Fitness & Exercise

Wow! I have been holding myself back. A new power house opened up in my area about a year or so ago. Membership fees have always been higher than I like to pay. The have a promo for the new year so I took a tour. Holy Crap!!! This place is amazing. Crossfit gym inside (free with membership) an FX gym inside (extra dues) a day care and an unbelievable gym. Planet fitness is ok but I realize now it has been holding me back. Needless to say I am now a member and super amped to get in there everyday!

Fitness Gurus! I'm in the market for a fitness monitor. Cost isn't really an option, but quality and utility is. I walk, ride a stationary, jog, play tennis, and of course ice hockey. Is there a product that will count all this exercise and also log heart rate? I'm not very concerned about sleep cycle and I dont want to have to place my finger on a sensor to get heartrate. Last but not least, I'm an android guy, not apple. I'd like to have good linked reporting, either on smartphone or PC. Thanks! Jay

Anyone want to do a pull-up challenge with me during January-February 2014? I found the following link: http://www.50pullups.com This looks practical enough to work through the month. You progressively work your way up to 50 unbroken strict pull-ups. A strict pull-up is all upper body and grip strength. I anticipate this might be a 2 month challenge to complete the program defined on the linked page based on number of cycles and rest days. I can do about 5 strict pull ups in a row and about 10 in a row if they are kipping. I would like to do 25 strict in a row and 100 kipping in a row. Kipping pull-ups are more about timing and coordination rather then raw up…

I use myfitnesspal as a lot of us do, the calorie allotment for me to lose 1-2pounds a week is 1240. I'm 18 wks out and most days don't make that by about 200 calories. Due to fact I'm FULL. Its very discouraging when this is the reason my weight loss is so slow. And since I'm exercising more its worse. I never would have thought I would have this problem. Any suggestions?

Personally hit my "goal" a while ago and realized I easily could go on. My wife had a goal 10lbs below my goal so I would have "some wiggle room". I have decided to shred a little bit so I cut out carbs and stepped up my training a touch. Holy quick response... I am about there and stoked at how quickly my body is responding to things now. Anyone else notice that ability as well?

I started "running" in July of 2013, after cycling almost exclusively for my exercise. I read and read from folks on this site and others " go to a running store and get the proper shoes", have an expert evaluate your stride/heel strike, etc and "get the proper shoes" for you! So what did I do, just the opposite.....went to a big name shoe store, and listened to the first salesperson who came by that said "oh, these are really popular shoes, lots of folks buy these to run in". They looked ok, felt ok in the store, the name on the side was very popular, and the reviews were good..... For the first couple hundred miles, all was well. I then began to have knee pain t…

Does anyone know if my fitness pal accurately calculates calories burned?

Went to my first zumba class today and I loved it! The only thing is I am not graceful and I don't pick up dance steps easily, though I do have a good sense of rhythm. How many classes until you knew most of the moves? The instructor doesn't really stop to show us the moves because most people are regulars. I just tried to keep up and at least keep moving. Any tips? I am going to look at some YouTube videos but anything else I can do? I get two more classes at the intro rate of 3 for 15 but I have to use them by Jan 20 so I will get a little more practice. I would never in a million years have tried this before losing weight with the sleeve. I had a grin on my face …

My surgery was April 8 of this year I'm am down 139 I've worked out religiously since then but the last month has been extremely hectic and I have been to the gym only a handfull of times but I started back on my daily workouts which normally start off with about 45-60 minutes of cardio. But I've have been so soar I can't seem to kick this soarness I'm not sure what is going on but I've always been a very active person. I weighed 220 poundsb in high school and could run a mile in 5minutes so running is nothing new but I'm not sure if this is something new or if I should be concerned. When I first started working out of course I was soar but eventually it went away. Tod…

I am only 5 weeks out, so C25K is a little premature. I wanted something that would get me walking and my friends all loved the C25K program. So I looked up the other BlueFin apps and found one called PowerWalk. It gradually increases you walking time from 20 minutes to 70 minutes. It also instructs you to increase you speed for several intervals during each walk. I have found that I enjoy the program and have really increased my intensity. It recommends 4 days a week and ups the time and pace every 4th workout (week). I'm on week 3 and have the setting so I can keep walking longer even if the workout is over. It keeps tracking the whole time and then you can jour…

I never even knew this app existed prior to today, but I'm so glad I came across it. My sleeve was performed on 11/23/2011 in which I was 230. Year to date, I weigh 175. I'm starting wonder if I've stretched my pouch because I feel like I should be a little smaller like maybe 155lbs. I did some research on the sleeve to find that the procedure itself only guarantees patients will loose about 55 to 60% of their excess fat. However, one of my former coworkers said her Dr told her she could loose as much weight as she wants. Although I honestly don't know how true that is. After reading about the success of others, I'm starting to feel like a failure. I'm sure of what to d…

Bought a fitbit and would love to add some of you guys. Please let me know your name!

