Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I know the feeling of not wanting to work out...all too well. It's tough, and sometimes it's best to take a day, maybe two off. But, my experience is that if you take off more than a couple days than it is really tough to get back at it.

Ok, since my advice is taken literally and word-for-word, I'll add this. It is important a couple times a year, at least for me, to take a week to ten days off from everything and just be lazy.

Anyway, if you're feeling lazy but need to get to the gym, just do a lighter workout. Figure, something is better than nothing. Mix it up at the gym. Try something you've never done before. Yeah, those step aerobic classes are girly, but I did a couple in college and they got me sweating a bit. Plus, pick a spot in the back and you can watch some nice tail. (Pervert! I know, I know.)

I gotta say, the winter months are the roughest. Cold weather makes you want to sleep, or at the very least stay indoors. Lots of sports on tv, so many good choices of warm junk food. Tough to go running and biking outside a lot, etc. Good luck getting to the gym though, your body will thank you when you're motivated come the first nice day in March.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

The cold is definitley not conducive to working out, but what works best for me is going first thing when I wake up, so that I don't have all day to think about it.
Go early, so it's done and out of the way, and so you don't get more tired throughout the day. For me, it also gives me more energy throughout the day.

And I agree, Adam, about taking a break. Every 10 or 11 weeks, I take a week off from lifting. My body always thanks me.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Good call with the music FH.
Since I've gotten my iPod, I've been a little more focused because nobody bothers me and I listen to what i like. Plus it helps me get going in the morning.
Just keep going in the morning I say. It should help with your energy levels the rest of the day.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Yeah, the winter is rough for me too. I'm not a big fan of running on an indoor track or treadmill. Heck, I just don't really care for cold weather at all. I've found, and it may be different at other places, that tvs by the treadmills help some. At least if I don't have the outdoors scenery during a run I can watch The Simpson's or some college basketball game while working out.

It helps pass the time a bit. If they don't have sets at your gym, never hurts to put in a request. Besides that, I'm with you guys...longing for warmer days.

EDIT

I do have to say this, though, and it's not to brag. 70 degrees here today with a few clouds. Damn it feels nice! Just a tease though with a low of 10 Saturday.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I've worked nights and overnights for most of the past 20 years ... mainly as an editor or recently as a show producer. I lost 100 lbs. in the past few years by swimming laps in the afternoon before work; hitting the all-night gym AFTER work for weight work and bringing a cooler to work with healthy food (followed the Weight Watchers diet). Biggest key? Stopped eating when I got home and tried to get enough sleep. I get worn out and I put on weight, even without eating. Ironically, I recently switched to days and and am struggling, especially with fitting the exercise in (hard to hit the pool at 5:30 a.m.).

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

It might be hard, but there's a lot of good benefits of exercising early. You can burn more fat, get your metabolism kick-started.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

In the last few weeks, I've noticed that the same weight workout that used to take me 20 minutes now gets done in 15 or 16 minutes. Is that a sign of improvement?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

SP: I'd say yes and no. And this isn't to hedge your question. It's always better to become more efficient and that is what it seems like you are doing. On the other hand, maybe the weights are becoming too easy and you should kick it up a notch. That is to say if you want to bulk up. A lot of folks, myself kinda included, just want to maintain a base strength. So I never really increase weights too drastically.

Make sure you're resting ok between sets and not rushing the motions. And if you find yourself still getting the old workout done in 4 mins less time, well, add another exercise. Can never hurt. Or do some extra cardio to work off all the carbs in those potatoes. Hehe

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Discovery of the year (for me anyway). I tend to like a ruin a good salad by using bleu cheese dressing. I don't lather it on or anything, but the stuff still isn't good for you no matter how little you use.

So I tried some basalmic vinaigrette the last time I was on the road, and it was fantastic. Lower in fat, it uses olive oil, so you get the good fats, and the stuff just explodes with flavor.

A small change that may make a difference down the road.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Okay so after dishing out enough advice on here, I got a few questions. My weakness is red meat. I don't eat a lot of red meat, or meat in general, but I think I eat too much of the red stuff. Most of my protein comes from fish, a little bit of turkey and my beloved milk and soy products

Anyway, here are my questions. How much red meat do you eat weekly? Does it make you feel more sluggish during a workout (say if you eat a couple burgers and then hit the gym)? And have any of you found ways to try and cut back?

Like I said, I don't eat much. Ideally I'd probably love to get it out of the diet. But the occasional steak and burger is just too damn good. Mmm steak.

Oh and are there any good healthy ways of preparing beef besides throwing it on the Foreman? I'll hang up and listen to your response. (Sorry, I'm a radio guy)

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

All this talk about milk, nuts, popcorn and red meat (has been really filling, thank you) is a reminder that people get too carried away in the all-or-nothing category. As an ice cream addict, I say nothing is gonna kill you if eaten in moderation.
That's not expert advice, just common sense.
So let's all just have a peanut M&M and some homemade vanilla and be happy.