Yeah it works great. Between the 4 of us in the office, it has been used almost every work day for the last few months with no noticeable wear. It makes a perfect sized 'egg patty' to put on a bagel.
I started getting in shape after I tipped the scales at 206 lbs. In 6 mos I lost 47lbs. I lost my gut, and my "man boobs". I got some definition and even a 6-pack. I even got stronger, and all of my lifts went up a lot. I got in such good shape I was able to complete an Olympic Triathlon in August, and a full-marathon only 3 weeks later. My nutrition was a "paleo diet" consisting of only natural foods and no processed crap. If it had a nutrition label, I didn't eat it. I ate very few, if any carbs. Including this "whole wheat" crap that people are trying to pass off as healthy. Contrary to what the big food companies and the mainstream fitness world wants you to think, carbs are not necessary, you can get just as much energy from a healthy diet of vegetables, nuts/seeds, and proteins. Carbs are in nearly EVERY processed food, so of course everyone is going to convince you that you need it. Back to my story.. I still went out to the bars regularly, and was able to keep my social life. I just did so in a smart way. If I was going out for a drink, I had liquor or wine, NO BEER. It has too many calories and carbs for such a little amount of alcohol. Water is the only "healthy" mixer with alcohol. Whiskey waters, anyone? If I was going out to eat dinner or something, I would order the kids size portion or only eat half of a full adult meal. I avoided unnecessary condiments and seasonings. I only supplemented with the Target brand protein shakes 2 times a day. Don't fall for fancy labels or ads with 'roided out athletes telling you about the latest supplement you gotta have. My goal was to lose weight so I did a lot of running, but also weight lifted 5-6 times a week. It is proven that you burn more calories weight lifting and strength training alone than by doing cardio alone. So if you have to choose one, strength training is the better option. In short, you NEED to hit the gym if you want to drop serious weight. Cardio helps of course but the serious weight will fall when a strength training regimen is being used as well. I never stuck to one specific work out routine, I would make my own routines as I went along. I used a variation of the 5x5 method, mixed with Crossfit principles (including doing some WOD's), and Insanity. The biggest help I found in my transformation was not a workout DVD or a weight-loss app. It was Youtube. I would watch "motivational" videos regularly. On my way to the gym, on my way to work, before I went to bed, first thing in the morning, I would listen to them ALL the time. The one that I found the most inspiring to me was this one, a speech by Eric Church. Here is a video with the audio clip: And this is part of my favorite quote on working out. I would tell this to myself in the gym everyday. Said by Arnold himself: "....That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens. I have no fear of fainting. I do squats until I fall over and pass out. So what? It’s not going to kill me. I wake up five minutes later and I’m OK. A lot of other athletes are afraid of this. So they don’t pass out. They don’t go on.” The best advice I can offer others who want to get in shape is this: The hardest part of getting in shape is getting in the habit. Once you find your groove, it's full speed ahead Don't wait until Monday, because on Monday, you will have wished you started today. There is no such thing as "over eating" only under training In weight lifting, breathing and form are more important than the weight you are lifting (reps or weight lifted) Think of food as fuel ONLY. It is meant to provide energy for training. It is not a hobby, a habit, a shoulder to cry on, or something to do when you are bored. Eat for sustenance, not for flavor. Who cares if it tastes like shit, your body will thank you for eating it. Most times when you think you feel hungry, you are actually just thirsty. Your body just doesn't know how to differentiate the 2 cravings. Chew mint gum often, it will prevent you from doing a lot of harmful "snacking" Read EVERYTHING and talk to everyone you can about fitness. Not only will it keep you motivated to accomplish your goal, but knowledge is power. Take everything you read and hear about fitness with a grain of salt, just because it works for one person doesn't mean it will work for you Don't feel like you have to follow a diet or workout program to the letter. Every person is different and will see different results. Your body is constantly changing and there is no "black and white manual" to getting in shape. Try to take each diet and routine as a "guideline". Follow it closely but tailor it to fit you. If there is something you can not eat because it is unhealthy, instead of saying "I can't eat this." Say "I don't want to eat this." Trust me, it makes a difference. Try to find 1 video or quote every day that will make you stay focused on your goal. Whether you lose 1 lb or 10, progress is progress. Buy a juicer. If you can't eat it, juice it. Don't do something because everyone else is doing it. Try new things and go off of what works for you. Read the nutrition labels on EVERYTHING you eat. You'd be surprised how unhealthy 99% of the food at the grocery store is. Just because something says, "Low-fat" , "Fat-Free" , "Sugar-Free" , "Healthy Option" , "All Natural" or something similar, that DOES NOT mean it is healthy for you. Nobody ever feels worse after working out Do not be embarrassed when you begin working out, even Arnold wasn't born knowing how to properly do a squat. If you have a choice between Free Weights or Machines, choose free weights. Don't do bench press on Mondays Squats are not, I repeat, ARE NOT optional. And don't be a pussy and use the neck pad or machines, use the squat rack. I don't feel I know everything when it comes to fitness, but I do feel I know more than the average joe at the gym. So if anyone needs any help or has questions I am always available to help, or even to motivate.
