Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

My story isn't particularly interesting. Unlike everyone else (it seems) I wasn't an athletic kid. I was bookish, quiet, and the only physical activity I did was horseback riding (7 days a week for 15 years, though - better than nothing, I guess). I wasn't overweight, per se, because riding at a decently high skill level does take a lot amount out of you, but I hovered around 130 at 5'-2", which is on the higher end of normal according to BMI (which is junk, I know), and it wasn't muscle weight.

Then in college (my horse died my sophomore year of college, and I haven't ridden since - can't afford it) I started playing hockey (thanks to BU's "Intro to Hockey" course!), and I was really frustrated with how out-of-shape I was. We would do suicides and I was completely out of breath by the first one. Basically my determination to be better at hockey has spurred me to get in shape.

I'm slowly bringing my diet around to be better. I still cheat way more than I should, but CrossFit is really teaching me that when I eat crap I perform like crap, and it's just not worth it.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Girlfriend recently bought the Wii Fit Plus game. I must say doing Yoga and some of the games on there are a lot of fun. Plus you feel like you are burning at least some calories. Anyone on here used Wii Fit? Pluses? Minuses?

my girlfriend has a Wii. she loves it. we've had some fun with it too.

 

[Patman]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Girlfriend recently bought the Wii Fit Plus game. I must say doing Yoga and some of the games on there are a lot of fun. Plus you feel like you are burning at least some calories. Anyone on here used Wii Fit? Pluses? Minuses?

You'll have to turn in your man card... you can have it back as soon as you show that you deserve it.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Awww... you say run like it's a bad thing!!

Try the couch to 5k program. It sounds like you're already somewhat active, but this could be a nice, gradual introduction. And, who knows, maybe by the end of the program, you might actually like to run!

nice website.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Some of the Wii Fit games are a lot of fun -- particularly the balance games -- but I never really got any actual exercise from them. Different people respond differently.

I'm currently in the middle of physical therapy for an injured shoulder, and just doing those stretch and strength exercises makes me feel much better -- enough to buy a stationary bike and start a regular routine. Exercise actually works, who knew?

Bad physical habits are much like depression -- the way out is to act, and the activity itself gives you the energy and confidence to continue the cycle. (OTOH, fretting but not acting drives the nail in deeper.) Doing anything leads to doing more which starts the virtuous cycle, and the happier you are the more you take care of yourself and the less you need the bad coping behaviors that got you into trouble.

All of this is obvious and still took me decades to really learn.

 

[winger]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Right, which is why I dropped all the reduced-fat, low calorie food and went back to sweet and delicious real food. Definitely feeling a lot more energetic, not drinking as much coffee, and definitely not feeling like the living dead each and every day. Also, taking a nap every day helps...

Real food rules!!!

I'm slowly bringing my diet around to be better. I still cheat way more than I should, but CrossFit is really teaching me that when I eat crap I perform like crap, and it's just not worth it.

It is amazing how you can see such a direct connection between diet/sleep and your performance. And it prob was always there, but say in hockey it is hard to say, well did i not play well, did the other team play better, etc etc.

But in crossfit because just about everything is measured, you can see "oh, i ate crappy this week slept 5 hours a night and look Grace had her way with me".

In that enviornment it really drives the point home, how important it is to feed and water yourself properly and how that has a direct connection to performance.

That being said, I am dumping the final evil food I have left. Still drinking pepsi, down to only one bottle a day. but since I am on vacation this week, I am going to do it now, so I can get through days 3-5 while not being expected to perform (at least mentally) at a certain level at work.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[pardonme]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I wrestled in high school despite having absolutely zero natural athletic abilities. It gave me something that was a bit more of a challenge than classes seemed to be for me. When I got to college I did pretty well staying active the first few years, but I started to pack on the weight junior/senior years. A friend decided to train for triathlons the summer between junior/senior years while we were on campus working and I figured I would join her. I got in really good shape that summer, but then for the next few years I really slipped out of it. I broke my ankle at one point which essentially made me stop exercising. Last summer I decided to start getting fit and did a tri in september. This year I've gotten more serious and I'm doing 2 triathlons and a weeklong bike touring trip. I'm thinking of taking next year to get a serious base built up for cycling and perhaps try bike racing the following year.

