Exercise Options

[TigerEyes]

I...I could do splits right now? Holy crap.
I think I like this thread!

I said you are CAPABLE of doing the splits right now. Don't hurt yourself. XD

Building up strength again will take time, depending on where you're starting from. The program I outlined is effective, not instantaneous. Go slow, be patient, and a few weeks (or maybe a couple months) from now, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by how much you've improved.

This post has been edited by TigerEyes: Nov 15 2011, 03:22 PM

[oneluckyduck]

Oh, I know. Just the fact that I'm technically capable is pretty awesome, since splits are one of the things I really really feel I should be able to do (touching my toes is another- do you happen to have any tips for that, oh great and wise TigerEyes, she of the encouraging talk?).
It does help that I actually have a basis for this. I suspect that is why I, at least (for I cannot speak for other people), find it difficult to do excersises based around pushups and such. I don't know if I'm doing it right, and can barely move. That sentence right there is a reason why I am never willingly joining the military.

[The Two-One-Five]

So, I recently began taking this glucosamine and man does it work. I went from like 3:20 880m to 2:55 without my knee dying out on me. Wish I knew about this supplement before since I just started taking it recently.

[TigerEyes]

Oh, I know. Just the fact that I'm technically capable is pretty awesome, since splits are one of the things I really really feel I should be able to do (touching my toes is another- do you happen to have any tips for that, oh great and wise TigerEyes, she of the encouraging talk?).
It does help that I actually have a basis for this. I suspect that is why I, at least (for I cannot speak for other people), find it difficult to do excersises based around pushups and such. I don't know if I'm doing it right, and can barely move. That sentence right there is a reason why I am never willingly joining the military.

Sure. For touching your toes, you can also apply isometric principles. Although this time, you won't be going for 30 seconds at a time; a few seconds per contraction should be plenty. Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings for a few seconds, then relax down a bit further. Then do it again as necessary. Don't rest and hang there too long in between contractions, or you may overstretch your lower back ligaments. When finished, bend your knees into a squat before standing up (again, to protect your lower back).

I'm not even kidding when I say that actually learning how to do full pushups was one of the most empowering and freeing experiences I've ever had (though it wasn't the pushups themselves of course; it was the fact that I now had to redefine what "impossible" meant). Our bodies are capable of so many incredible things, and most people vastly sell themselves short of their fullest potential. Doing this set of progressions really helped me work my way up through it steadily, so that might be able to help you as well. If you get stuck on anything, even just practicing the movement multiple times a day, every day (NOT working out to the maximum, but literally just practicing the movement like you're learning a new skill) can help tremendously. And yes, you can also use isometrics to help you through remaining sticking points, as well.

This post has been edited by TigerEyes: Nov 15 2011, 08:11 PM

[oneluckyduck]

Ah, thank you! ^_^

[Soba]

I've been night snacking for so damn long I'm finding it near impossible to stop. This is not good.

[TigerEyes]

Went to the park today with my tutoring student, because she found a Chinese kung fu master/dance teacher there a couple weeks ago who teaches classes Fridays-Sundays. It was really fun! We started off with some Tai Chi, and then ended it early because another group at the park does dance classes on Fridays. We did a mix of Eastern and Western dances, including the tango, which I've always wanted to learn! The cha-cha free-for-all was really fun, as well. We also did karaoke on a TV there for a little bit. They didn't have too much of an English selection, but I did sing "Edelweiss" and "The Sound of Silence".

I've been night snacking for so damn long I'm finding it near impossible to stop. This is not good.

Just keep at it! Changing habits can take a lot of planning and strategy in order to "outwit" your old tendencies and replace them with new ones. I personally like to make a game out of it so I don't take it so seriously. And hey, even if you slip up, it's no big deal, just get back on track. =D

[The Two-One-Five]

I've been night snacking for so damn long I'm finding it near impossible to stop. This is not good.

Here's something we were told while I boxed and had to maintain weight: when you're craving something and you know you're now hungry brush your teeth with the mintiest tooth paste you can find. That usually gets rid of the cravings.

Had a good chest and tri workout today. Maxed out with 245 twice, did a set of one-handed push ups, followed by weighted push ups, then did press and flies with push ups between sets while I waited, dips, tricep pulldowns, inches to hell, and finished up with skull crushers. Hope i feel it tomorrow.

[Master of AFTER]

I've been night snacking for so damn long I'm finding it near impossible to stop. This is not good.

