...and it shall become the Official Logo for the I Joined a Gym Thread.

Having to work out first thing in the morning I always have that intitial dread of the misery i'm about to go through. I think about
how miserable I'll be if I don't do it, plus how much better I'll feel all day if I do and it makes it easier to get started.

I've been back at it a few days shy of a month (worked out occasionally before) and now i'm addicted.

Lower body this morning.
Quads (Leg press, Leg extensions),
Hams (Leg curls, dead lifts),
Calves (regular and angled press),
and then an Ab workout, crunches on the machine, followed by regular crunches since they're the best exercise for abs.

Maintaining about a 10 lb weight loss so far and I don't expect to lose alot more just shift it from muscle to fat. In 60 more days
I'll be sporting speedos and being the creepy old guy at the local pool, (hopefully).




hahahahha

Working out seems a bit counterintuitive to that goal.

Wait WHAT? HAHAHA

Hopefully those vitamins will improve my cognitive abilities as well, lol.

Since you guys are talking running, the last time I did this process about 6 years ago I ran a 10K, the only race I have
ever entered and though I thought it would be a breeze, it dang near killed me. I am definately going to do another one
later this summer just out of principle.

I've only run up to a 10k, but for me it's a matter of knowing what to expect out of a race and knowing where I'm at as a runner. The first time I ran a 10k I pictured it being a nightmare (because I sucked at running) so I went pretty easy for a lot of the race. When I finished I wasn't all that tired and realized I could have pushed it a bit more. Also, I've run the same 10k course five times now, so I know when to ease off and when to pick it up.

Now that you've run one, you at least have an idea of what it will be like. It really comes down to what pace you're content to run at.

Yeah, it was funny. I thought I was in this super fantastic shape for the first time in my life (I was about 41) and ran with a bunch of
my sons friends who were state track champs. Needless to say the pace was a bit grueling and there was a ton of competition between
us as they didn't want me actually winning since they'd never hear the end of it. Well, they still tease me about it. It got pretty ugly. ha ha

Putting some lighter fluid in my lungs and a torch down my mouth would have been kinder.

I just emailed them all though- REMATCH!

were you channeling me here? Fag

You do know that fat doesn't turn into muscle right? fat goes away, muscles get bigger. Of course you know that.

I have a few people I'd like to get pictures of. I hate some of these people. Yesterday, I walked by a lady who was on the ab twist machine, you know, you sit on it, the bar comes down and you do core twists, you can go either way with it, left and right. Well, anyway, she's on this thing, doing the twists, all the while, holding her cell phone to her ear with her head cranked to her shoulder. As I walked by, I actually muttered, "I hate you". I mean, really, do you need to bring your cell phone in? You aren't a doctor on call. Leave the phone in the car, get your work in, get out. That goes for all of you. Another guy was on the pec dec fly machine doing one armed flys because he was holding his cell phone to his ear with the other.


I have another problem. Two days in a row, my IPOD froze up 5 minutes into my workout. It works all day sitting on my desk at work, in the Bose Speaker IDOC, then I take it off and freezes up. It's been happening more and more lately. I have to let it drain down, then recharge it, and it works, but even that doesn't seem to be working lately. I think I'm going to get another one and never put it on my IDOC Speaker. This sucks.

Oh yeah, 46 minutes of cardio, 9 sets of back. Rock on

Do you know how to reset your ipod? Just toggle the hold switch on and off three times then hold the center button and the up button simultaneously for 5 seconds. That will reset it and hopefully it will work.

Will try. I was doing the hold for 5 seconds thing, but not toggling the hold button.

Thanks.

You are a friggin genius. Worked first try. Thanks so much.

I'm also a moron for forgetting the hold button thing and holding the wrong buttons, but still, you that man.

It's that time again, I started back up on my elliptical 2 weeks ago, did 45 minutes the first day (15 minute intervals), then 2 days off because my legs hurt, then been on every day but one since. I found programmed workouts in the thing, so I've been doing them.. levels 1-4 are fairly easy, 20 minutes low resistance, low speed, and level 5 is really hard, 30 mins, higher resistance, higher speed, and I finally beat level 5 for the first time the other day. I've been eating a lot better as well. Basically I am giving my mom some cash every week, and she makes me lunch and supper and drives it over. I'm not spending a lot more than I was eating fast food twice a day, she gets free groceries, and I cut out all the crap I was stuffing into my mouth every day.

I am thinking of starting back at the gym again and possibly getting a trainer. I am curious what some of you guys wear to the gym. I'm already low on confidence being the fat guy when I go, but I'm also the fat guy that wears cargo shorts and an I busted a pro at full tilt t-shirt, and I'd like to improve my gym style!

sweatpants, baggy long sleeve shirt

long sleeved shirt so I can sweat more.

