2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

[Holic]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I would go with Insanity... If you are the type of person who can work out alone - some find that a pretty big struggle.

Everyone I have known who has been strict with their nutrition and doing the workouts have had amazing results.

It will get you to where you want to be if you're dedicated... Same with P90x. Both are great programs that you can get done at the comfort of your own home with minimal equipment.

I started Insanity yesterday after getting it off of Craigslist Sunday afternoon at a pretty decent price. I've already started changing my diet, so wasn't too much to change with Insanity except I've added two snacks (10 AM) and 2(PM).

Looking forward to day 2. The fitness test was a pain yesterday but I finished it with somewhat ease compared to some others I've read.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I started Insanity yesterday after getting it off of Craigslist Sunday afternoon at a pretty decent price. I've already started changing my diet, so wasn't too much to change with Insanity except I've added two snacks (10 AM) and 2(PM).

Looking forward to day 2. The fitness test was a pain yesterday but I finished it with somewhat ease compared to some others I've read.

Let us know how plyo goes. I've been doing it off and on since October and even after just a week off the first couple days can still be a struggle.

Week 2 is definitely when you start hitting a groove and pushing for more.

[Rules]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I started Insanity yesterday after getting it off of Craigslist Sunday afternoon at a pretty decent price. I've already started changing my diet, so wasn't too much to change with Insanity except I've added two snacks (10 AM) and 2(PM).

Looking forward to day 2. The fitness test was a pain yesterday but I finished it with somewhat ease compared to some others I've read.

I'm going to try and do P90x one day, Insanity the other. I want the cardio but need the muscle. I have taken a hit on muscle loss so I need to figure out how to get what I need from the Vegan way of life now. I've added Vegan Sport performance to my daily protein intake but I am not sustaining muscle size. Any help??

[mattsb84]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Eat more food.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Anybody got any good tuna salad recipes? I like the tuna salad I make now (2 cans of tuna, 2tbsp light mayo, 2 tsp dijon mustard, red onions, and celery), but would like another variation or two. I did have a southwestern styled recipe, but I can't find where I had gotten it from.

[AUChase]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Someone may not care to hear this, but whatever..

Is there anything out there about Green Tea having an effect on bowel movements ? I took the extract capsule in the morning for a week and I started having some problems in that area.

I quit taking it two days ago and things are back to normal.

I swear I've lost like three lbs in the past day just because I'm back in routine.. lol.

FWIW, I've never had any sort of issues with that stuff and it may just be in my head, but the green tea extract seemed to change something.

[wwharton]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

For anyone just getting into a life change as far as food choice or exercise, I think there's something very important that I found which helped to ease the stress of the whole "turnaround".

My goal in the beginning was weight loss. I changed my food and went crazy on the workouts. At one point my knee starting hurting horribly and I went almost a month without cardio. I was pretty upset about it, but amazingly the weight melted off at the same pace that it did when I was doing the cardio.

I eventually came across some research that helped clarify things for me.

One important thing to remember is that when you start working out, you're going to feel more hungry. As far as burning calories goes, running an 8 minute mile is only going to burn about 200 calories. In a matter of seconds you can consume food that easily surpasses that amount.

But something else to consider. 1 lb of body fat equals approximately 3,500 calories. If you divide that by 7 days, that would be approximately 500 calories a day, or almost 3 miles. If you're like most people, you might run 5 days a week, so we're talking 700 calories you would have to burn which would be 3.5 miles a day.

If you currently eat exactly what is required to maintain your current weight, running 3.5 miles a day (5 days a week) will theoretically burn ONE pound of fat from your body per week. That's it. One pound.

Meanwhile, by cutting back severely on carbs such as potatoes, pasta, cakes, cookies, sugary drinks, and other refined sugars; your body will melt away fat regardless of exercise or not.

Does this mean you shouldn't exercise? Absolutely not!

Exercise is important for your muscles, bones, mind, etc. More muscle mass means your body burns for calories in a day. Exercise is great for the heart and lungs, among many other things.

The main points that I would pass along are this:

Focus on what you eat in regard to losing weight. Don't think you can work out and lose weight without changing anything else. It's like riding a bicycle to make a 500 mile trip. You'll make some progress, but there's a better and faster way to get it done.

If you're going to workout (and you should) do it for the heart, lungs, muscles, bones, mind. And, do it for the boost it gives you (that extra pound a week can add up).

Great post and don't want to take anything away from it.

