Are you in good shape?

[partofme]

So my wife and I are thinking about joining a gym. Up until I sold the business I never exercised but now I'm doing some cardio workouts at home. I have high blood pressure and would like to get it in check without having to depend on medication. My wife does not ever exercise. Do any of you exercise regularly and if so how much and what sort of exercise.

[Greendruid]

I'm in decent shape for my age judging by what I've seen on recent visits home with people who do the same thing as me for a living. I have to my advantage the fact that I'm a part-time farmer and I use very few "modern" implements in my farming. In fact I'm in the process of turning my soil over and creating beds for garlic using only a pitch fork. Anything that I build is done by hand and I rarely use a power saw though sometimes a cordless drill is bloody handy when dealing with greenwood. I also have three dogs that love their runs through the fields so I walk a heck of a lot too. I don't have time for exercise in the modern sense of the activity. I think I get plenty just having a farm but we'll see what my 40s bring I suppose. Oh, I also eat two free-range eggs a day and my cholesterol is perfect. I don't know if it would be if those were store-bought, cage-raised eggs. I'm convinced that diet has a huge impact on anything that you do as exercise.

[partofme]

I'm in decent shape for my age judging by what I've seen on recent visits home with people who do the same thing as me for a living. I have to my advantage the fact that I'm a part-time farmer and I use very few "modern" implements in my farming. In fact I'm in the process of turning my soil over and creating beds for garlic using only a pitch fork. Anything that I build is done by hand and I rarely use a power saw though sometimes a cordless drill is bloody handy when dealing with greenwood. I also have three dogs that love their runs through the fields so I walk a heck of a lot too. I don't have time for exercise in the modern sense of the activity. I think I get plenty just having a farm but we'll see what my 40s bring I suppose. Oh, I also eat two free-range eggs a day and my cholesterol is perfect. I don't know if it would be if those were store-bought, cage-raised eggs. I'm convinced that diet has a huge impact on anything that you do as exercise.

That sounds good. I would love to be able to be physically active while working. The idea of working all day and then going to the gym for a few more hours, then going home and chasing my kids around until sleep time sounds exhausting. Killing two birds with one stone would help.

[Sucre]

One to three times a week work out - either pilatis, which is very relaxing and good workout at the same time - and what they call "body shape", exercices in music.

I have been member of a sport studio since the age of twenty. Before that we were studying Jane Fonda with my sister.

I wouldn't be able to live without it. You need a balance between mind and body in your life. I am thinking of starting joga.

[Sucre]

That sounds good. I would love to be able to be physically active while working. The idea of working all day and then going to the gym for a few more hours, then going home and chasing my kids around until sleep time sounds exhausting. Killing two birds with one stone would help.
No, no : one supports the other !

This time at the gym is only yours : it belongs neither to your boss nor to your wife nor to your demanding friends nor to your kids - just to you.

[Multiplum]

I work out now and then, eat well and have been blessed with good genes. Doesn't really matter how much I eat or what I eat.

[partofme]

One to three times a week work out - either pilatis, which is very relaxing and good workout at the same time - and what they call "body shape", exercices in music.

I have been member of a sport studio since the age of twenty. Before that we were studying Jane Fonda with my sister.

I wouldn't be able to live without it. You need a balance between mind and body in your life. I am thinking of starting joga.

They have a kickboxing program that you pretty much go to every day and follow a dietitians rules alone with meeting goals for doing so much of various exercises. It sounds pretty cool but I know my wife would not be able to completely do it with her work schedule. I'm thinking about it though.

[Americano]

So my wife and I are thinking about joining a gym. Up until I sold the business I never exercised but now I'm doing some cardio workouts at home. I have high blood pressure and would like to get it in check without having to depend on medication. My wife does not ever exercise. Do any of you exercise regularly and if so how much and what sort of exercise.

My wife belongs to a health club, swims 3-4 times weekly. I covert snags (dead trees) into firewood while I drink beer. We eat in a very healthy and cautious manner, which I believe is the key to good health.

[partofme]

My wife belongs to a health club, swims 3-4 times weekly. I covert snags (dead trees) into firewood while I drink beer. We eat in a very healthy and cautious manner, which I believe is the key to good health.

