2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

[AUChase]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Been struggling since I came down with the flu two weeks ago..

I was out sick for a week almost and then I had zero energy last week after work was over.

I'm hoping to get back into rhythm starting tomorrow or Monday.

[Feared]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Been struggling since I came down with the flu two weeks ago..

I was out sick for a week almost and then I had zero energy last week after work was over.

I'm hoping to get back into rhythm starting tomorrow or Monday.

I was in that situation about a month ago, sick and over stressed at work.

I would just say take it easy, until your body says it's ready. Even if that means taking a few extra days off, I just started my work outs back up again and I'm taking 3 rest days in between just to be safe, I'll probably drop it down to 2 when it gets warmer.

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

My situation in 2012 would have been more fitting for this, but '13 is definitely a "Step 2" for me.

I'm 6'3" and this time last year weighed about 265. By October I was down to 210. Since then I've been trying to bulk up with some lean muscle and have added about 10 lbs to get up to 220 while maintaining the waist line.

Anyways, my goal this year is to continue that trend -- to actually look halfway decent with a shirt off when summer rolls around and keep working on toning up the stomach area.

I also have a side "goal" of wanting to be able to dunk a basketball before the year is over. You would think that dropping 50 lbs would make my vertical go through the roof but it hasn't done much for me. Maybe I'm not used to my new weight yet.

Anyways, if any of you guys need any advice or tips for dropping the weight, I definitely found a good formula that worked for me.

Good luck to everyone. I'll have to check in for the sake of accountability from time to time.

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Has anybody ever tried cutting out sugar?

Even natural sugar? I don't think I could give up my fruits.

Have completely cut out sugar from my diet and only eat high protein meats and about 50g of carbs a day mostly from veggies. Have continued to do 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week and circuit weight training 3 days a week. I started this on November 1st (I know last year but close enough) and as of today 2/5/2013 I have lost a total of 70 pounds......almost 30 this month. I am now at 220 and still want to lose this extra 20 and tone. I think that cutting out the sugar has been the biggest thing that has helped me because I feel like I have so much more energy to work out. Just thought I would share my progress.

That's the jackpot right there. Cut out carbs such as sugary foods/drinks (not including fruit) which means potatoes (mashed/baked/french fries/chips), pastries, pasta (unless it's whole grain) for starters.

Look up the term "Ketosis" -- that's essentially what it takes to lose weight. It's not calories, it's carbs. Fat on a nutrition label doesn't equal body fat. Body fat essentially only comes from carbs/sugars. If you don't eat any carbs/sugars your body converts your stored fat into energy (ketosis). Make sure you research it though, like anything it can't be taken to extremes.

[duke776]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I'm in the same boat being sick, I've been sick for about a month now. I have mono, and this past week absolutely dragged. I went to school one of five days and barely left my bed, and barely ate. I know I've lost some weight, but I'm not too worried about it, I'm just concerned about getting better and easing back into eating and lifting.

The good news is that last week is the only week I've missed. The lost weight is disappointing as I probably lost about 5 lbs but that will come back.

Otherwise it's been a good journey so far besides this past week where the mono hit me real hard. I've had some good strength gains and honestly while I am trying to gain weight, my main goal is to get stronger for baseball season.

I figure this week I'll test the waters in the weight room because I'm getting back to feeling full strength. I just look forward to squat day this week.

[seasprite]

That's the jackpot right there. Cut out carbs such as sugary foods/drinks (not including fruit) which means potatoes (mashed/baked/french fries/chips), pastries, pasta (unless it's whole grain) for starters.

Look up the term "Ketosis" -- that's essentially what it takes to lose weight. It's not calories, it's carbs. Fat on a nutrition label doesn't equal body fat. Body fat essentially only comes from carbs/sugars. If you don't eat any carbs/sugars your body converts your stored fat into energy (ketosis). Make sure you research it though, like anything it can't be taken to extremes.

Very familiar with ketosis. I actually use the strip to test my urine about 2 times a day.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

[AllJuicedUp]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

My situation in 2012 would have been more fitting for this, but '13 is definitely a "Step 2" for me.

I'm 6'3" and this time last year weighed about 265. By October I was down to 210. Since then I've been trying to bulk up with some lean muscle and have added about 10 lbs to get up to 220 while maintaining the waist line.

Anyways, my goal this year is to continue that trend -- to actually look halfway decent with a shirt off when summer rolls around and keep working on toning up the stomach area.

I also have a side "goal" of wanting to be able to dunk a basketball before the year is over. You would think that dropping 50 lbs would make my vertical go through the roof but it hasn't done much for me. Maybe I'm not used to my new weight yet.

Anyways, if any of you guys need any advice or tips for dropping the weight, I definitely found a good formula that worked for me.

Good luck to everyone. I'll have to check in for the sake of accountability from time to time.

So for curiosities sake, how close are you to this "side goal" of dunking?

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

So for curiosities sake, how close are you to this "side goal" of dunking?

Well, when I weighed 265 I could graze the rim. I dropped to about 210 and then put on 10 lbs of muscle so far --- and I'm about one or two knuckles above the rim now. So needless to say, we've got work to do.

I've been stretching out the hips to try and get a little more explosiveness, but it's fairly obvious I'm going to have to get on some specialized "jump" program lol

Any tips?

