Let's get fit and healthy together

[Kitteh]

Hellllo I want to join in the fit and healthy thread

I recently read Dr McDougall's program and am trying to cut down on oil in my diet. I am going to start cycling again now that it's Spring and I can't say it too cold. I have been using our Wii Fit more and more and really enjoying it. I find that starting to exercise again is the hardest part, once I get started I'm fine.

I'm a bridesmaid in 2 mths so I would like to be feeling fitter and healthier by then!

[Frank]

ha-ha, yes i did that for 10 years, Frank!

Ha ha! I hope mine is over and done with!

[Roxy]

I'm back on the get fit and healthy wagon tomorrow. I'm just winding down from a two week vacation during which I indulged just a little too much.

I did get plenty of exercise every day, but all those treats and indulgences add up and I'm now a bit rounder than I want to be in several different places.

[Shrapnel]

I managed to get another hike in today (though it's getting chilly at the mountains... so may not have many more times), and will be going to a Muay Thai kickboxing class tomorrow (supplements my jiujitsu class). There's an MMA class too, but it's pretty late. I've been trying to get in better shape and lose weight, so here's hoping it works.

[fresquinho]

I'm supposed to run 6k today but don't feel like running at all. Must start running in the early mornings when I'm all psyched and stuff.

[Sarah_]

Well, I have a job that sort of requires me to be active all day long. When you're doing housekeeping in a casino you've got a lot of movement going on cleaning the rooms, and even with pushing those huge carts around. In any case, it's way more activity than I'd be getting if I didn't have that job, so I think it's an improvement. Only problem is that I can't see to stop st6uffing my face at lunch time because the work makes me wanna eat so baaad.
I wanna work out or something but during the day it's well past the 100 degree mark and I'd feel embarrassed if my bf knew I was doing it, and I live with him. I suppose I can wait for him to be gone at work every afternoon and then go all out.
Maybe I can get him to take a walk with me every now and then or something...

[Roxy]

Hi Sarah - my job requires me to be active all day long too. I find I quite often get hungry at lunch time and eat a lot too.

Why do you say the work wants to make you eat? Is it because the job is boring or because you're smelling food all day or something else?

Well....I bit the bullet and got on the bathroom scale and it appears I put on 4 pounds over my vacation. Well whatever, it was worth it. How could I pass up all that new and exciting vegan fare!!

I'm making more of an effort to walk to places now (where possible), rather than drive and take stairs instead of elevators.

[Sarah_]

I think I want to eat so bad because I'm used to pigging out all day and snacking to my heart's content. Deviating makes me think about food the whole time so when I can finally get it (also the fact that it's FREE food) I scarf down.

Anyway, those 4 pounds could always be possible water weight. I wonder how people keep track of those small pounds, because I regularly fluctuate about five or ten pounds.

And good for you for deciding to walk and stuff when you can. it's always the smallest things that add up!

[cedarblue]

went to gym yesterday and did 20mins slow then fast walking with incline then some dumbells then arm pully down things and leg pushy in and out things.

going again tomorrow - i enjoyed it because i didn't do too much to scare myself off.

[DiaShel]

I wonder how people keep track of those small pounds, because I regularly fluctuate about five or ten pounds.

My weight fluctuates a lot too so I always wonder how people can say something like "OH my god, I gain 3 pounds!" It's normal for me to weigh three extra pounds from one day to the next. However, I do notice a general trend. Like now the range that I fluctuate is a lot higher then before. I tend to weigh myself a few times a week so I have a good idea about where I should be. It's frustating as hell though when you want to lose like 5 pounds and you think you lost a couple pounds and then it's right back.

[DiaShel]

Well....I bit the bullet and got on the bathroom scale and it appears I put on 4 pounds over my vacation. Well whatever, it was worth it. How could I pass up all that new and exciting vegan fare!!

Same here Roxy! More then 4 though... The vegan food in the north west is too good not to splurge, never mind the beer. I just wish I didn't have to pay the price for it now.

[Sarah_]

My weight fluctuates a lot too so I always wonder how people can say something like "OH my god, I gain 3 pounds!" It's normal for me to weigh three extra pounds from one day to the next. However, I do notice a general trend. Like now the range that I fluctuate is a lot higher then before. I tend to weigh myself a few times a week so I have a good idea about where I should be. It's frustating as hell though when you want to lose like 5 pounds and you think you lost a couple pounds and then it's right back.

LOL, the story of my life!

[horselesspaul]

The football season is back in swing and I'm playing 3 and a half hours a week now.
Hopefully it will get easier over time. Last night's 5-a-side league game for Athletico Midtable was a 3-5 loss but we improved as it went on.
Playing for an hour at Sussex Uni sports hall tomorrow.
Communal joint enterprise..it's the only way I can motivate myself to stay fit.

