The Escapist and Exercise

[Saltyk]

So, I've been going back to the gym, recently. This week marks the fifth week back and I've been working my butt off. Also, my stomach. I think that's starting to show.

So, my question for you all is: Do you exercise? Why or why not? If so, what sort of routine and goals do you have? We can also use this thread as an advice board if anyone has any questions, tips, or wants assistance.

So, personally, I started exercising again, it's been about two years for me, when I started noticing part of my legs rubbing raw nearly everyday at work. It was a bit of a wake-up call telling me that I had really gotten overweight. I was a good 30 pounds over my ideal weight and I've actually been 10-15 below it before (wasn't unhealthy, though).

I've been hitting the gym five days a week. Monday is sort of a free for all where I do cardio, upper body, a little core, and legs. Tuesday I'll spend an hour doing cardio and fat burn and may try to do a little core if I'm up to it. Wednesday I focus on upper body, doing even more than I do on Monday, and more core. Thursday is a repeat of Tuesday for me. And Friday is a repeat of Monday. Honestly, I don't overdo my legs as I stand at work all day and don't wanna have trouble there.

I also try to stretch during my workout, as well as on weekends to maintain flexibility. I'll do some minor stuff on weekends, like jumping jacks, if the mood hits me. I have almost entirely eliminated sugary drinks for my diet and try not to eat after Six PM.

My goal is to lose weight and build up some muscle. If I have a physical ideal, it's Bruce Lee. I don't need to be massive, just healthy.

For the record, I've lost about 10 pounds so far.

 

[Foolery]

Yeah, I exercise. Not going to go into detail about my routine, but I'll mention a few small things. Diet is an important one. I've cut out gluten products and dairy, which has been a big help.

Was never overweight or anything, but it makes me feel healthier. I have more energy. Paleo recipes are also handy, even though I don't follow their rules religiously. I drink green tea when I get up and chamomile before I go to bed.

Hmm, what else. I try to keep on my feet even in my downtime, I stand when console gaming, seeing as too much sitting is terrible for you. I actually want to build myself a standing desk for my PC.

Also, going to the pool is a great workout.

 

[tippy2k2]

I generally will hit the gym every day unless something comes up.

The normal recommendation is that you do 30 min of cardio and 30 min of weights every other day (so a hour total) but I just don't like spending that kind of time at the gym. Personally, I go every day instead for 30 min of whichever I'm working that day (generally M W F are weights switching between legs, upper body, and arms; T Th S is cardio and Sat is usually both since I have more time).

I left college at 240. I drastically cut back on pop (going from 3-4 cans per day to 1) and was able to drop to 220. Adding in exercise afterwards hasn't affected my weight as much as I'd have hoped (210 currently) but I also know that I'm a lot more healthy than I was before. I can run longer, I can move faster, I am more flexible, etc).

Unfortunately about two months ago, I hurt my hand (and I'm going to be out at least one more month based on the Ortho's words) so I've been strictly cardio for most of this summer.

As for advice on cardio, my PT recommended this course of action since it's easier but gives you the cardio you need. If you are using a treadmill, rather than running, do either a fast walk or a slow job. Do a 2-1 interval where 1 minute is a small incline (2.0 on our treadmills but that may vary for you) and then 2 minutes of larger inclines (6.0+). This allows your heart rate to spike up, give you a "rest" so you can drink and get your heart rate to drop a bit and then have it spike again.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

I've been going to the gym regularly for about 1 1/2 years now. My focus is weightlifting, since I was really scrawny when I started; to give you an idea, I was standing at about 6'1, and weighed about 130 lbs. I'm still not what anyone would call huge, but I'm up to 160 lbs., with little to no visible increase in body fat, so I'd call that progress, at least. It's pretty difficult for me to put on weight, unfortunately.

 

[Colour Scientist]

The only regular exercise I get is walking college/work but that's an hour there and back pretty much every day.

I've started eating healthier and in past six months, I've lost just over two stone (about 30 pounds) of excess weight.

I'm never able to keep up going to the gym or anything for very long, walking long distances has always been my exercise of choice to keep my weight in check. That and I just enjoy walking with music, I've been thinking of taking up jogging recently though.

 

[Gaius Livius]

I frequently do an all round routine. It's funny since it seems like most people end up going to the gym to LOSE weight, but for me it's about doing workouts and putting weight ON in muscle mass. It kind of makes it more awkward since it becomes more complicated. Been told I am apparently "Surprisingly young" to be doing it (17 for anyone wondering). It's supposedly something people do more in their 20s and upwards. Then again they could be talking nonsense. Are they?.

