Health and Fitness Thread

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

It's Friday the 13th and a dreary rainy day out here in the mountains of West Virginia.
That's okay though, I can use some rest after yesterday's workout.
Tomorrow's supposed to be a pleasant warm sunny day. We'll probably get the bikes out for a nice ride and picnic surrounded by fall colors.

You get some exercise dodging rain drops...

[susieqz]

the big question here, is what's going on with sandy?

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by susieqz

the big question here, is what's going on with sandy?

She's doing well but isn't too fond of taking her antibiotics.
Actually, I think it's more in the way they're administered.
I pin her down on the bed, hold her head with one hand and open her mouth with the other. My wife shoves an eyedropper full of meds down her throat and empties it.
Poor little girl, I can feel her tighten up when I pick her up and start walking toward the bedroom with her.
Next Wednesday's the last day of her meds.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful day for a bike ride today.
We took off from our back yard, took the connector trail out of town and went for a ride on the C&O Canal Tow path.
There was lotsa debris on the trail from the last storm that came through. I cleared some of the bigger chunks but I couldn't get all of it.
The biggest hazard though was the groups of tourists on bikes.
They go to Walmart get a bike and hit the trail. That's fine but there's such a thing as trail etiquette.
Don't stop in the middle of the trail to jibber jabber, move off to the side. If you're passing someone, announce yourself. When you pass someone coming towards you make some kind of a greeting.
We'd come around a corner and there'd be a big body clot of people yammering and blocking the trail. Thing is they're right next to a clear area big enough to set up camp.

Anyway, we ended up going 21 miles.
Tomorrow looks like a good hiking/grilling/beer drinking/cigar smoking day.

[susieqz]

drifter loves taking her meds/
everything is mixed with tuna.

[snubbyfan]

Wife and I went on a 4.5 mile hike today.
I was having problems. I felt gimpy, weak and unsteady. Kinda troubling. I thought that maybe my condition had worsened.
I was told by my neurologist that my condition's degenerative.
When we got home I found out what the problem was.
I had forgotten to take my morning anti-gimpy meds.

Anyway, it's off to the Y tomorrow, gotta make sure to take my meds before we go.

[snubbyfan]

Good day at the Y today. I wear my mountain bike shoes at spin class. They have the kind of pedals that have toe clips on one side and you can clip into on the other side. Unfortunately my bike had a lose clip and I'd pop when the instructor gave the "sprint" command. I figure I'll just bring my bicycle allen wrench set next time and tighten it.
In the weight room, it was business as usual.
Next time though, I think I'll do all my chest work before working my triceps.

[snubbyfan]

Today was a bit of an off day. We had some things to do around the house and the weather wasn't cooperating anyway.
We had intended to start the day "earning" our breakfast with my wife doing half an hour on the treadmill and me on the stationary bike but we felt lazy, skipped it and just had breakfast.
I am glad to say that I had accomplished all that I had intended to.

Tomorrow we're planning to get the bikes out for a nice ride.

[the ringo kid]

Well, Snubby got me back to the gym this morning-and old boy--IM going to feel it tonight after missing about 6 weeks due to work. Any remedies for the future pains to come? Ill be skipping Thurs-because of work schedule-but going Fri-skipping the weekend (gun show) not sure when going back after.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by the ringo kid

Well, Snubby got me back to the gym this morning-and old boy--IM going to feel it tonight after missing about 6 weeks due to work. Any remedies for the future pains to come? Ill be skipping Thurs-because of work schedule-but going Fri-skipping the weekend (gun show) not sure when going back after.

I've found that after a hard workout my body generally needs 2 days to heal enough to do it all over again. Our last workout was on Monday and the next one's tomorrow. Since there's gonna be a 3 day break after tomorrow's workout and before the next trip to the Y, I plan to beat myself up pretty good.
Spending a little time in a hot tub, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, etc., stimulates peripheral fluid flow, helping to flush out waste products in your muscles after a good workout. Lotsa fluids helps too.
I don't like taking pain meds but I have used a product called BioFreeze. It's a roll on pain relieving fluid.
Works for me.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

I've found that after a hard workout my body generally needs 2 days to heal enough to do it all over again. Our last workout was on Monday and the next one's tomorrow. Since there's gonna be a 3 day break after tomorrow's workout and before the next trip to the Y, I plan to beat myself up pretty good.
Spending a little time in a hot tub, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, etc., stimulates peripheral fluid flow, helping to flush out waste products in your muscles after a good workout. Lotsa fluids helps too.
I don't like taking pain meds but I have used a product called BioFreeze. It's a roll on pain relieving fluid.
Works for me.

