What...a fitness thread?!!!

[Jazzpunk]

This year I had knee surgery which resulted in a gradual weight gain and general doughyness! With 40 just around the corner and a personal history of failed 'get fit now!' attempts, I decided to hire a personal trainer and see if I can make a real and permanent change.

If anyone else here is doing something similar, let me know. It would be cool to follow along with some others with similar goals and keep track of everybody's progress!

If you're already a health and fitness buff, tell me about your routine. What's your exercise of choice and how much time do you devote to keeping fit?

[hot ford coupe]

You're doing a really good thing. I had my hips replaced a little over 4 years ago and had my thyroid reregulated. Now I'm able to lose some weight again. I started at 232 and I've gotten down to 205. My ultimate goal is to get into a size 34 pants. So far I've gone from 46 to 40. I use an exercise bike that I bought recently and I'm still getting used to it. I was sedentary for so long that it's going to take me a while just to get up to a normal workout. Good luck with your return to fitness.

[mr. beaumont]

Not as much as I should, but I box (just some heavy bag work and occaisonal sparring) about twice a week.

I'm far from what you'd call an athlete or even "in god shape", but this keeps me active. I also do a lot of walking...

[edspyhill01]

Yoga! I worked with a trainer for almost a year doing weight/strength training. Then I tried some Yoga and could not go from a high plank to a chaturanga (low pushup hovering just off the ground). The first 2 weeks of Yoga classes my arms would give out and I'd collapse to the floor. Now I'm holding a high plank for about 60 seconds and can go to low pushup position, then back to high plank.

I started to take 2 - 4 Yoga classes a week and I'm much stronger, my knees and elbows no longer hurt and I'm almost able to do a full handstand. My addiction is Anusara Yoga.

YMMV, but it has given me a new lease on life (turning 65 in December).

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by hot ford coupe

You're doing a really good thing. I had my hips replaced a little over 4 years ago and had my thyroid reregulated. Now I'm able to lose some weight again. I started at 232 and I've gotten down to 205. My ultimate goal is to get into a size 34 pants. So far I've gone from 46 to 40. I use an exercise bike that I bought recently and I'm still getting used to it. I was sedentary for so long that it's going to take me a while just to get up to a normal workout. Good luck with your return to fitness.

Congrats Coupe! Sounds like you've made some great progress already.

I'm not going to lie, I'm dreading meeting my trainer in an hour but I know that will change lol. This is the first time in about 6 months I've been able to really workout hard and my knee is holding up really well so far.

I'm starting week #2 so it can only get better from here on out!

[jmstritt]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

Don't let the 'V' word scare you! I'll be doing monthly video blogs showing my (hopefully awesome!) progress and there will be plenty of tips and inspiration from my trainer along the way (he is no longer vegan but was raw vegan for 5 years and is helping me to dial in my eating habits in a way that supports intense training sessions).

I did a Vegan crash diet one time. I lost a lot of weight until I figured out how to make Vegan Egg Rolls and Ranch Salad dressing. That's when the weight went right back on! LOL

[JakeAcci]

I started exercising fairly seriously and regularly in 2003...I had some nerve problems in 2008 that sidelined me until I started back up again about a year ago. Not being able to exercise for all that time was a real bummer. I'm stoked to be "back" but I have to take it easy. Basically I lift weights, but I have to be conservative...my muscles can handle more weight than my nerves can, and sometimes I forget that and have to take a few weeks off.

I can't imagine life without exercise. I need it for mental clarity, and I do like to have some control over what kind of "shape" I'm in. I'm 27...I've really sworn to myself I'm never going to end up with a big old gut...

But mainly I think it puts me in a much better state of mind.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by jmstritt

I did a Vegan crash diet one time. I lost a lot of weight until I figured out how to make Vegan Egg Rolls and Ranch Salad dressing. That's when the weight went right back on! LOL

LMAO!

[SwingSwangSwung]

I try to swim laps a few times a week and do a spin/cycling class once or twice a week. Not loosing any weight, but I am gaining weight at a slower pace than before.

[cosmic gumbo]

I used to have a fender twin that I lugged around everyday, and that was all the exercise I needed.

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by JakeAcci

I'm 27...I've really sworn to myself I'm never going to end up with a big old gut...

And what's wrong with having a big ol' gut.....?!

Just kidding, JA. I am hoping to run mine off. I have lost a couple of pounds but have a ways to go. I often find its a choice between guitar and working out. Guitar has been winning, my waistline has been losing.

