The Perpetual People Exercise Post

grogs

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Well, I've been pretty inconsistent for the last few months while writing my dissertation. That's mainly because on the days I don't go in to work, I don't work out. Now that I'm all done with school, I'm going in a lot more. I went to the gym 3 times last week and 4 times this week.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week I did 30-45 minutes on either the elliptical or the treadmill followed by both upper and lower body weight machines. I did ~3 sets of 10 on each machine. That's a long workout, but once I start going regularly and/or get some cardio machines at home, I'll be able to split the weights and cardio up.

On Thursday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical followed by 1 mile on the treadmill. I was amazed by how hard it was to switch from one to the other.
 

marie-p

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I was getting lazy for a while, but a few weeks ago I started doing exercise on my wii fit every morning. Usually not very intense, but it's better than nothing.

Now I've started with the ''EA Sports Active - More Workouts'' and I finished week 1 of the 6 week challenge. It's pretty hard, but I like it. The only thing I don't like is the resistance band (it doesn't really do anything) so I'll go buy myself some weights instead.

Well, keep at it everyone. It sounds like most of you are in better shape than I am
 

Winchester

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Sorry, last week was hectic and I've done nothing since Thursday. Bad. Bad Pam! (I will take my 50 lashes.)

Although, does chasing after a Mollipop count as any kind of exercise at all? Please? (It has to, I've lost 3 pounds since she came into the house!!)

Today when I did some shopping, I parked once. Walked to Target, walked to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, walked to the grocery store, walked to PetSmart. And all those stores are pretty much at opposite ends of each other. (Except for the Giant store and PetSmart).

I promise to do better this week.
 

Ms. Freya

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Originally Posted by c1atsite

it's how you look that matters, okay!? Just kidding
Going back and seeing this I have to laugh. I think it really was just the muscle gain from starting a weight training regime. I gained another few pounds after that, but I've lost it all again (Yay!) and kept off the pants size, so I'm just trying to keep it up and writing weight training off as something that I don't completely understand.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I just saw this thread for the first time, so guess I'll pipe in that I try to treadmill (walk and do interval training) 30 - 40 minutes 6 days a week and then do upper body workouts on our Bowflex 4 days a week and use that big ball (can't think of the name) for ab work outs twice a week. I also play at least 5 games of tennis on the Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii everyday, along with several of the Wi Fitness Plus things, mostly balance "games", since I have some neurological issues and have trouble with my balance (that's why I use a treadmill rather than enjoy the out of doors when the weather is glorious as it is now and why I can only play tennis on the Wiiiiiiiiiiiii) I call the Wii the Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiii because it is SO MUCH FUN! I could kick myself for not buying it before this Christmas
 

ut0pia

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I have been falling behind recently, not even doing the minimum to be a healthy human being

It's finals time for me as I'm in college and it's always harder now, but still...even if I was free I am somehow dreading the gym. I wish I had a treadmill at home.
I lost the 5 pounds I had gained on Christmas, and was back to my usual weight for like a few months, and now I've put on the 5 pounds again due to stress..
Anyway, any tips on getting back into it? Maybe I can do one of those cardio DVD's at home, are they any good?
 
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dave t

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Originally Posted by ut0pia

I have been falling behind recently, not even doing the minimum to be a healthy human being

It's finals time for me as I'm in college and it's always harder now, but still...even if I was free I am somehow dreading the gym. I wish I had a treadmill at home.
I lost the 5 pounds I had gained on Christmas, and was back to my usual weight for like a few months, and now I've put on the 5 pounds again due to stress..
Anyway, any tips on getting back into it? Maybe I can do one of those cardio DVD's at home, are they any good?
I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred for a few weeks off and on, and I can assure you that it is quite a workout. Yikes! LOL It is cheap, too, something like $6 on Amazon.

If anyone wants to hear the boring stuff that I have been up to, let me know and I'll be happy to lull you to sleep.


Dave
 

Winchester

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Originally Posted by Dave T

If anyone wants to hear the boring stuff that I have been up to, let me know and I'll be happy to lull you to sleep.


Dave
Spill, Dave. I always read this thread. I may not reply all the time, but I always read. I need some motivation.

I'm walking every day and now am doing five-six miles pretty much every day. Three miles either in the morning or over my lunch and then two-three miles after dinner at night when the weather is good.

The problem is that I can't seem to "find time" for the Bowflex or the weights right now. And I don't know why. It's an excuse; I know that.

So spill. I always read.
 

snake_lady

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I posted back in the start of this thread....then life got in the way, and I haven't really been back.