Does anyone do their exercise at home with Xbox Kinect? What are your favorite games? I've heard Zumba is fun (challenging to learn at first, but effective.)

I hope to one day get to the point that I don't always think about calories in and calories burned, but for now, I'm still watching and learning. Here's my question..... Which one of the readouts would you think is the most accurate for a one hour (6.2mi) elliptical workout: 1. MyFitnessPal ( which I believe totally OVER estimates calorie expenditure) 2. Readout on elliptical, once you add in your current weight 3. FitBit readout (which I haven't bought yet) Just curious to read different opinions......

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/fitbit-force-rashes_n_4590859.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 Don't own one so I can't personally comment, but I thought the article interesting.

Hi there! Anyone interested in connecting on Fit Bit? I know I could use the motivation! Also, I'm interested to know if any of you have signed up for Fit Bit Premium and what your thoughts are? Is it worth it and if so, what do you like about it? Thanks!

Need to purchase a new scale and ran across the Fitbit scale... Any users out there? What is your experience?

what do you do? there's no possible way I can eat the 4000 calories recommended in bodybuilding magazines. how do you do it?

How hard did you work out once you were cleared? On Wed was 3 weeks from the surgery and I was told I could go back to the gym. But I'm curious how hard can I push it? Yesterday I sort of did a little too much at home, but only 15 minutes. Curious about if anyone began ab work right away or at what stage you started running and doing more than just walking? Thanks

I have join my fitness pal and would love to have friends. If anyone would like to befriend me my user name is "rgriffin26". In this app you can track your food, weight, exercise, and share your diary with others.

By "off" day, I really mean rest day. Typically I take 2 rest days a week and follow a 3 days on and 1 day off pattern. Sometimes this is Thursday and Sunday. Sometimes this is Saturday and Sunday. I have done this more out of principle then out of necessity. I typically never feel overly fatigued from my workouts the next day even though they are intense (it's cross fit!!) and most days involve either power or Olympic lifting for either heavy weight or high rep for different muscle groups. Feeling good is probably because I am pretty smart about supplements that help with endurance and recovery as well as long mobility / stretching sessions before and after the…

Hi everyone! I'm new to the site and just had my gastric bypass done on Dec. 16th. Before surgery even though I am overweight I've been an avid road cyclist for almost 7 years. I know how to other people should fuel their rides, but I'm not so sure what I should eat. I'm almost 4 weeks out and still on soft foods. Last Saturday I rode 20 miles and it was great to be out riding again, but when we stopped half way for a rest stop, all I could have was a glass of milk. I don't need a lot, but when I ride longer than 2 hours, I'll need to eat. I have a friend I ride with that had her surgery 3years ago and we've talked, but I'm worried to try the things she uses and my nu…

I've been out out 10 yrs...gbs.... I know u r excited... every BODY is different.... no one on the face of this earth really, knows you... better than you... I've always been a mover even when I was at my largest... its so exciting to finally see the scale go down... relax... keep moving... but enjoy the downscale... we get so involved wih the decrease... we don't see the increase... its not about that 20' ish figure.. its about our health... regaining stenghth... defeating obesity... sleep apnea... high blood pressure. diabetes. only god knows what else.... relax ..enjoy...keep up the good work... but take time out just for YOU. YOU made the decision to take the cha…

When do you step on the scale? We are all lighter in the mornings, but should we consider this our true weight? OR Should we consider the weight we are at any given time our true weight? When we go to the doctor for checkups you will, most likely, have eaten something and drank Fluid, so the morning weight probably won't match. I am very curious, what weight do you use?

So last month I did a 30-day plank Challenge. Didn't quite make it to 300s, but I did go from barely being able to plank for 20s to making it for 100s and I was happy with that. This month, I want to try an EASY beginner's ab crunch challenge. I'm attaching a calendar. All we have to do is follow the calendar and post our successes here. Who wants to join?? I will try to check in daily and cheer you guys on, even on the days I don't make the crunches. Performing the basic crunch Follow these steps to perform crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Place your hands behind your head so your thumbs are behi…

Long story short..... I lived my life on a couch. Joined a gym in June. Couldn't walk on treadmill for more than ten minutes. Rode stationary bike to make up a few extra cardio minutes. Only DREAMED of elliptical. Stayed religious to five to six days a week....... Fast forward to Movember and December...... On elliptical ONE HOUR A DAY... Reaching a 10k + on a daily basis (about a 9:40 minute mile consistently throughout workout). Can't believe this 53 year old dog has learned new tricks!!!!!!