[8]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

What's the deal with the wooden panels a lot of deadlift/olympic lift sations have. Is it a traction thing or a looks thing? I lift straight off of the rubber flooring and have never had any traction issues.

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

What's the deal with the wooden panels a lot of deadlift/olympic lift sations have. Is it a traction thing or a looks thing? I lift straight off of the rubber flooring and have never had any traction issues.

It's so we know where to stand. Otherwise we're likely to just start power lifting at random throughout the weight room.

Actually I have no clue -- maybe because it's more of a firm surface and not "bouncy" like the cattle mats?

[8]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

It's so we know where to stand. Otherwise we're likely to just start power lifting at random throughout the weight room.

Actually I have no clue -- maybe because it's more of a firm surface and not "bouncy" like the cattle mats?

That made me lol... That's kind of what i thought as well. I'm thinking of adding a piece of plywood to my garage gym. If I don't like it, it won't set me back much.

[wwharton]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

That's the jackpot right there. Cut out carbs such as sugary foods/drinks (not including fruit) which means potatoes (mashed/baked/french fries/chips), pastries, pasta (unless it's whole grain) for starters.

Look up the term "Ketosis" -- that's essentially what it takes to lose weight. It's not calories, it's carbs. Fat on a nutrition label doesn't equal body fat. Body fat essentially only comes from carbs/sugars. If you don't eat any carbs/sugars your body converts your stored fat into energy (ketosis). Make sure you research it though, like anything it can't be taken to extremes.

Great point about extremes. I wouldn't recommend anyone completely eliminating sugar. We actually need it... every good program is a combination of exercise and diet. Definitely want to cut back on sugar but eliminating anything completely (sugar, carbs, whatever) is just not a good idea.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

You need carbs and sugar for sure but its where you get it from.

I get my sugar naturally from fruits, veggies, rice, oatmeal. I'll have tortillas too but its mostly all natural.

You may lose a lot weight cutting out sugar completely but you are damaging other organs like kidneys, liver, bones and your brain by not giving your body carbs.

You don't want to be in ketosis because it leads to kidney failure, gout and things like that. I've read also that type of diet can lead to Osteoporosis and also depletion of testosterone. That's the worst thing because you need it to build muscle

I just don't think its a smart diet. Eventually your gonna need carbs and then when you do, you over eat on carbs again and start gaining the weight back.

Doesn't matter what diet you are on or believe in, eat a **** ton of vegetables. Its simple and what are body is designed to do.

I'm the only person I know that has reversed diabetes and I'm about to reverse psoriasis all within a year which are both uncurable diseases. I didn't need medication, the Earth already gave us the medicine with fruit and vegetables.

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

You need carbs and sugar for sure but its where you get it from.

I get my sugar naturally from fruits, veggies, rice, oatmeal. I'll have tortillas too but its mostly all natural.

You may lose a lot weight cutting out sugar completely but you are damaging other organs like kidneys, liver, bones and your brain by not giving your body carbs.

You don't want to be in ketosis because it leads to kidney failure, gout and things like that. I've read also that type of diet can lead to Osteoporosis and also depletion of testosterone. That's the worst thing because you need it to build muscle

I just don't think its a smart diet. Eventually your gonna need carbs and then when you do, you over eat on carbs again and start gaining the weight back.

Doesn't matter what diet you are on or believe in, eat a **** ton of vegetables. Its simple and what are body is designed to do.

I'm the only person I know that has reversed diabetes and I'm about to reverse psoriasis all within a year which are both uncurable diseases. I didn't need medication, the Earth already gave us the medicine with fruit and vegetables.

I agree with you and my point isn't for someone to completely eliminate carbs -- only greatly limit bad carbs (potatoes, pasta that's not whole wheat, pastries, sugary drinks, candy, ice cream, bread that's not whole grain etc.)

I eat a lot of carbs that are from whole grain, fruits, veggies, rice, etc. Ketosis is definitely dangerous if taken to the extreme; but my success has come from eliminating the processed sugars. The "good" carbs aren't going to lead to excess body fat. There are healthy levels of Ketosis and that's what to shoot for, which I'm sure is why a previous poster mentioned he uses testing strips throughout the day to track this.

An article from the website I just linked states:

"But, isn't ketosis dangerous?


Being in ketosis by following a low carbohydrate diet is NOT dangerous. The human body was designed to use ketones very efficiently as fuel in the absence of glucose. However, the word ketosis is often confused with a similar word, ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition for diabetics, and the main element is ACID not ketones. The blood pH becomes dangerously acidic because of an extremely high blood SUGAR level (the diabetic has no insulin, or doesn't respond to insulin .... so blood sugar rises ... ketones are produced by the body to provide the fuel necessary for life, since the cells can't use the sugar). It's the high blood sugar, and the acid condition that is so dangerous. Ketones just happen to be a part of the picture, and are a RESULT of the condition, not the CAUSE. Diabetics can safely follow a ketogenic diet to lose fat weight ... but they must be closely monitored by their health care provider, and blood sugars need to be kept low, and stable. "

[AUChase]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Getting back in it after work tonight!

I know It's going to be tough, but It's absolutely necessary for me to start focusing more on my core and cardio.

I'm going Thursday to sign most of my paperwork for the Navy.