Get fit campaign

[ozgirl]

Soooo

I have been thinking about how many skier days I will potentially be having this year and I am a bit worried... I am hellishly unfit. Skiing is about my only active thing I do.

So I thought I would start a thread on getting fit.

Anyone else interested in owning up every day about what you did (or didn't do)?

I figure having to admit to it will help me keep motivated.

Anyone with me?

[Snow Yeti]

LOL I am on a diet and I train 6 days a week preparing for Winter 2009/2010

[Podlettte]

Altheau has a running thread... what sort of exercise are you going to commence Ozgirl?

oh and good on you. I was on such a high after spin last night, think I scared BH a little :D

[Snowbunny83]

What I did today:

Woke up, jumped in the shower, drove to work, sat at my desk, drove home, ate dinner, and am sitting on my couch right now..

My exercise for today? Walking from the carpark to the office.. took about 2 minutes :D

I'm with you ozgirl.. I need to get off my lazy a$$ and get more active.. starting tomorrow.. I'm planning on going to the gym, will let you know if I did or didn't tongue.gif

[ozgirl]

See that is the prob - I cant run...

It doesn't really bother me that i can't except for the endurance part.

I get asthma when I run and also my legs go like jelly - a personal trainer would help me overcome all this (oh and shin splits) but i can't afford one. And i don't really think it is safe to do it on my own.

My neighbor has a treadmill and a stationary bike.

Anyway I wanted a separate thread because not everyone runs and we should all praise each other no matter whether we walk to the shops or run.

Oh and I use every excuse under sun (gotta love it when it is too wet to go outside :)

[ 18. June 2009, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: ozgirl ]

[Podlettte]

very true! that's why I talked myself into going to spin class last night, having yeti there meant kaz and I showed up :D

[Snow Yeti]

Don't worry asians can't run either lol!!! Try walking fast in intervals and take your ventolin with you.... I go to a gym that's why, so I don't have to worry about too cold or too wet or too hot

[ 18. June 2009, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: Snow Yeti ]

[ozgirl]

Thanks Yeti - thought I was the only one :)

I did the gym for about 6mths a couple of years ago - the money kept me going - then i got sick lost my routine and never went back :)

My plan is to warm up on the bike and build up to running - when i last did my get fit campaign i think I got up to 10mins running.

I did my own mini circuit walk, bike run and row - cant remember what order.

[Snow Yeti]

I think if you want something, you really have to want it.

You have to remind yourself why you are doing it, and are you really doing it.

When doing interval training at the max, it might hurt, but seriously its only like for 3 minutes!

.... okay do as I say, not as I do lol ... I remind myself several times why I'm doing it ........ all the time !!!

[ozgirl]

You make me laugh Yeti :)

So what did you do today?

Me I woke up at 9, left the house at 1pm drove to work.... picked kids up from school - watched a movie with them... and cooked dinner. Folded laundry.. is housework exercise?

I normally run aorund a lotmore with the kids but rain stopped this afternoons activity.

Actually this job is a lot more 'active' than an office job.

[Speedy]

A couple years ago, I couldn't run 500 metres. I got a flyer in the mail for a bootcamp at 6 am. I'm not a morning person!

I turned up and over a few weeks / months, I built up endurance and can now easily run 10 km and be home by 7 am.

The cheapest way to do it is to join some fitness classes. There's heaps available everywhere - inside and outside - boxing, bootcamp, swimming, you name it. They don't cost a lot either. If you pay up front for the month, you'll force yourself to go. That's how I did it!

[Altheau]

Good to see you want to get fitter. Running is not the be all and end all, all excercise is great for you. :D

I started out walking and stationary biking,I only moved to running because it gave me a set goal that I could measure, was reasonably attainable and rewarding (training for my race). I was getting bored with the biking and felt that if I did not set a goal i could get excited about then I would have stopped.

I am really hoping to lose weight and keep it off for ever this time, so giving up was not acceptable :D (specially since I have about another 22kg to lose to get to my goal weight)

a few things I have learnt so far is

Don't push to hard, build slowly or you will burn yourself out and possibly throw in the towel

one of the best saying i have seen to help with sticking with it is "If you drop an egg out of the carton on the floor, you don't turn around and throw the rest on the floor as well"

I just keep telling my self, that if i miss a day of excercise or eat poorly one day (or even eat something I should not have) why throw the rest of my previous hard work to the wind and end up back where I was. :D :D

I am happy to join you in accountability, I don't just run and as soon as the house a bit cleaner (we just fixed up the kitchen) I will be getting the stationary bike out again for some cross training. I also walk my new doggy every morning and every other arvo. Hope to add skining to this on the weekends soon :D graemlins/we_need_snow_emoticon.gif

[Snow Yeti]

ozgirl it is not exercise unless you do a pushup in between articles you are folding tongue.gif

[Xena]

:eek: :eek: :eek: Have you seen the folding pile of us poor Mums????? Let's try one push up between every ten!

[Bear]

Ozgirl you need a boyfriend. Best exercise in the universe. graemlins/outtahere.gif

[ozgirl]

Originally posted by Bear:
Ozgirl you need a boyfriend. Best exercise in the universe. graemlins/outtahere.gif Just because I don't have a bf doesn't mean i am not getting some ;)

But yes (& i cant believe I am saying this) those first couple of weeks I always tend to lose weight which is funny cause you are usually eating out a lot (or eating in) hehe

[ozgirl]

Speedy - it is either gym or ski - can't afford both (and I don't give up skiing for love nor money - hehe)

Altheau - thanks for the motivation and good to see you will join us on motivation :)

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by Xena:
:eek: :eek: :eek: Have you seen the folding pile of us poor Mums????? Let's try one push up between every ten! I spent 3 hours ironing my business shirts. Never leave ironing to last minute so it all piles up !!!! I need a maid lol

[Legolas]

oz, try walking very fast around a nice suburb (maybe before work?). put a few hills in. After you've done that for a few days try running/sprinting between two telegraph poles, then walk hard again for a while, then sprint two poles, then walk hard.

The interval style training for your heartrate apparently makes you burn more calories!! yay to that!!

