[LUconn]

Until about a month ago, I'd never worked out regularly in my life. Ever. Considering my genetic background, the way that I used to eat and what I do for a living, it's a miracle I don't look like like Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.

About five years ago I gave up on soda and dropped about 20 pounds. About a year and a half ago I stopped eating everything that was put in front of me and dropped about another 30. A few weeks ago I gave up on feeling lucky about my size and started going to the gym three days a week after work. It's not a lot, but a few hours of solid cardio and some time in the weight room have me within spitting distance of what I weight in high school. I still look a lot softer than I did then, but I'm not so concerned with that.

Now that I've been in the gym with some regularity, I can see it picking up. I'm enjoying it. Like SJ mentioned, I'm just waiting for something to come along and bump me off my new routine.

From what I understand, and I'm certainly no health promotions major, building muscle is a good way to lose weight as opposed to cardio. Obviously cardio is still good and you need it for your heart, but if weight loss is the goal, the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn on a daily basis. I do like 20 minutes a day to get warmed up and because I have low levels of "good" cholesterol and that's supposed to help with that. I love lifting weights and really the only downside I see to it is I tend to lift a lower amount and to do slower reps while the he-man next to me is doing the same exercise but trying to put me to shame.

[thepostman]

you could always just join the military, it has done me wonders, haha

[flamesbball84]

yes, muscle raises your basal metabolic rate, which means if you just sit around all day, you will burn more calories than you would have before you put on the muscle.

[Cider Jim]

My doctor but me on both high blood pressure meds and cholesterol meds this summer, so I'm really trying to exercise more regularly and eat more healthy foods.

In early April, I was 47 years old and ran my first 5K. Now I'm doing a combination of free weights, machines in LaHaye, and running 2-3 miles about 3 or 4 times a week. I've lost maybe 10 pounds in the past few months and would love to lose another 10 to finally get under 2 bills. I've stopped drinking sweet tea and root beer and am limiting my bread intake to no more than one slice per day and have totally cut out fried foods (Bojangles, I miss you ).

[El Scorcho]

From what I understand, and I'm certainly no health promotions major, building muscle is a good way to lose weight as opposed to cardio. Obviously cardio is still good and you need it for your heart, but if weight loss is the goal, the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn on a daily basis. I do like 20 minutes a day to get warmed up and because I have low levels of "good" cholesterol and that's supposed to help with that. I love lifting weights and really the only downside I see to it is I tend to lift a lower amount and to do slower reps while the he-man next to me is doing the same exercise but trying to put me to shame.

Makes sense and you're probably right. I've uncharacteristically done a poor job of researching this whole working out deal. For me the important part (initially) was just to get in the gym and do something regularly. This advice will be taken into consideration. I actually enjoy the weights as well, even if I'm a total weakling. I get a kick out of the egos and showing off in the weight room. I have to be careful that I don't just laugh at some people. I'm sure one of those he-man types you mentioned would have no problem raging on my head.

[ATrain]

Yes, weights are better, but I just get intimidated by all the guys (and some of the chicks) in the weight room. Then again, they don't run next to me on the treadmill for the same reasons

[flamesbball84]

i've tried 4 times to get into weight lifting - longest I lasted was about 3 weeks. I just got tired of how boring it was and stuck with something more entertaining like basketball. i'd actually even rather do long distance running on a track than weight lifting.

[ALUmnus]

i've tried 4 times to get into weight lifting - longest I lasted was about 3 weeks. I just got tired of how boring it was and stuck with something more entertaining like basketball. i'd actually even rather do long distance running on a track than weight lifting.

If you could just learn to love looking at yourself in the mirror, weightlifting can be very satisfying.

Lifting weights is actually a cardio workout in itself. I'm not saying it can compare with running 10 miles a day, but it's good for the heart. Of course, I've heard some people say that none of this is good for you, since it's not natural to run or lift that much. Whatever.

[LUconn]

i've tried 4 times to get into weight lifting - longest I lasted was about 3 weeks. I just got tired of how boring it was and stuck with something more entertaining like basketball. i'd actually even rather do long distance running on a track than weight lifting.

If you could just learn to love looking at yourself in the mirror, weightlifting can be very satisfying.

Lifting weights is actually a cardio workout in itself. I'm not saying it can compare with running 10 miles a day, but it's good for the heart. Of course, I've heard some people say that none of this is good for you, since it's not natural to run or lift that much. Whatever.

