2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

[RockinDaMike]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I just started jumping rope and man, I'm way more out of shape than I thought. I've read that in 10 minutes of jumping rope is equal (calories burned) to jogging for 30 minutes which is nice since I can squeeze that in the morning a lot easier.

I'm starting off slow doing 30 turns then resting for 30 seconds and I do that for 12 minutes. I hoping in the next couple weeks I can jump a straight 10 minutes.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Back at it today after recovering from some illness' and stuff.

Don't take any protein or anything like I would normally when I worked out for football as i'm trying to lose at least 10-20 pounds of fat(i'm not really overweight but I have a little bit of a belly) so as of now i'm just more focused on losing that weight and getting more cut.

Did upper body today(chest/triceps):
5 sets of bench(10,8,6,4,2)
3 sets of 8 Incline Bench
3 sets of 10 tricep pushdowns
3 sets of 10 dumbbell flys
3 sets of 10 triceps extensions
25 situps
20 minutes of walking

Typical Lower Body Day:
4-5 sets of Squat or Leg Press(this is always sensitive to how my knees feel)
3 sets of 10 Lat Pulldowns
3 sets of Bicep Curls
Usually some more work with dumbbells for biceps
30 minutes of running/walking


Over time my cardio will change just getting back into. Curious to see what exercises you guys do for triceps as I only just added the extensions today cause they had a machine. Need to add shoulder/traps on leg day as well as finding other leg workouts i'm comfortable with as in HS I did deadlift(screw that) and power cleans(loved this, but no gym I see ever allows it)

[Feared]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

My Review of Muscle Pharm Combat Powder - New Flavor: Orange Creamsicle


Just got my fresh tub of Combat Powder, Orange creamsicle delivered so as promised I'm throwing up a review of it. Sorry for the glare on the pic, taken with a junky webcam, but you should see the tub, and that's what the mixed drink looks like in the shaker bottle. Much to my disappointment the drink didn't mix into a bright Orange color. but rather a plain Vanilla shade. I mixed it with Milk. Oh well I'll get past that.

Mixability 9/10 - I blended the Powder in my Blender, with 8 oz. of Cold Milk like I always do so needless to say it blended silky smooth, no clumps. Haven't tried shaking it in a mixing bottle, but the other Muscle Pharm Combat flavors mixed absolutely fine. So I'm assuming this one would as well, you might not get as smooth but that's to be expected. There's no chunks of anything in the powder, like some other flavors might have Chocolate Chips, or Bits of fruit mixed into the powder this has none so no worries there.

Taste 10/10 - I'm a huge fan of the taste of MP's products and this IMO is the best tasting of the 3 flavors I've tried so far. (Other two were S'Mores, and Banana Cream) This one tastes like an Orange Sorbet flavored Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt... or like the Orange jello they put in Orange/Vanilla cakes. This is a sweet tasting Protein, but it's not overly sweet like I felt the Banana Cream was at times, didn't leave any aftertaste for me which is great.

Profile 9/10 - For what the Combat Powder is built for they offer me everything I need in Protein Meal Supplementation, and Post-Workout Nutrition. 1 serving, 1 scoop Nets you 25 grams of Protein. (a mix of Whey Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey, Micellar Casein, Whey Concentrate, and Egg Albumin) you get only 5g of Carbs which is great for guys watching their carb intake. I love the added BCAA's and Glutamine. The only fault for some people, is 80 mg of Cholesterol but that is not a problem for me.

Results 9/10 - After fiddling around with different Protein mixes for sometime, the past few months I've settled in with Muscle Pharm and I've been pleased with results, I've made solid gains in lean muscle mass the past 3 months. Not to say that this Protein is some kind magic powder, the majority of my success putting on muscle has come from the dedication, and work I put into my workouts, but this Powder has delivered on giving me the protein to recover quickly, and re-fuel.

I'm filled and satisfied after drinking it after my workouts, and in the morning before I head off for long days of work. It doesn't bother my stomach, or give me excessive gas like some other Protein powders did. It also always goes down smooth, and the great taste is always an added bonus.

Overall 9/10 - Overall I'll give the Orange Creamsicle Combat a solid 9. I know some guys have been looking around for a Protein, or they are thinking of switching to another I'd highly recommend looking into MP's Combat blends. The price may be a downside for some, they recently bumped it up to $39.99 for a 4lb. tub, which is a little pricier than some other Proteins around. However IMO with this I get what I pay for. Only gripes were that it wasn't a pretty Orange color I was hoping for (lol part joking there), and that I couldn't find the scooper when I opened the tub. Thankfully I had a backup Combat Scooper from my last batch. I will probably find the Scooper buried at the bottom of the tub when I finish this batch.

[AUChase]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

My left wrist has been hurting the past week (I think I turned it the wrong direction without realizing) and I've been wearing a brace under my glove on my left hand. It's making it a pain in the *** to work triceps.

I hit it fairly hard, today.. I've been alternating days with the Jack3d again. I'm not sure what flavor I have (the label is purple), but it has almost no taste to it at all. I just make sure I drink damn near 96 ounces of water a day. Just got home from working out and drank a bottle of water and ate a can of tuna to help recover.

I'm happy because I'm maintaining the same weight, yet I'm continuing to cut. I sat in the flat seat (I don't know what the **** it's called) and did dumbell presses up to help work arms, shoulders, and back. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my arms are really starting to "pop" now.. love the look. I've just got to get my triceps back in order..

