2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

[Rules]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

No secret this year as I am going after my six pack abs as the other 6 pack liquid diet didn't work.


Decided to try this for January. Went with their 28 lunches and dinners using Amazon's Locals discount for $199. I will then eat eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast each day.

http://www.personaltrainerfood.com/

After month one I will continue on my own staying healthy.

[DJ]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I should also mention a few other goals.

-Eat healthier. My wife and I have both talked about making this a priority. We are going to do a better job of planning out meals and also preparing more foods/dishes on the weekend so we don't have to necessarily cook every night of the week. I work in collegiate athletics and my wife is a HS teacher, so our schedules are a bit hectic, but at the end of the day, we need to stop eating out so much.

-Drink a lot less soda. I never used to touch the stuff, but in the past few years, I've probably had a Coke almost every day with lunch. I started drinking Coke because oddly enough, it made my stomach feel better when I was having Gi issues (turned out to be a Gluten intolerance), and just stuck from there as I felt like I needed the caffeine to get me through the work day. I drink a lot of water, 80-100 ounces each day, but would like to cut that sugar out of the daily caloric intake.

Any tips on cutting back the soda intake?

-As for my weight training, I would like to get back close to the numbers I was putting up 4-5 years ago. I suffered a few injuries when I was doing a lot of MMA training, so some exercises I can't do or I have to limit the amount of weight, but others I know I can return to my prior results.

When I look back on the last few years, I'm really disappointed with myself that I kind of gave up on going to the gym. While I am happy that I fell back into running and have grown to love mountain biking, when I look in the mirror, I don't like the physique I see. I'm carrying a bit of a gut and the muscle mass I had is largely deflated.

I used to live for going to the gym. I even worked at one for several years. Lifting weights was a big part of my daily routine. I think, while the injuries (shoulder) and GI issues (don't want to lift when you feel like crap) were issues, burnout also played a huge factor in my loss of desire to enter a gym. You know it's bad when you live 5 minutes away from your gym and won't walk through the doors because you just don't have that yearning for throwing around heavy iron.

The good news is I feel that fire rekindling inside of me. I've read through some old training logs and a few magazines, and that really made me miss doing deadlifts, squats, dumbbell bench presses and all that good stuff.

With my work schedule, a 3-4 day full-body routine is what I'll be focusing on. I'm not sure what the days will look like yet, as I plan on drafting up a few options over the next day or two, but I know the 3 exercises I mentioned above will anchor my routine and I'll go from there.

Sorry this turned out to be so long. It felt good to write that out, though.

[Feared]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Hey DJ, I recently conquered this Soda obsession. I had it real bad in my teens all I would drink was Soda, and sometimes heavily sweetened Iced Tea. I've basically entirely cut it out within the past year, but for starters I would start off by switching to Diet Sodas, or something like Coke Zero. Now they still have some concerns because of artificial sweeteners but they are a bit healthier and you can use them to ween yourself off Full Sugared Sodas.

Ideally you want to drink less and less of the Diet sodas and switch over to more Water; until you get used to the taste of water. If you really need something, look into those Water flavorings like Mio, or Crystal Light. They come in portable containers and only take like 3-4 squeezes to get a good flavor and they are minimal calorie. Plus they have some really good flavors (Grape, Pink Lemonade, Green Apple, Lemon-Lime..etc.)

[duke776]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Feared, I feel you with the injuries. I've dealt and currently deal with a few that limit me.

2013 wasn't a bad year for me, after a bout with mono and getting down to 170 lbs or less, I rocked it in the weight room and at the buffet. By the end of April, 3 months after I recovered from mono, I was 187lbs. I got my deadlift up to 295, my squats (ATG) to 195, was benching 65lb dumbbells and bent over rowing 75lb dumbbells. For a guy who's been tall (6'3) and skinny most of my life, I was finally feeling strong. Those numbers aren't world breaking, but I was able to do them all for multiple sets of 5 or 10, as I never try to max out.

Then I dealt with some hamstring and hip/groin issues of some sort, which initially I chose to rest and compounded that with doing yoga. That helped me be able to play baseball this summer healthy, and I did well. Hit .433/.564/.633 and stole 13 bases in 11 games.

I finally got it diagnosed in late October because both injuries flared up in my last few games. I was diagnosed with a medial hamstring strain and hip flexor strain. I went to PT for a few weeks and was told to continue it after I left, and was able to get back to lifting. Both have pretty much gone away, with the hamstring sometimes bothering me very slightly. My legs generally feel amazing as I keep them stretched out every day, very loose.