I think that one thing that keeps people from eating better is that health food is rarely as convenient as unhealthy food. People with little time on their hands find it much harder. I've been giving it a try lately but the amount of things I could come up with that are healthy and quick or easy to make is quite limited. Any good suggestions? :)

[Michael]

I'm in fairly good shape - one of those lucky people with a slim athletic build and a naturally high metabolism. :)

That being said, I've always done callisthenics at home (pushups, situps and kneebends) once or twice a week - been doing this since I was a teenager. Other than that, I do play a bit of raquet ball (which is a silly game where you chase a little ball around a little room and sweat for 45 minutes).

And I also pay attention to my food intake - almost 95% is home-cooked from scratch. No fast-food or frozen crap at all.

The only 'snackfood' at home is nuts (almonds, cashews or pistachios) or plain popcorn (no salt, no butter).

I've always worked on the theory that its easier to stay in shape than to get in shape - or easier to stay slim than to loose weight. But this takes a fairly high level of self-discipline, good genes and a stress-free lifestyle. :)

[Michael]

I work out now and then, eat well and have been blessed with good genes. Doesn't really matter how much I eat or what I eat.
I would have said the same thing when I was 21. Twenty years later, things start to change... ;)

Freaks me out the amount of upper-body muscle mass I've lost in the last few years.

[SMadsen]

I'm freaked out by the amount of muscle mass that has turned into a much less identifiable mass.

[drgoodtrips]

Growing up, I played sports constantly, all the way through high school (football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball) and was naturally in good shape because of a year round regiment of athletics. I also took martial arts for a lot of years. In college there was intra-murals, but after that... nothing. :(

At the moment, I'm not in very good shape for me, and could probably trim about 10 pounds. I'm lucky enough from a genetics standpoint - I'll gain a bit of weight, but there seems to be some kind of "ceiling" at which I stop no matter what or how much I eat (i.e. if I'm comfortable with being a little heavier than I should be, I can stuff cheeseburgers and cream pies in my mouth all day without becoming obese). My natural metabolism also works against me, in a sense, as well. That is, when I lift weights regularly, I have to be very mindful to do low weight, high reps, because I don't get "cut" like a Calvin Klein model - I get massive, life a defensive lineman.

Regarding gyms, I had a Bally Fitness membership for several years after college, and was pretty good about working out for a while (I've kind of given up now, working 45-50 hours per week, spending another 10-20 on grad school, and fixing up my place). My experience is that a lot of people fork over money for gym membership thinking that the money will force you to go a lot and get your "money's worth", but this doesn't always bear fruit. Sometimes you just fork over the money and don't make it worth your while because (especially in the winter) of what a pain in the ass it is to pack a bag, drive, change in the locker room, blah, blah, blah. There are also a lot of shitty people at gyms - "gym rats", idiots cruising for tail, people shaped like tops screaming while lifting free weights, etc. So, the facilities are great, but don't delude yourself into thinking you'll take advantage of all kinds of programs and get into the "culture" unless you're the type to really run with things.

In my last apartment complex, there was a workout room, and, while it wasn't nearly as well equipped as a professional gym, it did the trick. I would run on the treadmill while watching Bulls or Cubs games and then use the weight machines in there. Now, having my own place (and if I had time), my natural inclination would be to invest in a treadmill or eliptical machine for my basement, along with a set of free weights and bench. I have a TV down there, and motivating yourself to walk downstairs and workout in private, in front of your TV is a lot easier than motivating yourself to brave the snow and drive 20 minutes to be surrounded by sweaty mouthbreathers trying to position themselves to stare at the asses of the women on the excercise bikes ;)

[Michael]

I'm freaked out by the amount of muscle mass that has turned into a much less identifiable mass.
Yes, my long cherished "six-pack abs" are no longer visibly distinct.

[Donkey]

I'm in pretty decent shape by weight standards. Actually, I'm pretty skinny and the only reason that I'm "big" is that I have a big frame. Last semester I got into a pretty good gym routine, and I'd like to pick that back up; I'd like to actually put on a little muscle weight.

I'm in much less good shape when it comes to cardio. That's probably something that I should work on more than anything else. My endurance is not what it could be. Fortunately we have ellipticals in our gym because the treadmill is a high impact exercise and it's brutal on my knees. (I have really bad knees, genetically. I need to see a physical therapist because sometimes it hurts walking up stairs. :erm: Too soon!)