That's what I figure will happen. I bought a can of BioFreeze as well-that stuff is expensive-but works wonders. I can already feel it in my shoulders a bit-and a bit in my thighs.

[snubbyfan]

At the Y today, spin class was a lot of fun. I found out that people are talking about me behind my back, giving me such nicknames as "Bionic Man" and "Energizer Bunny." Thing is I'm a bicycle rider from way back. Most of the people in spin class have only ridden stationary bikes.

In the workout room I could tell that I haven't completely healed since my last workout. That just shows me that I haven't been taking in enough calories and protein.
Kinda strange, after all that time sticking to a caloric deficit, I now need to make sure to keep my calories high enough to heal my body after a hard workout.
Actually it's more of a balancing act. Enough calories and protein to heal but not so many as to be putting fat back on.

Tomorrow I'm considering taking a day off. I was thinking of riding our stationary bike for about 45 minutes or so while my wife was at work.
Instead, I think I'll save it up for Saturday, we're planning a nice fall foliage bike ride. There's a section of the GAP trail my wife and I call "The Enchanted Forest," I'm betting it'll be brilliant with Autumn colors.
I'll bring my camera and if it's video worthy, I'll upload it to my Video Channel.

[the ringo kid]

Well, surprise surprise surprise--I never got sore-just a minor temporary ache that lasted maybe an hour. I guess all the lifting and moving I do at work really does kinda compensate for lack of going to the gym??
Not the image I was looking for-but it'll do fer now:

[snubbyfan]

We're planning on a nice bike ride tomorrow.
It's supposed to be mid 70's and partly cloudy. Works for me.
Not sure how far we're gonna go.

[snubbyfan]

We ended up going 23.04 miles. It was such a nice day we kept going "1 more mile before we turn around."

[susieqz]

if sandy doesn't have a cat seat on your bike, you are a mean person.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by susieqz

if sandy doesn't have a cat seat on your bike, you are a mean person.

Frankenbike does have a quick release rack.


I could probably rig something up for her. I'm just not convinced that she'd be happy spending a coupla hours getting jostled around on the back of a bicycle, away from Natayo, Sara, her food dish and litter box.
All 3 of them spend that time of the afternoon napping in their favorite spots.


That's Sandy curled up next to the Pillow. Her sister Sara and Natayo are down at the foot of the bed.

[snubbyfan]

Today was a bit of a day off. We went to the theatre and saw the afternoon matinee of "Carrie the Musical."
Excellent show, very well acted and the set and effects were very well done.
After the show we went to The Cracker Barrel for supper.

Tomorrow we're off to the Y. I increased my calories and protein for the last coupla days. We'll see how that affects my workouts and spin class.

[CBus660R]

Howdy all, still doing my thing. Set a PR by a minute on my mountain bike loop. 8.4 miles in 1:04. Heat rate monitor said I averaged 160BPM and burned 1100 calories.

Snubby, for the diet issue, you can eat all the protein you want without worrying about gaining fat. Just watch the simple carbs like pasta, bread, and veggies like corn and potatoes. I do drink a protein shake after every workout. Best to get it in the system as soon as you can after the workout.

[snubbyfan]

I was never into those protein drinks. When I do have carbs I choose whole wheat or whole grain. I try to eat a balanced healthy diet.

Today we had a very good day at the Y.
Just had a little bit of a boo boo.
Sometimes I forget how gimpy my right hand's become and today I failed to get the tip of my right ring finger out of the way of a coupla weight plates. Hurt but I continued with my workout anyway. I know I shoulda put ice on it right away.
Right now, it's swollen and turning purple.
On the plus side, it's a finger on my gimpy hand and doesn't work right anyway.

[CBus660R]

I like my protein shakes, it's a simple way to get some protein in the system post workout when your body needs it most. I tend not to have much appetite after a workout, so I wouldn't eat much whole food to get the protein I need.

