Trying to Get in Shape

[notslow]

it also depends on what your goal is, getting ripped and building muscle, or toning your body to get in shape. i would tone to get in shape, too much muscle for your frame is a waste - and it doesnt mean your body is healthy.

exactly. My goals are health first, muscle second. I want to eat better, treat myself better and get a better tone and a slightly bigger build. I don't want to stack muscle and get jacked. I have a small frame anyways so I would probably look like a freak if I got madly ripped.

[mmm240]

I hear it's advised to stay away from fruit juice

[etschell]

fruit juice has less nutritional value. same with apple sauce which is just sugar. eat whole fruits and vegatables, protiens, grains, etc. just a well balanced diet. id seriously invest in crunches every day, working your way up to it. push ups id do 3-4 times per week, in sets.

[marlin29311]

ok so for the last 4 days I have been swimming laps, each time increasing the amount I do. This morning I woke up much earlier than usual and did a jog followed by a cereal breakfast. In the later morning I followed up with fruit and juice and tonight after work I will do some light stuff at the house. I will start with push ups, sit-ups, and chin ups and then tomorrow I think I will go to the gym.

Try eating before running or working out - you're depriving your body of nutrients that it wants/needs by doing activity before eating.

Its best to actually work out later in the day, simply because of the way your body works. Your body is more apt to reparing muscles later in the day and more apt to breaking down muscle in the morning (I don't recall the enzynmes...)

I'm not saying that morning workouts are bad (they're very good!), but if it's possible, working out in the evening is better for your body.

Those thingd are a waste of time.. makchines in general are a waste of time. Some do the job but free weights is the only way to notice any kind of gain and change in muscle strength and tone.

Show me how to do a compound row with free weights

Lifting is lifting - whether it's using free weights or ISO machines or compound machines.

Unless you were just targeting the link someone posted up with that stupid bike device - then yes, things like that are useless

[etschell]

+1, i always work out after work and do sit ups towards the night. no wonder its works well. plus i use it as a stress relief. the only thing I do during the day time is play basketball once or twice on weekends.

[Looneybomber]

Show me how to do a compound row with free weights

Ask and you shall receiveAs an added benefit, this also works your lower back and hamstrings some.

Nearly everything can be done with free weights with a little imagination. Leg curls, however, can't comfortably be done though. A machine (or cables) is required.

I don't want to stack muscle and get jacked. I have a small frame anyways so I would probably look like a freak if I got madly ripped.

LOL, trust me, you won't! That's the biggest crock of sh.. I hear from people, though it's typically heard from women. "I want to lift weights, but I don't want to get all big and bulky". Simple, once you get to where you think you're too big, STOP LIFTING!

See you in about three years, maybe by then you'll have more muscle mass than you want.

[frapjap]

Any updates, Kevin?

How's it working out for you?

[pancho y onions]

ok so for the last 4 days I have been swimming laps, each time increasing the amount I do. This morning I woke up much earlier than usual and did a jog followed by a cereal breakfast. In the later morning I followed up with fruit and juice and tonight after work I will do some light stuff at the house. I will start with push ups, sit-ups, and chin ups and then tomorrow I think I will go to the gym.

Ya just said it yourself. Those are the kind of steps to follow. And then once a week reward yourself with something with something a bit of fat in it. But that what ya just said is the best way to do things.

[notslow]

Any updates, Kevin?

How's it working out for you?

Its going well! I am sleeping better, eating healthier (actually having real breakfasts in the morning). My muscles were a little sore at first from not 'really' being used in a while but I'm feeling much better already. My roommate picked up a workout gym that I have been using on days between actually going to the gym. I still do swimming the most. Its been too cold the past couple days to run but I did last week. I haven't quite got in the 'Daniel Craig' routine yet but I will in time. haha

Thanks again Ray

[S13RainSpecialist]

hmmmm i feel your pain im trying to get into shape too but it gets very boring and since its cold here (i do jogging) i cant jog till the summer i already got sick

[mmm240]

Hands and head man, keep your hands and head warm

[notslow]

ya I got a hat that I throw on but it gets well below freezing in the mornings here. Should get much warmer in the next couple weeks hopefully.