Group: Experienced Exercise

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 50, Messages: 19484

For intermediate and advanced individuals. Share and learn how to take your fitness to the next level!

Join group

Don't mean to whine....

lawnguy
lawnguy
Posts: 61
Joined: 2004/09/26
United States
2004/10/01, 03:12 PM
Hello, I am new to this site but what I have seen so far is a bunch of really dedicated athletes. It is most impressive!! My problem is, and always has been, consistency with training. I have worked out for around 10-12 years now. I have been very fit at times, and very unfit at other times. Right now I believe I am in the worst shape of my life. What's worse is that I am 33 years old so I know time is running out for me to achieve peak physical conditioning and appearance. I want to know what keeps you all on your paths? What keeps you going to the gym even when it has been weeks since you've seen any real results? And finally, my personal goal seems so far fetched that I am leary of even starting again. I can go for about two months then find some reason to quit. All I want is to be able to take my kids to the pool and not be ashamed to take my shirt off. I have love handles that you could ride on. I now have a gut, droopy muscles, the works. Is it possible for me to achieve success or should I try to find another hobby like chess or something? Thanks.
pimple
pimple
Posts: 490
Joined: 2003/07/08
United States
2004/10/01, 03:19 PM
i've read this book by one of my favorite athletes, michael jonhson ("Slaying the Dragon"), and it's helped me to stay focused and disciplined... err... it's helped me to 'chase the dragon'... heh... good book, though...

--------------
The following sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2004/10/01, 11:01 PM
Setting a goal and making it a priority. I base things around my workout. We all have 24 hrs. in a day, how we choose to utilize them is at our discretion. I believe anyone can find 45 minutes or so 4-5 days per week to devote to their health.

--------------
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....

bb1fit@freetrainers.com
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2004/10/01, 11:33 PM
Lawnguy, it is a question of disipline and motivation. Obviously you have the motivation or else you wouldn't be "whining".
Remember muscle has memory, muscle burns calories, therefor lose fat.
Like bb1fit said, set a goal, not a big one, for example if you want to drop 10%bf, set the goal at 5, etc, etc. Anyway, you can, you can!
Oh and I might add, think of how great you will feel!

--------------
"A will finds a way, failure is not an option"
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada
lawnguy
lawnguy
Posts: 61
Joined: 2004/09/26
United States
2004/10/02, 11:13 AM
Thank you all so much for the advice. I guess my biggest problem has always been nutrition. I have three small boys at home so meals are usually what all little kids like. Hot Dogs, Spaghetti, lots of sweet snacks, things like that. I have watched alot of shows dealing with nutrition specifically designed for the bodybuilders and the menus seem so outlandish to follow. I mean, who has time to cook steamed asparagus and chicken breasts. So I turned to "processed" meals like "Healthy Choice" and things like that. I read here that they are bad for you. I am also in the Marine Corps and the time I have to actually eat a good meal is minimal. So what is a guy like me to do? I know portion size is a big factor. That is no problem, I can eat less of the meals we cook. But I know I am not getting enough raw vegetables, and the like. Any suggestions?
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2004/10/02, 11:20 AM
The more colorful the plate the better. Broccoli, sweet potatoe, sweet peppers, asparagus, brussel sprouts, cucumbers, baked or microwaved idahoes, bean salad Spinnach, oh, and steam the green veggies, try salsa with potaoes instead of butter and salt. Convert the kids slowly, and if it tastes good they will eat it. believe me, I have a 20yr old, 18 yr old and a 13 yr old. We all eat the same food. I am not saying it's easy, but over time it will work.

It will pay off in the long run for the kids too. Don't buy juices with added sugars, like fructose, glucose. You will be limited, but hey, better for you.
Hope this helps.

--------------
"A will finds a way, failure is not an option"
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada
lawnguy
lawnguy
Posts: 61
Joined: 2004/09/26
United States
2004/10/02, 01:29 PM
Thanks alot Carivan. Here's another question if you've got the time. I have a broad fitness goal in mind. I am at around 24% bodyfat, of which I am not proud of. I was deployed to Iraq for awhile and put on some weight. Anyway, I want that hard rock physique that eludes so many people. I want to shed fat and put on muscle mass. My weightlifting routines resemble powerlifting more than bodybuilding. I simply like to push alot of weight around. Anyway, I am trying to decide which avenue to pursue first. One being losing alot of fat by way of cardio, calorie depletion, etc. The other is to put on as much muscle as I can, naturally of course. Is it possible to stay with the routines I now use for lifting, and add two more days of cardio for a total of 5 days a week to achieve my goals. Or am I going to have to shed the weight by way of changing my routine in the gym, and adding maybe 3-5 more cardio sessions? Am I being clear, sometimes when I type I tend to ramble. The short version is this: I want to be thinner in the mid-section, and at the same time add some more muscle mass. Possible? What would you suggest for a guy like me in this condition? I am not a novice to working out, so I am not afraid of alot of work. Is there a more advanced routine out there for me? Thanks for all of your help!
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2004/10/02, 05:05 PM
I would say to stay with your present routine if you are comfortable with it, add the cardio on the days you don't lift. Remeber to eat well. You may also want to do a special(wide) shoulder routine, to give an illusion of a smaller waist. If you do
If you crank out 30-40 min of good cardio you will definately see more definition.
Hope this helps, oh ya, and welcome back from Iraq!

--------------
"A will finds a way, failure is not an option"
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada
lawnguy
lawnguy
Posts: 61
Joined: 2004/09/26
United States
2004/10/02, 05:47 PM
Hey, thanks. Iraq is no place I wish on anybody. Going again in January. Ahhh, the life of a Marine. Anyway, I have spent some time today coming up with a new program. Different body parts at different intervals and LOTS of cardio. I will do around 8 sessions each 30-60 minutes. Some will be once a day and some will be twice. I have to PT with my unit on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and have to do what "they" say I am doing. Alot of running. But for the other times I will try this HIIT thing out as well as some aerobic classes offered at my gym. Thanks for all of your help. Good luck in all that you do!!
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2004/10/02, 05:50 PM
Watch out for overtraining symptoms. Sounds like alot.
And glad we were able to help.

--------------
"A will finds a way, failure is not an option"
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada
lawnguy
lawnguy
Posts: 61
Joined: 2004/09/26
United States
2004/10/03, 06:26 PM
Well Carivan, I do not plan on sticking with that many cardio sessions for long. Just long enough to lose most of the excess baggage I have. I am familiar with overtraining. I have been guilty of it a time or two. Unfortunately I have lived with the "some is good, more is better" mindset. It has set me back sometimes. But for maybe a month or two I will stick with the 8 cardio sessions a week, at that time if all is working well I will drop it down to about 5-6. Does that sound feasable?
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2004/10/03, 06:34 PM
Listen to your body. If you find you can do it, (it's feasable)then why not?
But the problem I find is that when we go in up to our heads right away, we tend to get tired of it. But you may be ok with it, so I say try it.

--------------
"A will finds a way, failure is not an option"
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada