Work it on out! (the physical training thread)

Off Topic » Work it on out! (the physical training thread) (Posts 1 to 30 of 478)

- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
OK, well, based on a couple of earlier discussions (for example here) I thought it would maybe be interesting to get physical here. (No, Steven. Down, D. I'm talking about physical excercise).

Apparently some of us are trying to take care of our bodies as well as we do our minds by hanging around this most educational and intellectually stimulating forum. So why not swap training experiences?
What sort of workout do you do?
And how? What frequency?
What's your goal and how do you think wou can best reach it?
Can anyone share some good advice?

And by all means let's not limit this to excercise only, but also include healthy food tips or other sports and disciplines (like yoga and the like). Anything! As long as it's active and geared towards improving your life and health.

So, partially copying an earlier post, I'll start off:

I'm currently trying for once a week in the gym (though apparently it should be two times or even three for any result to show, or so I hear).
I'm doing a combination of cardio and machine-based power training.
The resons are threefold:
1) I need to reinforce my back and shoulder muscles to counteract the loss of power in my spine due to a hernia I got two/three years back. It's no hassle now, but as I get older I will need that additional power to avoid chronic back problems.
2) I need to get in shape. Literally. Pushing 40 now, things just don't "spring back automatically" as they did 20 years ago. I need to WORK at it.
3) I need to work on getting my blood pressure and heart rate under control.

The one workout type I cannot do is anything to do with my hips, so any leg extensions or curls are right out.
Even sit-ups are a very definite no no.

That means already quite a strain on objective no. 2: I can't do ANY work directly on my stomach muscles.

Thank God I'm a member of agym that has actually banned mirrors.
NOTHING gets on my tits more than those over-steroided posers who spend hours lifting weights and getting hard-ons from admiring their own physiques in the mirror. Ugh!
It's just people -mostly young people, amazingly- getting in for some excercise.

So.
Any thoughts?
Tips?
Experiences to share?
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorSteven
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Hmm, I find a mirror helps. If I SEE myself working out, it actually pushes me to do more than if there was no mirror. It's vain perhaps, but I do at least realise that. If it helps, it helps!

Though I haven't done any workouts for ages now, not since I hurt my back.
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
That's right! I remember that now!
How is that going these days, Steven? Did you get any professional advice?

I find no pleasure whatsoever watching my poor, beleaguered, out-of-shape body sweating profusely over a 20 pound weight lift.
A huge motivation I found is to load the proper music on my little iPod shuffle for a work-out. It seriously makes a LOT of difference!
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorBregje
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
I am lazy. I don't like sports.

I do yoga, to relax and to make the muscles in my back stronger for instance and to create more space in my chest and my whole body. And to breathe properly.

I walk to and from school. I hope I will keep walking, because that is a little bit of excercise and useful at the same time, you get from one place to another.

I'm afraid my heart and lungs are in horrible condition though. Because walking does not make me sweat or make my breathing go faster, so it doesn't exactly count as excercise.

The only think I like is dance! Which I do at home when nobody is watching except the kids and they roll their eyes hahaha.
- CommentAuthorSteven
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote

I find no pleasure whatsoever watching my poor, beleaguered, out-of-shape body sweating profusely over a 20 pound weight lift.

That's exactly what pushes some people to do more!

A huge motivation I found is to load the proper music on my little iPod shuffle for a work-out. It seriously makes a LOT of difference!

That's true actually. Though I only did that a few times as I'd always get the cables caught as I was lifting and descending the weights... so I'd end up pulling my ears off with the headphones still attached to them.

That's right! I remember that now!
How is that going these days, Steven? Did you get any professional advice?

Nope. Haven't done anything about it yet... apart from becoming lazy.
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Dancing is GREAT excercise.
And kids will ALWAYS roll their eyes at their parents who will be a constant source of embarassment.

The way it's been explained to me is that indeed no sweat = no gain.
No idea if that's true, though.
If it is, I'm gaining REMARKABLY!