I'm hoping my wrist is better soon. I'm dieing for a good tricep workout. I can't do skullcrushers or kickbacks really.. with the brace, I can position myself right to actually do some dips with the bench.

[Kearnzo]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Been doing the grease the groove technique to up my pushups and pullups. Also doing some HIIT running M/W/F that consists of 6 cycles of sprinting (30 sec) followed by jogging (90 sec). It's a killer workout for being only 20 minutes long.

Gonna grab a jumprope this weekend and start doing that on off days to keep the cardio up.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I lost 35lbs last year completely on my own by just sticking to my weight-lifting routine, watching what I eat, and trying to be more active in general.

Since last Summer I've plateaued on the weight loss, but am still toning up - especially in my legs and arms. I would like to incorporate some kind of aerobics/non-weight workout into my schedule. I've started running a couple mornings a week, but while I do it I've never been much for running.

What "systems" or what-have you do you guys recommend for aerobics and to tone up as I'm not really worried about losing more weight since I'm still slimming down around my waist, though I would love to tone my stomach/abs similar to my arms and legs (horray for clothes that are way too big now). I was looking at Insanity a little bit, but is that recommend in addition to an existing workout routine or is that the only thing you should do?

[RockinDaMike]

Cardio, i just got into racketball and i found a new love. Great cardio and it's fun. Problem is finding someone to play with. I've also started jump roping and that's been hard but its a great workout.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I feel on you finding someone to do stuff with. I've been hiking every Saturday for the past month or so, but nobody wants to join me. One of my friends goes every now and then, but anything over 4 miles and he's not up for it.

[AUChase]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I just got out of the gym.

Started out with about 15 mins of cardio to get warmed up.. set the 2 incline at 2.5 and every 3 minutes I switched between 7.5 mph and 4.0 mph and each time I switched I kept bumping the incline up .5

Sounds crazy, but it helps me get through it and still get my heart rate up..

Worked back and biceps and destroyed the workout... even through my usual ab workout in..

Sometimes it's hard to get a great workout after working out in the sun all day. I get up around 9am, go to work till 6:30, get to the gym at 7:30 and I'm usually home around 9pm.. so I'm usually exhausted by time I get home and sit down.. no excuses, though

[bigbob]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I haven't been to the gym since the 8th, and man do I feel like ****. My buddy and I, whom is the only person I'd trust to spot me, plan on renewing our memberships this week. We've both had some financial issues we've had to deal with.

I haven't gained any weight though, so I can be happy for that.

[12]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Down about 16 pounds in the past 1.5 months... From 264 to 248. Heading in the right direction, anyway.

230 by August...

[Feared]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Whew, after a few days with no posts in this thread I was thinking everyone but me on OS just gave up on their fitness goals. Good to see everyone's up and kicking, putting in work.

Seems like you guys are really making progress, and starting to see results.

As for me, just finished up a tough Leg workout. My legs are burning, I don't really do legs as often, maybe Once per week, sometimes (I skip them because I run, and at work I'm constantly walking.) When I do though; I really feel it. Did Squats, DB Lunges, weighted leg lifts, and some resistance work. I finished up with some Triceps sets, Kickbacks, and Resistance Band Tri-Extensions, just cause I wanted to hit the Tris a bit.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I know I don't post here often, but just an update I've finally got down to 136 lbs. Just one more away from my starting point back in April. I'm currently in week 10 of P90X and decided to spare myself from yesterday's Plyometrics workout since I'm currently enrolled in swimming lessons. Today is Back and Biceps so I should be good to go for this workout.

Perhaps on Thursday I'll run for at least half-an-hour around the neighborhood. I've been using the exercise bike for a while for my cardio on resistance days. Hopefully I can get up early for that.

On a side note, looks like I'm already halfway through my tub of Syntha-6 Mochaccino and ON 100% Whey. I probably won't need to buy anymore for a while since I somehow managed to pull in 2.4 lb tubs of Cake Batter, Mocha Latte, and Cookies and Cream MM along with still having more than half of my 5 lb Chocolate MM tub. I'll need to keep an eye out on my flaxseed oil though.

[AUChase]

I need to re stock on protein. I like the taste and extras with Syntha 6, but I don't like the extras in it, because I'm just trying to cut..

I don't flex often, but I did earlier just to see where I'm at and I've got a lot of defenition in my shoulders and arms.. just gotta get the diet down and hammer out the cardio and abs workouts to keep cutting.



I had a banana sandwich with peanut butter on 100% whole grain bread for breakfast.

Had an Apple and some grapes as a snack.

Tuna helper for lunch

And about to eat a big can of tuna for an afternoon snack. I may miss the gym tonight because of the NBA finals.

Sent from my Desire HD

[12]

Re: 2012 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I'm 6'5" so I am going to carry weight no matter what I do, but my wife says I am too thin at where I'm at now (248)... She's pregnant, so her weight is going one way and mine is going the other... She never fails to mention that when I talk about my goals, in a good nature of course.

230 is where I want to be, but I can't stay there. I'll be WAY too thin and light at that point. My HS basketball weight was 225-230, but I've put on mass since then so 230 would not be a good weight. My goal is to keep reducing my body fat percentage until I get there and then aim to get back in the 245-250 range through training. I carry weight well... When I was 260, people constantly guessed that I was 230. If I'm not at 250 or so, I don't look right.

I don't have access to a gym membership right now, but does anyone have some pointers on how I can put on 10-15 pounds of GOOD weight once I reach my goal of 230? I have P90x, so that might be a viable option... A gym membership at this point is probably not due to my work schedule and trying to keep our bills down.