Do the kids have a trampoline? ask skijacski to send you some trampoline excercises and get the kids to count your jumps or something (to justify why you are on there and not them...)

this, from the woman who has spent the last two weeks putting on 1.5kilos...

[BrumbyJack]

I have 5 employers.... and not one of those jobs involves a desk or a chair!!!

I'm probably a lot fitter than I give myself credit for but I've already XC skied 17.5k in the last couple of days...

I would like to be doing a lot more to improve my fitness and strength, but finding the time is difficult.

Obviously staying on my feet all day is not and has never been an issue graemlins/big_laugh.gif maybe it's just the speed I move around at that I'd like to improve :D

[Snowbunny83]

Apparently 10mins on the trampoline = 30mins on the treadmill..

Apparently...

[ozgirl]

Originally posted by Snowbunny83:
Apparently 10mins on the trampoline = 30mins on the treadmill..

Apparently... REALLY - hmmm maybe I will try that - they do have a tramp. It is a couple metre's by a couple of metre's but is only a foot or so off the ground, never seen anything like it before.

Haha Pods - like your idea of distracting the kids ;)

[Podlettte]

who me? where'd I suggest that?

[ozgirl]

Doh did it again - lOL

Obviously I need to train my brain as well - could not be ar$ed editing. The post this time.

So thanks Legs :)

[Legolas]

Clearly I'm important to you...

[ozgirl]

You are, you are

Promise!! You wanna walk with my prior to work? I pretty much drive past your place on the way to work?

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by Snowbunny83:
Apparently 10mins on the trampoline = 30mins on the treadmill..

Apparently... I'm not so sure about this !

[Officer Schmenz]

well if anyone has a ff membership around sydney and has motivation.. ill be going back to the gym when exams end (23rd.. ) every arvo / night.

i go to willoughby ff.. coz its nice.. spa and sauna when ur done! mmm

i know pods kaz and yeti go and ill meet up with them when they go, but if anyone else around sydney wants to gym it up and needs motivation ur welcome to be my gym buddy..

even going to random gyms is fun.. like the one in the city that overlooks darling harbour.. thats nice!

i live near the hornsby one but drive to the willoughby one as its a much nicer gym

[Officer Schmenz]

ooo and i also have boxing gloves and focus mitts.. i want to start using them again but never have anyone to practice with :(

[Podlettte]

is willoughy a platinum one? if it isnt i can use my passes there too smile.gif

[ozgirl]

Oooohhh - we don't have to go to a gym to box (and what are focus mitts?)

I could meet you somewhere after work - hmmm but where - initally was think park but it would be evenings and that would be cold :-(

[Torz]

i try get to the gym at least 3-4 times a week..dont always get there tho!!
i go to goodlife in S.A its great, never too busy and always happy people!
boxing sounds like fun! might have to look into that!

dont think my making an awesome chocoalte mudcake covered in ganache will help me! pretty delicious tho!

[Xena]

Look - here it is , the exercise regime guaranteed to work for you -

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 2kg potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 5kg potato bags.

Then try 10kg potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 20kg potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

[skichic]

Originally posted by Snow Yeti:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Xena:
:eek: :eek: :eek: Have you seen the folding pile of us poor Mums????? Let's try one push up between every ten! I spent 3 hours ironing my business shirts. Never leave ironing to last minute so it all piles up !!!! I need a maid lol </font>[/QUOTE]Ironing? Isn't that something you do to skis? :confused:

Me...gym 3-4 times a week, concentrating heavily on leg strength, including at least 1 Spin class per week. Made a huge difference to my skiing fitness last year smile.gif

[BrumbyJack]

Originally posted by Xena:
Look - here it is , the exercise regime guaranteed to work for you -

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 2kg potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 5kg potato bags.

Then try 10kg potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 20kg potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag. That made me graemlins/big_laugh.gif

I was getting concerned at the 20kg bit....

10kg bags are OK but 40kg bags are evil... luckily Woolies does not have them, EVER!!! I no longer even have to deal with 20kg bags, only 15kg crates :D

[KT]

i'm with u ozgirl! the only exercise i do is on snow!! jointed the gym a few years back when i quit smoking....u know, as a bit of a reward to me kicking the habbit.....a healthy new start.....etc etc.....

well, the only time i actually step foot into the gym was the day i signed up!!! dutifully paid the full year Fitness First membership (premium rate too) and cancelled as soon as the year's over! :rolleyes: i had no excuse too cos the gym is right next to my work! *sigh* i am beyond help!

i spend too much time playing on PS3/X360 and prob not enough time on the Wii.....then there's also the DS and PSP......not to mention surfing the net.

hmmmm......i am feeling worse and worse as i type this. :( mayb i should go and shoot someone online to make me feel better..... :D

[bdenny4]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif X

[kort]

It really is a matter of getting back into the routine. Starting off an exercise regime is the hardest part. Once it becomes habit/routine I find it hard to give up (the exercise routine!)

Certainly start slow - if you haven never run before, don't expect to be able to run 5km in 25 mins - be realistic about what you can achieve. Maybe try running for 5 mins, walk for 5 mins, etc....rather then drive to work, perhaps walk half the way and then catch the train? Go for 30 min walk at lunchtime, etc....get creative is what I am saying. Gyms are fine but for me the treadmill gets pretty dull pretty quick. Outdoor fitness is so much more inspiring.

I have to be honest with you, I am sick of people talking about diets....diets are complete and total BS. Most people who diet will lose the weight but will then put all the weight back on and more!

It might be a cliche but I am a firm believer in it being a Lifestyle change. Eat better foods, exercise a bit more, find a friend who wants to do the same and "feed off each other" (I am fortunate +1 and I share the same fitness views!). If I eat a load of crap during the day, my body feels like crap - it took me a while to work that out (and admit it!), so I always try and eat alot of fresh fruit and veges, multi-grain bread, etc and try to avoid processed stuff (macca's, dodgy white bread, etc) when I can.

I don't claim to be a super fit freak, but I do think I am living a healthy lifestyle - +1 and I either go to the gym or run 4 times a week and either run or bike ride at least once on the weekend. We both have full time jobs so fit our exercise routines at lunch or after work.

