The Do You Work Out Zone

SnackTime · 11-11-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

I so need to rediscover my love for long distance cycling. I do miss it (I dunno why but cycling in the US doesn't appeal to me as much as it did in Canada -- too many people?) Anyways, I'm trying to get back into some shape other than round. I got one of those IronGyms (fits into the doorway) so that I can try to do pullups even while lecturing or what-have-you. Also started running up and down the stairs (with a weird schedule like mine it can be tricky).

I think I'll have to look for a cycling/workout buddy in L.A. when we move their next year.

I discovered my passion for cycling last year while trying to rehab a knee. It was easier to ride a bike than it was to walk, because of not having a lot of cartilage left in that knee. I have come along rather slowly, but I am getting there. I can tell that I am stronger than I was at the beginning of spring, so that does feel good! I can thank Shad for helping me discover my passion for cycling (road and mountain).

As Shad said, if you ever make it this way be sure to bring your bike...LOL

SnackTime · 11-11-2009, 05:16 PM

Today was another beautiful day here in Tennessee! I went out for another ride on the trails this afternoon. I ended up riding five miles, it was a great ride (taking more chances on the downhill parts).

I will probably hit the gym Monday since we are expecting rain.

TheSqueeze · 11-15-2009, 08:36 AM

I usually have one marathon and a couple of half-marathons on my summer and fall schedule every year so that keeps my running schedule pretty full from May through Oct. I usually run 3-4 days a week consisting of one long and slow run anywhere from 8-20 miles at a pace of about a minute slower than my goal race pace; one medium distance tempo run 6-8 miles at or slightly faster than race pace; one speed run 3-6 miles of mile or half mile repeats at 5k pace of faster. I try to throw in 2 days of cross-training and strength training in there as well.

Off season workouts tend to be gym focused due to the cold Chicago winters -indoor cycling - spin classes, treadmill runs, cybex machine and weight lifting. The hardest part of the winter season is just getting to the gym...navigating through all of the ice and snow, finding parking and peeling off the layers of coats, gloves, boots and hats. If you can find a locker or a hook for all of your gear you know it is going to be a good day!

shadows papa · 11-15-2009, 08:57 AM

Welcome to the thread Squeeze! That is some serious running there! and yah,sometimes the hardest part of any workout is just STARTING the dang thang. And ooooohhweee to Chicago winters! Never lived there but I used to drive trucks and aint nothing like fighting frozen steel tarp in the wind off of Lake Michigan! I just started back running after a little setback from a hamstring pull. I had my first half marathon planned for this month,but no dice! Running is my least favorite part of triathlon,but I WILL make it my friend! Novelafemme is training for her first full marathon in the spring of 2010,I believe?Anyhow,welcome and good luck with finding a sweet parking place at the gym! Shad

TheSqueeze · 11-15-2009, 09:16 AM

I think I have a half-ironman in me. The swim is the toughest part of tri-training for me. I just can't focus for that long in the pool/open water. I become a time checker and find myself watching the clock and counting down the time until I am done. I need to re-engineer my brain for swim training and make the commitment to getting it done.

SelfMadeMan · 11-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Stacy and I just joined a fitness club and I am SO happy about it! My main workout right now is heavy on the cardio and also focusing on my arms/back. Feels so good to be taking my life back and getting healthier!!

PapaC · 11-16-2009, 11:26 AM

I could sure use it too.

Well. I finally got the nerve after discovering that I don't *mind* pool swimming as much as I thought I would to visit my local pool. Prior to that I'd been swimming in lakes.

A brief history. I started T in 2003 making navigation around gender binary change areas in fitness club/rec centres an 'issue'. Since I was already self conscious about my size, I took to the trails and swam in a lake 20 minutes from home. when I moved to the west coast in 2006, I found another lake 7 minutes away but didn't want to deal with men's changing areas.

I've been told that yes some pools the men's area has like ZERO privacy.

Forget that.

Anyway, long story short, buddy of mine did some research and happy to say that almost all pools in my area have 'family' change areas, including my local pool which is less than 5 minutes away. I no longer have any excuses to not do my favorite workout in the winter.

Nothing is going to stop me now.

Right now I'm not bothering with stats. I'm just showing up to do a solid 1-2 hours of swimming (non-stop) 5 times a week. That's the goal. Between 2002-2005 (although 2004 was the main year), I lost a total of 125 lbs, and keep off most of it (100-110lbs) over the last 4 years. That's an achievement in of itself but I got a lot more to go as I'm still over the 350lb mark.

Today my routine consisted of 2 breast stroke, 2 front crawl, alternating between the two. I also want to work on more upper body so today when I swam front crawl I did so with no kicking (love doing that... I really feel the burn in my shoulders).

I gotta long way to go but the journey is all part of it.