As for advice. The best advice is to not overdo things and or try to seem impressive by attempting something difficult when you can't do it properly. You'll get injured, look like an idiot and end up putting your entire routine out of order for potentially a long time, not to mention the knock to your confidence it may bring. Obviously it doesn't mean you stop as soon as it gets a bit hard but have some awareness of your limits and make gradual progress. Try to get someone who knows what they are doing to teach you proper technique too, especially if you are starting out. It won't feel like the exercise is doing anything at first and might seem a bit pointless but if you carry on with it the results will show through. Also don't forget that diet is key and whilst things like protein shakes are fine they are a SUPPLEMENT not a REPLACEMENT.

For those who have difficulty with endurance and find themselves giving up on a particular part of a routine (Maybe it's a run or squats or something). Have a concept of the end point in your mind, realize that it will be over at some point, and think of the benefits and sense of achievement you will gain afterwards by pushing through. Set yourself times and numbers of reps to be able to get this idea of an end point. See about doing your routine with a friend too and you can keep each other motivated and make sure neither takes the easy way out and gives up. If you ever feel like you are going to pass out then sit with your head down between your legs and control your breathing and don't drink too much just after because you are likely to chuck it back up again.

 

[Twintix]

Yep. I exercise.

I'm a martial artist. I've veen practicing taekwondo for about 8 years now, and I got my black belt last year. I have practice tuesdays, fridays and sundays, and every session lasts for about 1 1/2-2 hours. It focuses a lot on kicks, so it's great for your leg muscles, as well as being a generally intense form of workout. For me, I started practicing taekwondo because it seemed like a lot of fun, as well as being too young to practice karate. (I was 12 when I started, and the age limit for karate was 13)

We're currently on a break for the summer, though, so I have to find other ways to stay in shape. I have a punching bag that I sometimes practice taekwondo on, but I usually take an intense walk with weights (Which I also do during training season), and I've recently started swimming, too. Swimming is a great way to exercise if you want to lose weight, and an intense walk burns fat, compared to running, which burns carbs.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Yeah, I work out. I go to the gym 3 times a week on a split, I work out my core and abs at home nearly every day, and I run 3-5 times a week.

At the gym I do chest and back on mondays (bench press, wide chest, lat pull downs, cable row, dumbbell row, chest press, and dead lift). Wednesday is leg day (leg press, squats, leg curls, straight leg dead lift, and some pull-ups thrown in between sets). Friday is arms and shoulders (bench press, standing row, press, barbell curls, skull crushers, arnold press, dumbbell curls).

I run on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes Monday and Friday if I feel I have the energy after my gym workout. I do leg lifts and straight leg sit ups daily as well as push ups.

My goal is to eventually be able to do 20 pull-ups (I can do 15 right now), leg press 1000 pounds (I can do 750), and to bench 250 (I bench 200). I also currently weigh 160 pounds at 6' tall and am about 9-10% body fat.

 

[Lilikins]

I feel lazy in comparison to the others..haha ah well ehh...

Donno if it counts but I go to work everyday by bike instead of by car, its about 6 km away. Then I work as a waiter meaning Im basically walking all day. Thatd be about it really. Though I do have an incredibly fast metabolism, so I can eat enough for 2 and I wont ever weigh more then 66ish kg.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I frequently do an all round routine. It's funny since it seems like most people end up going to the gym to LOSE weight, but for me it's about doing workouts and putting weight ON in muscle mass. It kind of makes it more awkward since it becomes more complicated. Been told I am apparently "Surprisingly young" to be doing it (17 for anyone wondering). It's supposedly something people do more in their 20s and upwards. Then again they could be talking nonsense. Are they?.

Well sometimes if someone gets really into weightlifting early in life it can stunt their growth because the calories that their body would use to help them grow taller are instead used to build muscle. You should be fine at 17 because at that point in your life your growth is probably already slowing down, but men do continue gaining height into their 20s, which is why it's sometimes not recommended to do intense weightlifting until you've mostly finished growing. None of this is concrete though and depends entirely on one's body type. I don't know you so you should take everything I've said here with a grain of salt.

 

[giles]

Yea, for a year I've basically considered training my body to be kind of my hobby and I do it every day. It started with running and basic calisthenics, became A LOT of running for a while (over 40km a week, turned out to be bad for me so I cut down the distance and work on increasing the speed) and now I'm running every third day and have different calisthenic routines for the 2 days in between. This seems to be a great compromise.
It's kinda fun to try out new exercises and work towards specific movements and positions, master them and modify your routine as you develop more strength. That and the hormone cocktail of working through a tough routine or run is pretty satisfying in its own right.

 

[Something Amyss]

My body's so broken that even the PT exercises I've been given worsen it.

So no, not currently. I used to. Used to keep a routine.

 

[Darks63]

I do Aerobic and power lifting Exercise 3 to 4 days a week and 1 to 3 hours or yard work 1 day a week. I would prefer to do martial arts training but I can't afford their monthly rates and I also am on a strange schedule which makes it hard to get class time anyway.

My body's so broken that even the PT exercises I've been given worsen it.

So no, not currently. I used to. Used to keep a routine.