[partofme]

Growing up, I played sports constantly, all the way through high school (football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball) and was naturally in good shape because of a year round regiment of athletics. I also took martial arts for a lot of years. In college there was intra-murals, but after that... nothing. :(

At the moment, I'm not in very good shape for me, and could probably trim about 10 pounds. I'm lucky enough from a genetics standpoint - I'll gain a bit of weight, but there seems to be some kind of "ceiling" at which I stop no matter what or how much I eat (i.e. if I'm comfortable with being a little heavier than I should be, I can stuff cheeseburgers and cream pies in my mouth all day without becoming obese). My natural metabolism also works against me, in a sense, as well. That is, when I lift weights regularly, I have to be very mindful to do low weight, high reps, because I don't get "cut" like a Calvin Klein model - I get massive, life a defensive lineman.

Regarding gyms, I had a Bally Fitness membership for several years after college, and was pretty good about working out for a while (I've kind of given up now, working 45-50 hours per week, spending another 10-20 on grad school, and fixing up my place). My experience is that a lot of people fork over money for gym membership thinking that the money will force you to go a lot and get your "money's worth", but this doesn't always bear fruit. Sometimes you just fork over the money and don't make it worth your while because (especially in the winter) of what a pain in the ass it is to pack a bag, drive, change in the locker room, blah, blah, blah. There are also a lot of shitty people at gyms - "gym rats", idiots cruising for tail, people shaped like tops screaming while lifting free weights, etc. So, the facilities are great, but don't delude yourself into thinking you'll take advantage of all kinds of programs and get into the "culture" unless you're the type to really run with things.

In my last apartment complex, there was a workout room, and, while it wasn't nearly as well equipped as a professional gym, it did the trick. I would run on the treadmill while watching Bulls or Cubs games and then use the weight machines in there. Now, having my own place (and if I had time), my natural inclination would be to invest in a treadmill or eliptical machine for my basement, along with a set of free weights and bench. I have a TV down there, and motivating yourself to walk downstairs and workout in private, in front of your TV is a lot easier than motivating yourself to brave the snow and drive 20 minutes to be surrounded by sweaty mouthbreathers trying to position themselves to stare at the asses of the women on the excercise bikes ;)


I would rather just buy my own equipment but my kids would fuck it up. That and gyms have day care service. When they are older I'll probably buy a good treadmill or eliptical.

[Michael]

When they are older I'll probably buy a good treadmill or eliptical.
They are very popular items at garage sales. Almost new, never used. :rofl:

[drgoodtrips]

They are very popular items at garage sales. Almost new, never used. :rofl:
You do see that an awful lot. Personally, I can speak from experience that I'd use one if I'd purchased it. I'm not out shopping for one because I realize that, for a while, regular exercise probably isn't on the docket for me (I have a bicycle gathering dust in my basement that I'd ridden a lot in previous summers, but not this year).

But, when I did have the time, I used to make the trek to the apartment complex gym to use the treadmill, so I'm fairly confident I'd make it to my basement.

[partofme]

So far just doing a cardio workout at home I never miss a day and I'm pretty sure I would much rather be using a machine.

[Michael]

But, when I did have the time, I used to make the trek to the apartment complex gym to use the treadmill, so I'm fairly confident I'd make it to my basement.
Probably true. If you do actually use that kind of equipment, then buying your own makes sense.

I think most of the 'garage sale' exercise equipment was bought by someone who thought buying it was a good idea - but the reality fell short because they've never exercised a day in their lives before they bought the equipment.

My own parents bought a stationery bicycle as well as that Nordic-track thing over the years. I don't think either device was ever used by anyone before being 'garage saled'.

[Multiplum]

Also, I read somewhere on the internet that girls prefer guys who look fit.

Damn, I'm going to the gym tomorrow.

[partofme]

We are probably going to start some time next week but in the mean time I haven't been able to exercise at home because I hurt my ankle and aerobics make my balls sore.

[bug]

I am hot. Damn, I look good. I got that way by smoking, getting 11 hours of sleep a day, asking people to carry me up stairs cause I don't feel like doing all that work, and trying to limit myself to three dinners of pizza a week. Highly recommended.

Now that everyone hates me....for quick healthy food, Green Giant makes these instant veggie things that are pretty good and don't need anything added....http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/green-giant/Green-Giant-New-Products.htm Yum.

[partofme]

I am hot. Damn, I look good. I got that way by smoking, getting 11 hours of sleep a day, asking people to carry me up stairs cause I don't feel like doing all that work, and trying to limit myself to three dinners of pizza a week. Highly recommended.

Now that everyone hates me....for quick healthy food, Green Giant makes these instant veggie things that are pretty good and don't need anything added....http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/green-giant/Green-Giant-New-Products.htm Yum.

Those look pretty good. I always thought there is room for more quick and convenient healthy meals.