I'm not a nutritionist or anything so maybe this isn't the best advice, but I find that an effective way to stop the urge to constantly snack is to just dive into the largest, fattiest meal you can make yourself until you're uncomfortably full, then vomit it up afterwards.

[Carnage]

Today... I killed myself in the gym. 200 sit ups (no not crunches), 2 sets of 25 squats, stairclimber, bench press, as well as the run back to the house to shower and change over. I mean, DAMN. also, went and taught my little ju jitsu kiddies. Good lord, I'm exhausted.
Although... all this talk of splits and such makes me slightly sad. I used to be so flexible, 'til these screws got put in my hip. Now I can only do the front splits, not the side ones.

[Soba]

I'm not a nutritionist or anything so maybe this isn't the best advice, but I find that an effective way to stop the urge to constantly snack is to just dive into the largest, fattiest meal you can make yourself until you're uncomfortably full, then vomit it up afterwards.

Thanks for the tip, but I think I'll stick with cold turkey. I'm not particularly fond of vomiting. That's probably the idea, but I digress.

So I got some nifty new tennishoes, and I'm getting a membership at the rec center. Will probably mostly be doing cardio, but one day of upper body and one day of lower body each week.

[TigerEyes]

Thanks for the tip, but I think I'll stick with cold turkey. I'm not particularly fond of vomiting. That's probably the idea, but I digress.

He was joking. Or at least, I hope he was. I know it's kinda hard to tell with all of the similarly terrible nutrition advice that's actually published in most mainstream media outlets. =P

Did Tai Chi and dancing again today. Won't be able to go tomorrow, since I have to go early to church to practice singing. But looking forward to doing it again next week! My student told me that sometimes they do Tai Chi swordplay as well, so I'm really looking forward to that!

Also worked out with my own stuff afterward (isometrics + bodyweight stuff). Felt really good today!

This post has been edited by TigerEyes: Nov 19 2011, 04:46 PM

[Soba]

I don't wanna be beefy mc bulkhead, so I'm probably just gonna stick to goin for the lean stuff, like when I was a swimmer.

[TigerEyes]

I don't wanna be beefy mc bulkhead, so I'm probably just gonna stick to goin for the lean stuff, like when I was a swimmer.

...I don't know what this means... Unless you're under the impression that people can "accidentally" put on massive amounts of muscle mass if they just so happen to do a specific activity?

This post has been edited by TigerEyes: Nov 19 2011, 04:44 PM

[Master of AFTER]

...I don't know what this means...  Unless you're under the impression that people can "accidentally" put on massive amounts of muscle mass if they just so happen to do a specific activity?

Soba's entire collective knowledge of exercise routines comes from watching people work out in musical montages from 80s movies.

[Soba]

Soba's entire collective knowledge of exercise routines comes from watching people work out in musical montages from 80s movies.

I feel uncomfortable that you know this. Are you spying on me, boss? Seriously, though, my knowledge of excercise is limited. Even during swimming in high school, it amounted to "Get in water, make body move."

[oneluckyduck]

I feel uncomfortable that you know this. Are you spying on me, boss? Seriously, though, my knowledge of excercise is limited. Even during swimming in high school, it amounted to "Get in water, make body move."

That. That is the best excersize advice I've heard in a long while.

[The Two-One-Five]

Well, time to go workout all the goodjoy that is thanksgiving.

[TigerEyes]

Just been completely wiped out over the last week or so. If I could have slept all day, every day, I probably would have. My joints actually started slightly aching yesterday, so I decided that enough was enough and forced myself to exercise for about 10 minutes. INSTANTLY felt better. Really amazing... Think my blood pressure was probably dropping way too low, so I'm glad that I found out exercising can help me get through it.

My friend gave me a free 30 day pass to 24 Fitness a while ago, so I finally went and redeemed it. Unfortunately, he's had it since about 2005, so they don't accept this pass anymore. XD However, the guy there was really nice, and gave me a two week free pass instead.

I want to try all the classes they offer during the first week or so, so I can see what I like, and then figure out where to go from there based on my needs and preferences. Today, I did the step class and the yoga class. The music and the instructor's microphone in the step class were WAY too loud, and it was really disorientating. Did not like it at all. However, the yoga class was awesome, and the instructor was really helpful. =)

This post has been edited by TigerEyes: Dec 31 2011, 12:41 PM