But as I said, I recognize the problem and am doing something about it. We all need to have a good balance.

Take Care,

AR

[coolvinny]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm far from what you'd call an athlete or even "in god shape", but this keeps me active. I also do a lot of walking...

Nobody should fault you for not being "in god shape". That's a high bar!

[Laurits]

I usually exercise 5-6 times per week. I lift weights/run/box etc. I just have to do something every day, and I really have to force myself to take a day off once in a while I have had 1 months break from weight lifting because of a shoulder injury, and I can feel it in my head more than in my muscles. My head is so much clearer when I have been exercising

[Arpeggio]

Without Yoga and excercise I reckon I'd be hunched over by now from playing guitars. I used to go on a punchbag but as a guitarist I thought not to.

Stretching backwards over a sofa arm for the upper back is good, the upper back is the least mobile part and can become stiffer in a fixed position leaning over a guitar. I'm thinking about getting a hardish ball, bigger than a tennis ball but smaller than a football, so I can lie with it under me into my upper back and move up and down so it rolls up and down my spine. The supporting muscles in the back can get tight too so stretching things the opposite way is always good.

[lkmuller]

Here's the secret - exercise more, eat less. Before I retired from the firehouse the workout consisted of heavy weights and running. Combine that with what and how much we ate in the firehouse, and you'd see why I gained over 50 pounds over the course of my 28 year career, lol. Since I retired I've lost the 50 pounds, by continuing to work out and eating less and eating healthy. That's the ticket and the straight scoop.

[Billnc]

I was in great shape in the army (by their standards) got out in 1986. I've been regularly exercising again since 1999. Got one marathon in 2004, 15 centuries on the bike in the past few years and have taken up Krav Maga the past few months.
The point is to be able to haul gear and be able to play music until I keel over. You have to be healthy to do this, and the hours we work will always suck. Even with earlier gigs and all I still have a few 18 hour work days.

[Space Pickle]

Day 1:
15 mins elliptical
5x5 Bench Press
5x4 Pull-overs
10 chin-ups
20-40 sit-ups
20 push-ups

Day 2:
15 mins elliptical
5x5 Deadlifts
5x5 Pull-ups
20-40 situps
20 push-ups

Day 3:
15 mins elliptical
5x5 squats
5x5 military press
10 chin-ups
20-40 sit-ups
20 push-ups

I love working out, it makes me feel good. I also usually play hockey at least once a week. I would rather skip practice than my exercise.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by lkmuller

Since I retired I've lost the 50 pounds, by continuing to work out and eating less and eating healthy. That's the ticket and the straight scoop.

Nice, congrats!

[Badge]

Good stuff JP.

I was an extremely fit young man but turned to lard when work and family interrupted my 'me' time. In the old days, I exercised out of vanity. Now I view it as necessary maintenance - as important as brushing your teeth!

I got a personal trainer in July after finally admitting to myself that I needed some help. In the rest of my life (i.e. work) I always have to take a lead, control etc. - it's great having someone else take that role with my fitness.

I have 1 hour with my PT 3 times a week. He punishes me with about a half hour of cardio (mixed between, say, a rower, versaclimber, bike, running, ski machine etc.) and half an hour of weights (but high intensity to keep up the heart). Most of the time I am a heaving mess... but my recovery time has decreased incredibly since starting.

I also run on my own time twice a week for about an hour.

I've lost 10kgs and feel better than I have since I was 25.

Getting a PT is one of the best decisions I've made recently. It's expensive - but beats a heart attack at 45 (which is where I was headed).

Keep it up!

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Badge

Good stuff JP.

I was an extremely fit young man but turned to lard when work and family interrupted my 'me' time. In the old days, I exercised out of vanity. Now I view it as necessary maintenance - as important as brushing your teeth!

I got a personal trainer in July after finally admitting to myself that I needed some help. In the rest of my life (i.e. work) I always have to take a lead, control etc. - it's great having someone else take that role with my fitness.

I have 1 hour with my PT 3 times a week. He punishes me with about a half hour of cardio (mixed between, say, a rower, versaclimber, bike, running, ski machine etc.) and half an hour of weights (but high intensity to keep up the heart). Most of the time I am a heaving mess... but my recovery time has decreased incredibly since starting.

I also run on my own time twice a week for about an hour.

I've lost 10kgs and feel better than I have since I was 25.

Getting a PT is one of the best decisions I've made recently. It's expensive - but beats a heart attack at 45 (which is where I was headed).