[partofme]

Well I went ahead and joined a gym today. My legs need quite a bit of work so I mainly just spent my time on the treadmill. I'm pretty damn tired.

[Multiplum]

Well I went ahead and joined a gym today. My legs need quite a bit of work so I mainly just spent my time on the treadmill. I'm pretty damn tired.

I've started again, too. A few workouts later, and I can feel a noticeable increase in mood straight after working out. Working out is chemically addictive. A good kind of addiction, too.

[partofme]

I've started again, too. A few workouts later, and I can feel a noticeable increase in mood straight after working out. Working out is chemically addictive. A good kind of addiction, too.

I've also heard it improves the quality of sleep by increasing the time a person is in a deeper sleep. I hope that is the case.

[wphelan]

I was in the best shape I'd been in for a long time back in about August. From April through August I'd managed to stay with a pretty regular routine and felt great. Then I messed up my hip playing in a summer softball league (I shouldn't have slid into third!). It wasn't serious, but it set me back a few weeks. Then fall came, and that's the busiest time of year for me with work (I'm in agriculture). I've essentially done nothing to stay in shape since then.

All that being said, I'm still in decent shape thanks to my work keeping me active most of the time. Still, I've felt a bit sluggish lately and have been thinking that it's about time I get back in gear. I finally got the motivation to start today and did a two-mile run. As much as I hate running, I have to admit I usually feel pretty good after I get done. I've got a little extra motivation to get in back in shape lately, so hopefully I'll keep it up. I kind of like this runner's high!

[Sucre]

Working out is like drug and addiction.

[partofme]

Working out is like drug and addiction.

It seems that way at the moment. I have this weird thing in which I keep going and going until my legs feel like jelly. It helps me sleep like a baby but it sure does hurt the next morning.

[Americano]

It seems that way at the moment. I have this weird thing in which I keep going and going until my legs feel like jelly. It helps me sleep like a baby but it sure does hurt the next morning.

It's a shame you're not a neighbor. Splitting a few cords of Black Oak and Madrone rounds would be all you'd need. A planned program, start on dry and work up to green rounds for motivation. I wouldn't charge you for doing it and (if you're not facing drug screens) primo bud for break periods.

Too bad.

[Sucre]

Too bad.
That shouldn't be an excuse :D, ;).

[Korimyr the Rat]

I'm in pretty good shape for a big fat cripple.

Been walking without my cane for almost two years now, and I can work the heavy bag for a three minute round without fainting-- though it still causes more chest pain than I'm comfortable with in a casual workout. Been trying to make more room in my apartment for calisthenics, and I've been grabbing workouts here and there at friends' homes.

Probably going to reinstate my gym membership within a month or two of getting a job, and I've started acquiring Yoga and Tai Chi videos for beginners-- to build up to more serious practice.

[partofme]

After all this time I'm only now able to jog for 15 minutes straight. I'm surprised as to how long it takes to build up stamina and lung capacity.

[drgoodtrips]

After all this time I'm only now able to jog for 15 minutes straight. I'm surprised as to how long it takes to build up stamina and lung capacity.

I think that varies from person to person. I smoke and haven't gone for a serious jog in a long time, but I'm pretty sure I could run for a half hour to forty minutes without much trouble. I can't sprint to save my life, but I never had any trouble building/regaining stamina very quickly.

[partofme]

I think that varies from person to person. I smoke and haven't gone for a serious jog in a long time, but I'm pretty sure I could run for a half hour to forty minutes without much trouble. I can't sprint to save my life, but I never had any trouble building/regaining stamina very quickly.

I smoked for a long time but I quiet about six months ago. I think the main problem is that I haven't really exercised on a long regular basis since high school. I did take it up temporarily a few years ago but once I had my first kid that was over.

[wphelan]

So, how go the workouts? Summer is nearly here. It's a good time of year to get in shape!

[partofme]

I still do cardio a few days a week but that is all. Mostly jogging and elliptical.

[Donkey]

I probably have the best muscle to fat ratio of my life at the moment. (ok, maybe a couple of weeks ago probably). I don't know if I can still get into the school's gym. I need to work on my sprinting capabilities.

[Korimyr the Rat]

Well, I'm in lousy shape now. Anxiety is keeping my HR and BP so high that I can't risk exercise-- despite eating my tranquilizers like candy-- and I'm about to go back on anti-psychotic meds that will make me blow up like a balloon.

Then again, if they normalize my heart rate, I might be able to just force my way through the fatigue in order to stay in shape. Will have to wait and see.