Fitness Catch-All

Cod wrote:

I really struggle with the motivation to lift weights. I can run/swim/yoga without external motivation, but lifting weights seems to be roughly equivalent to flossing my teeth...good for me in the long run but not enjoyable. Has anyone had a similar lack of motivation and found a way to make lifting heavy objects repeatedly more fun?

Before I started working with kettlebells, workouts were just something I told myself I had to do. I enjoyed some aspects of it - push-ups and pull-ups, mostly - but beyond that it was just work. Now, I enjoy the whole process, front to back. It's hard to explain why lifting is fun, or more specifically, why lifting kettlebells are enjoyable and traditional dumbbell/barbell lifting isn't (at least for me).

Try something new, see how you like it. If it sticks, great. If not, don't worry about it. Lifting weights isn't for everyone, as with most other forms of exercise. You like to run, swim, and do yoga; I can't stand any of those things, though I force myself to run. Some people swear by Crossfit; I think it's way over-hyped. And some guys just have a "lift heavy, get big, or go home" mentality. It's all about finding your groove in the fitness realm, and sticking to it. Maybe you already have.

I'm getting to the point where I want to push my gains and really need a consistent workout partner/spotter in order to push myself to failure without the risk of seriously hurting myself. Unfortunately, I don't really know how to go about finding a workout partner.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

When I saw that documentary I bought a $50 Black and Decker Juicer from Amazon. It worked fine but after my ten day fast I haven't used it since. I'm sure it's not as good for you as homemade juice but whenever I want to "juice" now I just grab some Naked's. I try to get the ones that do not have "natural ingredients", plus they taste better than anything I ever created and it's cheaper.

I'd be wary of relying too heavily on Naked Juice. They have an incredible amount of sugar for such small bottles and won't really give you the same nutrients as proper blended fruits and vegetables.

When I saw that documentary I bought a $50 Black and Decker Juicer from Amazon. It worked fine but after my ten day fast I haven't used it since. I'm sure it's not as good for you as homemade juice but whenever I want to "juice" now I just grab some Naked's. I try to get the ones that do not have "natural flavors", plus they taste better than anything I ever created and it's cheaper.

ChrisLTD wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

When I saw that documentary I bought a $50 Black and Decker Juicer from Amazon. It worked fine but after my ten day fast I haven't used it since. I'm sure it's not as good for you as homemade juice but whenever I want to "juice" now I just grab some Naked's. I try to get the ones that do not have "natural ingredients", plus they taste better than anything I ever created and it's cheaper.

I'd be wary of relying too heavily on Naked Juice. They have an incredible amount of sugar for such small bottles and won't really give you the same nutrients as proper blended fruits and vegetables.

I usually drink the Green Machine. It supposedly has no added sugar, who knows what that really means. They are for the most part only fruits and some veggies so that could be the reason for all the sugars.

Good deal!

Cod wrote:

I really struggle with the motivation to lift weights. I can run/swim/yoga without external motivation, but lifting weights seems to be roughly equivalent to flossing my teeth...good for me in the long run but not enjoyable. Has anyone had a similar lack of motivation and found a way to make lifting heavy objects repeatedly more fun?

Go to the gym with a friend/relative who has similar goals. Mutual guilt can make a person do amazing things, and working out with friends is a million times more enjoyable than a solo act.

Not weightlifting related, but I've been participating in weekend fitness sessions with friends for a couple months now, and I work harder and achieve more than if I was doing everything on my own. I also don't cheat at all..... Which I'm prone to doing when it's just me.

karmajay wrote:
stronglifts.com - The base program and some details and advice on lifts.

Do you know anyone else that has used this program successfully?

Me. When I stopped playing baseball I stopped working out altogether for a few years. When I was looking to get back into being active, someone on these forums (wish I could remember who) recommended Stronglifts/Starting Strength as a way to get back into lifting. I was about 195 at the time, now I'm at 230. I stuck with Stronglifts for about 6 months then started going to youtube and reading literature (again, recommended on this site) for ideas about general routines, then branched out from there. Right now I do fitness challenges with friends in preparation for a Tough Mudder in September.

As for a lifting partner...try and find someone who's goals you can emulate. I'm 6'2 but do my leg routines with a guy who is only 5'5 - built like a tank. He wrecks me every time but I leave the gym feeling great.

Cod wrote:

I really struggle with the motivation to lift weights. I can run/swim/yoga without external motivation, but lifting weights seems to be roughly equivalent to flossing my teeth...good for me in the long run but not enjoyable. Has anyone had a similar lack of motivation and found a way to make lifting heavy objects repeatedly more fun?

For me, I find it far easier to motivate myself if I have a routine planned before I step up to the first lift. It's also hugely motivating to keep notes on what you do, that way, you can see the progress you're making as the weight/reps trend slowly upwards. It's a little bit of self-gamification, but it's effective for me.