[Shrapnel]

I don't think you should necessarily devote yourself to the scale, since it's possible to lose fat but gain weight (muscle weighs more). I prefer to go by waist size or body composition (which I haven't gotten in a while. I was at about 4% body fat or so lat time I checked, but that was last time I was in Utah).

Anyway, had an hour of Mauy Thai Monday, then jiujitsu yesterday, and kenpo today... my calves are already sore. I know my arms and legs are going to be killing me before the week's out.

[cobweb]

phew, 4% body fat! (*is jealous*)

[Shrapnel]

<_< well that was a while ago. I'm hoping to be back there again though. I have a bit extra motivation. With the November jiujitsu tournament, I'll need to think about weight classes. Though, since I'm at 135 and the lowest starts at 160... I think I should try bulking up a smidgen.

[cedarblue]

went to gym again today.

just did 20mins slow to brisk walking with slight incline but didn't get past the calorie burner section into the cardio section. did some arm weights and leg weight pushy ins and outs.

if i dont do too much at first, i'll want to keep going.

[gogs67]

I don't think you should necessarily devote yourself to the scale, since it's possible to lose fat but gain weight (muscle weighs more). I prefer to go by waist size or body composition (which I haven't gotten in a while. I was at about 4% body fat or so lat time I checked, but that was last time I was in Utah).

Anyway, had an hour of Mauy Thai Monday, then jiujitsu yesterday, and kenpo today... my calves are already sore. I know my arms and legs are going to be killing me before the week's out.

4% body fat for any prolonged period of time (more than a few weeks) is EXTREMELY bad for you!
That is just borderline for the essential amount a male needs for his body to function and reproduce cells! (staying alive in other words)
It's recommended double or even triple that amount!
That's why body builders (aside from the steroid use) used to have so many vital internal organ problems, their body would start to use the fat stored in the adipose tissue, but better nutritional advice seems to have helped that!

[Shrapnel]

4% body fat for any prolonged period of time (more than a few weeks) is EXTREMELY bad for you!
That is just borderline for the essential amount a male needs for his body to function and reproduce cells! (staying alive in other words)
It's recommended double or even triple that amount!
That's why body builders (aside from the steroid use) used to have so many vital internal organ problems, their body would start to use the fat stored in the adipose tissue, but better nutritional advice seems to have helped that!

Well, when I was last checked, in my college health class, I was told that 4% was on the low end of healthy, but not like emergency. Though the fitness instructor said I could gain fat and be alright. I'm planning on getting around 6%, maybe a little more, but around that. When my school does a health week, and they do free body comp, I'll ask about what's the ideal amount.

[Shrapnel]

went to gym again today.

just did 20mins slow to brisk walking with slight incline but didn't get past the calorie burner section into the cardio section. did some arm weights and leg weight pushy ins and outs.

if i dont do too much at first, i'll want to keep going.

Good for you, and you're right. If you do too much at first, or even just too much at once, you can suffer burn out.

[gogs67]

Well, when I was last checked, in my college health class, I was told that 4% was on the low end of healthy, but not like emergency. Though the fitness instructor said I could gain fat and be alright. I'm planning on getting around 6%, maybe a little more, but around that. When my school does a health week, and they do free body comp, I'll ask about what's the ideal amount.

If they say it's ok then fine! i just know last time i tried one of these it came out at about 13 % and i'm no exactly well built! Although my age probably has something to do with it!

This was the range of percentage body fat done in a survey of athletes (male on the left, female on the right)

Baseball 12-15% 12-18%
Basketball 6-12% 20-27%
Canoe/Kayak6-12% 10-16%
Cycling 5-15% 15-20%
Field & Ice Hockey 8-15% 12-18%
Gymnastics 5-12% 10-16%
Rowing 6-14% 12-18%
Swimming 9-12% 14-24%
Tennis 12-16% 16-24%
Track - Runners8-10% 12-20%T
rack - Jumpers7-12% 10-18%
Track - Throwers14-20%20-28%
Triathlon 5-12% 10-15%
Volleyball 11-14% 16-25%

Boxing and body building are the only two sports i've heard where the % is as low as 4 and, even then, that's only at the boxing weigh in. The fighters usually put on 14 - 20 pounds by fight time!
I would think if you naturally have a low body fat then it wont amount to as much of a health risk as someone who purposely pushes themselves to attain a low % though!

[Shrapnel]

If they say it's ok then fine! i just know last time i tried one of these it came out at about 13 % and i'm no exactly well built! Although my age probably has something to do with it!

