Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Okay things have gotten annoying for me in the gym.

I finally got myself on a regular work/sleep schedule about seven weeks ago and started doing cardio 4-5 times a week. That coupled with a healthier eating regimen melted about eight pounds off instantly. In the past two weeks I've gone longer on the treadmill, further in the pool and harder in the weight room. Nothing. I'm actually gaining weight now.

What gives?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

G, really important tip: You have to do some lifting. Doesn't have to be much, but strength training goes hand in hand with weight loss. There are many posts on this thread, or maybe someone with more knowledge can explain why. I cut out lifting for a few months and focused solely on cardio, and after a month or so my body wasn't changing for the better like I hoped it would. In the last few weeks I've begun to mix in mid-range weight training. I feel better, and the results will start showing in the next month or so.

Don't fret too much. Just don't give up on the gym.

Great job on your dedication to betterment.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Do your pants fit better? If so, you're probably replacing chub with muscle.

I've added about 10 pounds in the last two years, but my pants waistline is less snug.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

You've probably gained muscle, G. That could be the weight gain.
Songbird, muscles burn calories, that's why resistance training is good for fitness.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Thanks for the pick me up.

It was a shitty day at work only magnified by the pain in my calves and lower back and five hours of sleep. Had to take a scratch day from the gym. Feel like I could go right now but place closes at 10. I'll be back in the gym tomorrow.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

The weirdest thing happened yesterday. I've been running 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes, and recently went up to 4 miles. I hadn't run since last Thursday and really wasn't in the mood, but I went out for a 4-mile run yesterday.

I did it in about 34 minutes and change, which is amazing for me. The weird thing is I didn't feel tired. I didn't feel like I was straining at the end. I probably could have gone another mile, easy. It's like I broke through some kind of conditioning/fitness wall or something.

I did that mapmyrun.com thing to double check my distance because I couldn't believe it. Yup, it was 4 miles. It's hard to describe, but to do things physically that you've never done before -- or never thought you could do -- is such a great feeling.

Not trying to brag, just want to remind people that our bodies are capable of so much more than we think.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

well done.

I'm heading to the swim/athletics store today to buy some a skinsuit for swimming. I've decided to replace one of my weekly indoor spin classes with swimming. I'm hoping for a little extra upper body mass and I think swimming will be more my thing than lifting weights.

Plus, it'll be good for potential triathlons.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I think that's exactly what happened. I was thinking about work, my wife, some resumes that I had sent out, next thing I know it's been 3 miles. I forgot that I was running. Of course, there are days when 2 miles feels like torture.

I don't think I'll ever get up to marathon status. A 10K would be a historic event for me. My goal is to do a triathlon. I run and go on a 20-mile ride once a week, but the problem is I don't have access to a pool.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I recently joined a gym and met with a personal trainer for the first time in my life. However, as I was working through basic exercises - working with a stability ball, resistance machines, free weights, doing cardio work - I found that the basic weight training and flexibility movements were the ones I used for so many years of training for high school and college sports. I'm an avid cyclist and yoga type, but one thing the trainer told me that I was lacking was cross-training - that while I was getting plenty of cardio and flexibility work I wasn't doing anything to balance that work.

I also found that as I was working out, I was thinking about the next trip to the gym and what I could do on my own.

My only concern gym-wise is workout gear. I'm still going to work out in a t-shirt and gym shorts. I feel so out of place! :-[

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

A tank top tucked into my jean shorts works fine for me. Apparently, the other people at the gym are impressed given how many looks I get.