Or, short shorts and a skimpy tank top

under armor. skin tight, black under armor.

Nothing like competing against younger, faster runners to motivate you. I ran a 10k with my nephew for the first time last year who is also in high school track. He destroyed me like I knew I would, but I told him this year I plan on narrowing the gap. It might not happen, but it's helping me work harder.





Nice. You're killing the cardio.

Oh, and my cell phone doesn't go into the gym. I don't think I've seen people on them while using equipment in a while, but every once in a while when I'm putting my coat in the coat room I notice somebody come in to check to see if they've missed a call or a text. I don't get it.




First, you may have the nicest mom in the world.

Second, I just wear a long sleeve running shirt with a hoodie over top and mesh shorts (Miami Dolphins shorts, of course, Mex). Oh, and a headband to keep my hair from getting all up in my face.

Since I already sweat like a maniac, i just wear basketball shorts and those champion shirts that you can get at costco sometimes. Basically, I don't invest much money into workout clothes.

I missed the last two days, but I will be back in tonight for some swimming and riding the bike. ALso, it is the start of softball season again, so I have that as well. SHould be good times.

yeah I got a reebok workout shirt from sams club two weeks ago for ten bucks. pretty sweet.

tonights my running night, and if those god damn high school kids are there playing their "sports" again, I'm gonna have to break down and give running on the road another shot. jesus I wish I could do it. it would make my life so much freaking easier if I could just walk out my front door and run.

Had a good upper body workout this morning. I feel it's about time to switch up my routine. I've been doing the same one for the past two months. I'll probably increase the weight by 10 pounds and switch to 4 sets of 6. Currently I'm doing 4x10.

I wear basketball shorts and a cutoff t-shirt to work out. I don't like sleeves when I'm lifting, I feel like they get in the way. And I get to stare at my arms in the mirror between sets.

Usually something like that. Colors of shorts/shirt may vary, I have 5 or 6 different pairs of short I wear. Usually a dark t-shirt, probably something promotional I was given at work. Also, the shoes have neon green instead of black, because I like to be flashy.

This may have been covered, but what kind of shoes do you wear for running?

aisics nimbus 10's. they're supposed to be one of the best.

I was bored and getting ready to leave work, so I decided to put together an Excel spreadsheet (yes, I'm a huge dork) with my goals for the next four weeks in terms of running progress. If I actually get to where I want by April 3rd, I'll be pretty happy. And amazed. Pretty happy and amazed.

Thanks for the tips everyone! Those types of shorts look pretty comfortable, I'll pick up a few pairs and hopefully start hitting the gym sometime next week.

Ya, for muslce building you should def be increasing the weight and lowering the reps (speaking generally of course, i'm not a personal trainer)

was on my way to the gym after work, but I had a Fiber One attack. Looks like I'm in for the night.

Fiber One attack = have one of those bars for breakfast every morning, don't eat cheese, and by the middle to end of the week, you'll be pooping every 25 minutes. I hate going at work, but today, I went at 2pm, then at 5:45pm, as I was changing to hit the gym. 12 minutes later as I was passing by the gym, I knew something was up. Barely made it home, went, and I feel like I'll have to go again shortly

So, I guess I won't be sweating off 2lbs tonight, but 2lbs will be leaving my body. Ughhh

I gotta go

Which do you find more effective:

Intervals, or standard cardio. I'm beginning a workout regimend and I'm debating which one to include in the program.

Bang cocktail waitresses two at a time, 3 times a every day, oh wait that was Fredo's plan...

Anyway I've read a bit on the subject and it seems that high intensity interval training is generally considered better. An interesting study I read about says that while you burn more fat at a steady low intensity pace, you stop burning as soon as you stop working. With the HIIT, it shows that although you burn less while you are working, you continue to burn long after, and burn more in total with the HIIT. I'll try to find the link for that and edit.

Bang cocktail waitresses two at a time, 3 times a every day, oh wait that was Fredo's plan...

Anyway I've read a bit on the subject and it seems that high intensity interval training is generally considered better. An interesting study I read about says that while you burn more fat at a steady low intensity pace, you stop burning as soon as you stop working. With the HIIT, it shows that although you burn less while you are working, you continue to burn long after, and burn more in total with the HIIT. I'll try to find the link for that and edit. Edit- not the article I was referring to but this one does mention a similar study: http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/justin6.htm

Also, ran 3.5 miles today in 32 minutes ( I know I'm slow) felt like I could have gone for a while longer but had to get to work.
Did Lower body on Sunday and Thursday this week, upper body on Tuesday and cadio MWF.

stayed even on my weight this week.