[BrumbyJack]

Kort has it right graemlins/snow_cool.gif

[Shorty936]

I run twice a week on my lunch break in the botanical gardens and around the opera house, I used to hate running but the view was awesome and on the way back to work there is a steep hill so I turned it into a competition with myself not to give up and run hard as I can on the way back up the steep hill, I soon learned that turning it into a game for myself made it enjoyable and running and keeping routine turned into a mindset for me, some work collegue's come with me and they enjoy it as I push them to there capability, but I also play soccer so that keeps me fit too

[ozgirl]

Kort - I have a healthy lifestyle (food wise). I don't need to change my diet but with me skiing 7 days straight this year I need do endurance to help make it more enjoyable. It is a great opportunity I have been given and I don't want to spend any time in the lodge because I am too exhausted.

When I wasn't living at home I used to walk quiet a bit and some times would go 2 weeks without driving my car.

Unfortunately my current role as a nanny does not give me a lunch break. And all that stuff that goes with an office job. Although the housework is better than nothing.

My current circumstance has changed a lot of things - I am trying to figure out new ways.

[NissTrust]

yep, i am well into my fitness regime for this season, running every night around the block and according to my iphone its a 2km run smile.gif

Also working on core strength, dont go to they gym and never have, but am tempted, however cant really afford it. So instead i do a lot of body weight strength training exercises. ie a variety of pushups, situps, monkey bar chin ups etc.

[BlueHue]

Gyms don't work for me. I get bored.

Prefer to get my exercise doing outdoor things like mtn biking, skiing and a bit of running. Much more enjoyable.

Problem is, don't get to ski regularly during the year, don't live near bush and I am not a fan of spending 45 minutes battling Sydney traffic and my storeroom (where the bike is stuffed into a small space with 3 million other things) to get to the nearest decent bush for mtn biking, only to spend another 45 mins doing battle after the ride. Running hurts my knees if I do too much of it... and running is not as enjoyable as riding or skiing so there's not as much incentive. But it is easy, out the front door and off you go!

Hhmm so basically when I don't have a snow covered mountain or a fast and fun single track bike path out my front dor I am lazy.

[Shorty936]

Core strength is very important and a lot of people do not do properly especially if they are gym junky's working on their arms all the time,

There are some single easy tasks that you can do at home to work on this and its something different from situps and pushups,

one that is very hard but very effective is lying on your stomach and leaning on your elbows and your toes, keep a straight back off the ground see how long you can hold it, aim for 30 seconds to start then move up to a minute and so forth, this works on a lot of core muscles and great for toning, another is called burpies which my soccer team hates when I make them do cos after lots of running they are killers, lie on the ground stand up jump in the air back down lie down jump up and in the air, might sound simple but try 10 or 20 after doing other physical activities,

my point though there are soo many sorts of short quick activities you can do at home with which are simple and easy to do if you have a routine there will be improvement

[kort]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
Kort - I have a healthy lifestyle (food wise). I don't need to change my diet but with me skiing 7 days straight this year I need do endurance to help make it more enjoyable. It is a great opportunity I have been given and I don't want to spend any time in the lodge because I am too exhausted.

When I wasn't living at home I used to walk quiet a bit and some times would go 2 weeks without driving my car.

Unfortunately my current role as a nanny does not give me a lunch break. And all that stuff that goes with an office job. Although the housework is better than nothing.

My current circumstance has changed a lot of things - I am trying to figure out new ways. possible suggestions as I am guessing a nanny is a pretty full on job with little time to one;s self during the day..

Rather then drive to your job as a nanny, perhaps drive halfway and walk the rest?

Drive there 45 mins earlier and before you start work, run around the block?

Get up earlier and run?

Run after getting home?

[ozgirl]

Right so who is in for the reporting in?

No need to if you have the motivation - we don't need you rubbing your dedication in (kidding - the more the merrier)

In
Ozgirl
Snowbunny83
Altheau ?
Officer Schmenz
KT (come on you know you want too)
NissTrust
BlueHue ??

[kort]

Originally posted by BlueHue:

Hhmm so basically when I don't have a snow covered mountain or a fast and fun single track bike path out my front dor I am lazy. Well at least you admit it you're lazy ;)

+1 and I love our mountian biking but living in the inner Melb CBD it is a hike to get out to Lysterfield (40 mins) or the You Yangs (60 mins). But we still do it. Why? Because for us, that bike ride is really important to us - we treat it as a priority so it gets alot of attention.

As we have been training for the half-marathon MTB'ing has taken a back seat for the past few months - rather then ride, we do a long (90-120 mins) run down the Yarra or down Beach Road. Can hurt like hell but I love that 'sense of achivement' feeling when its done. Beats a treadmill hands down. Heaps of walkers are along the Yarra or Beach Road and you can see why - its a great place to get out and be active.

re: your sore knees, perhaps you are using the wrong shoes? For years I used to gain severe knee pain and it turned out (after visiting a shoe store that is run by podiatristis who analyse your gait/foot position, etc on a treadmill with a video camera hookup), I was using a shoes that was too "neutral" - since changing the knee pain has gone and I am runnig further then I have ever run before. My +1 couldn't believe the transformation it had on my attitude to running outdoors.

From your post I gather running is something you don't enjoy much, but its alot more fun when you have the right runners + when you do it with others....do not understimate the value of running as a group.

[ozgirl]

Thanks Kort - all good ideas but I am just going to try the neighbours mini gym.

I have my mornings free to do exercise - it is the motivation I need help with.

That's why I thought having accountablity to other people will help.

Shorty the are some hgreat ideas.

I am also going to do that exercise where you jump over some thing like simulating moguls.

And to strengthen legs sliding down the wall and holding it, building up the length of time.