I guess you could try and step up your walking? I tended to do that, walking at neear marching speed (and annoying anyone that'd walk with me NO END! To this day I feel uncomfortable walking slowly.)

What kind of yoga is it you do?
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Bregje wrote
I am lazy. I don't like sports.

I do yoga, to relax and to make the muscles in my back stronger for instance and to create more space in my chest and my whole body. And to breathe properly.

I walk to and from school. I hope I will keep walking, because that is a little bit of excercise and useful at the same time, you get from one place to another.

I'm afraid my heart and lungs are in horrible condition though. Because walking does not make me sweat or make my breathing go faster, so it doesn't exactly count as excercise.

The only think I like is dance! Which I do at home when nobody is watching except the kids and they roll their eyes hahaha.

Keep dancing Bregje....brilliant excercise

Though personally I try to keep my two left feet as far away from a dance floor as possible!
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Steven wrote
Nope. Haven't done anything about it yet... apart from becoming lazy.

I don't need to tell you FROM VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE what a FUCKING HUGE MISTAKE you're making, right?

It's your life , mate.
But by neglecting the exact same thing, I lost my dream job.
I'm just saying.
It's all cool for you now, and being 35 seems like a lifetime away, and by that time "surely they must have nanobots that can fix me".

But not really.
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Steven wrote
Hmm, I find a mirror helps. If I SEE myself working out, it actually pushes me to do more than if there was no mirror. It's vain perhaps, but I do at least realise that. If it helps, it helps!

Though I haven't done any workouts for ages now, not since I hurt my back.

A mirror is good for watching correct form.

How did you hurt your back Steven?
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorBregje
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote
What kind of yoga is it you do?

Just Hatha Yoga.

It's a shame some people are scared of by the postures. But yoga simply starts there where you feel resistance so it can be done on any level. A good yoga teacher knows your body well and knows where you need support for instance with cushions or blankets.

Also the amount of mind excercises differs with each yoga school. Personally I'm not that interested in all the chakra's and how that works. I just want to do the physical and breathing excercises and relax. I do like a bit of meditation and massage, but nothing of that life energy stuff. I feel much better afterwards and how that happened is not important.
- CommentAuthorBregje
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Timmer wrote
A mirror is good for watching correct form.

We have mirrors in the yoga class too. It helps to see if your body is straight and symmetric.
What you see can be different than what you feel!
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Bregje wrote

Martijn wrote
What kind of yoga is it you do?

Just Hatha Yoga.

I've tried it one time...but it was the same old problem: if the back won't cooperate, it's pretty much end of story.

It's the main reason I get so annoyed with Steven's lack of taking his back injury seriously.
While mine wasn't solely due to too rough and uncoordinated excercises, the hernia that developed could have been prevented or minimised had I taken timely action, and I would be not as hampered as I am now.
Which will never EVER go away. (you listening, Steven?)
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Bregje wrote

Timmer wrote
A mirror is good for watching correct form.

We have mirrors in the yoga class too.

Fair enough.
The problem with most gyms though is that these mirrors attract only the mega-vain who are then hogging the machines next to the mirror wall. And they generally already look like they've just had their daily horse steroid shots...

VERY annoying.
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote

Bregje wrote

Martijn wrote
What kind of yoga is it you do?

Just Hatha Yoga.

I've tried it one time...but it was the same old problem: if the back won't cooperate, it's pretty much end of story.

It's the main reason I get so annoyed with Steven's lack of taking his back injury serious.
While mine wasn't solely due to too rough and uncoordinated excercises, the hernia that developed could have been prevented or minimised, and I would be not as hampered as I am now.
Which will never EVER go away. (you listening, Steven?)

I'm in complete agreement with you Martijn.

With youth on your side you feel near damned indestructible but believe us older folks here....the chickens will come home to roost and you'll find yourself right fucked up before you're even 40 as both Martijn and myself can testify.
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorBregje
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Timmer wrote
Keep dancing Bregje....brilliant excercise

My sister does Zumba. It is very good excercise, with happy music and it looks hot as hell! I'm afraid that if I ever try I'll break my pelvis instantly!
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
I think I broke my pelvis just watching that!
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Bregje wrote

Timmer wrote
Keep dancing Bregje....brilliant excercise

My sister does Zumba. It is very good excercise, with happy music and it looks hot as hell! I'm afraid that if I ever try I'll break my pelvis instantly!