Had a soda, bought a bunch more. Ready to get back jiggy with soda. I'm excited. Two weeks was my limit, although if I'd lost 5lbs more, I woulda kept it rollin'.

did 45 minutes of cardio
9 sets of triceps
12 sets of Biceps. Gotta rock the guns.

I think I'll go tomorrow as well, probably do legs, abs and cardio. My brother is coming in to town so diet will probably lack a little and I'll probably have a drink or two, so I have to work extra hard. I see myself going to the gym Saturday through Friday, seven days in a row, before my next workout. I need to lose so I can hit my next weight plateau. It's important. Every 10lbs is like another mini goal

Thing that I saw that was peculiar today. Seems like something every day. This relatively normal sized dude had three plates on the bench. Any gym regular knows that's 315lb, and what is considered a pretty solid benchmark for a strong bench. Well, he had it up and I was watching him out of the corner out of my, partially out of curiosity and partially from jealousy. Well, he was just taking the bar off the rack, holding it for a second, the re-racking it. Then, he put more weight on and did the same thing. Never did a rep, got all the way to 365lbs. I have no idea why. That reminds me, now I want to get back to doing 315 now. I gotta start working harder on chest and tris. I know it's not important for me to lift that heavy, but something in my wants to throw three plates on there and do a set of 8, like the good old day. I'm gay and I'll probably never get there. I'd rather lose weight, buuuut, in the past, I've always gotten stronger fast. I even had a coach ask me if I was juicing over the summer, because my bench would increase 5lbs almost every time.

/ramble

Nice job Mr. Mexico. You've probably mentioned this before but what was your starting weight, and what are you hoping to get down to?

I usually drink like 6-8 cans of pop a day, but right now I'm down to 1 or 2 a day (usually 1, sometimes 2, sometimes 0), and drinking diet (not really sure how big of a difference that makes. Also off all alcohol until June (with the exception of one weekend in Toronto in May).

Did 40 minutes cardio today, 580 calories according to my machine, but I've never told it my weight/gender/height stuff, so I doubt it's accurate. Did 3 sets of 10 pushups after, and 2 sets of 10 situps. I really suck at situps and I haven't been doing them the past week because my neck's been super sore for some reason. Likely shopping tomorrow, then back to the gym Monday!

thank you. I haven't mentioned it before. I'm like a chick when it comes to my weight. I'm looking to lose 100lbs. I could lose 100 and still be larger than average. I'm 6'3" with a large frame. So, yeah, we'll see how it rolls. I think my biggest loss in one try was 60lbs, and I know I've lost 50 at least three different times. Here's to keeping it off this time.

Nice work, but just do crunches. Does your neck hurt from doing situps and pulling on the back of your own head to get all the way up?

God man, please keep it off. Every time I get back on the elliptical right now, I tell myself that yeah it sucks, but it's easier now than it was, and I can do more now than when I started, so just keep doing it so you don't have to start again.

My neck just started hurting one day, I don't really know why, I guess it could have been from situps. I'll stick to crunches, or the ab machines at the gym.

I can't believe it, I actually worked out on Saturday and Sunday. Full workouts. I should do that more often. Less douches around.

I think I'm going to go in the a.m. for the first part of this week, MTW. Wednesday should be tough because I'm going out Tuesday night, although I won't be drinking, because drinking and driving is BAD.

30 minutes of cardio
200 crunches
9 sets of legs

Denny Crane is a fat tub of shit who'll never be in shape. NEVER

NEVER pull on your neck doing situps. NEVER. If this is happening you are NOT doing your situps right and are only going to strain your neck. You are concentrating more on using your arms to do work, in an ab exercise. If you are having trouble resisting using your arms, put your hands on the sides of your head or just fingertips on your ears. Try a medicine ball on the small of your back for some leverage or a body ball positioned a little higher on your back so your abs are not trying to pull up as much weight but still getting a work out.

I sometimes eat up to 2 of those a day, but rarely see the type of results you're dealing with.

This is not the atmosphere we've tried to create in here. There is no place for this attitude toward another poster, no matter how much of a fat tub of shit they may be.

Without self loathing, no one would exercise.

So I went to the gym today and talked to a trainer. I'm 100% committed, I spent a shitload of $ for 60 sessions. We start on Wednesday, and will likely be doing Monday, Wednesday, Friday every week (with the exception of June when I'll be in Vegas). We're going to beat the hell out of my body, until I look and feel better than I've ever felt in my life, and then we're going to beat it some more.

Beat on.

I agree. this is not the place to make fun of fat, worthless pieces of shit, no matter how ridiculously fat, lazy, and just generally gigantic wastes of disgustingly fat space they may be. nope, not here.