Good luck to rest of you and your routines. Glad to be here to help motivate each other!! (woot!)

shadows papa · 11-16-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaC

I could sure use it too.

Well. I finally got the nerve after discovering that I don't *mind* pool swimming as much as I thought I would to visit my local pool. Prior to that I'd been swimming in lakes.

A brief history. I started T in 2003 making navigation around gender binary change areas in fitness club/rec centres an 'issue'. Since I was already self conscious about my size, I took to the trails and swam in a lake 20 minutes from home. when I moved to the west coast in 2006, I found another lake 7 minutes away but didn't want to deal with men's changing areas.

I've been told that yes some pools the men's area has like ZERO privacy.

Forget that.

Anyway, long story short, buddy of mine did some research and happy to say that almost all pools in my area have 'family' change areas, including my local pool which is less than 5 minutes away. I no longer have any excuses to not do my favorite workout in the winter.

Nothing is going to stop me now.

Right now I'm not bothering with stats. I'm just showing up to do a solid 1-2 hours of swimming (non-stop) 5 times a week. That's the goal. Between 2002-2005 (although 2004 was the main year), I lost a total of 125 lbs, and keep off most of it (100-110lbs) over the last 4 years. That's an achievement in of itself but I got a lot more to go as I'm still over the 350lb mark.

Today my routine consisted of 2 breast stroke, 2 front crawl, alternating between the two. I also want to work on more upper body so today when I swam front crawl I did so with no kicking (love doing that... I really feel the burn in my shoulders).

I gotta long way to go but the journey is all part of it.

Good luck to rest of you and your routines. Glad to be here to help motivate each other!! (woot!)

Hey there PC! Welcome to the thread! Sounds like you got a plan for the winter time months. I have upped my swimming to 4 times a week; 3 coached workouts and one on Saturday morning where I just zone out and SWIM till I get tired. I tried going for a mountain bike ride yesterday,but after careening off a tree and sliding down a 10 ft embankment in the first mile,I realized my heart and head weren't in it so I came home.I also took today off,as it has been 3 weeks since a full day off of working out for me. Climbed back on the clean eating wagon this morning,because when I eat crap,I feel like crap! Tomorrow is circuit training day at the gym(this is the last week of this routine and I'm happy to see it go!) I will be designing another 3 week routine that will be more about developing strength with a 20 minute treadmill run before and after. Tomorrow is also my day off work,so if the weather continues to be gorgeous, I am going for a road bike ride! Happy Monday everyone! Shad

SnackTime · 11-17-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaC

I could sure use it too.

Well. I finally got the nerve after discovering that I don't *mind* pool swimming as much as I thought I would to visit my local pool. Prior to that I'd been swimming in lakes.

A brief history. I started T in 2003 making navigation around gender binary change areas in fitness club/rec centres an 'issue'. Since I was already self conscious about my size, I took to the trails and swam in a lake 20 minutes from home. when I moved to the west coast in 2006, I found another lake 7 minutes away but didn't want to deal with men's changing areas.

I've been told that yes some pools the men's area has like ZERO privacy.

Forget that.

Anyway, long story short, buddy of mine did some research and happy to say that almost all pools in my area have 'family' change areas, including my local pool which is less than 5 minutes away. I no longer have any excuses to not do my favorite workout in the winter.

Nothing is going to stop me now.

Right now I'm not bothering with stats. I'm just showing up to do a solid 1-2 hours of swimming (non-stop) 5 times a week. That's the goal. Between 2002-2005 (although 2004 was the main year), I lost a total of 125 lbs, and keep off most of it (100-110lbs) over the last 4 years. That's an achievement in of itself but I got a lot more to go as I'm still over the 350lb mark.

Today my routine consisted of 2 breast stroke, 2 front crawl, alternating between the two. I also want to work on more upper body so today when I swam front crawl I did so with no kicking (love doing that... I really feel the burn in my shoulders).

I gotta long way to go but the journey is all part of it.

Good luck to rest of you and your routines. Glad to be here to help motivate each other!! (woot!)

Chris, I am glad you found something you enjoy! It does sound like you have a great plan in place! Keep up the great work!

A few years ago, I got back into swimming after having shoulder surgery. In the beginning, I used fins and a kickboard and just kicked anywhere from 1000-1500 yards 3 times a week. I would also do some arm exercises while in the pool.

