I used to be quite a fatty up until aboiut 2 years ago when I decided I would quit smoking. To assist, I put myself under an extremely punishing exercise routine which worked wonders. I went down from over 100 kgs (220 pounds) to 65 kgs (about 140 pounds). Ive cut back on the exercise a bit now, but I do about 6 miles of running a night and an hour and a half of aerobics. Anyway, fitness plays a pretty important role in my life and I get quite depressed if I dont get my exercise in for a couple of days.
Posts: 335 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 14 May 2004
Although my situation is completely the opposite, I totally agree with your last sentence. I was always rail thin, could eat anything & never gain weight, and was always self-conscious about it. I started working out with weights my senior year at college and went from about 165 pounds to 205 in about 2 years. But it turned out that I was just addicted to the feeling of excercising, and when I don't do it for about 2 or 3 days in a row now, I can feel myself really wanting to work out. The problem is that I do basically ZERO cardio, so I'm still carrying around the old "front porch" (belly), and need to work on that. But not being a twig is a nice thing!
Posts: 314 | Location: Cali | Registered: 14 May 2004
I put on a solid freshmen 15 two years ago. Thankfully, I'm rid of that now and then some. During the colder months of the year, the walk to the gym doesn't sound so fun, and I usually start to care less/hide behind sweaters. However, being that it's quite warm now, I'm at the gym lifting or outside running every weekday. During the week, I even do a pretty good job of eating well; however, that absolutely goes to shit on the weekends once drinking and drunk snacking get accounted for. All in all, I pretty much break even.
On a side note...what do you guys like to listen to while working out? Personally, "Surfer Rosa" and "Physical Graffiti" seem to do the trick for me. Also, "Entroducing" is great to run to.
"Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet?"
Posts: 94 | Location: Washington State | Registered: 17 May 2004
What I run to depends on my mood, but thanks to my iPod there is always something incase my mood changes. If I want to run really hard over a long distance I listen to rap or rock but generally I listen to country, classical or something easy.
Posts: 335 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 14 May 2004
Oh mercy, yes. I was sidelined thanks to hernia surgery earlier this year and the few weeks I couldn't exercise had me climbing the walls.
I started getting serious about going to the gym when I was in college. Over the years I did a pretty wide mix of cardio mixed with some weights.
About five years ago I started running more. These days I run six days a week. Right now I'm at about thirty miles per week, but I'm shooting for a base of forty-five for fall and spring half-marathons.
I don't generally listen to music when running. I have several running buddies, so we talk a lot. I run a lot of trails, so if I'm on my own, I kind of like the peace and quiet.
Now Playing: "Suite: Part I: Prayer And Meditation: Day / Part II: Peace And After / Part III: Prayer And Meditation: Evening / Part IV: Affirmation / Part V: Prayer And Meditation: 4 A.M." John Coltrane The Classic Quartet: Complete Impulse! Studio Recordings (Impulse!)
Posts: 1584 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: 23 May 2004
Its nice sometimes to run without music, but I CANNOT do any kind of exercise when I am with someone. My exercise time is my time when I just like to be alone so I can think and it totally ruins the experience for me if there is someone else with me.
Posts: 335 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 14 May 2004
I am definitely NOT addicted to exercise. I guess I just don't get that same pheromone effect from it that most people do.
However, I do try to either walk or run two miles every day that I can, at least three days a week. I realized that I was severely out of shape ... I used to be able to run three miles easily and then it got to the point where I couldn't even run one. So I started running again. I also do yoga sometimes. I really like it but I do it at home (I'm poor) and I don't really have the space so I don't do it a lot.
I don't listen to music when I am running. I used to and then found out that apparently it is not good for you as exercising pulls blood away from your ears and leaves your inner ear vulnerable to hearing damage from the headphones. So make sure you keep your volume low if you're listening to headphones while exercising! [end lecture]
Anyway, I like to think while I am running, not to mention the fact that all the Lexus-driving egotists who live in my area feel that stop signs really aren't for them, so I have to be kind of alert when I am running.
I would like to have a dog though, to go on walks and runs with me. It's much more fun with a dog.
quote:Originally posted by KT: Anyway, I like to think while I am running, not to mention the fact that all the Lexus-driving egotists who live in my area feel that stop signs really aren't for them, so I have to be kind of alert when I am running.
I end up giving the finger to a lot of cars when I am out jogging. No matter how bright the clothes I wear are, drivers dont seem to register that someone is on the road, despite them being stupid suburbanite mums who drive around with their high beams permanently on.
I jog at night though, which means Ive got plenty of visual warning that a car is coming up behind me.
