Fitness Challenge???

[FBPirate95]

Ok so I went to the doctors office the other day for a check up. As I expected, my blood pressure is running borderline pre-hypertension. I figured that would be the case because I am weighing more than I ever have. The doctor's remedy of course is to lose weight. Easier said than done right??

I was wondering if we had enough of us in shape guys (yes round is a shape) that would like to get into better shape. We could start by posting our weights and updating them weekly. I think the encouragement from others would help spur us on to keep up the weight loss. Anyone else with me?

 

[642mx]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Kind of like a "biggest loser of iboats"....

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Kind of like a "biggest loser of iboats"....

Exactly...lol

 

[642mx]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I don't know man.... this sounds like a lot of work...


Now if we could get Jillian Michaels on here to yell at me to work out harder.... then I'm ALL FOR IT!

 

[rbh]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

OK, so whose going to ref this?, I need to drop at least 25 pounds, but if I start running or pumping it up, I am going to gain at least 10 till every thing settles out
gentlemans bet?

 

[lowkee]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

In order to make it fair to all, you may wish to require participants to buy a body fat percentage scale. Any other method simply promotes starving rather than actual fitness.

Here is an example of the scale required: http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-400-Body-Monitor-Scale/dp/B000FJQ48I/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_6

Now, some will say, "Wow, $39 is a lot to spend!", but really now, we're talking your health and these things last longer than the $39 spent on excess food.

As for tracking results, might I suggest someone start up a google spreadsheet, so everyone can see cool graphs and at-a-glace comparisons. Plus, all participants can update their own results without having a 'head honcho' always be around to do it. This thread can be used just for bragging rights and stoning for those who gain fat.

 

[rbh]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

In order to make it fair to all, you may wish to require participants to buy a body fat percentage scale. Any other method simply promotes starving rather than actual fitness.

Here is an example of the scale required: http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-400-Body-Monitor-Scale/dp/B000FJQ48I/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_6

Now, some will say, "Wow, $39 is a lot to spend!", but really now, we're talking your health and these things last longer than the $39 spent on excess food.

As for tracking results, might I suggest someone start up a google spreadsheet, so everyone can see cool graphs and at-a-glace comparisons. Plus, all participants can update their own results without having a 'head honcho' always be around to do it. This thread can be used just for bragging rights and stoning for those who gain fat.

Lets work on the KISS princible, "keep it simple stupid" this time of year its hard to say no "YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN"
If this is a gentlemans agreament, we will take you at your word.
and interigate your love ones later
rob

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Great, a scale that not only tells me I'm fat, but I'm sick and gonna die too.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I was wondering if we had enough of us in shape guys (yes round is a shape) that would like to get into better shape. We could start by posting our weights and updating them weekly. I think the encouragement from others would help spur us on to keep up the weight loss. Anyone else with me?

I was actually having this exact thought the other day. I'm 32 but feel like I'm 62. I have a 2 year old son and I shouldn't feel this crappy just playing with him and just generally feeling like crap all the time. I need to lose somewhere between 25 and 50 pounds. I'd be up for it. But don't think cuz I'm a mod that I'll run the darn thing

 

[piper_chuck]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

This is a timely thread. Due to an event that happened last month I decided I need to shed major pounds and get in better shape. Part of it is related to wanting to be healthier and part is wanting to start waterskiing again this summer. Since I'll be turning 51 soon, I figure some conditioning is in order before I hit the lake.

I've already started the aerobic part of my plan. I've been hitting the treadmill at the local YMCA while my daughter is at swim team practice. Once I get a few weeks of that I will add lifting 3 days a week to the schedule. When warmer weather returns I will switch to running outdoors and start cycling again.

A google spreadsheet is a good idea because it allows people to enter their own numbers and perhaps inspire others.

 

[tommays]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I have been as high as 275# and and as low as 165# and am hanging at 185# as i cant really train hard anymore

AND I WOULD REALLY advise you guys and gals you really dont need to do anything more than walk 30 to 45 minutes a day at least 5 days a week and do some work with LIGHT weights

I am paying a very high price at 53 for the 25 years i stayed at a high level of fitness and just got some BAD news from the rheumatologist about KNEE issues from beating up my body from running

 

[mike64]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Yeah, this is a timely post for me too. I just re-joined a gym and want to lose about 30 lbs. of fat. My blood pressure's ok...high cholesterol is my problem.

Another point about tracking weight loss alone not being a good indicator of progress is, if you're working out as well as exercising (which I am), any muscle gain is going to offset weight loss from fat. Muscle weighs more than fat, so even a little muscle gain may make it look like you're not making much progress if you're just checking a scale.

 

[piper_chuck]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Yeah, this is a timely post for me too. I just re-joined a gym and want to lose about 30 lbs. of fat. My blood pressure's ok...high cholesterol is my problem.

Another point about tracking weight loss alone not being a good indicator of progress is, if you're working out as well as exercising (which I am), any muscle gain is going to offset weight loss from fat. Muscle weighs more than fat, so even a little muscle gain may make it look like you're not making much progress if you're just checking a scale.

Yup, muscle gain can offset some fat loss, but unless one is lifting major weights, there should still be weight loss. Once I start exercising again I track several things in addition to weight. These include time and distances for running and cycling and frequency and the amount I lift. Another primary measure of progress for me is quite simple, waist measurement. When my pants start getting too big I know I've made progress.

 

[mike64]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

...Another primary measure of progress for me is quite simple, waist measurement. When my pants start getting too big I know I've made progress.