Then more injury concerns came during my month off in November. I took a break to let my body rest, and in about the 3rd week I was getting out of bed and felt and heard a pop in my left shoulder. I didn't really experience any pain, but when I got back to lifting the last week of November, I had trouble during dumbbell bench and dips. My left shoulder felt weak so I quit for the day and a few hours later experienced a lot of pain in my left shoulder. But I have learned to manage it for right now, because I already have tendonitis in my right shoulder so I make sure to do my shoulder PT for both shoulders every 2 days and keep them stretched out every day. I also ice once a day, and twice on days I use it. I am able to do dips and push ups without problem currently, so I keep those in my lifting rotation to make I keep some strength in those areas. Once I find a part time job soon, I'll be getting this checked out. Thankfully I have no problems swinging a bat, so it does not effect me when it comes to baseball.

But I've been back at it, lifting for the last month and a half and feel good overall. I'm glad to be getting back to lower body exercises.

My current workout days are:
Moday- Deadlift/Back day
Wednesday- Trapbar deadlift/legs
Thursday- Chest/Triceps day
Friday- Squat/Legs day

I also work my core every 2 days, and do a combination of baseball activities (hitting, throwing, fielding) 3 times a week whatever days I can. I also will be starting sprints next week as I believe my hamstring will be able to withstand running now.

I really love playing baseball, I wasted my years in high school not playing because of depression and I'm glad I got back into it 2 years ago because it's what I really enjoy doing. I have found at least one more league to join this summer, and possibly two leagues to join so I should be playing 25-35 games this summer which is exciting for myself. I'd also like to try and get a little faster if I could, that's why I'm doing the sprints and heavy leg training. As of the end of last summer I was running a 6.9 second 60 yard dash. I'd like to improve upon that the best I can, so hopefully by seasons start I am able to run it faster.

My season starts in about 20 weeks I believe, and currently I am at 6'3 183. I'd like to get around 190 before the season starts, and hopefully a little more. I lose weight during the summer months because I play baseball essentially every day in some capacity so I'm very active and I find it harder to eat during the summer months.

Sorry for the long post, here's a quick summary if you didn't want to read.

I hope for a healthy year, I'm excited for baseball, and I'd hope to gain 7-10 lbs by May.

Good luck everybody! Take care of yourselves!

[24]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

DJ as someone who dropped the Soda habbit before, It comes down to mind over matter. Don't buy any of it when you go out grocery shopping. It's tempting I know but that's the first step. If It ain't in the house then you can't drink it.

[DIRK41NOWITZKI]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

For people who have previously done this, what results do you see? Considering trying this if there is a good outcome.


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[Holic]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

DJ, I gave up sodas cold turkey. Had a case and a half left in the kitchen, so I just threw it out and never looked back. It's tough but if you put your mind to it and a little bit of will power. You'll do it. I don't even miss it now. Good luck!

[Scott]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Already did my 10 burpees for today. Feeling good.


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[Holic]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Already did my 10 burpees for today. Feeling good.


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Did mine first thing as well. Will continue T25 in the evenings.

[8]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

My goal for 2014 is to get stronger and lose about 15 more pounds of unwanted weight.

I've maintained my weight at 215 through the holidays which is a big deal for me. I'm trying to decide what strength program I'm going to use, it's between Wendlers 5/3/1, and the cube.

Here's to everyone having a successful and injury free 2014!

[jmillhimes]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Need to drop some serious weight man. Met my wife 13 years ago and I was 6'1 and 205. Today, still 6'1 but 260!!!! LOL...No joke. This comes from having a 70% desk job and eating out alot. I was 280 at one time and lost 20 pounds by kicking the carbs alittle. Ive tried Carb diets but never stick...Gonna try the old approach of no Soda's or snacks..Not eating after 6pm....Small portion meals..and plenty of cardio. I started transforming my garage into a gym. Have a excercise bike and a treadmill so far.

[roadman]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

As of today, I'm 280lbs at 5 ft 5.

I'd like to set mini goals with a big goal at the end.

By Valentines Day, I'd like to be in the upper 260's.

By the 4th of July, I'd like to be near 240.

By Labor Day, near 230.

By Dec. 21st near 215.

I'm going to try to cut down on drinking diet sodas. I easily have 3 to 4 per day.

Working out will be essential, a lot of cardio up front, and once the pounds start coming off, I'll start hitting the weights.

DJ, others are correct, it's all mind over matter. I have a cousin who gave up Coke last year and in the month of January, she lost 16lbs.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

DJ, I gave up sodas cold turkey. Had a case and a half left in the kitchen, so I just threw it out and never looked back. It's tough but if you put your mind to it and a little bit of will power. You'll do it. I don't even miss it now. Good luck!

I cut them out about 5 years ago. I always got one when I ate out and at home a lot. Like anything it was hard the first couple weeks. I went about 18 months before I had another one. Now I just have them whenever I have a long road trip. I calculated out to save about $400 a year by not getting them when I eat out.

[seasprite]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

Hate these NYs resolution gym people today.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: 2014 FITNESS CHALLENGE

I plan to get after it on Monday. Haven't done squat since before Christmas, and before that only about 3-4 times a week. Mostly without cardio due to pulling the hamstring. I think I am going to try p90x3 one week and T25 the next. Not sure if I will be a fan of the all cardio based T25.