Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I have been finding I have been plateauing at a 178 lbs. Actually, before that, I was stuck at 176 lbs, but I have gained two pounds over the last two weeks, which is great. I am considering using a mass gainer and then still using the protein powder I have. Does anyone have any experience with mixing the two during a given stretch?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Can you (or anybody else) recommend Web sites, models or brands to look for?

I'm thinking of ditching my car, at least for the daily commute to the office. It's seven miles each way, so gas isn't destroying me, unlike many others. But I live at such a distance where I can save a little cash and get some exercise to boot. I was looking at cheapie bikes at Wal-mart, target, etc., but A. didn't know how much I didn't know, B. figured if I bought a POS I'd be right back where I am now in the near future, and C. figured if I was at wal-mart I was likely purchasing a POS.

Now, the particulars. I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid (some 15 years) and have no grasp on the multitude of gear out there these days. I live in a town where I can only identify one road with a bike lane, and many others that would likely turn somebody on a bike into a greasy asphalt stain within minutes.

I'm unfamiliar with common biking procedure. Is it OK to ride on sidewalks? I was able to identify a route to get to the office that would keep me entirely on sidewalks, but have no idea if that's legal, let alone safe. The layout of the town is such that there aren't any side streets or residential neighborhoods for about two-thirds of the route (it's all very busy roads with no bike lanes).

As for me, I'm planning on taking it slow, working up to it on the exercise bike and doing some research on a set of wheels. That and figuring out how to make it work without getting run over.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

No. It is not OK to drive a bicycle on sidewalks. It's not legal (in most cases) and certainly not safe.

Wear a helmet, ride as if you are a motorcycle. Obey all traffic signs and signals. Cyclists have every right, and responsibility, to use the road as any other vehicle.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

In theory, you're supposed to ride on the road. In reality, I know of two people who have been killed on their bikes in the past three months in my neck of the woods. There were people just riding down the side of the road. Both times, drivers just didn't see them and slammed into them. There aren't many bike lanes, either.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Rule #1 of Bike Club: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET. Your's DOT should have a page on its website dedicated to bike routes/suggests riding routes. And there should be a page on your local laws of the road. Cars are supposed to give you 3-feet minimum when they pass (at least where I am). Bicycling magazine every year has a bike review issue that goes over new bikes in all price ranges. IF you don't mind waiting a bit, you can get a pretty good deal in Nov. Dec. because that's when the new lines come out. I bought both my bikes in Nov and Jan.

P.S. Circuit training ideas anyone?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I got my Tri/TT bike in November. It was the 2007 model and they wanted to get rid of it so the 2008s could start selling.

Instead of a $3,300 sticker price, I rolled out with it for $2,100. I still don't have the super fancy wheels -- although I did spring for a used rear disc wheel -- but I still get compliments on the bike at local races.

So yes, go bike shopping in late fall or early winter.

And agreed on checking with the local DOT/DMV. Around here, there hve been a couple of motorists cited for not giving the proper clearance -- in one case, a passenger in a car reached out to tap the cyclist on the butt, the cyclist got the license plate and the driver got a $200 ticket for wreckless driving because there was a witness.

But, in addition to wearing a helmet, obey traffic laws. Stop signs and stop lights apply to cyclists, too.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Cue Nine Inch Nails or something like that for my iPod.

I just signed up for THIS on August 2.

It's only 170 miles with 9,544 feet of vertical climbing topping out at the 10,786 foot summit of the Mirror Lake Highway.

Oh, and I'm using it as a training ride for the 206 mile race in September.

Now where's my EPO?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I had a hell of a workout today. It was chest, and it went like this:

Incline DB flys - 10 X 40, 10 X 50, 8 X 60, 6 X 70
Decline Bench - 10 X 155, 10 X 185, 8 X 225
Incline Bench - 10 X 135, 10 X 175, 1 X 225

I wanted to max-out on the incline bench to see where I am fitness wise. I have been getting MUCH stronger over the course of three months. My max in April was around 175, so gaining 50 pounds on the incline bench is pretty good. I am quite happy with myself today.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Interesting bike discussion.

I get out once (maybe twice) a week for 15-20 miles. The reason I don't go out more is that I'm scared shitless of traffic/stupid drivers.

When I go, I go at 6 in the morning on Saturdays and/or Sundays with no traffic and I use a route that has 90 percent bike lanes. I drive with rear and front lights.

I just can't handle riding in traffic with cars wizzing by at +50 mph. Can't do it.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I was nervous for a while, too. Now the speed is thrilling. I love it.

If the wind is agreeable, there are few rewards better than suffering up a 10-mile mountain road at 10 mph just so you can fly back down it at 35-40 mph.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Great job. I did chest today, too. But I was weak. I skipped breakfast today. Plus, I still have some sore muscles in my back and shoulders from Sunday, when I hit new highs on all of my lifts.

I did:

Bench Press: 10x145, 6x155, 6x155, 4x165
Incline Dumb Bell Press: 8x55, 6x55, 6x55
Close-Grip Bench Press: 8x125, 6x125

Then I called it a day. I'd like to add more stuff to a chest day. It goes by pretty fast. Truth told, though, I've been making nice gains. So I'm cool with just three exercises. I alternate between DB flys and DB press each week. In three more weeks, I'm going to supersets with high reps, moderate weight.