[Altheau]

yes ozgirl I am in


Squats and lunges are great for working your legs out, I really should start some strength training again (not with weights really, more squats, lunges, situps, stuff you can do without any equipment at all)

I use this website for getting strength excercises and stuff as it has picas showing you how to do the excercise Sparkpeople (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercise_demos.asp?exercise_type=core)
if anyone needs the info =]


They also have this article some might find interesting as well
SparkPeople - ski/board specific workout ideas (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1219)

will post up later my days activities smile.gif

[Altheau]

Originally posted by BlueHue:
Gyms don't work for me. I get bored.

Prefer to get my exercise doing outdoor things like mtn biking, skiing and a bit of running. Much more enjoyable.

Problem is, don't get to ski regularly during the year, don't live near bush and I am not a fan of spending 45 minutes battling Sydney traffic and my storeroom (where the bike is stuffed into a small space with 3 million other things) to get to the nearest decent bush for mtn biking, only to spend another 45 mins doing battle after the ride. Running hurts my knees if I do too much of it... and running is not as enjoyable as riding or skiing so there's not as much incentive. But it is easy, out the front door and off you go!

Hhmm so basically when I don't have a snow covered mountain or a fast and fun single track bike path out my front dor I am lazy. Easy fixed, move to Canberra, closer to snow and lots of places to mountain bike tongue.gif

[ 19. June 2009, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Altheau ]

[Kimski]

Hey Torz, I've just joined Goodlife at North Adelaide but go classes at some of their other locations too. Which one do you go to? I enjoy it but don't know anyone else there at the moment which doesn't help motivation.

[kort]

Originally posted by Altheau:
Easy fixed, move to Canberra, closer to snow and lots of places to mountain bike tongue.gif Plus it also means you are closer to fireworks and adult entertainment products :D graemlins/cold.gif

[Shorty936]

[/qb][/QUOTE]Plus it also means you are closer to fireworks and adult entertainment products :D graemlins/cold.gif [/QB][/QUOTE]

what am I doing still in sydney then I better get moving :D

[Podlettte]

Originally posted by Altheau:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by BlueHue:
Gyms don't work for me. I get bored.

Prefer to get my exercise doing outdoor things like mtn biking, skiing and a bit of running. Much more enjoyable.

Problem is, don't get to ski regularly during the year, don't live near bush and I am not a fan of spending 45 minutes battling Sydney traffic and my storeroom (where the bike is stuffed into a small space with 3 million other things) to get to the nearest decent bush for mtn biking, only to spend another 45 mins doing battle after the ride. Running hurts my knees if I do too much of it... and running is not as enjoyable as riding or skiing so there's not as much incentive. But it is easy, out the front door and off you go!

Hhmm so basically when I don't have a snow covered mountain or a fast and fun single track bike path out my front dor I am lazy. Easy fixed, move to Canberra, closer to snow and lots of places to mountain bike tongue.gif </font>[/QUOTE]We've talked about it, it's still on the pile for consideration! smile.gif

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by kort:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Altheau:
Easy fixed, move to Canberra, closer to snow and lots of places to mountain bike tongue.gif Plus it also means you are closer to fireworks and adult entertainment products :D graemlins/cold.gif </font>[/QUOTE]SHHHHH Don't tell everyone lol

[loc]

Originally posted by Kimski:
Hey Torz, I've just joined Goodlife at North Adelaide but go classes at some of their other locations too. Which one do you go to? I enjoy it but don't know anyone else there at the moment which doesn't help motivation. i sometimes go to north adelaide - but mainly am at burnside
good gym - friendly people and fun to work out at


Originally posted by Bluehue:
Gyms don't work for me. I get bored.

Prefer to get my exercise doing outdoor things like mtn biking, skiing and a bit of running. Much more enjoyable.

Problem is, don't get to ski regularly during the year, don't live near bush and I am not a fan of spending 45 minutes battling Sydney traffic and my storeroom (where the bike is stuffed into a small space with 3 million other things) to get to the nearest decent bush for mtn biking, only to spend another 45 mins doing battle after the ride. Running hurts my knees if I do too much of it... and running is not as enjoyable as riding or skiing so there's not as much incentive. But it is easy, out the front door and off you go!

Hhmm so basically when I don't have a snow covered mountain or a fast and fun single track bike path out my front dor I am lazy. thats where i found something like martial arts really good. Not much strain on your knees etc and you are learning something whilst getting fit. I had to stop playing rugby due to a dodgy hip, and I found both muay thai and krav maga great training instead of the gym. Brazillian ju-jitsu is also really good for fitness - and wrestlign is great fun!! :D

[ 19. June 2009, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: loc ]

[Xena]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
Right so who is in for the reporting in?

No need to if you have the motivation - we don't need you rubbing your dedication in (kidding - the more the merrier)

In
Ozgirl
Snowbunny83
Altheau ?
Officer Schmenz
KT (come on you know you want too)
NissTrust
BlueHue ?? Yeah - count my lazy a$s in. I started a diet a week ago - but had literacy training all week this week, with catered morn teas and lunches and a bowl of lollies on the table - I was a lost cause in the waiting. Got alot out of the training though - reckon I put on 2 kilos of new knowledge!

[Podlettte]

yeah I'll join the list, I need to be pushed at the moment, even though I'm getting up and doing it

[claydough]

Kort is onto it. I did the whole diet change for life(warned about my high cholestoral for the umpteenth time by the quack).Have lost 9kilo but beside the weight loss I feel unreal. My tip for fitness- learn a few basic yoga stretches and do daily graemlins/emoticon_skier.gif

[loc]

i'll do it as well kids

and just to let you know feel free to hit me up for advice. I have so far lost approx 40kilos on my get fit journey and also work as a weight loss consultant for Weight Watchers

(great combo there, PhD, DJ and weight loss - they don't really compliment each other)

so if u get stuck and want any help give us a shout

[SA]

I just ate a big plate of angel hair pasta with fat juicy prawns.

graemlins/outtahere.gif

[Snow Yeti]

Going to the gym now!!

[Altheau]

Originally posted by Xena:
Yeah - count my lazy a$s in. I started a diet a week ago - but had literacy training all week this week, with catered morn teas and lunches and a bowl of lollies on the table - I was a lost cause in the waiting. Got alot out of the training though - reckon I put on 2 kilos of new knowledge! [/QB]Argh i know how you feel, it is so hard when someone caters for you. All you can do is keep plugging away at it. I started my diet after I got back from America and have only lost 8kg since then, but I keep getting it down 1kg at a time. You can do it :D

[Jahoota]

I'm not sure I fit this thread as I already hit the gym at work 2/3 times a week.