Jonman wrote:

It's also hugely motivating to keep notes on what you do, that way, you can see the progress you're making as the weight/reps trend slowly upwards.

Do you keep notes as you're working out, or do you just write it down afterwards. My memory is terrible and I think I'd struggle to remember everything. I'd feel weird carrying around paper and pen, though.

One of these days I'll get myself over to the weight section of the gym. I've enjoyed weight lifting when I did it in the past.

fleabagmatt wrote:
Jonman wrote:

It's also hugely motivating to keep notes on what you do, that way, you can see the progress you're making as the weight/reps trend slowly upwards.

Do you keep notes as you're working out, or do you just write it down afterwards. My memory is terrible and I think I'd struggle to remember everything. I'd feel weird carrying around paper and pen, though.

One of these days I'll get myself over to the weight section of the gym. I've enjoyed weight lifting when I did it in the past.

I've seen plenty of people at the gym with pen and paper, writing down what they've done. I thought is strange the first time I saw it, but I can see how it would improve performance.

fleabagmatt wrote:
Jonman wrote:

It's also hugely motivating to keep notes on what you do, that way, you can see the progress you're making as the weight/reps trend slowly upwards.

Do you keep notes as you're working out, or do you just write it down afterwards. My memory is terrible and I think I'd struggle to remember everything. I'd feel weird carrying around paper and pen, though.

Yup. There's a wee (~ 3" x 2") notebook that lives in my gym-bag.

The back section is notes I've taken on workout routines and ideas I've read about (so when I read about an interesting new swim set, for instance, I write it in the book, then it's there the next time I'm at the pool and want to try something a little different). The front section is where I note every lift I do. Usually in the locker-room, I browse through the previous few workouts, decide what makes the most sense to do based on that, cobble together a routine, then wander out into the gym and do it.

It felt a little weird at first, a little OCD, but eff that - I very quickly stopped caring what other gym-users think of me - I'm there for *my* workout, not theirs. It very quickly became part of what I walk out of the locker-room carrying - sweat-rag, lifting gloves and belt, book.

Having that little bit of structure there basically eliminates the choice paralysis that's easy to succumb to when you're looking at a couple hundred things you *could* do.

I use a little 3x5 Rite in the Rain notebook for my gym workouts because I sweat like a big sweaty thing and I would quickly turn regular paper into a wad of pasty pulp.

IMAGE(http://www.riteintherain.com/Images/Products/Large/135_1.png)

More to the point, if you don't remember what lifts you did, how do you log them in Fitocracy?

I've finally gone off to the dark side. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe today and bought some whey protein, a shaker bottle, and some other supplements of dubious effectiveness. I don't know if I believe in any of that crap, but I figure I'd give it a try.

Even if they won't turn you into a beefcake, the protein shakes sure do help you recover a lot faster post-workout.

I use my phone and a google doc with a chart of my workouts, a chart that shows the combinations of plates to use to get specific weights in 5 lb increments (because f*ck math), and I use an app to count my sets and rest times between sets. I'm all high-tech and sh*t.

My Stronglifts Charts (a public version, not the one I actually use).

karmajay wrote:
stronglifts.com - The base program and some details and advice on lifts.

Do you know anyone else that has used this program successfully?

Yep, did it exclusively for a year, then some knee problems caused me to have to branch out some and now I have a modified program. Really opened my eyes to how stupid I was for doing isolation exercises for years, and I enjoyed the simplicity of the routines.

It's pretty fun for several months, but eventually your lifts stop gaining and you have to make the call as to whether you want to eat a ton and bulk up, or just accept that you won't ever hit that 300 pound squat (or whatever). It's highly demotivating to get under the bar at the same weight you've never completed despite multiple downloads and climbs back up, and then the fun falls off sharply. At that point you've got a good core to build from, and you can start varying your workouts up.

If you have space for a power rack anywhere in your place, it's only the equivalent of a couple years' gym membership to get everything you need at home, which can be a big factor in making it an actual lifestyle change and not just something you try to stick with until the next vacation/holiday knocks you out of it. On those evenings where motivation is low, knowing that I can just go downstairs and bang out a workout rather than having to jog a mile to the gym and fight over rack space sure makes things easier.

saw this article this morning and thought, " wow. I should try some of those."

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-9-best-exercises-youre-not-doing.html?mcid=facetraining

Oof, no, Good Mornings are dangerous.

Paleocon wrote:

saw this article this morning and thought, " wow. I should try some of those."

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-9-best-exercises-youre-not-doing.html?mcid=facetraining

Good stuff.

NSMike wrote:

I use my phone and a google doc with a chart of my workouts, a chart that shows the combinations of plates to use to get specific weights in 5 lb increments (because f*ck math), and I use an app to count my sets and rest times between sets. I'm all high-tech and sh*t.

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Which app do you use? I've been using the notepad on my iphone but wouldn't mind something a little more involved.