What kind of injuries you got?

 

[omega 616]

My gym is work, I don't work out 'cos it bores me to fucking tears ... endlessly counting to 10, doing sets etc it's just such a fucking chore and makes it boring as hell.

Now that I am in work, keeping busy, I have no time to sit and snack on junk food and I am walking a little over 5 miles a day (I used to walk to the shops all the time, which is like a 3 or 4 mile walk). So, weight is coming off me, which I am enjoying.

I could do more to make the weight fall off more quickly but it's not a huge issue for me.

As far as strength goes, I have a 6 ft bar with about 30kg on it ... do reps till I can't lift it and that does it. Not just curls either, before anybody thinks that.

I do know how to effectively gain muscle and how to end up looking like Arnold (max weight low rep) or Bruce Lee (medium to low weight, very high rep) but I'd rather sit back and relax, enjoy life ... than make myself sweat and ache.

 

[Gaius Livius]

I frequently do an all round routine. It's funny since it seems like most people end up going to the gym to LOSE weight, but for me it's about doing workouts and putting weight ON in muscle mass. It kind of makes it more awkward since it becomes more complicated. Been told I am apparently "Surprisingly young" to be doing it (17 for anyone wondering). It's supposedly something people do more in their 20s and upwards. Then again they could be talking nonsense. Are they?.

Well sometimes if someone gets really into weightlifting early in life it can stunt their growth because the calories that their body would use to help them grow taller are instead used to build muscle. You should be fine at 17 because at that point in your life your growth is probably already slowing down, but men do continue gaining height into their 20s, which is why it's sometimes not recommended to do intense weightlifting until you've mostly finished growing. None of this is concrete though and depends entirely on one's body type. I don't know you so you should take everything I've said here with a grain of salt.

You are right about that - It can stunt growth if you aren't doing it properly and or trying to do too much and as you say, it depends on the person also and genetics, diet etc.

 

[Zen Bard]

Yes, I exercise. Staying active is sort of essential to my sanity.

I have a regular gym work out routine that I follow before changing it up every three weeks (thanks to Tony Horton and P90X).

I also trained in muay thai for five years, parkour for two and just started kung fu.

 

[Charli]

Light weight lifting. An hour per day, arms on alternate days. Leg exercises on the other.

I walk everywhere. And I still eat like a horse... and yet I am the ultimate average for my height, age and sex.

Keeps me happy and healthy.

I don't have any running or major heart pumping regimes, and I do not push myself, nor any yoga or pilates, such as is the commonplace for most females my age. (too slow, boring)

However It works for me, but I'm also one of those people with a figure that carries my weight in a very fixed way, I don't gain or loose weight easily, but my shape retains it's basic properties even on the months and holidays where I've supposedly gained some or lost some.

So it never really shows on me. I am average weight, and I generally stay 'average' weight.

I guess I should be thankful, but it's just something I don't think about it, the weight lifting is to ensure I can pull my own when lifting things around and moving things, and the walking does my leg muscles and general well being good, I'll borrow my sisters bicycle or ask to be driven if I need to go somewhere long and everywhere else is a train ride away.

 

[Pieturli]

I train for Strongman, with the obvious goal of being a strong man. Har har.

Monday: Volume squat, followed by atlas stones

Tuesday: Volume pressing (barbell) followed by benching as assistance

Thursday: Deadlift intensity (5, 3 or 1RM) followed by Same for squat if I feel like it. If not, I high rep front squat/safety bar squat. Finally, one strongman event. Typically Tire Flips.

Friday: Event Specific pressing intensity. This usually means a 1-3RM Log Press. I do the rest of my event stuff on this day, typically Yoke or Farmers Walk.

I'm still in the process of trying to work in some prowler pushing into my program.


My advice in case anyone cares is to get strong. I'm still very much in the process myself, but I can tell you that getting strong makes literally everything else easier, and no, strength doesn't make you slow. In fact, it does the opposite. Obviously there are other aspects to physical fitness, but the problem is that strength is so hilariously undervalued that it deserves to get a special little spotlight.


Also: Muscle confusion is bullshit. If you want to increase your physical capability, you don't want your muscles to be confused. Vary the load, not the exercise.

 

[Treeinthewoods]

Monday I lift, working chest, shoulders, triceps and abs followed by 30 minutes running.

Tuesday I ride my bike for 30 minutes.

Wednesday I lift again (it's leg and abs day) then run for 30 minutes.

Thursday I ride my bike for 30 minutes.

Friday I lift focusing on my back, biceps and abs then run for 30 minutes.

Saturday I ride my bike for 30 minutes or go hiking with the family.

Sunday I be lazy.

It's a good routine, I enjoy it and feel I have a lot more energy. I am different from other lifters here though, I am lifting and following a diet plan to build mass first with strength being less important. I want to compete in an amateur body building contest in one year. Plus my wife really seems to like it!