So, I was eating a bar a day for the last week, and on friday I really had the same symptoms ... except for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. I was trying to think of what I had eaten the last week that might have caused this. This explanation make total sense now. I am going to cut down to 2-3 bars a week from now on.

We did a fun hike on saturday. Elevation change 1,000 feet in 1.3 miles. Then went to the gym and swam 20 laps in the pool.

Back to it last night, 3.0 miles in 21:27. It was a pretty encouraging run. I had been off for three days, so I was pretty fresh. I plan on getting to the gym every night this week, so hopefully it should be a productive week.

So since I started swimming a friend of mine says I should try a mini triathalon. We actually do a fair bit of Mtn Biking as well, so thus the only real problem for me would be the running. The one we are looking at is a .75 mile swim, 15 mile bike, and a 3 mile run. It would be in 6 weeks. The question is whether or not I can be ready for this in that amount of time. I have been swimming 1000M when I swim, but I usually do 5 sets of 200M, so I haven't really swam for a consistent 1000M and the swim for the mini triathalon would be a little longer than that. I feel that I could bike the distance fairly easy as it is mostly flat ground.

The only problem would be the run. I hate running, but since it's only three miles, I could probably run 1/2 mile wlak 1/4 mile then run 1/2 mile and walk 1/4 mile run 1 mile, walk 1/4 mile and then sprint the final 1/4 mile to end like a champ!

Thoughts.

Also, has anyone ever done a mini triathalon before?

I've only done a duathlon because I hate/suck at swimming.

For me, any race is usually just about finishing the first time around. If you don't burn yourself out too quickly early and take it easy on the bike and run portion, you'll probably be able to cross the finish line without collapsing. Then, if you want, you can enter another mini-triathlon in the future if you want to improve your time.

Good luck, regardless.

HIIT -is far more effective and takes less time doing hours of cardio and less effective weight training. It's also great for someone just starting since you can move up levels, track it easily etc.




The bars are mostly junk out there. Always use food if possible but they are okay in a pinch rather than fast food or no food. EAS makes a good balanced bar of protien and carbs. Most just have a ton of sugar.

I've pretty much completed 4 solid weeks of working out and about 85% of sticking to the diet. I'm at an impasse with weight currently but I really don't pay
much attention to that since it varies so much.

I'm really reaching new levels each time on the treadmill maxing it out with higher speeds and inclines. This morning was by far the best run yet.

Weights are starting to get in synch as well. By writing down each amount of reps and weights it's really helped me tweek my workout and max out each time.
I'm basically just getting into real lifting condition but all muscles, especially legs due to cardio are really transforming.

I'm down one belt and pant size which amazingly makes me the exact same size as Sal Paradise, though i'm sure i'm alot more buff.

New Ipod ordered. Sigh. Although, my new one will be pink.



Oh yeah, well the Dolphins suck and sheep are unattractive




it's inconvenient, but a glorious feeling.

That's two strikes, Mr. Crane. Mexico was right about you.

OH HELL NAW OLD MAN

Just got home from my first session with the new trainer. They always ask you to come early and do a bit of a warmup, so I did a 10 minute warmup on the elliptical, then she took me over to some scale that tells you a bunch of things, she just printed out a reciept type thing from it and we were going to go over everything at the end of the session but we both forgot... I'll put those stats down in a minute. Then we worked on a bunch of machines, not too hard, she just wanted to get an idea of where I was at with this first session. Everything went ok, until we got to abs. I did 20 reps on one machine ok, then she took me to another where I could only do 6 or so and my back started hurting. That was ok though, we quit and went to a brutal 15 minutes on the treadmill where she had me going at a brisk walk and doing intervals on a steep incline. I had to hang onto the rail for most of it because I suck and could barely catch my breath. Overall I think it was a good session and I'm glad it's over. Round 2 is on Friday.

I don't know what a few of the following stats mean, but I'll look them up. I actually weigh less than I thought I did which means I've lost a bit of weight on my own already! So this is what we're starting off at:

Body type: Standard
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 223.0 lb
BMI: 31.1
BMR: 9213 kj
2202 kcal
Impedance: 431 (horseshoe symbol that looks like an upside down U)
Fat %: 25.9
Fat Mass: 57.8 lb
FFM: 165.2 lb
TBW: 121.0 lb

I just got back to the gym after taking a day off from food poisoning. I went up 10 pounds in all my lifts and decreased reps from 10 to 6. I don't feel nearly as tired after this workout than I usually do doing 4 sets of 10. I'll increase the weight again next time to hopefully get a better burn. I did do 4 sets of 10 on bench at 205 pounds so that's an accomplishment for me. I'll probably go for a run outside later today since it's finally above 50 here.