The Fitness thread - what are you doing to not get a heart attack?

Yakoob on 25/6/2012 at 20:49

So the end of this month will mark a 3-month anniversary of getting my (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/escape.2/8910/48614/) Giant Escape 2.0 hybrid bike, and regularily taking it on shopping runs, joyrides, client-meetings and social outings around my area. Plenty of hills, and some flats, keeping things varied. I usually bike 3-5 times a week for some 30-60mins, with an occasional longer ride around Pasadena. Definitely keeps me in good shape, saves me on bus passes, and is pretty fun to boot!

I've tried doing weight lifting in the past for my upper body, but each time it followed the same pattern - increasing weight and seeing results over the first week or two, then I hit a wall, and start to actually go down in the weight I can lift. And seeing as my latest attempt has resulted in me getting the painful-elbows disease, I clearly dont know wtf im doing. I'm considering signig up at the local gym to get a personal trainer, at least in the beginning to get on the right track and proper form. Also, I probably need to eat more than I do now if I want to sustain muscle growth.

Oh and also, before I got my bike and since my lifestyle is pretty sedentary (work-at-home-web-developer), I tried out the (http://osalrex.110mb.com/index.html) 5BX training program, a very simple and brief regime developed by the canadian military way way back. I still do it semi-daily. It's only 11 minutes a day, and no, it wont make you buff or race a marathon, but in my case I did start feeling better after I started doing it (tho it could be just placebo effect). In any case, on days I dont bike and just sit on my butt coding, those eleven minutes of elevated heart rate really boost my energy and motivation for the next few hours.

So, what do YOU do to keep in shape?

faetal on 25/6/2012 at 21:02

I cycle to work and back (only 2 miles, but I do it quite intense, so usually takes about 5 minutes), do weights 4 days a week and also 7 mile runs 2 days a week with a rest day. How did you do your strength training? Were you focussing on specific muscle groups each time? Were you increasing your protein intake?

Angel Dust on 25/6/2012 at 21:59

Nothing too disciplined at the moment. I walk to and from work everyday (about 40 minutes each way) and running around with the kids can get the ol' heart rate up too.

Neb on 25/6/2012 at 22:32

I live in a city small enough to get anywhere on foot within an hour so I've never bothered with cars.

This is encouraging: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo)

The Alchemist on 25/6/2012 at 23:04

Lots of cocaine.

Actually nothing. Somehow I manage to stay slim. I'm pretending this is going to last.

Vasquez on 26/6/2012 at 03:27

Quote Posted by The Alchemist

Actually nothing. Somehow I manage to stay slim.

That doesn't necessarily save you from heart attack :cheeky:

Sulphur on 26/6/2012 at 05:36

Exercise semi-regularly at the gym, which I need to kick myself in the ass for one of these days because it's supposed to be 6 days a week. Reason being, take today for example. Since it's been a while since I did my shoulder and delts, I did those yesterday. The result? Today, I can barely push a door open without going OH THE HUMANITY and curling up into a ball as my right anterior deltoid attempts to separate itself from the rest of my body instead of taking more abuse.

It also didn't help that I piled on the weights a little more than I normally do, but it's all in the name of muscle mass, uh huh. Protein, that's what it's all about. Hand me that chicken sammich stat.

If I get a heart attack after this shit, I'm gonna kill everybody who encouraged me to go the gym by strangling them with a skip rope.

Scots Taffer on 26/6/2012 at 07:18

I'm of Scots/Irish ancestry. I'm fucked. Why bother?

faetal on 26/6/2012 at 07:54

Sulphur - my favourite was after a particularly heavy chest / tricep session, I was walking at speed to my desk at work, went to the do the classic "no time to stop" pushing open of the swinging double doors, but due to tricep fatigue, my arm folded in two when I applied the pressure and I punched myself square in the face. So glad no one was there to see it.

[EDIT] Scots, me too, but 10 extra years is 10 extra years (made up number, but point stands).

Vivian on 26/6/2012 at 08:14

Skateboarding. I keep thinking about doing a push-up every now and then, but it's never as much fun as you think it's going to be. So have you guys heard about this (http://lifehacker.com/5915428/the-10+20+30-running-concept-can-increase-performance-in-less-time?tag=fitness) 10-20-30 running thing? Supposed to be scientifically verified (well, as much as that means. I.e. there is some decent evidence in it's favour). Basically you do high-medium-low intensity running in 10-20-30 second alternate phases for 5 minute blocks, with a two minute rest, for 30 minutes. Sounds worth a shot. I have noticed that it takes me longer to warm up now, and I can't skate all day anymore, so I reckon my general fitness level is probably declining a little. I'm old enough to no longer be reasonably fit by default, I think.