Fitness thread anyone?

[nissangirl74]

RAY:

I like to drink tea but I don't like a lot of sugar in it. Which is better for you for sweetening without all the calories of sugar? Sweet 'n low, Equal, or Splenda?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

BUMP

I've been hitting the gym pretty hard lately... treadmill, abs, arms, etc. Weight loss seems to have stalled, but I'm still losing body fat. Ready to go down another belt notch... I actually might have to buy ANOTHER new belt soon

[nissangirl74]

I'll bring you mine. I don't think I'm ever gonna need mine again.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

415 calories at the gym tonight, not including weights, abs, pullups, etc... 415 calories of just cardio. Don't know if that's particularly good or not, but I'm hungry as all hell.

[93coupe]

I have always wondered about how many calories I should be burning while I workout. Michele and I were just talking about it tonight too.

Also, when I lift, I always feel like I could keep going for another million sets. I think I am doing something wrong. Should I feel like death after a workout?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I wonder as well. When I lift, I tend to go until I just really don't want to go any more. Not really to the point of failure, but to the point of "If I do 2 or 3 more, I'll probably regret it".

Cardio on the other hand, I feel like I can just go forever (after taking small breaks that is).

[nissangirl74]

I have always wondered about how many calories I should be burning while I workout. Michele and I were just talking about it tonight too.

Also, when I lift, I always feel like I could keep going for another million sets. I think I am doing something wrong. Should I feel like death after a workout?

You don't have to push yourself to the point of pain to get a good workout.


When I get on a treadmill, I don't ever feel like stopping. especially if i have an ipod or am watching TV. I'll keep going until someone points out I have been on the damn thing for three hours.

[PEZi]

i go till failure whenever i have a spotter.... otherwise i go until i feel like it

this thread is old....

BTW.... my goal of gaining weight seems to be failing.... i keep losing more... i'm stronger tho... so i guess that's a good thing

[Dire91]

Also, when I lift, I always feel like I could keep going for another million sets. I think I am doing something wrong. Should I feel like death after a workout?

Not exactly. You shouldn't feel like death after you have been working out for a while. You lose the feeling of getting sore as your body adapts to your workout schedule. I don't get sore anymore unless I miss a couple workouts. It also depends what you are trying to do.

Anyways my weight has seemed to cap off at around 185, I'm getting stronger but don't seem to be gaining any weight. It's probably this s*** cafeteria food and once I'm back home hopefully I can make that last stretch to 200lbs.

[frapjap]

RAY:

I like to drink tea but I don't like a lot of sugar in it. Which is better for you for sweetening without all the calories of sugar? Sweet 'n low, Equal, or Splenda?

Sorry, I hven't signed on much lately!
All of those sweetners essentially do the same thing- trick your body system into thinking there is sugar and releasing insulin. When your body figures out that there actually isn't any sugar and realizes that you tricked it, it'll raise your blood sugar and store the insulin. After extended periods of time, that response will cause hypoglycemia and you'll end up eating more calories at the next meal in an effort to help dissipate the buildup. Which as we know, without exercise, will cause you to gain weight and leads to, well...you get the picture. Heres a good article on the subject: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/570145


So, to answer your question-
If you are solely using these to sweeten your tea in place of sugar and not as a calorie reduction (like those who switch to diet from regular soda), then you shoulnd't have the above response.
My personal opinion is that if you don't need artificial sweeteners (or aren't diabetic) don't use them. Your body knows exactly what to do with sugar and will process it as such. Treat your sweetened tea just like anything else that isn't nutrient dense- with moderation. Try cutting back on the amount of sugar that you add to your pitcher or glass each time you make it until you're using comfortably less without saccerficing to much of what you love. Also, another AWESOME replacement (note- not a subistute) for table sugar is Agave Necter. Its 1-2x sweeter than sugar, so you'll use less. It also tastes great and dillutes in liquid very well. I love the stuff. Definitely give it a try!
http://www.allaboutagave.com/
Madhava makes my favorite. Easily found in a grocery store or Whole Foods.

