying on the ground with your legs bent and in the air and your arms behind your head. Then bring one knee "up" while bringing the opposite elbow across to meet in the middle, then switch sides. Just don't pull on your neck. It's a military excercise so I'm sure you'll be able to find a video demo. I may have the name wrong too... XP

As for cardio, I think swimming may be one of the best ways to improve that. But that could have been aerobic... Anyways, cycling, swimming, and martial arts(yeahyeah, I'm biased. XD) if done with commitment are great.

[ShiroiHikari]

I practice martial arts and run. What you eat is most important, having weight problems in my family has resulted in my learning a lot from some of our friends who really research this topic. Smaller portions relative to your daily routine of physical activity(basically if you work in the field or something that requires strenuos physical activities) don't start eating off of postage stamps. In fact, never eat off postage stamps. (I'm refering to stupidly small portions) Starving yourself is a good way to increase your fat content, since your body knows it needs to store food because a shortage. Then just try to eat things as close to their original state as possible, and eat a wide variety of meats, fruits, veggies, dairy, and breads. As someone who not only eats well, but also likes processed and fast foods every once in a while, I would recommend avoiding the organic craze and instead base your diet off your wallet. If you can afford organic prices and feal the need, feel free, but it costs a lot. Well, in Alaska anyways. If you live somewhere where you can easily grow fruits and veggies, that's always the best. n.n Growing things is hard when you have 7-9 months of winterishness a year. XP

I think this is good advice. Don't fall into the trap of "OH NO I ATE JUNK I HAVE TO GO WORK IT OFF NOW OR I WILL DIEEEE". It's okay to eat junk sometimes. A balanced diet is what's most important. And yeah, organic is nice, but be practical about it. In my area, organic veggies are smaller and more expensive, so I feel it's not really worth it.

Edit: Growing things is also hard when you live in an apartment with no yard, a small porch, and all your windows face the north. >_<

[Sammy Boy]

@Sammy: For abs, supine bicycles work well, basically you get into a sit-up position laying on the ground with your legs bent and in the air and your arms behind your head. Then bring one knee "up" while bringing the opposite elbow across to meet in the middle, then switch sides. Just don't pull on your neck. It's a military excercise so I'm sure you'll be able to find a video demo. I may have the name wrong too... XP

As for cardio, I think swimming may be one of the best ways to improve that. But that could have been aerobic... Anyways, cycling, swimming, and martial arts(yeahyeah, I'm biased. XD) if done with commitment are great.

Thanks for the tip.

Gonna check it out once this flu / cold virus leaves my system (probably not a good idea to exercise when sick).

[Shao Feng-Li]

Regarding food...

I haven't done a lot of research, but I think eating healthy can also be very easy on the wallet. Eggs, chicken, sandwiches with good meats and veggies are all really easy and tastes better than prepackaged stuff- and a lot cheaper.

Like, for the price of one Subway meal I can buy a few things to last a week for lunches at work.

[christianfriend]

I dance DDR on my PS2 for around 2 hours

That's so funny, because I recently hunted down my DDR game and started playing to get some fun exercise on rainy days...which is a lot of the time here in Oregon, lol. It's great fun and a nice little workout for now. But I am looking to get an exercise bike soon since that helped me loose a lot of weight last summer and helped me stay fit. I also am doing Yoga-like exercises in the morning to work my middle section since DDR and riding an exercise bike doesn't do a whole lot for that area.

[Arya Raiin]

Let's see... I don't walk much. I'll admit it. XD

I do all sorts of floor exercises from sits-ups to jumping jacks to yoga and weight lifting for about 15 minutes. I'm one of the most flexible people I know. I need to loose another 50 lbs. to be at my ideal weight. I eat about 12,000-13,000 calories a day I believe... well except on Sundays. ^.^;

[ShiroiHikari]

You mean thirteen hundred calories...? Thirteen thousand is...more than anyone could reasonably consume in a day.

[Furen]

I should start but I'm too lazy, and if this last week is similar to my work schedule constantlly, I'll be good doing that.

[Dante]

I decide to start walking more and what happens? The temperature decides to hit the nineties. We've got forecasts up to 96 (and that's always low) and frankly - it's too darn soon. Bring on the next ice age!

[aliveinHim]

I had an excellent workout! When I was babysitting my associate's pastor kids, they asked for piggy back rides but instead of me walking, they wanted me to hop. That was sooo tiring.

[ShiroiHikari]

I've actually been considering giving yoga a try. It's apparently a pretty good way to get in shape and it's not really high impact like running or aerobics (I have crappy knees). Anyone here have any experience with it?