We've been doing some research, and yesterday bought a treadmill


I want to learn to jog
I think it may be an activity that I can do, without it affecting my health issues..... if not, then I'll walk on the inclines.

I have a "Walk to jog Workout" that will take you from walking to jogging in 8wks that I'm going to try.

It consists of things like: Week 1: Mon. Walk 30 mins..... Tues. Walk 5mins, jog 1 min, repeat 5 times, walk 5mins......
Week 3, the jogging time increases to 2mins, walking 3mins in between jogging for 2mins.
Week 5-8, jogging increases more.
Week 8 is Mon: walk 30mins.... Tues: Walk 5mins, Jog 20mins, Walk 5mins...Wed: off....Thurs Walk 5, Jog 25, walk 5......Friday: walk 30... Sat: walk 5, jog 30, walk 5......Sun: off.

So barring me getting any sicker than I am right now, tomorrow is Day 1 of week 1



I'm excited because I think this is something I will enjoy doing.... Ever since quitting smoking, I've had problems finding something to do with my pent up energy, or if I get angry, etc...... if all goes well, this will be my new outlet.

( eventually I'd like to jog outside too, but for now I want to ease in via the treadmill )
 
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dave t

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Good for you, Snake_Lady!

I am in a similar position as you, except I am finally ready to hit the open road, after building up my running stamina from 5 minutes about four or five months ago. I am very eager to see how running outside compares to running on the treadmill, or in front of the ol' Wii fit, in my case.

I finally have a new iPod Nano to keep me occupied, so between that and my jogging shoes I just need the weather to cooperate (and the sun to rise a little earlier) and I'll be taking my show on the road. Film at eleven!


On that note, I ran for 32 minutes this morning, and clocked in 4.38 miles in 30 minutes. Not thrilled with the distance, as I like to hit at least 4.4 miles in 30 minutes, but I'll take it. I was keeping a good pace and doing a lot of running around, so that was very encouraging.

I have started taking protein supplements within the past few days as well, so we'll see how that helps my physique and my recovery time. They taste gross, so hopefully they are worth it. More tomorrow!

Now get out there and get all hot and bothered for me, everyone!


Dave
 

februa

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I was able to get my bike out this weekend, and did over 20k of riding on Saturday alone. Sunday bought a bike computer so can calculate "real" distances instead of road estimates from mapmyride.com - just have to get the spoke part in the right place! Thinking of cancelling my gym membership for the summer now - I barely went last summer at all because of all the biking etc.
Have been slacking big time on the wii fit, but have been fairly regular with EA Active (too many squats/lunges! lol)....Here comes summer, and I too hope to take it outside!
 

snake_lady

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Originally Posted by Dave T

Good for you, Snake_Lady!

I am in a similar position as you, except I am finally ready to hit the open road, after building up my running stamina from 5 minutes about four or five months ago. I am very eager to see how running outside compares to running on the treadmill, or in front of the ol' Wii fit, in my case.

I finally have a new iPod Nano to keep me occupied, so between that and my jogging shoes I just need the weather to cooperate (and the sun to rise a little earlier) and I'll be taking my show on the road. Film at eleven!


On that note, I ran for 32 minutes this morning, and clocked in 4.38 miles in 30 minutes. Not thrilled with the distance, as I like to hit at least 4.4 miles in 30 minutes, but I'll take it. I was keeping a good pace and doing a lot of running around, so that was very encouraging.

I have started taking protein supplements within the past few days as well, so we'll see how that helps my physique and my recovery time. They taste gross, so hopefully they are worth it. More tomorrow!

Now get out there and get all hot and bothered for me, everyone!


Dave
Hey Dave..... prolly a few questions in my rambling, since I'm quite new to this.... ( wanting to jog ).

I imagine you were where I am once upon a time (just starting)

I did
just 1.7miles in 50mins...... but thats including a 5min warm up, 5min cool down...... on average I did 2.2mph speed..... ( I'm short, so that is walking at a fair pace for me) 3mph is a light jog for me....... Right now I'm battling a sinus cold that is working its way into my chest, so I think I'm going to be behind in schedule but........... its a start and I'm getting back on it shortly, to try the walk for 5, jog for 1.

Did you start gradually too, like my previous post?

I'm curious as to what speed you use? or started at vs what you use now? I just did the math, so you're running at 8mph now then..... what was your start at? How long have you been working on improving it?

I would love to eventually do it outside....right now tho, a couple things: the hard ground (even with good shoes) will jolt my back probs more than the cushioning of the treadmill....as well as my bum knee.....2nd: self concious.....

