Back to the gym

“On the treadmill, as of this morning, and today also marks 200 miles this year alone. Okay, I took nearly a two-year hiatus, and put a bunch of weight back on. But I started watching my weight again in December, started the treadmill again in January. I stopped using the treadmill when I started my new job, but I can no longer afford to put off getting back in shape. How much weight I put on I don't know for sure since my electronic scale apparently shows progressively lower numbers when the batteries are dying. I put on 15 pounds overnight when I put new batteries in. I currently have 14 pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 167 pounds which is what my doctor says I should weigh.

I haven't been posting here lately because of my preference for Firefox and the fact that certain features including the favorite threads don't work with Firefox. I use favorite threads extensively to follow up with threads I've posted on. I have kept up lurking here lately. I consider Firefox a more secure browser and prefer to avoid IE.
last edited: 4/12/09 8:24:14 AM”

“I really need to get back on the elliptical and walking around more, too. I haven't gained weight but I'm sure not going to lose it sitting around. ;P”

“The main thing, Leo, is to get back at it. Keep on keepin' on.

I've been working out steadily since early November and haven't lost much weight, but have increased muscle mass and lessened my waist size. I do 45 minutes of treadmill 5 days a week, followed by stretching and core work, finishing with weights and some post workout stretches. My son is a trainer and he's been helping me along, but he's on his way to California this evening. I don't think there will be any problem staying with it, just insert some balance in the outside summer things.

Good luck to both of you.”

“I haven't been posting here lately because of my preference for Firefox and the fact that certain features including the favorite threads don't work with Firefox.

I have used Firefox for years with no problems. The only difference I can see is instead of "Favorites" it says "Bookmarks".”

“I'm talking about the 'favorite threads' feature of TT— bookmarks I have no trouble with.”

“holy cow, I found a treadmill under all that dust :)


brand new and never used, how stupid right?
giving myself one year to get into shape. My reward?
second honeymoon in the Bahamas next Aug (2010) right after we renew our wedding vows....”

“Didn't they take the first time?

j/k”

“LOL just making sure it's good for another 22 years :)”

“Did the warranty expire or something?”

“Are you telling us that you'll both be available for dating in twenty two years?”

“I'm back to swimming again. I moved very slowly yesterday in the water for 800 yards. I, also, attended a special class with a bunch of old, overweight women. The instructor gave us a good workout in the water.”

“NS always was a ladies man. ;-)”

“Water aerobics is great exercise. My mom does water aerobics a few times a week. My dad's P.T. (he got a few stints installed back in early June) thinks he needs more exercise, so he's thinking of joining mom's class. She's not hip to that at all.”

“Did a slow, 1,000 yards in the pool a few days ago. It made me feel great.”

“Slow is good. Looks like you're on the come back trail:)”

“Did another, slow 1,000 yards in the pool last Friday.

Hope to try some easy backpacking soon. At least maybe I can go watch the leaves changing color in October.”

“That's good news NS. Glad to hear it.

I can do 15 pushups now - guess I ought start going to the gym again.”

“I can do 3 sets of 20. Used to be able to do a lot more. I must be catching 'MarkO Disease'.”

“Did a slow 1,250 yards in the pool yesterday. But I speeded up a little on 2.5 of the 25 laps.

I'm now about one-third of the way to swimming two miles.
last edited: 9/15/09 8:12:10 AM”

“My most recent, slow swims(2) were each 1,000 yards. I'm slowly recovering from my two trips to the hospital in April and May.”

“sounds like your recovering quite nicely!

good for you!”

“I'm sick and yet am going to the gym. What's your excuse?”

“Good for you, HPD! keep up the good work! I signed up for a "fitness challenge" at my local Y. Been at it for just under 2 weeks. Lost about 4 lbs so far.”

“Great. Spread your germs all over the place.”

“I've been hitting the gym hard these days. Quit smoking 10 months ago, and I'm trying to keep the weight off. So far so good!”

“luv luv luvs me some muscle memory!

yeeeeah boyeee!”

“Out practicing some kick-boxing this evening?”

“no, it's been over a year - decided to get my body back into 20 yr old shape b/c the brain was there but the body wasn't

muscle memory is a body-building term referring to if you used to lift, then stop, and later return, your muscles "spring back" quickly towards their original size

any karate tonight?”

“Nope. The only karate that I do, would be a subset of defensive combat. I do have a karate t-shirt, however.