This includes some cardio (stepper, rower & bike) and weights (squats, lunges, leg press, crunches, biceps, triceps & chest presses/pulls).

I like to think I'm in reasonable shape for a bloke of 45 (given I've seen 30 year olds that cant walk a up flight of stairs without struggling for breath).

I've found as you get older you need to do the work through out the year as you just cant catch up near ski season and get away with it (after all, I have to keep up with a super fit 14 1/2 year old son!)

[kort]

You can count me "in" for reporting in on fitness regime also smile.gif

I keep my workouts on a spreadsheet - happy for others to use the spreadsheet if they so choose. There are some hidden columns which need to have values in them for the formulas to work, so some knowledge of MS Excel would help - let me know if you want a copy (I don't bother logging my weights sessions but everything else is in there)

I know it sounds obvious but I have seen plenty of people think "turning up" at the gym is enough - remember you actually have to 'sweat it out' when you are there :D

[loc]

Originally posted by kort:
remember you actually have to 'sweat it out' when you are there :D haha so true - my personal trainer and i got asked to stop what we were doing once cos we were too loud. We were doing some pad work and working hard and the old grandmas and grandpas freaked out. Its so funny how many think just walking on a treadmill or using the x-trainer without breaking a sweat is enough.

Sure its better then nothing - but its no where near as benefical mentally or physically as breaking a sweat

[kort]

Basically if you can read a book whilst riding the stationary bike or walking on the treadmill, then you are not working hard enough....if I don't see people sweating after a cardio workout, they should go and do it again......some people don't seem to be used (or want to) to pushing themselves that bit further.

oh yeah makeup at the gym is NOT necessary. Who the hell are you trying to impress anyways? :cool:

[Shorty936]

I agree with you Kort my motto is if your gonna do it do it as hard as you can, but some people just dont have that mentality and atleast there doing some form of excercise walking has been proven to be one of the best forms of excercise but I couldnt do that personally I need to go as hard as I can

Its why sometimes watching the Biggest loser it annoys me how some of then whinge and you can tell there not giving there 110% and still complaining

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by kort:
Basically if you can read a book whilst riding the stationary bike or walking on the treadmill, then you are not working hard enough....if I don't see people sweating after a cardio workout, they should go and do it again......some people don't seem to be used (or want to) to pushing themselves that bit further.

oh yeah makeup at the gym is NOT necessary. Who the hell are you trying to impress anyways? :cool: Sooo many people read the paper sitting on bike at the gym
lol

Free paper at FF !! :D

[Altheau]

have to say I disagree 100% with the go hard or go home kind of attitude. This attitude causes exactly the same problems in most people as diets do.

If you start out to hard you will probably burn yourself out, kill any motivation you had to start off with and cause yourself an injury.

I agree that you need to seek constant imporvement if you want to increase your fitness. But when I started walking I only sweat under my backpack and I think that was more cause it was summer. But my legs still hurt and I still got puffed. I only started sweating when I started running.

I think it is a little rude to judge the people in biggest looser like that, it is hard to start excercising when you never have before. You need to build resistance to the pain and fatigue you get when excercising.


Good on them for trying

Good on all those people who are walking at the gym, good on them for doing something.

sorry for getting a bit worked up, but this is a swore subject with me cause I just convinced myself that no one would be judging me for taking it slow and steady and maintaining my excersise, and you just convinced me otherwise.
:(

[Podlettte]

I agree 100% Altheau as I'm sure lots of others do to.

There are many reasons people get to a point they need/want to lose weight, and many people need to deal with more than the weight to be successful ie emotional reasons etc.

the journey is different for everyone, and it has been shown that simply walking for 30 mins a day every day IS beneficial to your health, add a healthier food regime on top of that and it's an easy to acheive goal for jsut about everyone.

[kort]

One should certainly not go 100% hardcore EVERY gym session - you burn out too quickly. Its exactly why I am tapering off my distances before the half-marathon. Basically the 'long run' I did each week was something like this:

Week 1 - 70 min run
week 2 - 80 min run
Week 3 - 80 Min run
Week 4 - 90 min run
Week 5 - 100 min run
Week 6 - 100 min run
Week 7 - 90 min run
Week 8 - 100 min run
Week 9 - 110 min run
Week 10 - 100 min run
Week 11 - 60 min run -- will run this tomorrow (20/6)
Week 12 - RACE.

Certainly raise a sweat but don't kill yourself. I used to go hard every run and found I was CONSTANTLY tired. Your body can only "peak" for a certain timeframe


Altheau:
Let me clarify - What frustrates me is when people CONTINUALLY go to the gym yet never push themselves - this is something I have seen so many times I have lost count. An example of this are some girls walking at 4km/h on the treadmill for weeks on end - I do notice who are regulars at the gym and who REALLY tries. These people who are doing the same thing week, week out and expecting a different result are only fooling themselves.

Slow and steady is different to the above as you are CONTINUALLY improving :) (refer to my schedule where i continually improved my distance over 12 weeks)

Altheau (again) - keep up the fitness regime mate. I know how hard it can be to motivate yourself to get out there. Keep in mind your long term goals! I LOVE that feeling after a run of self-satisfaction. Its a feeling that is very hard to beat :)

[SA]

The gym I go to has a pithy statement on the program sheets they prepare for people.

Nothing changes if nothing changes

You need variety in the program - exercises (and the intended outcome of those exercises), intensities and durations to get results.

[Shorty936]

I do agree you need to start at the level you are capable of or else you can do more harm to yourself, it is why they have heart rate wrist monitors out to monitor such things,

I am just saying though with people from biggest loser, you see some people who want it and go as hard to there OWN capability and you can see it in there eyes they are there to change and good on them, and some who seam to just give up and complain

I must say we have gone way off topic, so good luck to all on your road to getting fit I am sure you can all do it.