This is a whole new one for me..... I would rather climb hills (use the incline feature), than run....but something is pulling me towards jogging..... first time I've ever had an interest in it actually. I am
that it works for me.

Good luck on your open road jog, do let me know how it goes....
 

snake_lady

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Upped my treadmill speed today, 2.5-3mph walking briskly, with some 4mph 1min jogs....

I must say that i am thoroughly enjoying this.... I had a huge stressor today and since quitting smoking I haven't found an outlet.....went and jogged for as much as I could and boy did it feel good and help with the stress.

So I got in another hour today
which I'm happy with.....I also played with the inclines n' such and had fun.

I haven't been this excited bout exercise since I was taking karate many yrs ago.

It would help me alot if I could loose the cold..... hopefully soon
 

ut0pia

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Great job Chris

I am about to start again tomorrow...
Since it's been a while since I was last at the gym, I will be doing 60 second jog at 5 mph and 90 second walk at 3.5 mph at a 1% incline, though I will try to do it at 3% incline and see how that goes...
I wish I had a treadmill at home, but I'll have to settle for the gym...I've been doing wayyy too much sitting at a desk lately.
 

snake_lady

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Originally Posted by ut0pia

Great job Chris

I am about to start again tomorrow...
Since it's been a while since I was last at the gym, I will be doing 60 second jog at 5 mph and 90 second walk at 3.5 mph at a 1% incline, though I will try to do it at 3% incline and see how that goes...
I wish I had a treadmill at home, but I'll have to settle for the gym...I've been doing wayyy too much sitting at a desk lately.
Hey, thanks for posting the figures..... I was really wondering how I was doing in that aspect.
Didn't even know where to start actually, so its been hit and miss.

I can say tho, 4mph is the starting "jog" pace..... I'm out of breath, not gasping but not able to talk full sentences either. I can do 60sec...... incline varies either 1 or 1.5 for now.

Tho just for the heck of it, I bumped er up to 5% incline, speed of 4.5mph and tried that..... made it 45sec.

Walking pace after the initial day has been bumped up to 2.8-3mph now..... just that first day it was 2.2.

I can see, well feel, some differences already....... in my energy level for the most part as well as some mood.

I am not regretting this purchase at all..... I've mentioned before but, I have self esteem issues, plus with all my health issues, I don't think a gym membership would be worth it..... once you add up the fees for a 3yrs (don't know how much it costs there) it pays for my treadmill....and I'd only be using the cardio stuff at the gym.....

The only negative about my treadmill is that, I'm Canadian so we use km.... but I don't have the option to switch it to km...... its ok tho, helps talking here bout it. Oh and the fan on it, is useless, unless you want to hug the machine itself.... those I suppose if there was no circulation in the room, it would help some.

If u want to see it, I can post a link to it..... I like it so far.....
 

Winchester

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You guys are doing very well! Congratulations!


I guess I'm done for awhile. I boogered my left knee and spent the last few days with my leg elevated. On Tylenol and ice packs for two days. It hurts to go up and down stairs. We're wondering if it's an ACL problem and I think I'm going to have to make a dr appt.

This is the knee that's been giving me fits over the past ten years or so. I'll do something stupid and then it starts to hurt and ache like the dickens. I was on crutches for about 6 weeks several years ago, but then it seemed to be healing OK. The doctor had told me then that if it started to "pop" or if it seemed like my leg was going to "give" I should get my butt back in. But I never did.

We'll see what happens over the next couple days, but if there's no change, I'll see the dr.
 
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dave t

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Hello Snake_Lady and company!

I actually run in place in front of my Wii Fit, so I don't have a good way to track my pace, except by the distance travelled during my runs. Probably 90% of my 30 minute runs have been in the 4.2 - 4.5 mile range for the past few months, which I know is up a little from the pace that I first started out at.

When I first started out, I would just try to run 5 minutes without dropping dead.
Then a couple days later I would try to keep a good pace and add a couple of minutes to the run. Once I hit the 10 and 20 minute milestones, I would stay at those times for a week or two until I improved my distances a little bit. I am trying not to get hung up on metrics, but I do get frustrated if I don't hit at least 4.3 miles in 30 minutes. 4.3 is my baseline, I guess. Since I have been moving around more, quite literally running in circles around my basement, I know I am working more muscles and getting a better workout, which is my goal.

For anyone considering taking up jogging, please make sure you take it slow. You have a lot of time to build up stamina, and if you push things too far too fast, you are more likely to injure yourself and really put a kink in your workout plans. Take it easy out there and gradually increase your pace/time/incline/etc. and you will put yourself in the position to succeed.