That sounds like one of those statements that has some basic logic as a foundation but nothing beyond that. There's probably been about 100 years of "modern" weight training yet no known problems. Other than young kids deforming their bones because they're not developed yet.

[GoUNCA]

No but I was reading somewhere, cant remember where or id tell you but google it you might find it, that rather than drinking whey protein, chocolate milk is the best post-workout drink out there.

You probably heard this from the strength/conditioning coach for Michigan's footbal program. This is what he has all his guys do.

The premise of the chocolate milk is that is has enough sugar/carbs to spike your insulin, thereby resulting in better uptake of the protein, immediately after working out. Actually, if you put of scoop of protein powder in with the chocolate, it's awesome. However, make sure it is organic, whole chocolate milk sweetened with sugar.......NOT high fructose corn syrup, which will not give you the benefits you're looking for.

You can spike insulin with just about anything sugary and a faster insulin spike will occur with something other than milk (just use the chocolate). Milk contains lactose (a disaccharide) which has to be broken down before the body can use it and thus before the insulin spikes. So, any truth to the chocolate milk probably comes from the fact that the fats in milk provide a higher caloric intake for the user.

In general a lot of people pee away a lot of money on protein, quite literally. You need to make sure you have all the amino acids necessary and make sure you have them in the correct ratio for maximum effect. Once you reach what is needed the body makes the excess into glucose (via gluconeogenesis) in times of dietary surplus. But why spend a lot of energy to make glucose from protein when you could spend less energy and make glucose from another source. Couple that with the fact that the amino acid nitrogen can be toxic....so the body usually turns excess protein into urea and gets rid of it. So you really could make do with a power bar after a workout and then boost your total calorie intake by eating more pasta or whatever.

[dompennix]

Right now I play basketball everyday and do VertFreak101's weightlifting and jump training

[flames1971]

I try to walk a mile everyday on our treadmill, but it normally comes to like 3 or 4 days a week.

[mrmacphisto]

I used to go jogging/walking three times a week on the Percival's Island trail until I was robbed by a panhandler. I haven't worked out since.

[RagingTireFire]

I don't exercise. I binge and purge. And then purge again for good measure.

[ALUmnus]

I used to go jogging/walking three times a week on the Percival's Island trail until I was robbed by a panhandler. I haven't worked out since.

Ahaaha! I can just picture this in my head, and something like this just fits you.

[fan00]

I used to go jogging/walking three times a week on the Percival's Island trail until I was robbed by a panhandler. I haven't worked out since.

I pray my Mother never reads this board. I used to run there on a daily basis and she was always worried that something like that may happen. Once I discovered the Greek Orthodox Church entrance, however, I rarely use the Percival's Isle side anymore...

[LUconn]

I used to go jogging/walking three times a week on the Percival's Island trail until I was robbed by a panhandler. I haven't worked out since.

I think we need the full story here. Did he have a weapon? Was he old? How much did you have? Did he first give you a sob story about how he was just driving through and ran out of gas so he needs money to get on his way?

[mrmacphisto]

Did he first give you a sob story about how he was just driving through and ran out of gas so he needs money to get on his way?

That's the short version, yes. I was feeling generous, so I gave him $20. There's a much longer version, but I really don't feel like going into it.

[JDUB]

I did some pullups a few days ago. its about that time again.

[LUconn]

to buy a ladder?

[Maximus]

I do workout! I have lost about 85 in a year in a half. Its been quite a journey, but it's been great. Right now I am training for a triathlon for next september. I currently swim, walk, and lift wieghts. I don't bike because I don't have the money to get the one I want. However, I love lifting weights. I got a trainer about three months ago and I have seen alot of results. I am doing a low weight and really high reps.

[El Scorcho]

I do workout! I have lost about 85 in a year in a half. Its been quite a journey, but it's been great. Right now I am training for a triathlon for next september. I currently swim, walk, and lift wieghts. I don't bike because I don't have the money to get the one I want. However, I love lifting weights. I got a trainer about three months ago and I have seen alot of results. I am doing a low weight and really high reps.

85? Wow. That's awesome. Way to go.

[BJWilliams]

I remember when I lived in the burg summer of 05, I lost 50 pounds by the time school came around...I worked at Walmart unloading trucks and youre gonna lose a lot of weight doing that I guarantee, but certainly big ups to you Maximus and I hope you do well in that triathlon

[Maximus]

Thanks Beej and El Scorcho

["R" i "]

Right now I play basketball everyday and do VertFreak101's weightlifting and jump training

I know Adam. Are you going to that dunk tournament thing.

And I have heard that his system really works.