[Officer Schmenz]

pods.. yup its platinum.

focus pads are the things u punch

i cant wait till wednesday night! im so sick of eating junk to stay awake, and getting 1 hr sleep a night boooo... 3 more exams to go!!

i noticed this morning my ghetto booty got bigger... annnd i have more fat on my face.. booo! but it just makes me even more determine to get fit again before next semester starts!

[Snow Yeti]

OS, is Willooouby any good? I want to try it.
I love Wynyard FF, it's brand new. Can watch TV on your cardio machine graemlins/cold.gif and has a built in fan

[Altheau]

had a half hour walk this morning with Yuki and a 40 min 4.1km run/walk

Feeling good :D

[Officer Schmenz]

i love willoughby.. its nice and bright.. and not enclosed..

with the pool/spa/ sauna and steam room..

but better than chatswood.. more resort style than cramped with a pool in the middle ofthe floor!

havent been to wynyard!

ahh i know those machines.. fernwood got them when i went there.. cept the fan blew at the wrong height for me :(

[Snow Yeti]

Wynyard has Black Label and it's all new, and spaced out ...

Might have to make a trip to Willoughby to check it out!! Parking?

[Xena]

Originally posted by Officer Schmenz:


i noticed this morning my ghetto booty got bigger... annnd i have more fat on my face.. booo! but it just makes me even more determine to get fit again before next semester starts! Ahhh, the good old days when you could get back in shape in a few short weeks. You'll be in your forties one day too!!!!

[Legolas]

sadly Xena, I can relate to that comment...it sarks getting older.

There was a time when a) my weight was just reasonable, never big or small.

and b) If I ever wanted to shake a few pounds I'd just cut down on booze and chocky. Now I have to cut OUT booze, chocky, full cream milk, bread, cake, pasta. AND I have to excercise blah! all just to AVOID putting weight ON.

Now to lose weight.... :(

[ 19. June 2009, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[Snow Yeti]

I must be getting old graemlins/cold.gif lol

[John Deere]

I decided about 3-4 years ago that I want to be fit all the time, not just ski season......I am guilty of going too hard at times and being forced to slow down by stuffing my back.

I think sporatic fitness is better than none, but I just make time to go to the gym at least 3-4 times a week and do something decent on the weekend (letely a 3+ hour bike ride on the road)

This weekend is one of those "I went too hard this week and need to have a rest" weekends....still doing gym sessions, just very tame until the back settles down.

[Officer Schmenz]

yeti.. has its own multistory carpark!

just off the eastern valley way before / after good guys.. depends where u live!

whats black label?

[Snow Yeti]

Better than Platinum apparentally. "locker, washing service, towels, showers with accessories, hair dryer /straightener, sauna, steam room & FREE UNLIMITED solarium"


Black Label allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (including access to exclusive Black Label facilities in your Home Club only) and limited use of Fitness First clubs and gym's worldwide.

Platinum allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (excluding access to Black Label facilities) and limited use of Fitness First clubs and gyms worldwide.

Passport allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (including Platinum clubs upon payment of a nominal usage fee per visit)

Home allows use of Home Club gym only.

Off Peak allows access to the Home Club gym with restrictions as to time limits (which may vary from club to club - for details call 1300 557799).

[24]

i do bootcamp 1 morning a week (saturday - better get off to bed), and mixed netball (oh yes, i said netball) one night a week.

between these two, i have maintained good fitness into winter. during summer i get fit through riding to work, cricket etc. The difficult part is keeping the fitness and weight off during the winter, and my new netball and bootcamp helps.

[kort]

Originally posted by Altheau:
had a half hour walk this morning with Yuki and a 40 min 4.1km run/walk

Feeling good :D Nice work Altheau!
When is your race date again?

[kort]

Originally posted by Snow Yeti:
Better than Platinum apparentally. "locker, washing service, towels, showers with accessories, hair dryer /straightener, sauna, steam room & FREE UNLIMITED solarium"

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Black Label allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (including access to exclusive Black Label facilities in your Home Club only) and limited use of Fitness First clubs and gym's worldwide.

Platinum allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (excluding access to Black Label facilities) and limited use of Fitness First clubs and gyms worldwide.

Passport allows use of all Fitness First health clubs and gym's in Australia (including Platinum clubs upon payment of a nominal usage fee per visit)

Home allows use of Home Club gym only.

Off Peak allows access to the Home Club gym with restrictions as to time limits (which may vary from club to club - for details call 1300 557799).

</font>[/QUOTE]I reckon FF are complete BS - When I joined FF (many years ago), they claimed "when you join one you've joined them all"......then suddenly they changed the rules and introduced platinum and now dodgy black label. Given I joined BEFORE they introduced the platinum level, etc, I feel I should be entitled to visit them free also (given "when you join one you've joined them all"). Its like they changed the rules AFTER a game has started. Not impressed.

Have actually left FF since the closest FF gym to my office is a platinum and I had no intention of forking out the extra $$ for little or no additional value. The building I work at has Genesys Gym which is 25% cheaper and never busy :)

[Snow Yeti]

I have plat FF because I use about 4 diff gyms in Syd and 2 of them are Plat so I have no choice. It's not bad, I pay $37.90 per fortnight, better than the $50 RRP. Just gotta know how to talk them down..

[kort]

$37.90/fortnight is good value for Platinum. They wanted to charge me $45.90/fortnight! I told them where to go..... :)

[LifesGood]

Can I join the list please? I have just returned to my fitness routine after a bit of a lapse (due to illness - mine and the 3y/o's).

I am a member of a great health club in my area and try to go 2-3 times a week.

Last night I did yoga, this morning I did 40mins on the treadmill (fast walking only, I'm another one who 'can't' run). Tomorrow I 'may' do a swim in the morning while the 3y/o has her swimming lesson. But I am still getting over a virus so not sure if a swim would be a good idea.

Also started back on Lite'n'Easy today for a few weeks to shift a couple of kgs that sneak on each year.

I have a question:

Kort - are you an accountant?

[ 19. June 2009, 10:28 PM: Message edited by: LifesGood ]

[Podlettte]

Everyone's 100% is a different level, which I think is important to note!