I feel like a cheesy motivational speaker, but I don't want to see anyone get hurt. I need company in my fitness efforts! LOL

If you have any additional questions, please let me know. And if you haven't hit up Google, try checking out phrases like "tips for beginning runners" and "getting started with running". There is a ton of helpful information out there, especially for folks like me who are relatively new to all of this.

Keep up the great work! You guys rock!


Dave

P.S. If you are doing a lot of jogging (or walking!), make sure you invest in some quality shoes. Your joints will appreciate the extra cushion quality shoes provide.
 

snake_lady

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Its not cheesy at all Dave.....and thanks for responding to my questions


Some ppl would just jump right in, end up messing their knees/hips/ asst muscles etc.

Yes, I agree to start slowly.... That is what I am doing....

The last time I did any sort of running was in grade school, so we're going back at LEAST 20yrs.

The baseline for my plan actually came from a weight watchers magazine
I like how it goes slowly....tho I'm supposed to take today and Sunday off....ummm, not happening LOL.... really, because I have not been pushing myself, ( cold or something affecting my nose/chest) I'm not sore or anything.... I actually feel great all things considered. I could see taking the break days if I was doing a hard work out/running the whole time/inclines/etc..... but right now, I'm just starting.... I think yesterday I managed 3-5mins of jogging.

Dave, since you did the start to finish type deal, maybe you could make up a tip post so we can throw them all together...( or I can do it if a bunch of ppl want to post their tips on running/jogging.. it would give me something to do LOL, and I have a bunch of links )....

Ppl always underestimate the shoes. I did..... till I suffered a back injury, now I have no choice but to be overly picky.

Another on the shoes, I've read, people think walking shoes are good for running. FALSE..... walking shoes are for walking....running shoes are for jogging and running, made to absorb the shock as you hit the surface.



Dave: you didn't mention how running outside compared to inside? Was there much of a difference? If you were running in front of the Wii, odds are the floor would be similiar hardness to the ground yes? When I jogged in front of my Wii, the floor, well, we have heavy duty underpadding + thick carpet there......

This is one of my only concerns about running outside (once I reach that point) is how my body is going to react to the solid ground...... which is part reason for me getting a treadmill.

I have good shoes....shoes for different activities, etc. ( hikers, both shoes and boots..... walking shoes, and a pair of running shoes.....oh and my safety runners which I learned the hard way, you don't want to walk for hours in em, or run at all in em even tho I will say they are the most comfy shoes I have)....... but even in good shoes, I will pay a price if I'm standing/walking on a very hard surface for any length of time.

So yes, that is a concern....and so be it if I can't run outside (I can walk).....but that's why I am interested in how it worked for you
 

snake_lady

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Originally Posted by ut0pia

I am about to start again tomorrow...
Since it's been a while since I was last at the gym, I will be doing 60 second jog at 5 mph and 90 second walk at 3.5 mph at a 1% incline, though I will try to do it at 3% incline and see how that goes...
I wish I had a treadmill at home, but I'll have to settle for the gym...I've been doing wayyy too much sitting at a desk lately.
Hi Mariya, I hope you are able to start again today like you mentioned....

I have another question for you, if you don't mind..... How tall are you? I'm just asking because obviously height afters your stride and speed..... still trying to rate out how I am faring. 3mph is a "brisk" walk for me...I'm 5'3.5

Originally Posted by Winchester

You guys are doing very well! Congratulations!


I guess I'm done for awhile. I boogered my left knee and spent the last few days with my leg elevated. On Tylenol and ice packs for two days. It hurts to go up and down stairs. We're wondering if it's an ACL problem and I think I'm going to have to make a dr appt.

This is the knee that's been giving me fits over the past ten years or so. I'll do something stupid and then it starts to hurt and ache like the dickens. I was on crutches for about 6 weeks several years ago, but then it seemed to be healing OK. The doctor had told me then that if it started to "pop" or if it seemed like my leg was going to "give" I should get my butt back in. But I never did.

We'll see what happens over the next couple days, but if there's no change, I'll see the dr.
I can sympathize with knee probs..... had RPD ( my kneecap kept dislocating due to an injury that left my one tendon shredded and irrepairable)....had surgery, have a 7-8" scar starting from the side of my kneecap curving like a C and then down my shin.... ( they cut off the top of my "shin bone" and moved it over...thus dragging the tendons n' such over with it, to compensate for the missing one.... )

anyways.....its definately not fun, and I wish you the best.
 
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