Posts: 335 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 14 May 2004
Of course I value fitness. It's extremely important, especially as one gets older. The things I used to be able to do as a teenager! Unfortunately, like many things, you don't realize when you're young how great it is to be able to do just about anything you want and wake up the next day ready to do it all over again!
I would like to recommend Pilates. I started getting some lower back issues last year, which in turn prevented me from exercising as much as I wanted, and our gym started teaching Pilates classes in January of 2004. Pilates is exercises for your "core", which is your lower back, abs, and legs. I have seen a huge improvement in my lower back. Sadly, it will probably always be with me though. It's also helped my abs and legs as well. I know some people who it's helped their sciatica (sp?) as well. So although I sound like a commercial for Pilates, I think it's very worthwhile.
Posts: 177 | Location: Mercer County, NJ | Registered: 22 May 2004
It's amazing how much weight you gain on a diet of beer and...beer. I went through a "drinking stage" a few years back, and I went from about 140 to about 185 pounds. When I was getting too fat and tired to play in rec sports, I had to get it in gear. Now, I jog 2-3 miles a day and walk a couple more with my greyhound. St. Louis is a great city for runners...some of the best parks around. I used to run Forest Park, but now I do Tower Grove Park, which is smaller, but closer. I have free use of the University gym, but it's too crowded most of the time, so I just use free weights at home.
I rarely listen to anything while jogging...but if I do, it's usually Cardinals baseball on KMOX.
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
The last few years we lived in St. Louis, we rented a flat on Tulane in University City. Forest Park was our principal running destination and I never miss a lap around the Park when I'm visiting if I can help it. The best thing about running in Forest Park is the Zoo. If you go out early enough, the lions will often be roaring as you cross Hampton Avenue, which is incredibly cool. Also, entry to the Zoo is free, so it makes for great destination for stretching and generally cooling down after a long run.
My favorite single running experience in Forest Park was watching this year's U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials on April 3rd. Around 150 of the fastest women in the marathon ran several circuits around Forest Park to determine our team for the Athens Olympics this fall. As a spectator, it provided multiple opportunities to see the athletes throughout the race, which was truly amazing.
Unfortunately, the Cards weren't in town that weekend, so I have yet to get to a game at Busch this season even though we were staying at the Marriott right next door.
Now Playing: "Raining" Red Planet We Know How It Goes (Gearhead)
Posts: 1584 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: 23 May 2004
Yes, I do. I’ve made exercising fun. Air-guitar and run around my room for thirty minutes while watching previously recorded live shows . . . well, basically ever exercise I do, I have music with me. Soothes the soul, no. Cleans the colon, I should say.
Sincerely, Are These My Pants?
Constantly searching for the pants I may never find . . .
Posts: 3 | Location: Somewhere in Time. | Registered: 16 July 2004
I always work out, at least 4x a week, but I never do cardio. If I do cardio I lose weight just like that. I've always been lean as a teenager and it's hard for me to gain weight, altho I've gained a good amount of mass when I was about 19 when I started lifting weights seriously.
As far as diet, I eat anything and everything, but I love eating meat so the protein problem is solved. It's really not hard for me to avoid sugary stuff coz I don't have a sweet tooth, and I usually go for lower fat variety. I guess it's almost like a lifestyle, and you get used to it. Some of my friends tell me it takes a lot out of them to "avoid" certain foods. For me, it's not even avoiding the food coz I don't really like eating "bad food".
Originally posted by KT: I used to and then found out that apparently it is not good for you as exercising pulls blood away from your ears and leaves your inner ear vulnerable to hearing damage from the headphones. So make sure you keep your volume low if you're listening to headphones while exercising! [end lecture]
Recently, I have taken a yoga class at school, as well as running every day, and working out every other day. Im starting to feel better walking and have a better posture. As well as starting to value the idea of fitness and body health.
Posts: 635 | Location: California | Registered: 24 August 2004
I have recently rediscovered fitness. For me, it is nearly impossible to gain or lose any significant weight. I'm 28, and I have been within the same 10 pound range for the last 11 years no matter what my diet or level of activity has been. In my case, it really is about being physically fit. I was in horrible shape and I got sick of getting winded chasing around my niece and nephew. I also want to get in gear early since my father is blessed with high cholesterol, and I'm afraid I may grow into it as well. He didn't want to take medication so he changed his diet and started exercising regularly and has been able to lower it. I want to have at least one of those habits already in place. I now run 10-15 miles a week(I take the weekend off). I also play golf at least 2 times a week. I know I know, but I always walk the course. I also have a stretching routine (which helps the golf game). I don't usually listen to music when I run. I run really early in the morning so I enjoy the silence. If I do listen to anything, it's usually BBC News or NPR on my Sirius(name dropper) MP3 player.
Posts: 3130 | Location: FoCo | Registered: 07 January 2005