This was the range of percentage body fat done in a survey of athletes (male on the left, female on the right)

Baseball 12-15% 12-18%
Basketball 6-12% 20-27%
Canoe/Kayak6-12% 10-16%
Cycling 5-15% 15-20%
Field & Ice Hockey 8-15% 12-18%
Gymnastics 5-12% 10-16%
Rowing 6-14% 12-18%
Swimming 9-12% 14-24%
Tennis 12-16% 16-24%
Track - Runners8-10% 12-20%T
rack - Jumpers7-12% 10-18%
Track - Throwers14-20%20-28%
Triathlon 5-12% 10-15%
Volleyball 11-14% 16-25%

Boxing and body building are the only two sports i've heard where the % is as low as 4 and, even then, that's only at the boxing weigh in. The fighters usually put on 14 - 20 pounds by fight time!
I would think if you naturally have a low body fat then it wont amount to as much of a health risk as someone who purposely pushes themselves to attain a low % though!

Well you do have a good point, that too low isn't good, and I found that when I was really eating restrictively (like 1,200 calories a day), I just didn't have a lot of energy. I've increased my intake now, and feel a lot more active. But yeah, either way, I'll consult a professional about what's healthy, since I'm not exactly sure what I should be going for, and I don't want to put health at risk.

[cobweb]

i see i'm more of a thrower type

[cedarblue]

Good for you, and you're right. If you do too much at first, or even just too much at once, you can suffer burn out.

oh, thank you for that encouragement

i hardly think i'll ever do enough for burnout but my mental approach to even keep going is so important. i'm figuring even 20mins 2-3times a week is 2-300% more than what i was doing (nothing) and as i slowly build up a bit more stamina i'll be able to increase both time a little and resistance.

[Marrers]

I haven't done anything for a week cos of my skin complaint - it aggravates it when I get hot. Hopefully I'll be able to start again next week.

[horselesspaul]

Beat the 20-somethings at 5-a-side football and I scored three goals, two of which were actually what I had intended. Sweated buckets but resisted the temptation to "re-hydrate" with Fuller's ESB.
Go Marrers.

[Marrers]

Well done horselesspaul! Show them young 'uns how it's done!

[horselesspaul]

Thanks. We geriatrics pass the ball to each other. They mostly think they're <insert name of their favourite sticky booted superstar here>.

[gogs67]

Today i moved a tonne and a half of earth that had been put into 50 bags up a flight of stairs, along a corridor, up another flight of stairs and into a van. Then unloaded it (just chucked the bags out thankfully)
Next job was 30 or so boxes and rucksacks, bits of wood??? and some artwork down two flights then up another two flights.
last job was 20 or so heavy boxes up 3 flights but we couldn't park near the flat so had a 50 meter walk before we got to the door.

Sod the gym, I'm now gonna go for a pint!

[sugarmouse]

I have ran everyday for the last few months, with couple days of not doing it for various reasons.
I got myself 'measured' the ohter day.
I am 9stone 9lbs, which is heavier than I would like to be. I am only 5'3.
My body fat percentage was 25%, which I think is ok?
And my bmi was 22.Which I am quite happy with.
I guess they say take off a little for clothes so maybes I am 9stone 8lb or just over..I want to be 9stone 2 lbs.
so I have a quest now, to lose about 6lbs.
Not sure quite how to go about it without giving up my favourite, cider!

[cobweb]

sounds great, sugarmouse - i think that your bodyfat % is in the 'normal' range for women, it varies a little according to age (and i can't find my chart!).

if i was the same weight/BMI as you i'd be made up!

how do they measure you, btw, is it with electronic scales?

[Shrapnel]

Way to go Sugarouse. That's dedication to go every day most enough! And that's totally a normal range for BMI and bodyfat percentage.

[Shrapnel]

I went to Throwdown this morning, to the level 2 jiujitsu class, and damn... these guys are hard core (like some have actually fought MMA). I'm learning more and learning faster than in my regular level on classes. Though, now I'm sore in every muscle...

[cobweb]

i'm reading a book and it's confusing me..................i'm trying to work out what 'type' i am so i can make a good training plan that suits me - i am ridiculously muscular but also quite fat, i can lift heavy things and i get short bursts of energy, but i also like rowing which is listed in this book as good for endurance types who build muscle slowly.
hmm
the book is 'the vegetarian sports nutrition guide'.

[ellaminnowpea]

What are the choices for 'types', Cobby?

I think everyone is suited for some cardio simply because of the health benefits. And since you say you're naturally muscular, maybe weights aren't a good option for you. The cardio will help you slim down and not build too much muscle like weight training may. But it seems like you're really on track with everything and doing well!

[cobweb]

well i agree there, ella, - as you know i fancied bodybuilding but really i need to get rid of the fat asap .

my husband tells me to go on the 'girly machines' as i call them, such as the cross trainer, stepper, etc. I know he's right but there's something so exciting about the resistance section of the gym, it just pulls me in.........

the types in this book are basically the sprinter type with short fast and furious bursts of speed and power, and the endurance types that can run/swim/cycle/row long distances. I actually don't really know what i am, i just do the things i enjoy, but i sort of feel i need to concentrate more on the stuff i don't like so much aswell, in order to burn off the fat .