[RobPaulson]

AWESOME! glad this thread is back, and on topic with becky, I just picked up agave nectur from costco! awesome value! great stuff.

also, i have been doing crossfit for almost 2 full weeks now. i can't say enough good things about it. it is absolutely, without a doubt, the answer to my fitness questions, desires, and needs. I have been eating ~80/20 paleo for about a month now and i feel GREAT. I actually havent lost any weight at all yet, however, I am down a belt loop, so w00t!

after a month of totally avoiding processed foods and grains, I can honestly say I feel like a million bucks. I wake up with more energy (after an off day anyway, after a crossfit workout I am absolutely beat haha), feel better, zero gastro issues (I am lactose intolerant and have always had bloating and stomach cramps =/ ), and still love all the food i eat! it's given me a new focus in life, I look forward to preparing meals and going to crossfit every day!

So, all in all,

Monday I did 70 kettle ball swings and 70 wall-balls in 10mins.

Yesterday we did 21-15-9, of overhead squats, squat walks, and burpees.

w00f my legs r killin me, never hurt so goooooddddd!

EDIT: AGAIN: LOL
This is what i made last night... paleo pizza. mmmm


This is an average dinner for me...

[frapjap]

The paleo diet is a good guideline to follow. It definitely promotes better nutritional habits without sacrificing to much because it allows a plan that is defined, allowable, accountable, quantifiable, and forgivable. I used to give it to people I just couldn't get through to by any means, and to meatheads who had a tough time comprehending anything but "I can bench more than you."

However, it SEVERELY lacks simple carbohydrates- pasta, wheat bread, rice, potatoes.
Think about it- whole civilizations have been founded and survived on those items! Many of them (rural china, France, Portugese, and the Irish for instance) STILL have them as large parts of their diet and don't have the obesity problem that Americans do! To regard them as "bad" aggrevates me.

As for my plan- cardio has been down to ~4miles per week running. Same with biking. No good (at least for me)! But I have been weight training heavily after a hiatus. Mostly due to traveling for work- which sucks on occasion. However, I usually get spoiled with excellent food from customers or clients and I enjoy my fair share of whatever that might be. I save my "bad calorie days" for really, really good food that I normally wouldn't order instead of "blowing them" on sodas, ice cream, hamburgers, alcohol, and candy bars. Its goota be worth my calories to me. Some people have simple cravings, I have expensive vices and WILL NOT pass on that Foie Gras Souffle!!

I'm up at 160lbs right now, but thats my "cut it out" weight. I typically don't allow myself to weigh more than 162 for a consistent week at a time. Day to day will always change, but a rough estimate and average of your daily weigh in will keep you on track.

[RobPaulson]

I save my "bad calorie days" for really, really good food that I normally wouldn't order instead of "blowing them" on sodas, ice cream, hamburgers, alcohol, and candy bars. Its goota be worth my calories to me. Some people have simple cravings, I have expensive vices and WILL NOT pass on that Foie Gras Souffle!!

haha thats EXACTLY how i feel. I ordered this awesome sammich from a local resteraunt the other day, I got it and the prosciutto was absolutely awful, seemed old, and was very tough(no idea what was up, this place has good food usually). It was the first time i ever sent something back. I'm not blowing the 20% of my 80-20 mentality some some crap a** meal that doesnt taste out of this world. no way. if i cheat, its going to be exquisite food.

[numbnuts240]

or an amazing philly cheesesteak.

[PoorManQ45]

I've been following this thread since the beginning.

I'm just too lazy to work out.

I've taken a different approach. I simply stopped eating so much. When this thread started I was 220lbs. I am now 202lbs. That's with no change in physical activity.

Note: I am 6'1

[93coupe]

or an amazing philly cheesesteak.

Or calamari.

[RobPaulson]

or an amazing philly cheesesteak.

abso-phukn-lewtly. I can't wait. Zomg.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I did a 3 mile run tonight and a little bit on a bike... 470 calories. In addition, I also did ab workouts and some strength training. Now I can't sleep, and I have to be up in like 6 hours.

[nissangirl74]

Don't go to bed?

[RobPaulson]

Yesterdays workout was:
30 Box Jumps
15 Shoulder press with dumbbells

4 sets

finished in 11mins, damn those box jumps get crazy when you start getting tired, you really have to focus so you dont slip and split your leg open :eek 5 more 'on ramp' classes left and i get thrown in with the general population, cant wait

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Glad this popped back up.

Rob is pretty f***' impressive. Crossfit > all that Tony Horton P90X s***. 90 days! I bet most people drop it after a week.

On subject, does anybody have a suggestion for vacations? Just left on a week-long one and need a gym. Is there a chain that doesn't suck balls?