I'm working on figuring out how to add trail running into my workout routine. Last summer, I was mainly into running, but around August I switched over to going to a strength training studio, which I do three times a week. I also run obstacle races regularly, and the last one convinced me that the next step is finally getting around to working in trail running, particularly hill work, to increase my stamina and speed between obstacles.

I think my plan is to hit the trail on the mornings that I don't go to the gym, and shower in the locker room at my office. Doing that twice a week, with a weekend run whenever I can manage it, should help.

Also, I'm looking for any chance I can find to be able to use my bangin' new trail shoes. Seriously, I wore these for the first time in a race last weekend, and they're absolutely stupendous.

Oh, and one of the exercises I do at the gym is variant of the medicine ball twists from that article using a sledge hammer instead of a medicine ball. It's interesting since it's asymmetrical. I'm not sure if I prefer doing it with the hammer or the ball.

Chaz wrote:

my bangin' new trail shoes.

Show off. But seriously, those shoes look like a pleasure to run in.

Truth be told, I just use a notepad app as well. I use a separate timer app for my set rests.

jonfentyler wrote:
Chaz wrote:

my bangin' new trail shoes.

Show off. But seriously, those shoes look like a pleasure to run in.

They're amazing. They weigh absolutely nothing (even lighter than my already-light road shoes), and the lugs mean that traction is a non-issue. I was able to go faster on the descents than I usually do because I was certain my feet weren't going anywhere once I put them down. Totally worth the fairly high price.

Chaz wrote:
jonfentyler wrote:
Chaz wrote:

my bangin' new trail shoes.

Show off. But seriously, those shoes look like a pleasure to run in.

They're amazing. They weigh absolutely nothing (even lighter than my already-light road shoes), and the lugs mean that traction is a non-issue. I was able to go faster on the descents than I usually do because I was certain my feet weren't going anywhere once I put them down. Totally worth the fairly high price.

My wife likes trail running more than I do, I hate the descents. I'll convince her to let me get pair of those, you know, for science!

They help on the ascents too. I actually had to be careful not to let myself get into a full running stride on the descents for fear of getting too much momentum.

If you want something with a little less minimalist feel and a bit more heel cushioning, they also make a slightly heavier version. Same tread, more heel-toe drop, and still damn light.

I thought I would add my story to the conversation. I'm a very little guy, 5'5" 125lbs. I started Crossfit about 10 months ago to have a more active life style. The results have been pretty dramatic. I've been doing the Zone diet to keep good food in my body and I've lost about 15lbs of fat and gained between 5-10lb of muscle. A couple of weeks ago I was able to Clean and Jerk my body weight and in April I ran a 5k in 23:38. I didn't consider myself to be that athletic before starting Crossfit. I think the reason this works for me is that box where I go is very supportive and wants the best out of you no matter what level you are at.

On my weight-loss journey, I have been doing elliptical training nearly 100%.

I'm going 5 times a week, and burning 600 calories a pop now. I know the numbers are dubious, but I am a sweaty mess and completely exhausted when done after 41 minutes of interval. I have also been reguraly increasing the resistence, as my calories burned drops as I lose weight. The numbers are my baseline to track progress.

I've been wanting to add a post-elliptical training session to build some strength. I don't want to lose any cardio, as my main focus is on weight-loss. I'm sub 250 after starting at 312 pounds. I want to hit around 170. But I'm hitting the point that adding muscle will help drive more weigh-loss.

Originally my plan was to hit the machine weights at the YMCA after my workout. But instead I have started hitting the pool with my wife. I'm not doing intensive laps, as I'm pretty exhausted by this point, but it feels like the perfect cool down to spend 30-60 minutes doing light swimming. I think I may need to hit some adult lessons just to nail down strokes I have not used since middle school.

Which brings me to my problem. Since I started swimming, I'm suffering from what seems to be several strained tendons (self-diagnosed). I get really sharp pains on my back left arm and my lower abdomen. I also have more minimal sharp pains in some other locations.

Is this a resalt of lack of hydration? I drink a ton of water every day, keeping 32 0z bottles of cold water ready to go at all times. It's a huge part of my weight-loss. One of the main reasons I went with swoimming is that is felt like I would be at much less risk for injury.

Any suggestions?

Oh, and I think the kettlebells look like exactly what I might want to use for weightlifting when I get to that point. I appreciate the info on that earlier.

Just chiming in with the fitness crowd. My weekly schedule so far is:

3x long distance runs
3x sprint workouts
3x dumbell sessions
2x body weight exercise sessions

This works out to two each weekday and once on Saturday. My focus is more on endurance than anything else, so I'm more long lasting as opposed to super strong, leaner instead of beefier. I love trying new workouts though, and I'm always on the hunt for good plyometrics, dumbell routines, crossfit type stuff, and anything else. I've done a lot of this kind of thing so I'd be happy trading routines with anyone.