For you personally, just want to add that lifting also helps. If, for example, you're still having problem with your knee you can take short breaks between exercises or even do superset to limit the rest and you'll get a great cardio workout. In addition, you burn fat just during the recovery process your muscles go through after lifting.

Someone may not care to hear this, but whatever..

Is there anything out there about Green Tea having an effect on bowel movements ? I took the extract capsule in the morning for a week and I started having some problems in that area.

I quit taking it two days ago and things are back to normal.

I swear I've lost like three lbs in the past day just because I'm back in routine.. lol.

FWIW, I've never had any sort of issues with that stuff and it may just be in my head, but the green tea extract seemed to change something.

What do you consider "issues"? If you just mean going, your body getting rid of toxins isn't a bad thing... just might have to get used to you taking it. Jumping full in with protein powder can have a similar effect.

[AUChase]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

What do you consider "issues"? If you just mean going, your body getting rid of toxins isn't a bad thing... just might have to get used to you taking it. Jumping full in with protein powder can have a similar effect.

Yeah just not going as frequently.. even went a whole day without going a few days ago. Just something I've never experienced + I get plenty of fiber.

You're right though, it may just take my body some time to get used to it, especially with 500mg each day.

[Holic]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Day two of Insanity in the books. About to make me a recovery shake. Haven't sweat this much in years.

[jmik58]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Someone may not care to hear this, but whatever..

Is there anything out there about Green Tea having an effect on bowel movements ? I took the extract capsule in the morning for a week and I started having some problems in that area.

I quit taking it two days ago and things are back to normal.

I swear I've lost like three lbs in the past day just because I'm back in routine.. lol.

FWIW, I've never had any sort of issues with that stuff and it may just be in my head, but the green tea extract seemed to change something.

If it eases your mind at all, I think it's very healthy to make note of the routines your body gets into regarding the digestion (all phases) of food. There are weeks when mother nature calls on a daily basis, but usually there are days when it doesn't happen. I note this for the purpose of tracking weight, and to make sure I'm drinking more water. I take green tea extract but haven't noticed any digestion changes from it. When I notice significant changes it's usually because I haven't exercised much lately or my water intake is lacking. If I'm getting good cardio work in and drinking water I would say things are pretty regular.

Great post and don't want to take anything away from it.

For you personally, just want to add that lifting also helps. If, for example, you're still having problem with your knee you can take short breaks between exercises or even do superset to limit the rest and you'll get a great cardio workout. In addition, you burn fat just during the recovery process your muscles go through after lifting.

I agree with you 100% about lifting. I actually lift five days a week (Mon through Fri) and have limited time so everything I do is in super-sets. I try to get some quick cardio in as well, but if nothing else I get the heart pumping from lifting.

I've heard that the body burns more calories per day with the more muscle mass you have, so that's another great reason to lift. I was able to overcome the knee issue by backing off my running on the indoor track. I went to some cardio on some of the machines and now it's much better which is a relief.

[HKPound]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Started my cross training class today which I'm really happy about. Plyometric workout today which was fun. Definitely cheated a couple times on spring break but its nice to be back on course and everything. Want to drop at least 15 before I get back home in a little less than 2 months. Than I'll start pure strength training.

[wwharton]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Yeah just not going as frequently.. even went a whole day without going a few days ago. Just something I've never experienced + I get plenty of fiber.

You're right though, it may just take my body some time to get used to it, especially with 500mg each day.

I can see how that'd be a concern, I was thinking you were going more. I'd still say it's probably the body getting used to it, but somebody around here probably knows for sure.

[AUChase]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I always find it funny how weight fluctuates.

I was a solid 218 for over a week and then last week floated around 220-221.

Now I'm back down to 217 after eating and getting my day started.

I just got to get to 213. I keep telling myself to keep on grinding, even after I get there. I feel like I hit that plateau a few weeks ago where the weight loss is slow now. I hate staring at the scales, but March 28 is staring me down right now.

I've started to spend some time in the steam room after workouts. I'm hoping that helps too.

[Rules]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Down 7.6 pounds. Another great week with the blood pressure numbers as well. Still high but approaching normal within two weeks or so at this rate.

Probably going to get some blood work done this weekend to know all of my numbers with cholesterol so that I can see the big picture and how the all plant diet is working. So far it is working like a champ!

[Holic]

Re: 2013 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Done with Day 3 of Insanity. Looking forward to my off day Sunday! The recovery drink definitely helped last night but still exhausted. Hoping things get easier before the second month. I hear it's harder than the first!