In fairness to this book it points out that diet is the most important element in fat loss, and that is where my REAL problem still lies (*sigh*).

[horselesspaul]

Just had to say that despite losing badly on Tuesday night I had huuuuge fun tonight and scored eight, yes eight, goals. Not bad from midfield. I cannot currently walk, however, but it was worth it.

[Frank]

Just had to say that despite losing badly on Tuesday night I had huuuuge fun tonight and scored eight, yes eight, goals. Not bad from midfield. I cannot currently walk, however, but it was worth it.

Eight goals?!

Have you thought of a trial at Stoke City?

[horselesspaul]

Eight goals?!

Have you thought of a trial at Stoke City?

Haha. Thanks Frank, I think.. Stoke.
I had a trial at Aldershot once, but was acquitted.
I am a devotee of pass and move. As long as someone else does the moving, I'll pass to them.
x

[ellaminnowpea]

I'd really like to start using this thread again... I haven't been able to exercise for the past two months and my cardio/lung strength have really diminished. I have to do cardio for my heart condition and asthma... so I'll start back up with some cardio when the gym opens up again. I've lost a lot of muscle tone, as well. I weight less, but I am definitely fatter. So I'll be doing a bit of strength training as well. I'm thinking a combo of cardio, strength training, and physical therapy exercises (for the good ole back and shoulder) should be enough to get me back in shape, help my shitty metabolism, and gain some health back.

[fresquinho]

I'd really like to start using this thread again... I haven't been able to exercise for the past two months and my cardio/lung strength have really diminished. I have to do cardio for my heart condition and asthma... so I'll start back up with some cardio when the gym opens up again. I've lost a lot of muscle tone, as well. I weight less, but I am definitely fatter. So I'll be doing a bit of strength training as well. I'm thinking a combo of cardio, strength training, and physical therapy exercises (for the good ole back and shoulder) should be enough to get me back in shape, help my shitty metabolism, and gain some health back.

Get into it!

I'm also flabbier and lazier, but this semester I'll start exercising a lot too. :smile:

[horselesspaul]

You go LMNOP!
I'm back to football tonight after the christmas break. I hope my knee's up to it. I bought a brace for it and have been doing plenty of strengthening exercises.

[DiaShel]

Last semester I could never find time to exercise. I've been pretty depressed but since the new year I've been exercising daily and feel much better. It's amazing what it does for me! I think it's even better motivation then the whole weight thing (though that's a strong one too!)

[horselesspaul]

You go LMNOP!
I'm back to football tonight after the christmas break. I hope my knee's up to it. I bought a brace for it and have been doing plenty of strengthening exercises.

Hell yeah! We won, I scored, my knee is fine. A little less fat and 44 than I was before..

[squigaletta]

I've taken up body pump classes in addition to my kick boxing training and I'm really tempted to start pilates too. A course of 10 lessons is £60 at my gym, anyone know if that's reasonable? I'm inclined to think it is, so maybe, they start next thursday. Also I'm hoping to go swimming at least one, preferrably twice a week, but not do any gym/cross training stuff.

[cookey]

£60 per 10 week course sounds resonable to me for the pilates - assuming its a properly trained instructor. Pilates instructor training takes longer and is more indepth than for a standard fitness instructor so you pay more than for e.g an aerobics class.

[Marrers]

Sounds like you have a lot going on there squig! Did you sign up for the pilates?

[ellaminnowpea]

Thanks for the encouragement Gym opens up on the 15th... 7 more days!!

[squigaletta]

Thanks for the advice cookey, the classes are pretty small too, so I think I'm getting a good deal. I'm going to sign up on monday I think, the classes start on Thursday .
Marrers, yeh it's been a pretty busy week! but I'm doing my dissertation so having set hours where I can take time off from work and just get it all out really helps me focus...that's the plan anyway!
lmnop, must be so frustrating for you!

[Quantum Mechanic]

I have ran everyday for the last few months, with couple days of not doing it for various reasons.
I got myself 'measured' the ohter day.
I am 9stone 9lbs, which is heavier than I would like to be. I am only 5'3.
My body fat percentage was 25%, which I think is ok?
And my bmi was 22.Which I am quite happy with.
I guess they say take off a little for clothes so maybes I am 9stone 8lb or just over..I want to be 9stone 2 lbs.
so I have a quest now, to lose about 6lbs.
Not sure quite how to go about it without giving up my favourite, cider!

I have been bed-ridden lately, and spent several days just sleeping through the whole day. Mainly because of poor sleep patterns and back pain, and also that I was almost passing out (which I have had happen since I was about 13). Anyway I found out my weight is 160 and BMI is 22.9, but I don't know how to find body fat percentage??? My muscles haven't been getting the kind of workout they should lately, and I fear it would be quite high but I don't have a way to know.