One veggie you can eat to your hearts content is spinach. Popeye was onto something. It has as much protein as net carbs.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by CBus660R

I like my protein shakes, it's a simple way to get some protein in the system post workout when your body needs it most. I tend not to have much appetite after a workout, so I wouldn't eat much whole food to get the protein I need.

One veggie you can eat to your hearts content is spinach. Popeye was onto something. It has as much protein as net carbs.

I'm a Popeye fan from way back. I always eat my spinach.

[alde]

I'm in desperate need of a hip replacement. The orthopedic surgeon said she has never seen one so bad. She told me she would not do it until I was under 250 pounds. This was in February of this year. I was 307 pounds. I am now 270. I get what exercise I can but walking is out. Going out to get the mail kills my hip.

They way I lost the weight was a very low carb diet. It's kind of a not to strict Ketogenic diet. Aside from the hip I feel great. My hip pain is way less and other aches and pains have gone away or are much better. My skin has improved, I'm off my CPAP machine and I have pretty much no cravings for carbs or sugar. My goal is to get my hip done early next year.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

I'm a Popeye fan from way back. I always eat my spinach.

I can only eat the fresh stuff-as in part of a salad or on a sandwich-cant stand the wet stuff-unless-it doesn't over-power as in soup.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by alde

I'm in desperate need of a hip replacement. The orthopedic surgeon said she has never seen one so bad. She told me she would not do it until I was under 250 pounds. This was in February of this year. I was 307 pounds. I am now 270. I get what exercise I can but walking is out. Going out to get the mail kills my hip.

They way I lost the weight was a very low carb diet. It's kind of a not to strict Ketogenic diet. Aside from the hip I feel great. My hip pain is way less and other aches and pains have gone away or are much better. My skin has improved, I'm off my CPAP machine and I have pretty much no cravings for carbs or sugar. My goal is to get my hip done early next year.

Keep up the good work! 37 down and 20 to go. I'm thinking if there's a gym in your area, you could work your upper body with high rep, low weight exercises to increase caloric use.
I lost a total of about 75 pounds through calorie counting and lotsa exercise.
Now that I'm at my weight loss goal, my workouts are all about body composition.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by the ringo kid

I can only eat the fresh stuff-as in part of a salad or on a sandwich-cant stand the wet stuff-unless-it doesn't over-power as in soup.

Yup it's a lot better than kale.
With kale ya gotta boil out the bitterness and all you end up with is gooey green mush.

[the ringo kid]

^^^^^^^^Ill never try kale. It's some of that weird-Austin-like food. As a matter of fact-I'm trying something new (for me) for lunch today. A bowl of black-bean "chili" soup. I'm no fan of black bean anything-but this is actually good.

[snubbyfan]

Went to the Y today. It was one of those feeling strong days.
Had a bit of a surprise at spin class. They finally fixed my favorite bike. The chain's been broken for over a month.
Switched my workouts around a bit, just to make it a bit more interesting.

[e3mrk]

A couple years ago I had a physical and My cholesterol was close to 300 and My Liver enzymes were also high.The doctor wanted to put me on statins but the Wife said no so every morning for six months I had a large bowl of regular oat meal for breakfast and a niacin tablet along with my regular pain med's and when I went back to the doctor he was amazed that my cholesterol had dropped to about 100 and the liver enzymes were almost where they should be.
Recently I motivated myself to go back to the health club to work out and even though its only been a month I feel a lot better and have more energy.I guess there's something to be said for exorcise.

[e3mrk]

I see some here dont like Kale.
My Wife makes Kale with Swiss Chard in a pan with Olive Oil,Garlic and Onions.It's fantastic,She just puts a lid on the pan and lets it cook and in about a half hour it's ready to eat.

[e3mrk]

Originally Posted by pawngal

If this thread keeps going and stays on subject I'll get motivated to get moving. First I must admit my weaknesses to all.

I'm a carbohydrate junkie, never met a carb I didn't like.

I like lots of real butter

I'm a chocoholic, never met anything chocolate I didn't like, yes I've eaten chocolate covered bugs, the ants ain't bad.