11-15-2009, 08:36 AM	#3
TheSqueeze Junior Member How Do You Identify?: i am what i am Relationship Status: TeaPartyTart's Squeeze Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 11 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 214764	I usually have one marathon and a couple of half-marathons on my summer and fall schedule every year so that keeps my running schedule pretty full from May through Oct. I usually run 3-4 days a week consisting of one long and slow run anywhere from 8-20 miles at a pace of about a minute slower than my goal race pace; one medium distance tempo run 6-8 miles at or slightly faster than race pace; one speed run 3-6 miles of mile or half mile repeats at 5k pace of faster. I try to throw in 2 days of cross-training and strength training in there as well. Off season workouts tend to be gym focused due to the cold Chicago winters -indoor cycling - spin classes, treadmill runs, cybex machine and weight lifting. The hardest part of the winter season is just getting to the gym...navigating through all of the ice and snow, finding parking and peeling off the layers of coats, gloves, boots and hats. If you can find a locker or a hook for all of your gear you know it is going to be a good day! Last edited by TheSqueeze; 11-15-2009 at 09:12 AM. Reason: typos

11-15-2009, 08:57 AM	#4
shadows papa Member How Do You Identify?: With a Warning Label Preferred Pronoun?: Her Bastard Relationship Status: Peaceful Easy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Back Where I Come From Posts: 699 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,223 Thanked 1,643 Times in 484 Posts Rep Power: 3193789	Welcome to the thread Squeeze! That is some serious running there! and yah,sometimes the hardest part of any workout is just STARTING the dang thang. And ooooohhweee to Chicago winters! Never lived there but I used to drive trucks and aint nothing like fighting frozen steel tarp in the wind off of Lake Michigan! I just started back running after a little setback from a hamstring pull. I had my first half marathon planned for this month,but no dice! Running is my least favorite part of triathlon,but I WILL make it my friend! Novelafemme is training for her first full marathon in the spring of 2010,I believe?Anyhow,welcome and good luck with finding a sweet parking place at the gym! Shad __________________ "Cry,cuss,sling snot, whatever. Just KEEP PEDALING!!" Shad

11-16-2009, 11:26 AM	#7
PapaC Member How Do You Identify?: FTM-Queer Preferred Pronoun?: He Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: west coast Posts: 214 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 412 Thanked 486 Times in 111 Posts Rep Power: 1281637	A timely thread to pop up this morning... I could sure use it too. Well. I finally got the nerve after discovering that I don't mind pool swimming as much as I thought I would to visit my local pool. Prior to that I'd been swimming in lakes. A brief history. I started T in 2003 making navigation around gender binary change areas in fitness club/rec centres an 'issue'. Since I was already self conscious about my size, I took to the trails and swam in a lake 20 minutes from home. when I moved to the west coast in 2006, I found another lake 7 minutes away but didn't want to deal with men's changing areas. I've been told that yes some pools the men's area has like ZERO privacy. Forget that. Anyway, long story short, buddy of mine did some research and happy to say that almost all pools in my area have 'family' change areas, including my local pool which is less than 5 minutes away. I no longer have any excuses to not do my favorite workout in the winter. Nothing is going to stop me now. Right now I'm not bothering with stats. I'm just showing up to do a solid 1-2 hours of swimming (non-stop) 5 times a week. That's the goal. Between 2002-2005 (although 2004 was the main year), I lost a total of 125 lbs, and keep off most of it (100-110lbs) over the last 4 years. That's an achievement in of itself but I got a lot more to go as I'm still over the 350lb mark. Today my routine consisted of 2 breast stroke, 2 front crawl, alternating between the two. I also want to work on more upper body so today when I swam front crawl I did so with no kicking (love doing that... I really feel the burn in my shoulders). I gotta long way to go but the journey is all part of it. Good luck to rest of you and your routines. Glad to be here to help motivate each other!! (woot!)

11-11-2009, 05:16 PM	#2
SnackTime Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Transgender Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: UNattainable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Feeling the ocean breeze... Posts: 4,868 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,393 Thanked 13,228 Times in 2,883 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Today was another beautiful day here in Tennessee! I went out for another ride on the trails this afternoon. I ended up riding five miles, it was a great ride (taking more chances on the downhill parts). I will probably hit the gym Monday since we are expecting rain.

11-15-2009, 09:16 AM	#5
TheSqueeze Junior Member How Do You Identify?: i am what i am Relationship Status: TeaPartyTart's Squeeze Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 11 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 214764	I think I have a half-ironman in me. The swim is the toughest part of tri-training for me. I just can't focus for that long in the pool/open water. I become a time checker and find myself watching the clock and counting down the time until I am done. I need to re-engineer my brain for swim training and make the commitment to getting it done.

11-16-2009, 10:58 AM	#6
SelfMadeMan Member How Do You Identify?: Transsexual Man Preferred Pronoun?: Male Relationship Status: Married to The Woman of My Dreams <3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 802 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 796 Thanked 2,668 Times in 527 Posts Rep Power: 18972345	Stacy and I just joined a fitness club and I am SO happy about it! My main workout right now is heavy on the cardio and also focusing on my arms/back. Feels so good to be taking my life back and getting healthier!!