[John Deere]

Thats what all the people with a low 100% say tongue.gif

[Officer Schmenz]

34.75 a fourtnight for platinum for me.

my friends got it at 30.

another friend just joined hornsby, and she pays the same as me and isnt allowed to go to any other club :(

is the black label an extra thing tho.. but theyre not actually exclusive gyms.. not sure.

[Snow Yeti]

Black Labell is $1,000 to join and then $45 per week !!!!

($3340 in the first year)

Only 1 black label gym in AUS, it's in Sydney. They have their own equipment (private gym).

30 is good too!! I heard of people having it for 30, LOL ! They make so much money. Oh well it's worth it if you use it IMO.

[Altheau]

Originally posted by kort:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Altheau:
had a half hour walk this morning with Yuki and a 40 min 4.1km run/walk

Feeling good :D Nice work Altheau!
When is your race date again? </font>[/QUOTE]not till september 13, but might do a 5km run in July, depends on skiing as it is on the weekend ;p

[Xena]

I put my alarm on today to give me time to walk to my chiropractor appointment and back - about 5km.

[Xena]

BUT, I thought I pressed snooze, but didn't, so felw out of bed 5 minutes before the appointment, drove there and looked like I really needed serious treatment, cos I was a mess.

Good intentions gone awry.

[JSJ]

hmmm.. might have to join this list.. it's been nearly a year since I gave birth to our little princess and I have at least 20 to 23 kgs to lose.. have to admitt I have been taking great comfort in the sweet stuff of late due to emotional stress.. but I know once I adapt an excerise routine into my lifestyle my stress levels take a dramatic dip in about 2 weeks.. time to get the ba-donkey-donk into high gear. Today I'm going to do a 30min walk along the lake and 10mins on the elliptical.. might even try to do my toning exercise plan this arvo as well...

[kort]

Originally posted by LifesGood:


I have a question:

Kort - are you an accountant? not an accountant - IT nerd, although I am financially motivated at times:)

[Podlettte]

I had every intention of getting out there this morning, but it's absolutely peeing down :( will expend my energy on washing 5 or so loads all hung up in a 1 bedroom flat :eek: , cleaning - whole unit, and cooking - dinner for tonight instead!

[Officer Schmenz]

finished my 1.5 hr exam in 25 minutes! woooot! 2 more to go till i can go to the gym.. u wouldnt think ud be so excited by this fact.. but 15 exams and 3 weeks cooped up inside all day sitting in the one spot eating crap.. drives you MAD!!!

[kort]

Just got home from our last long run before next weeks half marathon - easy 60 min run which felt good. Still up in the air about which running shoes I am going to run in though now.

Awesome stuff about how many you are keen to start/continue with an exercise regime smile.gif

[TVC]

I'll join up.

I've got a few questions specific to ski training.

Just got back into training 3 weeks ago after having a 6 week break post Canberra marathon.(And my ITB's loved the spell).

But it's amazing how quickly your cardiac capacity falls away with just six weeks off when you're 42 years old.

I've got a good endurance base, but any suggestions how to specifically target train the thigh muscles for skiing. I can road run and endurance horse ride for hours, but I want to strength train my thighs more.

My local council pool centre has a gym that I have just joined. The step machine and stationary cycle feel like they are doing the job, but any other suggestions?

Current routine is 20 minutes on the treadmill at 12.5 kph 3 degree slope to warm up, the last minute at 12 degree's to achieve appropriate level of gagging. Then 10 minutes on bike going hard with last minute as hard as "non-vomiting" will allow (the gym is a public place). Then 10 minutes on step machine with heels flat and with same nauseating last minute finish. The bike and particularly the step machine seem to target the appropriate muscles. Finish with 1500 metre swim to cool down.

I've never lifted a bar-bell in my life, but would some sort of weight program be helpful for thigh strength.

Any suggestions welcome.

[Snow Yeti]

Matthew, Squats, Lunges, Dips, with body weight can help target your legs. Siting against a wall (without a chair), prone holds, sit ups, pushups can also help your core. You can do leg extensions, leg curls and other leg machines to help too! There's so many things you can do to strengthen your legs and build up your lactic acid tolerance.

[TVC]

Yeti,

I assume the leg machine is the one with the seat and the lever arm and pad that you put on your shins to lift the weight stack?

Is it the same as any other type of exercise - meaning go as hard as you can for as long as you can, then have a spell, then start all over again?

Cheers,

Matt

[John Deere]

TVC, intervals will help you more than 10 mins with a last ditch effort....try 2 mins at around 70% and then one minute at 100%+ for at least 15mins (build it up to 24+)....I do it all on one machine but change machines each time (cycle, X-trainer, Rower)

For resistance training work in sets...I normally do 3 sets of 12 or 15 with a one minute break.....normally the weight is sufficient so that the last in a set is very hard to do. With resistance training, make sure you are fresh (not after hard cardio) and make sure you get some proper instruction to protect yourself against injury and target important muscle groups. Also stretch stretch and then stretch some more...again targeting important muscle groups!

[ 20. June 2009, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: John Deere ]

[John Deere]

And pods...your gonna get sweaty anyway, why let the rain stop you!!!!

[LifesGood]

Originally posted by kort:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by LifesGood:


I have a question:

Kort - are you an accountant? not an accountant - IT nerd, although I am financially motivated at times:) </font>[/QUOTE]OK, that explains the spreadsheeting of your exercise regime smile.gif

Re muscle strength for skiing - I find yoga prepares me nicely. Chair position in particular is a good one - where you 'sit' as if on a chair, but with no chair - and no wall behind you either.

[24]

bootcamp.

bootcamp is the best for ski preparation, getting stronger and better cardio fitness. can't say it enough. we do 1 day a week and it is enough as long as you also do one other thing in the week.

[Xena]

I used to do boot camp on the beach - it was excellent.