Keep it up!

That's awesome man! Congrats and thanks for the words of inspiration.

I'm only two weeks in and feel great already. Consistency has been my problem in the past so hopefully this time it will really stick. I agree on the trainer part as well, worth every penny!

[Badge]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

That's awesome man! Congrats and thanks for the words of inspiration.

I'm only two weeks in and feel great already. Consistency has been my problem in the past so hopefully this time it will really stick. I agree on the trainer part as well, worth every penny!

Consistency is everything - just like the guitar...

[Uli]

That issue is not as akward as it may seem. The guitar is a very physical instrument. Especially with accoustic guitar, it's also the body which sounds, therefore all these efforts with posture, position, strengh etc.

As for me: cycling, running and swimming. Especially the latter if you have to cure some right-arm and shoulder problems...

[Jazzpunk]

Resident jazz guru, Matt Warnock, posted this video on his Facebook page and I thought I would share it here:

YouTube Video

The video is nicely done and it's a great reminder of just how beneficial even half an hour of moderate exercise can be.

[Soco]

I have always been running on and off, but this year I beacame more serious about it and participated in a Half Marathon in New York in October. Since then I purchased a Nike+gps sportswatch and I have now also a polarwearlink to meassaure heart rates. I try to use a gym and swimmingpool whenever I am over in Norway.
I do a lot of running in van cortland park(northeast bronx) and enjoy it. I hope to run a couple of new half-marathons next year.

[AmundLauritzen]

I used to do a lot of weightlifting during my adolescence. Then I did a 180 turn and started doing a lot of unhealthy stuff. Drinking, smoking, playing rock guitar, etcetra.
The last two years however, I've been trying to get in shape again but I just can't make the commitment to follow up with it like I did when I was younger.
However, what I feel has made the biggest impact on my health has been swimming.
I've also been lifting weights on and off, and deadlifts have completely rejuvenated my back. I've had a lot of problems with my back because I haven't paid attention to good posture when practicing.
Now I'm not hunched over anymore, but walk with a straight back.

The last months, I've been really lazy. Been eating too much soul food, drinking a bit too often and it hasn't done anything good for my health. Not for practicing either as I see my motivation takes a drop when my health does.

It is a wise choice to look after your body. If you feel like crap, you'll be playing crap. At least that's my experience.

In the summer, I like to walk in the mountains. It's just as much as spiritual experience as a physical. But the weather gets cold in Norway in the autumn, and that kind of takes away the appeal for me. So then I usually start swimming(Indoors of course).

It is never too late to change bad habits, and in my opinion investing in your health is investing in your music.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Originally Posted by coolvinny

Nobody should fault you for not being "in god shape". That's a high bar!

Hey, I've got the body of a god...

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Originally Posted by Sigmundes

I read your post. According to your situation you must do the yoga exercise at home without going outside. It is so simple and easy exercise you can do It easily. This is best for weight lose.

I'm not knocking yoga, but how is it the "best" for weight loss? I don't see the calorie burn.

I'm another schmuck with a New Year's resolution, squeezing myself into the gyms that are all over-crowded this time of year.

Outside that, the main exercise I get now is skiing every weekend. I know cross-country skiing would be a much better workout, but I haven't pulled out the skinny skis yet.

p.s. After writing all this I realize diet is much more important for weight loss than exercise. Durn.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Soco

I do a lot of running in van cortland park(northeast bronx) and enjoy it. I hope to run a couple of new half-marathons next year.

Nice. Good luck with the half-marathons!

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Mitchell1122

Yoga! I worked with a trainer for almost a year doing weight/strength training. Then I tried some Yoga and could not go from a high plank to a chaturanga (low pushup hovering just off the ground). The first 2 weeks of Yoga classes my arms would give out and I'd collapse to the floor. Now I'm holding a high plank for about 60 seconds and can go to low pushup position, then back to high plank.

I've done a lot of yoga as well and really enjoy it. I'd like to get back into it some day but I am really enjoying the strength training and functional fitness right now.

Not being able to do certain yoga moves isn't a condemnation of strength training as a whole. Just means you are using different muscle groups for different types of exercising.

I'm digging learning how to lift weights properly and how to use kettlebells etc. I think a nice mixture of both would be optimal for me but everyone finds their own niche.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I'm not knocking yoga, but how is it the "best" for weight loss? I don't see the calorie burn.

Don't let the chanting and incense full ya', certain types of yoga can be a helluva workout!