I am now cleared from the surgery and allowed to start strenuous exercise again, but I wonder if there is a strategy that I should be using. Should I focus on aerobic calorie burning exercises to lose weight faster, then focus on weight training (circuit training) after I am at my goal? or at least after I have lost a lot of weight. OR Should I focus on weight training now so I can maintain muscle mass and become/stay toned? I am a big girl (obviously) but more on the muscular side than flabby side. The second option makes sense except that I don't want to negate my weight loss by building muscle. This may sound silly but I would hate for the scale to stop moving…

I know that Zumba is gaining in popularity, and I know that it is strenuous, but just how beneficial is it? I don't have the ACTUAL Zumba videos, but I've been using some I found on Youtube, and if they aren't the real thing, then I don't know what they are. I just wanted to know if anyone actually knew how beneficial it was and if it is actually worth the six minutes and basically killing myself.

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to share that I have finally joined a gym! I actually joined on Saturday and have gone everyday. I am determined to make it a habit and not just another card in my wallet. I had my intro to the equipment this morning. I told the trainer about my wls being 5 months ago. It was kind of funny because then he automatically assumed that I was not active... He recommended that I start with 15 mins of cardio and said its ok if I have to split it into two 7 1/2 minute segments with a break in between, eventually working up to 30 minutes increasing the intensity. I can do already do 30 mins. I've always been active, just not as fast or inte…

I think I accidentally gave my self bursitis of the left hip yesterday. I rolled on it hard with my lacrosse ball yesterday mashing it, thinking it was a tight muscle. This was before my workout yesterday and the only thing I noticed at the time is the location changed (if that makes sense). By evening, I had some really uncomfortable pain there on my left hip. Still same level of pain now mid day. It is not a blocker - still able to do most things - but, it is fairly uncomfortable, I've lost mobility in the hip and I have a sneaking suspicion I broke something about about the bursa sack, just do not have an concrete details ( perhaps broke it away muscle). Here is …

What have you tried and why do you love/hate it?

Hey Everyone, I had my surgery in March of this year. I'm looking for a male or female for a weightlifting partner. Thanks, Nick

Just spent most of the day hiking with my family. Kids and I loved it. The hubby complained... Until we got to the waterfall!

This morning at 5:30am, went to the gym as I do just about every day for the last few years.....normally, it is the same crowd, every morning doing their routine...and we have all known and recognize each other.... TODAY...THE PARKING LOT WAS PACKED!!!!! At 5:30 am !!!! What the heck is going on??? Then I remembered...it is the first Saturday of 2014....Riggghhhhttt! All the people with their New Year's resolutions to loose weight...get fit.. perhaps got a gym membership as a gift.... Repeat after me.....Diet & Exercise....Diet & Exercise....I hope there are some that will be more successful as I was...been there done that, and I always failed miserably,…

I started P90x this week and am loving it. I am not able to keep up with every exercise but I am trying. It is a huge time commitment but so far it is worth it. I had forgotten what a 'good' hurt was. Has any one else tried it and if so what are your thoughts on it?

K ladies I need to know the best sports bra for before you lost weight!

Just a little New Year humour for you, lol, Happy 2014!

I've been looking to get a FitBit before my surgery (late Dec/early Jan - undecided yet). Any one have experience with this gadget? I love metrics and data, so keeping track with something like this pre/post surgery (maybe 1 or 2 weeks pre) would be interesting. scale that goes with it, but not sure if that's overkill or not. My wife might not go for it, but I could ask Santa ...

Hey folks. It's time for the December addition of the monthly fitness challenge. For those of you unfamiliar, the goal is to set a specific fitness goal for yourself, and then go for it. The goal should be specific and measurable, so that you can keep a running log here toward your progress. Some common goals are xxx miles run/walked/bicycled over the course of the month....xx hours on the elliptical, stationary bike..... xx workouts per week or xx hours spent exercising per week. Whatever you want, so long as it is specific and measurable. Start off by introducing yourself and stating your specific goal...then come here each day or as often as you'd like and upd…

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/12/exercise_to_prevent_cure_or_treat_disease_cancer_heart_disease_inflammation.html

I have been hearing more and more about crossfit lately... Have a few friend who has amazing results... But what exactly is it? Has anybody tried it that's had WLS? If so what's it like & what kind of results did you see?

