aroundhky

JCassell...I'm guessing you really don't know those people in the gym right? Are they close friends/family? So why care what they think? Is what they think more important than you and what you think of yourself? Of course not. It's true, it is hard to get started in something that you don't know much about. But it will never be harder than it is at the beginning and will be downhill soon and easier for you. Trust me, stick with it, try not to care what someone else may or may not think, so what's good for YOU and down the road, you'll be glad you did. Then you'll be looking at yourself in the mirror and liking what you see and not want to look away. Plus, I'm guessing your toughest critic is probably yourself. I bet most of those people aren't thinking the same thing about you or saying what you think they are saying/thinking. If they are, they are at the gym for the wrong reasons and need to find some focus of their own and exercise, not judge. Hang in there and I wish you the best!

I live in Hickory, but work in Statesville

...............which sounds like a good thing to me

Not self promotion.........it's all about sharing experiences on this site. I know I'll check it out, thanks!

How's your protein intake.....getting enough? Seriously, from what I hear, that stuff has a high protein content, so maybe if protein intake is low, the volume of what comes out is low? Just wondering.....no science at all to back this up, but makes me wonder.

I think the article should point out, instead of making the assumption that everyone knows it is refering to volume, that muscle weighs more than fat per volume.....which is does. A cubic foot of muscle does weigh more than a cubic foot of fat. Or like you basically stated........a pound of muscle is more dense and takes up less space than a pound of fat..... would probably be a better way to say it. I've seen on this site at some point, where they show a pound of fat (an image) beside an image of a pound of muscle.....quite graphic. But makes a good point.

Yep, I'm pretty sure most, if not all, over estimate as well. Some probably way over estimate in my opinion.

Erica, Wow!!! I mean.........that's...........wow!!!

Great job man! Keep up the good work!

Looking great!!

I'm no scientist, but those seem to be some random thoughts thrown out on a web page or something. But there are probably a few good points there, but some seem like urban legend stuff or not backed by research or maybe just someone's hunch. I saw where it mentioned catabolic is breaking down of muscle. Catabolic can be either breaking down of muscle and/or fat oxidation, or basically a loss or break down of body mass or the process of breaking down body mass. Catabolic can be a good thing if it's the fat burning part. I think the key is doing enough cardio to burn some fat before your body turns to muscle to burn for energy, which most of us really don't want. Everyone's body is different and has varying degrees of efficiency. Mine is fairly sensitive to long sessions of cardio several times a week. I stay with the short high intensity stuff for no more than twice a week. If I go more than that, I can definitely tell my muscle/strength is compromised. Other people may be able to do cardio 6 times a week and not have any adverse effects to muscle. There seems to be quite a bit of debate on this subject, so all I can go on is my own personal experiece(s). I get Fiddle's point here about long bouts and what he's trying to say about too much cardio. This article is pretty similar in regrds to the cardio and how it relates to muscle, which I think is what Fiddle is trying to say? Just a guess..... But I don't subscribe to a "one type of cardio for fat loss fits all" approach. This one just seems the best for for me. http://www.simplyshredded.com/fit-with-hiit-science-is-dropping-the-hammer-on-endless-bouts-of-steady-state-cardio.html

Looking great!!!

Way to go "roffle"......make that sleeve work for you!

If I do get a compliment, I try to gauge their intention and go from there. If they mean it as a back-handed compliment, I don't respond well, but if someone seems truly happy for me or impressed, I'll say thank you or something like that. As for "super hot"......I can't speak intelligently on that topic.

Wow! $110 per session!! Whew!! If you go that route, just get the basics, learn the weights/machines/cardio equipment quickly and how to use them properly, then maybe drop the PT. Then go on your own or with an exercise buddy to help motivate you or hold you accountable if you need that kind of thing starting out. Kind of like I do when buying high tech equipment.....I'll go to a store with knowledgeable staff, get the 411, then buy what I'm looking for elsewhere at reduced price. But I'm cheap like that......

Mark!.....you seem angry.....you ok man?

I just recently (21 months post-op) made my goal weight....so hang in there. Looks like you are exercising a good bit, so perhaps you've added some muscle? That often happens when lifting or exercising a lot and was the case for me as well. If you are putting on muscle, you're still probably losing some fat as well, which will not show up on the scale all that much. But your body composition would be better. The other thing is...what's your BMI? I don't see it listed. Not that I'm a big proponent of those charts, just wondering if you are close to the BMI that is considered "healthy", or do you think you're goal weight may be too low?

I say whatever method of motivation that you can find to exercise.....go for it. As long as it doesn't hurt you....or someone else .....I say there's really no wrong motivation or type of exercise. Try to embrace the actual workout session if you can, then the longer term fitness/physique benefits will come a little later. If it's outdoor exercise, maybe it's the quiet part of walking (if on a trail) or the weather that you enjoy. I know for me doing cardio, I like the nice cool or sunny weather and also enjoy running in the rain (if it's on pavement and no lightening around). I'll come back indoors afterward, dry off and feel somewhat invigorated and refreshed. If it's at the gym, maybe try to embrace the music there or on your ipod or whatever. For me.....it's the "de-stressing" and hormone rush I get from lifting weights or doing sprints. Afterwards, I'm a bit tired, but I still feel better mentally and a little more full of life. That's what gets me to the gym or running.

Hmmmm.....conundrum....... Mark!......do you know if there is any truth to soy Protein raising estrogen levels?

I hear ya! Since you brought up joint issues......is there anything else that helps with joint pain? I've had some shoulder problems from years ago and they've slowly gotten worse and I'm sure I am some arthritis in them. Have you found anything else (over the counter) that has helped with your arthritis?

Glutamine, from what I've read, is very helpful indeed. However, most protein shakes, including whey, already have glutamine in them since it's an amino acid. But I don't think it could hurt to add more to the protein shake.......especially for old people like myself.

PdxMan.....you have such a good grasp of life and are great with words! Well said brother!

Sorry to hear that "cmcrider". I did it without support and never looked back. Not sure how you are presenting it, but when I did, I just told them what I am doing, explained the risks/rewards compared to not doing it (staying on my old well-traveled road and probably dying to early) and never asked for their support. Some came around to it later and were happy for me, others not so much. In the end, it's your decision and I think you'll be happy you did it. You've got support here.......

"JessicaAnn"......those stalls, almost all of us have been there. You'll probably hit another one, keep getting in that protein and water and you'll be fine.

Duh...neverminf.....I now see it was July 13th. Sorry about that. "JessicaAnn".....you are probably not far enough out yet to really get the feel for your sleeve or to know you are a slow loser. If you're like most, you're probably somewhere around that 3 week stall....or just coming out of it??