Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I have wanted to get my rear back in shape for a long time, but I can't find anything that piques my interest. I lift weights and do some light soccer work, but I rarely stick with it.

Now here comes the question. For years upon years - since I was 10 or so - I've wanted to get a basic boxing gym. Heavy bag, gloves, speed bag, etc. I've covered some boxing in my time, and hung out in the gym a couple times, so I have a good idea of some workouts. But is it worth the investment? I can get a good set for less than $100, and like I said, I've wanted to do this for years. I have little doubt I can keep up with this. But again, will this help my feel better about myself and feel like I'm actually accomplishing something? I'm not overweight or chunky or anything like that. Just a former college soccer player who has a wife and three kids and is a sports journalist and eats bad food more than I should. I don't want to be dead in 10-15 years or have to take a dozen medications, etc., and this is something I would like to think can get me started in the right direction.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

My gym just added a heavy punching bag. See if there's a gym near you that has equipment and join the gym for 3 months, see if you can make it that long. Then go from there. If the gym has a punching bag it probably has jumping ropes, too. That's a great exercise. Start light. I think you can do it.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

50 miles (actually, 48.75, but who's counting?) with some guys from the team this morning. My quads, gluts and back are pretty sore because we kept a pretty strong pace and mixed in some serious climbing.

Factor in the 60-minute pilates/bosu/weights class my wife and I went to the night before and I have hurt myself, but I think done some good.

I'm fatigued, but feel great otherwise.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Mr. Potato has served as a good motivator for me. Since the first of the year, I've probably gone to 15 or 16 spinning classes (some 45 minutes, some an hour and one two-hour ride) and I've come to really enjoy it. It's a really good workout, but there is usually some recovery time in the class, I get my heart rate going and it's pretty easy to burn 500-600 calories in a class.

I've never been a big "group fitness" fan in large part because I don't like the idea of being the only guy in a class filled with women. But spinning has been great. I like having somebody pushing me, I like not knowing what's going to come next, I like that it's about 50-50 most of the time with men and women, I like the loud music, I like that there are some hot women in there and I like how I won't quit during class because the person next to me is still pushing. It's good motivation.

As a result, I've become at least a once a week spinner and often go three times in two weeks.

Thanks Idaho.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

You're welcome, acc.

I got hooked on spinning about 15 months ago when I decided I was on the verge of officially becoming chubby. Went to a few spinning classes because I heard they burned fat and they fit into my schedule. Three months later, I bought a nice road bike and am now hooked on that version of spinning.

I like the music, the instructor shouting out instructions and the motivation of trying to keep pace with some of the other regulars in the class. I usually go two or three times a week but I've been going less now that the weather lets me ride outside.

And my wife and I like going to some of those group fitness classes. We see them as a date where we get heathier rather than going to dinner and pigging out -- though that's fun, too. I'm usually the only guy in the class and always get asked "So, how was it?" by the teacher and a woman or two who is amazed to see a guy there.

So, if another person gets more fit because I try to motivate myself by posting my activities ... yippee for me.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

bad music choices can really kill a class. nothing worse then being in the groove to some disco or hard rock (if the song works) when the instructor changes things up with Creed.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

10 more minutes, Idaho, and I'm up to a grand. Today's 40-minute ride was good.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Good for you.

If it weren't for the 12:30-1:00 a.m. end of shift, I'd seriously consider commuting to work 10 miles each day.

I've got tomorrow off and if I can sweet talk my wife into letting me, I might pound about 30 miles of aggression off tomorrow morning.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

BTW, ever consider taking the family out here for a vacay and mountainous riding session or 6?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Can you imagine the bill when purchasing six airplane tickets from my place to yours?

I'd love to do it with just Uma and me, though.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

There's a place in my building (historic hotel) that's cheap for just the getaway. Keep that in mind if you ever do make the journey here to one of America's eye candy destinations.