I love French Fries & loaded baked potatoes & hashbrowns with cheese & onions

Anything that can be put in a sandwich is good, more carbs!

And it is fresh sweet corn season in Iowa!, more butter.

As you can see I have horrible eating habits. I gotta make some changes. And get to walking or doing something.

Oops, forgot, I like beer, wine, margaritas, Jack Daniels

What do I like that is healthy? my meat of choice is pork.
And most any kind of seafood.

I MUST do this, my clothes are all getting too tight!

Ive had the chocolate covered ants,There like a nestles crunch bar.

[soFlaNative]

Originally Posted by e3mrk

I guess there's something to be said for exorcise.

Only if the Devil made you do it.

[snubbyfan]

I just read about something called, "time under tension," in reference to weight lifting.
When I'm at the gym, I want to make the best use of my time there.
Apparently, with my new workout, I've been having more "time under tension" and that's supposed to be a good thing.
I've been doing slow and controlled reps to failure, reducing the weight a bit and doing another set with minimal rest between sets. Generally 5 to 6 sets per exercise that way.
According to my wife, I've been getting results.
I just know I get a really good pump that way.

[vonn]

Haven't had anything new to post,just trying to maintain. I have cleaned up most of the flood damage but still have plenty left to do on land clearing. Deer season for gun opens next Saturday and I am going to put as much time in as I can this season,I don't know how many I have left in me. I always said I was going to spend all the season hunting and I think I will try to max out this year.

[snubbyfan]

Had a really good day at the Y today.
Instead of just a granola bar, I started the day with a PowerBar.
I felt great at spin class and when it came time for lifting, I actually increased how much I was lifting on nearly every exercise.
I've also increased my protein, carbohydrate and calorie intake a bit and that seems to be helping too.

I know I should be perfectly happy with where I'm at right now. My weight's in the ideal range, my body fat's in the lean range, I feel great and I'm a bit less gimpy.
But, I'm gonna try going a bit further without going too far.
I was thinking of getting some of that whey protein powder stuff for a post workout drink.

[snubbyfan]

We're going back tomorrow for the Halloween themed spin class. Should be a lot of fun.

[susieqz]

if you want strange n curious superfoods, google MOOD&MIND.
some stuff you can get stoned on too.
got some african pain killers that work.

[snubbyfan]

It was a bit of a brutal day at the Y today.
Dunno what got into me but I pushed it really hard in spin class. Guess the endorphins hit and off I went.
By the end of class I was soaked with sweat and feeling great.

Changed into my workout duds and we headed over to the workout room.
I concentrated more on the eccentric part of the rep. lowering the weight slowly back to it's starting position.
That was the brutal part.
When I hit failure, I'd do a few more negatives.
Anyway, next Y visit's on Monday. Tomorrow's gonna be a rest day.

[snubbyfan]

My wife brought up something interesting today.
When my degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition started, it was looking like my days of being able to walk were over.
After about a year of relearning to walk, I'm back on my feet.
I thought my days of hiking the mountains was gonna be just a fond memory. Well, I'm back to strapping on my boots and hiking the local mountain ridges.
Today, after all the years of exercising and dieting, my wife asked if I thought I'd be able to skate again.
Hmm...
I usta skate on rollerblades and I was one of those fellows at the rink that'd skate backwards and do bunches of tricks. I usta love skating and always thought that it was now something that's just gonna be a fond memory.
Maybe I'll try strapping my skates on and rolling around in the house. Then maybe, hit the rink?
I used to have people stop me in the parking lot and thank me for the show.

[snubbyfan]

My wife's got me drinkin' green tea. There's supposed to be lotsa health benefits. I know it's definitely healthier than drinking diet soda.

[susieqz]

there's tons of proven benefits in green tea.
try some of the semi expensive stuff n you may decide you prefer it to soda.
the jap stuff is steamed.
chinese is roasted.
both taste very different so you gotta try both.
amazon has some good teas that aren't too expensive.

[snubbyfan]

I used to drink a brand of green tea that had an American Indian on the label. Just having an Injun on the box made it better.
I haven't been able to find it for many years.
Right now, I'm drinking Bigelow mango green tea. Pretty good.