[JSJ]

Originally posted by LifesGood:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kort:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by LifesGood:


I have a question:

Kort - are you an accountant? not an accountant - IT nerd, although I am financially motivated at times:) </font>[/QUOTE]OK, that explains the spreadsheeting of your exercise regime smile.gif

Re muscle strength for skiing - I find yoga prepares me nicely. Chair position in particular is a good one - where you 'sit' as if on a chair, but with no chair - and no wall behind you either. </font>[/QUOTE]we used to do that in kickboxing with our arms out straight in front of us holding a kick pad that our trainer would sit weights on every two minutes.. if someone buckled we would have to start all over again.. wish we had kickboxing training up here in Jindy... it's the only thing I miss about moving from Vic.

[Polaris]

I went skiing for 5 hours...... couldn't be buggered with the training stuff tongue.gif

[Altheau]

*sigh* waiting for the rain to be gone


Want to take my doggy for a long walk today and do my run *cross fingers*

[Snow Yeti]

Just did 1 hour spin class. The lady was a dragon for a Sunday 9am session .... wooo it was hard.......

I like Wednesday SPIN better. Kaz, Pods, SnowAnt, you up for it ????

and anyone in the area ...

[Officer Schmenz]

i would but i might be a bit hungover still! end of exams bender!

[TVC]

John Deere,

Thanks for the specific info. Sounds like strength training is different to endurance training.

Shorter intervals with more intensity, a breather, and then go again until can't go any more. And keep swapping machines.

Cheers,

Matt

[TVC]

Podlette,

Don't let rain stop you.

My last distance run (34km) before tapering into Canberra marathon was 3 1/2 hours in pouring rain. Nothing big slabs of Vaseline can't deal with.

In the last 10k's the lightning strike 50 metres away was a different matter however! After I got back up off the ground it was nearly handful of long grass time :eek:

[Snow Yeti]

Need to find Steve8113, he's a pro at training and health. Studies this at Uni !

(He could be hibernating still from Canadian Winter) :D

[ 21. June 2009, 01:07 PM: Message edited by: Snow Yeti ]

[karen97]

Originally posted by Snow Yeti:
Just did 1 hour spin class. The lady was a dragon for a Sunday 9am session .... wooo it was hard.......

I like Wednesday SPIN better. Kaz, Pods, SnowAnt, you up for it ????

and anyone in the area ... Yeppo :D

[Altheau]

pff went a bit crappy tonigh, I think i tried to squish my walk with my doggy and my run in to close together.

r well there is always tomorrow =]

[Legolas]

took doggity dog for a mega walk at super fast pace today. Actually passed by your place pods! should have popped in and rescued you from the housework!!
Worked all that fitness off with a beautiful roast and cheesecake (couldn't say no...Goose made it entirely by himself!! and what's cheesecake without a little icecream and fruit compote graemlins/outtahere.gif )

[ 21. June 2009, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[Podlettte]

you should have! sounds yum smile.gif we're having soup and bread rolls, the soy linseed ones by burgen yum!

[NissTrust]

dident run today, just core strength exercises, will get back onto the pavement tommorrow

[ozgirl]

I have new motivation to exercise. Showed up at my friends this afternoon to get the goss on last night and she refused to divulge in front of her house mate so suggested we go for a walk.

I was out that door like a shot! We walked for an hour and a half around blackwattle bay (think that is the right bay??) and Glebe in the rain!!

It was v juciy goss - so worth it. I told her about this thread and she has suggested i could use the gym in her apartment complex sometime _ it is good cause she is only at Uni and so i could do it before work - it is sort of on the way.

[Snow Yeti]

Well I am off to try SPIN at some ungodly hour, omg .. lol I'll see how it goes !!

[Snow Yeti]

I survived :D
I thought spin was meant to get easier, it only gets harder!!!

Looks are so deceiving, the instructor looked so super friendly, but boy does she work everyone hard !!!! :eek:

[kort]

eeek I can;t believe you were up at 5:47am sending emails!

[Kimski]

Didn't manage to make it to the gym over the weekend. Went horseriding Saturday and intended to go to pump Sunday morning but decided that extra sleep is important for my health too. I did make use of the sunny weather to have a long walk though.

Have decided that I will make it there 3 nights out of 5 during this week starting tonight. Guess it just takes a while to get into a routine.

[karen97]

Ok, so I have the alarm set for 6:30 for an early spin graemlins/cold.gif

[TVC]

ozgirl,

Just re-read the opening post and I'm a little bit confused about the contradiction of 'having to admit to it will keep me motivated' and 'I will def never do half of what you guys do..... yep it is def unmotivating me'.

Is it one or the other? I will never do half of what Libby Lenton or Grant Hackett does, but that doesn't stop me from trying 100% in what I do.

I'm no elite athlete, just a bloke with 3 kids under 10 and a few spare kilo's around the middle smile.gif

[kort]

For me - being around people who are faster, fitter, etc then me DOES NOT discourage me at all, it actually motivates me more to improve and get better. The running group I belong to has some hot sh!t runners who will race ahead (they have their own training schedules which is fair enough) leaving us slower runners to plod at our pace. If its a small group it could mean I am running by myself for over an hour! The first time it happened I was in a pretty low place mentally but I stuck with it and when I finished that run, whilst I didn't exactly enjoy it, I still did it. But more importantly I overcame my own mental doubts.

During that lonely run I could have easily said to myself "%#$%$ this I am getting left behind - why would I want to run by myself when this is a running group, blah blah blah" and given up. But rather then do that I turned it around and thought "well if I don't want to run by myself I am going to have to train harder" which is what I did. I am certainly not in the hot sh!t league but I know I am getting better (my times indicate that). Plus I hate quitting/giving up - I made the commitment and I stuck with it. So every Saturday morning I was ready to train regardless of the weather (starting a run when its 7 degrees is not pleasant but finishing the run is much more satisfying then sleeping in wandering "what if"). Giving up is the easy option - plus you'll always have that "what if" in the back of your mind. I don't have to come 1st - but I always want to perform to the best of MY OWN ability.

I rather like Wayne Gretzy's line .....
"You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

[TVC]

Yep.

Gretzy's line is the same as the old adage - 'don't die wondering'

[SnowSnow]

I played wii tennis again this morning for about 20mins about to play tony hawk now :D