But as I explained elsewhere, I have not done much of anything lately, except take notes. I'm still in a recovery period after almost dying twice last May. Those two experiences took a lot out of me, energy and strengthwise. For more information chece my last post on Black Belt #2, if you're interested.”

“Take a look at what I'm wearing, people. You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys? Forget about it. Last off, my students will learn about self respect. You think anybody thinks I'm a failure because I go home to Starla at night? Forget about it!”

“Bow to your Sensei. .. BOW TO YOUR SENSEI!!”

“I've never heard the term 'muscle memory' used in that context, HPD. Usually it has to do with repeating motions and not muscle size. I'm interested in learning more.”

“Going to the gym is even better in February, for those who stick with it.”

“Here is an article that talks about the muscle "size" aspect of muscle memory.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Muscle-Memory-Occur?&id=759493

They make it sound as if a small amount of people experience it, but I've heard body-builders talk about it extensively throughout my life. It's definitely real.

It's also common to see it in physical therapy after muscle atrophy.

Here's another opinion about it: http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/training/26168-muscle-memory-scientific-fact-bodybuilding-fantasy.html

I have no doubt, person A and person B start out equal, but person A was large in the past and person B wasn't, person A will grow at a much faster pace given the same workout.

In 3 weeks of lifting this year (since 2nd week in Jan), I've gained 1" in arm size and 1.8" in chest size. There is no way I could have done that without having a history.”

“Thanks. that explains why my belly size so quickly returned to normal after my hike in '05”

“haha

Ok, I stand corrected. I incorrectly say they make it sound as if a small amount of people experience it, when in actuality they say the opposite: Most bodybuilders have experienced this phenomenon, yet virtually no discussions of this topic have appeared in scientific and athletic publications.”

“Yeah, I certainly never heard of it and though I'm clearly not a body builder (though I have built the one now carrying me about), I have been around gyms much of my life and have frequent training discussions with my son who has been a personal trainer half of his (life). I'm guessing he's aware of the phenomenon but since he's not been into body building since his very early 20's and I only train for specific events (long hikes), the topic wasn't likely too come up.”

“I've found there are many aspects of weightlifting/bodybuilding that you see "proof" of in the trenches, but that remain unstudied or unsupported in the "science" world.

I've noticed the same thing in the nutrition aspect of fitness. I took a nutrition class in college, and was told that a glass of milk will supply you with everything you need after a hard workout, because extra protein was unnecessary. Whatever.”

“Extra protein is needed, but stay away from smegma.”

“Just signed up for a gym a little while ago. My wife has been a member for a while - got a pretty sweet deal adding myself in. I'm definitely learning what I have underworked. Biceps, chest, most of my leg muscles have been pretty solid.

Some back and shoulders muscles have been pretty sore.

I definitely do agree with the muscle memory thing. Five years back, after some atrophy due to extreme inactivity (lost more than 40 pounds) my leg muscles came back incredibly fast without too much work.”

“the gym is my power plant
- Sargezilla

the gym is my spinach
- Sargeye the Trailtalk Man

the gym is my teleportation machine
- Sarglefly”

“I've been on the work out machine 6 days a week and it does make a difference. I need more calorie burning cardio though.”

“4 words: hiit

can be applied to the "work out machine" (whatever that is) ... or biking or running or whatever ...

watch the video: http://www.hiitsource.com/”

“My cardiologist says that my exercise program is the only thing that has kept me alive. I feel that he deserves some of the credit, too.

Finally, one week ago I started exercising in earnest again. I feel strong, the exercise feels real good and my body is reponding much better than I anticipated.

Several years ago in the locker room someone asked me, "How much weight did you lift/push today?" This became an interesting question to me. It was something that I had never considered previously. It does represent a guide as to what you may be achieving. Previously, my efforts were directed toward maintenance. Now I use weight totals to help guide myself toward my goals.

However, I don't know how to evaluate exercises without weights, except by counting the repetitions. This class of exercises would include sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, chins, stomach crunches, etc. Then there is my swimming and the exercise classes in the pool, plus the walking and stepping machines.

In case you have not guessed, my workouts take place in three sections: Using machines, using weights and doing free exercises. In addition I perform some of my martial arts things as well. Almost two lyears ago, the last time I tried it, I put my hand through three inches of simulated wood. At least, that is what heard my classmates say. Actually, it felt more like one inch of simulated wood.”

“must .... resist .... obligatory .... joke ....”