 

[Biddco]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

You'll have to turn in your man card... you can have it back as soon as you show that you deserve it.

You cannot take what has already been taken away! I think I am in debt 3 or 4 "man cards"


So yeah not phased.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Off to Zumba tonight once again. I guess I'll be aching tomorrow.

 

[Handyman]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I have had weight issues all my life. Played football until sophomore year of HS and when I stopped I ballooned up. Joined Weight Watchers in 2004 and lost nearly 60lbs and have kept it off for the most part.

The last few years I have been doing a lot of cardio work, an hour on the elliptical mostly. Due to some time restrictions I had to quit that.

I was able to get the P90X videos and have been doing them. I had to put in my weight and take measurements and found that even though my weight is not super terrible my body fat stinks. The videos rock! I am on day 5 and I have never felt as good or sweat as much as I do in these workouts and the yoga is fantastic. I plan to see this all the way through and hope to lose about 6-8% body fat and about 15lbs. I am optimistic

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I started doing this about 4-5 weeks ago (quit coffee altogether) and I feel much much better.

As to eating low-calorie, reduced fat, we're trying to make a lot of our own stuff (or eat organic stuff that we haven't gotten around to making yet, like tomato sauce).

I'll post my story later, it's not a short one.

Real food rules!!!

Amen. Ever since I shifted my diet to mostly fruits and veggies with the occassional cut of high-quality meat, I learned I'm already eating low-fat without eating a bunch of chemicals thrown in for flavor. And when I do eat meat or cheese, I eat a small portion of the good stuff. I like a slice of Brie cheese, or a thick slice of bacon, or a burger made from 100% grass-fed beef...

 

[JuveGG24]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I went from 170 in high school (I'm 6'0"-6'1") to 160 during my first years of college (Thanks crew!) to 180 at the end of college to 215-220 after law school and the bar. Felt like crap, looked worse, etc.

I've been working out regularly for the last 6-7 months, lifting with some cardio mixed in. I also play soccer 2-3 times a week.

I'm back to 200-205, but with actual muscles so I'm assuming my body fat has dropped. One funny thing is that I've noticed the muscle on my right side on my back from my neck to my shoulder is way more developed than the one on the left side. A lifetime of carrying bags on one side seems to have appeared.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Girlfriend recently bought the Wii Fit Plus game. I must say doing Yoga and some of the games on there are a lot of fun. Plus you feel like you are burning at least some calories. Anyone on here used Wii Fit? Pluses? Minuses?

I've found that it's an OK substitute for a workout from time to time, a fun "active recovery" thing for a day off, or a great group activity, but it's not something I found I can depend on as my main source of activity/workouts.
Also, the weight thing isn't accurate unless it's on a hard surface.

 

[winger]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

You should look into eating more paleo. You are essentially doing it now but I bet upping you protein will help with you performance and recovery.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

You should look into eating more paleo. You are essentially doing it now but I bet upping you protein will help with you performance and recovery.

I've heard about this; got a link or anything I should read about it?

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

two and a half mile hike yesterday.
burger and fries for dinner.
yup its the eating habits that have to change.
I've got 10 months.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Down a couple more pounds now. I've been really getting after it. My wife and I are about the same weight so we are having sort of a competition to try and get down.

She is 5'10" and with a bigger frame. The lowest she's been is 180 (you could see her collar bone popping out.) She's always been naturally bigger. She has been diagnosed with a Thyroid disorder so the meds have helped. She's been down 25 lbs since she started Weight Watchers,

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

two and a half mile hike yesterday.
burger and fries for dinner.
yup its the eating habits that have to change.
I've got 10 months.

Meanwhile, it wouldn't kill me to have a burger and fries every so often.

Also, I've looked into the raw diet and the paleo diet and I think I'll pass on both. I like my food cooked and I like grains, dairy, beans/legumes, and potatoes too much to give them up...

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I like food too much!

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I like food too much!

Same here! That's why I'm balancing out the disgustingly greasy birthday food I'm going to have on Thursday by eating really cleanly the rest of this week.
Don't think of it as what you need to "give up", that's a good way to fail. Just try to balance things out as you go.