Yeah, that's my main indicator too. Last winter when I joined a gym I went down a belt buckle notch (or a little more; it was a little loose at the new notch). Then spring came and I decided to quit because I'll be doing a lot more outside exercise, I don't need the gym anymore! I went back to the old belt notch in a month

 

[piper_chuck]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I have been as high as 275# and and as low as 165# and am hanging at 185# as i cant really train hard anymore

AND I WOULD REALLY advise you guys and gals you really dont need to do anything more than walk 30 to 45 minutes a day at least 5 days a week and do some work with LIGHT weights

Walking is definitely a good start, and duration and frequency are really important. I run and cycle because I enjoy both. Complete agreement on light weights. Unless one is trying to bulk up, there's no reason to risk injury by lifting massive weights. I'm starting out with light weights and higher reps. Since I'm prepping for waterski season, I will increase the weights some as spring approaches, but not to excess.

I am paying a very high price at 53 for the 25 years i stayed at a high level of fitness and just got some BAD news from the rheumatologist about KNEE issues from beating up my body from running

Bummer, sorry to hear that. I'm going easy on the running for this very reason. I pay close attention to how my knees feel, make sure I have good running shoes, and go easy on the distances.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I once hired a personal trainer for a summer in order to bulk up, and it worked wonders. If you have the extra cash, a personal trainer can not only teach you the proper methods of fitness, but also be there to annoy you into showing up for training each session. There were plenty of times I felt awful from the last session and he forced me to come in anyway, and I always left feeling better, not to mention I went from skinny geek to Mr. Huge Neck in a mere 5 months. Something I would have never attained on my own. By the end of my training I kept needing to add more weight to keep from feeling it was too easy, as my muscle mass was increasing at it very fast rate.

While working out, I did the whole milkshake thing with creatine, a vitamin and whey protein EVERY morning. As without vitamins and protein, you body will simply go into starvation mode, not health mode, and you will actually take longer to lose weight/gain muscle.

One rule of thumb my trainer taught me as to how to estimate a 'safe' amount of weights to lift.. If you can finish 3 sets of 10, but just barely, you have the proper amount of weight. Each set should be barely finishable, the end of the last set being downright evil. If you aren't pushing yourself, you are just wasting your time, as without slightly tearing old muscle, you don't get new muscle. That is just how it works.

I tell you, if you can even remotely swing it, do the personal trainer. You won't regret it, and you'll learn the proper way to get healthy, which will benefit you forever, not just the few months you've hired him.

 

[mike64]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

I once hired a personal trainer for a summer in order to bulk up, and it worked wonders. If you have the extra cash, a personal trainer can not only teach you the proper methods of fitness, but also be there to annoy you into showing up for training each session. There were plenty of times I felt awful from the last session and he forced me to come in anyway, and I always left feeling better, not to mention I went from skinny geek to Mr. Huge Neck in a mere 5 months. Something I would have never attained on my own. By the end of my training I kept needing to add more weight to keep from feeling it was too easy, as my muscle mass was increasing at it very fast rate.

While working out, I did the whole milkshake thing with creatine, a vitamin and whey protein EVERY morning. As without vitamins and protein, you body will simply go into starvation mode, not health mode, and you will actually take longer to lose weight/gain muscle.

One rule of thumb my trainer taught me as to how to estimate a 'safe' amount of weights to lift.. If you can finish 3 sets of 10, but just barely, you have the proper amount of weight. Each set should be barely finishable, the end of the last set being downright evil. If you aren't pushing yourself, you are just wasting your time, as without slightly tearing old muscle, you don't get new muscle. That is just how it works.

I tell you, if you can even remotely swing it, do the personal trainer. You won't regret it, and you'll learn the proper way to get healthy, which will benefit you forever, not just the few months you've hired him.

This sounds like mostly good advice...IF you want to bulk up. It sounds like the main goal of most people who've weighed in here (no pun intended ) is to lose weight and be in better overall health. Weight training can certainly help with that, since added muscle will increase metabolism and help burn fat, but you can weight train for overall fitness without the goal of becoming Ahnold.

I have to disagree with the use of creatine supplements for most people-- yes, it's NOT a steroid, it's an amino acid that occurs naturally in food, but supplement quantities are a lot higher than you naturally get. Plus the body manufactures it as needed, and if you supplement, your body stops natural production, meaning creatine supplements are acting as a drug-- changing your body's natural processes. there's also some concern as to possible kidney damage from it. Also, the two main things creatine do are help bulk up and improve on explosive short term muscle activities. So unless you're training for competitive sports or wanting to look like Ahnold, a healthy diet is going to be more than sufficient.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Eat right. Exercise. That's all there is to it.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

Wow, this thing got a lot of responces. I haven't had a chance to read everything in detail, but it seems that there is a lot of interest in doing this challenge. The real question I guess is how to handle it. I think using google spreadsheet it a good idea, but I've never done it. Someone might have to take the lead and show us newbies how to use it.

As for the measurement.....I don't know if purchasing a body fat measurement is a requirement. I mean I know its the best for measurement of overall fitness, but maybe we should use Body Mass Index calculations. It takes into account your height and weight.

I'm wide open to suggestions as well as for volunteers for help on maintaining the data.

And yes I agree this should be a "gentleman's bet".

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fitness Challenge???

i have lost 20 lbs. i in the process of having my teeth extracted, and getting dentures when you can chew, some things, you loose weight. the thing i miss most is actually SALAD.