I once did my ankle damage ( still weak to this day ) on a New Years eve night dancing to The Pogues, I think the fact that the floor was swimming in 2" of spilt cider had a lot to do with it
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorDemetris
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote
OK, well, based on a couple of earlier discussions (for example here) I thought it would maybe be interesting to get physical here. (No, Steven. Down, D. I'm talking about physical excercise).

But you forget that the absolute best exercise is making love. Srsly.

Other than that, i couldn't emphasize more how SPOT-ON and correct you are for feeling as such and actually taking the step towards exercising!

Listen, start with loads of aerobic exercises first, for a couple of months, 'till you raise your overall physical condition and leave push-ups, press-ups and the other weight-involving exercises for later. Starting from 30 minutes per day (up to 1 hour, gradually) of jogging or slow, smooth-running is the best you can do. Bicycle (or cycling at home if the first is not possible) is ALSO very, very good and so are the aerobic exercises on machines like steps and such, which focus on your ass, butt and legs.

So, if you're going to stay at home, i'd say jogging / cycling and or on-location jogging inside the house without actually running are CRUCIAL, as well as the rope (don't know how you call it, but it's essentially a rope which you swing and jump over), if you can handle that. Later on do push ups and abdomen exercises.

But if you want more and / or if you're going to involve weights and all, you HAVE to consult a specialist or - better, join a good gym. Don't start doing stuff you don't know how to do or you THINK you know how to do properly, 'cause it's extremely easy to cause damage to your body.

As crucial as good exercising is to your body and physique, so is proper nutrition though. Without that you're doing nothing.

I'd break my meals to 5 small ones each day which will contain as much ingredients as possible, lots of vegetables and fruits, lots of water and liquids like green tea and natural juices, fibers, lots of chicken and fish and smaller dosages of red meat and try to eat systematically, every day at the same time.
Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
- CommentAuthorBregje
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote

Bregje wrote

Martijn wrote
What kind of yoga is it you do?

Just Hatha Yoga.

I've tried it one time...but it was the same old problem: if the back won't cooperate, it's pretty much end of story.

Hm... . Did the teacher pay attention to individual differences?

In my class there are people with chronical injuries (shoulders for instance), MS, and even people who had an operation came back to yoga class very soon, because our teacher gives individual exercises when that is needed. Sometimes people can do only exercises lying on their back and he takes care of that and they build it up from there.

I don't know about a hernia though. But I'm sure he could think of something to do!
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Timmer wrote
I once did my ankle damage ( still weak to this day ) on a New Years eve night dancing to The Pogues, I think the fact that the floor was swimming in 2" of spilt cider had a lot to do with it

I think the more likely reason is that the appropriate way of dancing to the Pogues is Pogo dancing, isn't it?
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Some good general tips there, D.!
So glad you mentioned nutrition as well.

I'm curous about the skipping rope though: what exactly is that good for? (you often see boxers and wrestlers train with that).
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn wrote

Timmer wrote
I once did my ankle damage ( still weak to this day ) on a New Years eve night dancing to The Pogues, I think the fact that the floor was swimming in 2" of spilt cider had a lot to do with it

I think the more likely reason is that the appropriate way of dancing to the Pogues is Pogo dancing, isn't it?

Whatever! It was a very messy night.
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Martijn wrote
Some good general tips there, D.!
So glad you mentioned nutrition as well.

I'm curous about the skipping rope though: what exactly is that good for? (you often see boxers and wrestlers train with that).