[susieqz]

yamamotoyama is cheap on amazon. good quality jap style.
no injun on it tho.
if you wanna taste these right, the water should barely be at a simmer n you steep the tea for only 30-40 seconds, or it's wrecked.
then, you can reuse the tea since it steeps so quick.
i never could stand black teas. that's a brit abomination.

i'll look for tea with an injun, but a name would be helpful.

[snubbyfan]

That's the thing, I don't remember the name, just the Indian on the box.

[snubbyfan]

YouTube

[CBus660R]

Hey guys, still keeping at it. Weighed in at 209 today. To keep me motivated through the winter, I signed up for this, Arnold Pump & Run 5K I did in 2005 at the age of 30, did 15 reps of my bodyweight (215 then) and ran a 25:24 for an adjusted time of 17:54. It'll be interesting to see if I can beat that at 43 I probably won't get as many reps on the bench this time, but the main goal is to run a 22 minute 5K. Fotunately my gym has an indoor running track so I can do my training with real running rather than on a teadmill.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by CBus660R

Hey guys, still keeping at it. Weighed in at 209 today. To keep me motivated through the winter, I signed up for this, Arnold Pump & Run 5K I did in 2005 at the age of 30, did 15 reps of my bodyweight (215 then) and ran a 25:24 for an adjusted time of 17:54. It'll be interesting to see if I can beat that at 43 I probably won't get as many reps on the bench this time, but the main goal is to run a 22 minute 5K. Fotunately my gym has an indoor running track so I can do my training with real running rather than on a teadmill.

Sounds fun. I wonder how many times I can bench my bodyweight?
Since I don't trust my wrists anymore, I use the chest machine. I tried benching and almost dropped the bar on my face.

[snubbyfan]

Well now, looks like I may not be able to find out if I can skate or not. Dug out my old Rollerblades and they're literally falling apart.
Still thinking of trying to skate and renting a pair of 'blades.
If I can do it I may invest in a new pair.

[CBus660R]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

Sounds fun. I wonder how many times I can bench my bodyweight?
Since I don't trust my wrists anymore, I use the chest machine. I tried benching and almost dropped the bar on my face.

It is a nice challenge. I find that having an event to train for keeps me focused. The dirtbiking I do certainly keeps me motivated on the cardio side, but I don't need a lot of strength/power for that sport. Back in '12 I tore a rotator cuff and waited til '14 to have surgery, so getting my chest back up to snuff has been a struggle. Right now I can probably only do 2 or 3 reps at body weight, hence the motivation to do this event. I've been doing my shoulders on Monday when I'm freshest and the strength there is coming back well and in another 4-6 weeks I'll switch it up and start doing chest on Mondays after I'm confident that the shoulder is ready to support the heavier chest work I'll need to get ready. I want to do well, but I'm at a point where I know patience is important and will avoid doing something stupid that will set me up for an injury.

As for your issues, just like me, have fun, enjoy yourself, and don't do something that'll get you hurt. If your nerve issues keeps you from doing barbell/dumbbell work safely, don't worry about it! At the end of the day, the only person you really need to compare yourself to is yourself.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by CBus660R

It is a nice challenge. I find that having an event to train for keeps me focused. The dirtbiking I do certainly keeps me motivated on the cardio side, but I don't need a lot of strength/power for that sport. Back in '12 I tore a rotator cuff and waited til '14 to have surgery, so getting my chest back up to snuff has been a struggle. Right now I can probably only do 2 or 3 reps at body weight, hence the motivation to do this event. I've been doing my shoulders on Monday when I'm freshest and the strength there is coming back well and in another 4-6 weeks I'll switch it up and start doing chest on Mondays after I'm confident that the shoulder is ready to support the heavier chest work I'll need to get ready. I want to do well, but I'm at a point where I know patience is important and will avoid doing something stupid that will set me up for an injury.

As for your issues, just like me, have fun, enjoy yourself, and don't do something that'll get you hurt. If your nerve issues keeps you from doing barbell/dumbbell work safely, don't worry about it! At the end of the day, the only person you really need to compare yourself to is yourself.

I can do stuff like standing barbell curls and seated dumbell curls and the such. I almost dropped a weight on my foot doing standing dumbell curls.
I avoid any kind of exercise that puts a weight above any part of my body.