Have been trying to eat paleo since hitting goal in February 2013. While I can do it without too much of a struggle, it does get a little boring. I have been considering transitioning into zone diet because it seems to be a solid nutritional platform for athletes and offers more choice then paleo. I still am going to focus on high lean Protein and leafy green veggies, but am also going to up carbs and fat more towards the zone ratios. What do you think of the zone bar as a snack: I have had these a few times last week when on a business trip and they seem to satisfy me much better then bars like pure protein (20 g protein, 1 carb). I eat one of these zone bars and…

User name liltoy27

I started this last month but haven't made it to the end yet, so I thought I'd try again. Who's with me? Take my advice, don't laugh when you see 20s for the first day. After 5 seconds the shakes start and you realize this is tough. But totally doable! I got to 100s by the end and that made me feel good. And hey, if I can do it? You can do it! All you have to do is dedicate less than 3 minutes to this, and it can be done anywhere (I mean, don't try it in a public place, but you know...) Attached is a picture and the schedule we can try to follow together. Who's in??

Hey, I am 2 months into my program for gastric sleeve. I have 10 more pounds to lose. I have some trouble going to the gym. Not sure what kind of workouts to do ? Can anyone tell me what kind of workouts they were doing before surgery and after surgery ? How long after surgery did you go back to the gym ? Thanks in advance for the answers !

Tomorrow, being Xmas eve, is a good time for people to try a "12 days of Xmas" workout. There are infinite variations on it, depending on choice of exercises and position in list of exercise. Here is one such variation: 1 Handstand Push-up (12) 2 Pistols (Alternating Legs)s (24) 3 Push-ups (30) 4 Knees To Elbows (36) 5 Burpees (40) 6 Box Jumps (42) 7 Wall Balls (42) 8 Kettlebell Swings (40) 9 Deadlifts, 115/75 lbs (36) 10 Front Squats, 115/75 lbs (30) 11 Cleans, 115/75 lbs (22) 12 Turkish Get Ups (12) This is done like the Christmas song "12 Days of Christmas"... 1 HSPU, 2 Pistols, 1 HSPU, 3 Pushups, 2 Pistols, 1 HSPU, 4 K2E, 3…

As some are aware, I am quite active in my daily fitness. With daily fitness comes pain. Instead of popping Tylenol or ibuprofen (may interfere with the Protein synthesis process), I want to offer the following book list. Frankly I am tired of pain medicine and want to address the structural issues directly that lead to inflammation. I own them all and they are quite practical. If you have books or general suggestions you would like to add to this thread, please feel free to post. 1. " 8 steps to a Pain Free back" - The latest addition to my library I have just started reading. Highly recommended for people who struggled with daily back and neck pain (me). The basic p…

So last month I did a 30-day plank Challenge. Didn't quite make it to 300s, but I did go from barely being able to plank for 20s to making it for 100s and I was happy with that. This month, I want to try an EASY beginner's ab crunch challenge. I'm attaching a calendar. All we have to do is follow the calendar and post our successes here. Who wants to join? Performing the basic crunchFollow these steps to perform crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Place your hands behind your head so your thumbs are behind your ears. Hold your elbows out to the sides but rounded slightly in. Tilt your chin slightly, leaving…

So I bit the bullet and invested in 6 weeks of personal training (2X per week). I'm going to use these next few weeks as a trial run to see if I should make a longer term commitment. Looking for tips from others who have been super successful with their trainer. What made your relationship great? What things went wrong that you would caution someone about (if applicable)? Any other insight you can provide? Definitely want to get as much out of this as I can and learn the right way to work out my body once and for all! Thank you all in advance!

I need some advice on my exercise plan. I am currently 8 weeks out from sleeve surgery and I was released for exercise with no restrictions. I am noticing that my skin is sagging especially in the arms, thighs and belly (apron was already sagging but.. ). I need to get on a good exercize/weightlifting plan. I need to know what is the best way to help tone and help with the sagginess? Should I be doing weightlifting? If so how many reps/sets/weight? Should I be trying to do as much weight as I can handle or should I focus on more reps/sets versus heavier weight? I'm not looking to bulk up I just want to tone up. The weight is still melting off because I have a good nutriti…