Good aerobic excercise. ( and coordination too )

Jogging can have it's problems, can you jog Martijn?
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorDemetris
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Skipping rope is one of the most intense and excellent aerobic exercises out there. But few non-athletes can do it. I, for one, can't. It's so intense but once you get used to it, there's nothing like that. But overall, if you're not doing your aerobic exercises each and every day in combination with good nutrition, there's nothing you can do with essence but to fool yourself with some weight-lifting, which is what the majority of the money-spending ignorant people do in the gyms and who - obviously, don't see or feel any significant results. It's not always their fault though, many professionals of the area are after making more money than doing their jobs right.
Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Timmer wrote
Jogging can have it's problems, can you jog Martijn?

I probably could, but to be brutally honest... I thinki it looks really stupid.

Christodoulides wrote
Skipping rope is one of the most intense and excellent aerobic exercises out there. But few non-athletes can do it

Really?
I had no idea.

And I can do it quite easily. It's more coordination and perseverance than a real "knack", I guess?

But overall, if you're not doing your aerobic exercises each and every day

Yeah.
Well.
THAT's not gonna happen.
I have the time, the energy nor the inclination to make this a daily thing. I simply can't afford it.

But I guess you're right, esepcially when the goal is to keep in shape (especially physical shape).
Mine though is adifferent one, so I'll work towards that one first and see how I go from here.
I'm already pleased as punch I'm actually able to stick to once a week.
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Christodoulides wrote
Skipping rope is one of the most intense and excellent aerobic exercises out there. But few non-athletes can do it. I, for one, can't. It's so intense but once you get used to it, there's nothing like that. But overall, if you're not doing your aerobic exercises each and every day in combination with good nutrition, there's nothing you can do with essence but to fool yourself with some weight-lifting, which is what the majority of the money-spending ignorant people do in the gyms and who - obviously, don't see or feel any significant results. It's not always their fault though, many professionals of the area are after making more money than doing their jobs right.

Really!!?

Not where I'm from! People who spend good money to go to a gym get good advice on training and nutrition, at as far as my experience!?

"fool yourself with some weightlifting?"

Explain?
On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Ooooooooo...you done it NOW, D.!!!!
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
- CommentAuthorDemetris
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Timmer wrote

Christodoulides wrote
Skipping rope is one of the most intense and excellent aerobic exercises out there. But few non-athletes can do it. I, for one, can't. It's so intense but once you get used to it, there's nothing like that. But overall, if you're not doing your aerobic exercises each and every day in combination with good nutrition, there's nothing you can do with essence but to fool yourself with some weight-lifting, which is what the majority of the money-spending ignorant people do in the gyms and who - obviously, don't see or feel any significant results. It's not always their fault though, many professionals of the area are after making more money than doing their jobs right.

Really!!?

Not where I'm from! People who spend good money to go to a gym get good advice on training and nutrition, at as far as my experience!?

"fool yourself with some weightlifting?"

Explain?

Maybe i didn't make myself clear enough.

People who go into the gym, lift some weights for a couple of hours and then go home eating whatever they want, in whatever amounts they feel like, whenever they feel like it. And doing that without significant amounts of aerobic exercises to counter-balance.

Look, it's simple. Weightlifting + proper nutrition + aerobic exercises = good health and good physical state.

If you take something out of the equation, it doesn't work. I don't think anyone disagrees with that.
Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
- CommentAuthorDemetris
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009
Martijn, i don't think that half an hour per day of aerobic exercise which you can custom up with music or visuals at home to make it more pleasant that you, is not possible, within the boundaries of a healthy lifestyle and good physical condition in general. You said you wanted results? Well, see my post above.
Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
- CommentAuthorMartijn
- CommentTimeFeb 25th 2009 edited
Well, you're right.
But it's not as black and white as you say, of course.

Yes, if you keep to that Spartan...erm...Thessalonikian regime of yours, you will look better than the rest of us, no doubt about it. And kudos to you!

But just being sensible is a good step already
Exactly like you say: DON'T get that hamburger after lifting weights, grab some carrots, or some yoghurt.
When doing that, even as little as a couple of hours a week training can increase your life expectancy and your health immensely!
'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn

1 to 30 of 478

Categories

Work it on out! (the physical training thread)