Great list . Congrats on the triathlon/marathons! I have been competing in endurance racing for a couple years now and love the multi-sport aspect. I am currently training for a 70.3 Ironman 4/7 and a full 140.6 Ironman on 5/18 this year. One addition to the food category I would add that has helped me in training for Ironmans: EVERYTHING you need from the grocery store is located around the edges, NOT down any row. Well besides coffee, but that depends on each grocery store. You want to make the easiest impact on your diet, start there.
That's awesome man. Competing in the Tri changed my whole perception of endurance racing lol. A 1 mile swim is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Even harder than the marathon! I don't know if I will ever make the jump up to the 1/2 Ironman, it was a shit ton of training just for the Olympic. My bro is doing one in June in TX, you guys are G's.
That's a great story in that vid. At the same time, for the weak minded (admittedly, such as myself) it may tend to scare one away rather than motivate.
So, I finally got off my backside and started my exercising. Starting off with the XBOX 'Nike+Kinect Training game'. The plan after that is to do P90. Not sure about P90x because my basement isn't high enough for the plyometric exercises. Maybe i'll get into a gym and do it there. My start weight is 227 lbs. Not really pushing a target weight, i'm more in search of just feeling great and not lethargic all the time. Diet wise, well... this will be the tough part because it's 24/7 and not just 30 minutes of each day. Haven't started any change yet, i'll slowly incorporate the healthy eating as time goes on. Maybe i'll post some progress pics as i go along.
I started my third round of Insanity yesterday (with the fit test), time to lose my winter fat. Surprisingly my results weren't as bad as I thought, but nowhere near where they were last fall. Onward and upward!
Way to show me up electrickeeper. I say an XBOX game, you say Insanity. hahahahaaa. jks. In fact, as much as i actually like the Nike+Kinect training game, I feel the need to scrap it sooner rather than later. Just one week in and I've already experienced issues with the XBOX and Nike+ accounts not connecting. This means that my custom workout program is not accessible. In fact, I couldn't even get into the workout menus so that i could compensate with a random quick session. DVD's may be the best bet for in home. Any recommendations for beginners, without the use of weights?
Curious if you guys have any suggestions on brand of Whey & Caesin protein powder ? I have a picky stomach so something that does not make me burp all day or fart all day lol. Also any suggestions on vitamins ? I do take prescription stimulant med so I am trying to avoid anything with ginseng as it has made me jumpy in the past .
Insanity works for beginners as well. You just have to keep in mind that you need to work within your skillset. There's nothing wrong with taking a little bit of a longer break in between sets, or going slower than what they are on the screen.
For Vitamins I like New Chapter: http://www.amazon.com/New-Chapter-E...66412305&sr=1-2&keywords=new chapter vitamins These are pretty good as well but they do have ginseng in them: http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutri...e=UTF8&qid=1366412218&sr=1-1&keywords=optimen For Whey I go with Optimum Nutrition when I have the extra cash: http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutri...qid=1366412338&sr=1-1&keywords=protein powder Recently I've been buying the BodyLogix from my local Meijer: http://www.meijer.com/s/bodylogix-100-natural-whey-protein-powder-908-grams/_/R-208952 It has a very similar amino acid profile to the ON. As for casein I usually just eat cottage cheese because it is way cheaper than a casein protein powder which are more expensive than the whey variety.
I've never taken Caesin. I'm sure others could argue its benefits, but unless you are prime time body building I just don't see its benefits. Its your long acting protien many take before bedtime if I remember correct. Just eat Cottage cheese like Johnny said.
Anything man. Like Timpe said insanity would work just take longer breaks. You could also do the spartacus with shorter circuits (say 30seconds) and who cares if you only make it through 2 full circuits. There are plenty of things you could do without weights. Sometimes that is more fun honestly.
I would rather eat a hookers asshole than cottage cheese Thanks for the advice though lol , my problem is I don't eat enough red meat/ protein and have always had trouble putting on muscle. I'm not looking to be a body builder or anything , genetically I am more likely to look like Lance Armstrong than Lance Briggs so I don't need or want huge muscles I just need more strength and endurance.
Personally, I like cottage cheese. Its one of those things I can't eat by itself though, I have to throw half a can of peaches/pears/pineapple or a tomato or something on it.
http://www.sgn80.com/one-world-whey <--- this is one of the best supplemental shakes ever NOBULLSHIT, I won't play the expert but when I was taking it my urge to snack and eat "man sized" portions when down while my energy levels went sky high. It is a bit pricey though, check it out. This thread is great, one of the many reasons why TSO is so official, thanks to whoever started it up. (Didn't read page one) I'll definitely be checking here for tips and what not, a brotha needs to get his summer chisel on. Lol
Update: I came back from Austin at 303 in my workout clothes. I've decided on top of my normal 30 minutes of daily cardio I'm going to start doing 5x5's also. I started yesterday, and not going to lie, I'm very sore despite using no weight the first day. It's kind of sad.
I've tried quite a few and don't really see the difference in regards to bloating or anything. But that's probably just me personally. I've currently been taking Nutrishop's Forza line. They just came out with a Peanut Butter/Banana flavor, and I like that one alot. (Probably because that's my favorite type of smoothie, lol). Vitamin wise, get some Fish Oil!