[RobPaulson]

crossfit has a chapter in cayman =) thats where i'm going in july!

and to update...

this is the last week of my 'on ramp' crossfit experience. NExt week i begin my full out training. I participated in a full blown workout last week due to some schedule conflicts with the 'on ramp' classes. It was epic, i am absolutely 100% hooked on xfit. if this bish is a cult, pass me the koolaid y0.

I also started taking whey protein with a small amount of creatine and nitrogen in it... my recovery time is way too slow after a month of this stuff. I wanted to pick up the progress a bit. Its not paleo but... i dont think it'll be negative at all.

New 1 year goal, watch it with sound, gets me so pumped/motivated lol, its a regional qualifications event, most of the people it focuses on go to my gym!
(facebook video, u have to log in, sorry)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=557504380079

How is everyone else comin along??

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I was 165 before Carlisle, 167 as of this morning. Ray and I estimated we drank well in excess of 2000 calories worth of beer on sat night (each). I DID order off the "right portion" menu at Friday's, but that was just so I could drink more beer later. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Been to the gym every day this week, although I immediately went to the bar on Monday after getting out. I drank Mich Ultras though.

[RobPaulson]

Nice meng! keep that shyt up dude.

aye, i have officially decided to cut back the alcohol. 4-5 beers a night is no bueno. WWAAAYYYYY to many calories, i was hovering around 195-197, one night of not drinking and i'm 191.... win. My diet and workout effort are just too much to destroy it daily with that much beer. time to keep it goin. going to start running on my off days from crossfit too. time to get intense up in this bish. w00f.

yesterdays workout:
1 Hang power snatch into 3 OH squats.
6 full Med-ball clings (ground to squat-up to ground)
15minutes, as many as you can do.

7 Sets completed.

[Looneybomber]

On subject, does anybody have a suggestion for vacations? Just left on a week-long one and need a gym. Is there a chain that doesn't suck balls?

All hotels have a set of stairs. You can run up and down them. Jump, both feet together, up the stairs and crawl down them. Walk up, skipping 2, 3 or 4 stairs.

[93coupe]

Michele got me a 60lb weight vest for my birthday. This thing is no joke. My chin up went from twenty down to five. I am doing everything with it on, including my standing curls (I can't really think if there is any benefit to this but I don't see how it can hurt either).

[legion]

Hey guys, just started reading this thread and it's a cool idea!
I recently just started working out with a group of my friends the past 3 nights (and counting). One of my friends plays baseball in college so he is showing us some of the work out regiments they do and I must say after 3 nights I am DEAD but in a very good way
So my specs are:
6"2 around 153.4lbs, 7% body fat, 69.5%TBW and 135.4 lean muscle weight. Goals: I want to gain at LEAST 10 lbs of muscle, even more if I can!!
I'll try to get around to posting a picture later.

This is a picture after my 3rd night of working out. This will be my reference picture that I will compare to in a few weeks.

[ThatGuyRoger]

It's been a while since I've posted, but I'll give an update how I've been. I've been running consistently 3 times a week for 9 weeks in preparation for Beach to Bay relay marathon this weekend. At first I started running 20 minutes for the first few weeks then moving up in time by 3 minute increments until I was running for 30 minutes. Then I started running for distance starting with 3 miles and I was averaging a little over a 10 minute mile. About two weeks ago, I was running 4 miles 3 times a week and now I'm averaging and 8:40 mile. I'd like for it to have been faster, but some weeks I slacked off, but I feel good about the run this weekend. I haven't weighed myself lately but I will get that once i replace the batteries on my scale.

[cellardoorv]

I need a little bit of gym help.

So I joined a gym (Planet Fitness, if any are familiar) finally, and I go by myself, and for now, have been doing an hour on the Arc Trainer, a hybrid baby of a Stairmaster and an Elliptical. Which is fine, for cardio. I see a lot of machines to work muscles, yet don't know anything about them. I know I need to use them if I want to see the results I'm looking for (overall tone and tightness) but I don't know WHAT exactly I'm looking for or what I'm supposed to do once I'm on them, and for how long.

Any tips?

[AppleBonker]

I could've given some better explanation at Carlisle. It's kind of hard to explain without demonstrations. All I can say is find the decent looking folks (fitness-wise) at the gym and talk to them. When I was in better shape, people would approach me occasionally and ask for pointers. I was always glad to help. I know for a fact I don't know everything, but I'm always willing to provide any knowledge I have based on my experience. I have a strong feeling that most others will be the same way. Also, for you I'd talk to the fit chicks. The guys will have a completely different way of going about things.