How did you make yourself stronger today?

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by SeptemberMage, Nov 17, 2008.


  1. SeptemberMage

    SeptemberMage LaMOE Monkey

    I have been on the monkey for awhile, But I haven't been posting lately. I'd like to take this opportunity to inspire any of you who might need a little push to get back into shape.
    Ten months ago I weighed 247 pounds, I had become so fat that I couldnt walk up a flight of stairs without breaking a sweat. I knew that the most important survival tool I had was my body, and I was treating it like poop.
    I decided I had to change.
    First I stopped eating processed flour and sugar. a little Adkins diet to start. I started working out and threw in a little cardio (very little at first.)
    And apparently that whole "diet and Exercise" thing really works. I didnt take any "metabolism boosters" or "protein shakes" or Hoodia, or energy drinks, or any of the other crap they try to sell.
    I just drank water and ate meat and veggies and worked out.
    no bread no sugar and HOLY COW!!!
    As of monday morning I weigh 185 pounds!!!
    I have lost more than a freaking FOOT (14 inches) off my waist!!! I am sprinting and running now and I can do pullups like a freaking super hero...

    If I can do it YOU can do it. Just stop eating all the crap Corporate America shoves on you and the results are amazing...
     
  2. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    Congratulations!
     
  3. NVBeav

    NVBeav Monkey+++

    For all the bad press Atkins Diet received, I too am of the opinion that it was unjustified. When I'm keeping a similar diet, my weight stays down, my blood sugar stays down too. After losing 35 lbs, exercise is a lot easier.

    As for corporate America, some is good and some is bad. Support the good while we can.


     
  4. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++

    Congrats...... I did low carb for a couple months and lost 30 pounds, of course, in the 8 or so months since then I let myself fall back. Time to get back to it.
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I'm resting up for future exercise -- :lol:
     
  6. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    Tracy said it!..congratulations! the increase in personal discipline(strength) is probably apparent too...
    No subway sam'ich's????
     
  7. enough

    enough Monkey++

    I looked in the mirror this morning, flexed my little biceps, and decided it was time to get my rear back in gear.

    I participate in endurace training/racing. I run marathons, and race triathlons. Since mid-September, I've had a really hard time getting my body going again. I completed a race that tore me down to my limits. It was thrilling and brutal at the same time.

    My body has recovered, but my head has required some work. ;) I haven't been motivated, but now that the scale says that I'm 17 pounds heavier than peak training weight, its time to do something.

    So, what will I do this week to make myself stronger? How about 20 miles of running, 40 miles of biking (on a trainer in snowy Michigan), and 3 or 4 miles of swimming?
     
  8. RaymondPeter

    RaymondPeter Simple Man

    You too? :shock: lol




    Actually I'm walking to work nearly every day now even though living on top of the biggest freakin' hill in town is killing me, it is a great mini workout. I also just recently started doing some body weight exercises. One of which is this program: http://hundredpushups.com/

    Finally I'm trying to cut back the carbs and sugars (I'm addicted to soda) and do some portion control. So far so good. If I can keep it up for a couple weeks I'll start to do more, but there is no sense doing so much at once that you can't keep it up. Got to get used to each new change and make it a habit before moving on.



    SeptemberMage: Thanks for the topic! It reminded me that I need to go work out before I head out for the day.
     
  9. enough

    enough Monkey++

    The 100 PU challenge is cool. I'm getting ready to start that myself.
     
  10. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Congrats on the weight loss. I've been trying, although half-heartedly, to loose some weight. My wife has been dropping the pounds left and right, without trying.

    And I NEED to loose the weight. I have high cholesterol, my BP is going up, my energy is down. I feel like a train wreck most mornings, my GERD is back with a vengeance.

    Geesh, time to get off my 455 and into the gym (and considering I get paid to workout as my company had the gym and a PT on site!!)
     
  11. BAT1

    BAT1 Cowboys know no fear

    I'm riding my bike for 10 miles every other day. a great site I found recently is www.oneradionetwork.com It has some good info on nutrition and wellness. Also pull up the book Yes,No,Maybe By Ed Bergstrom. It teaches you times of the day to eat foods that nourish the organs. It knocked 42 lbs off me and it has stayed off.
     
  12. enough

    enough Monkey++

    Well, I've finally put a plan down on paper.

    To start it off, I ran 8 miles yesterday in the beautiful MI weather. It was sunny and 24 degrees Fahr.

    Then I did 100 reps of "core strength" exercises.
     
  13. enough

    enough Monkey++

    Yesterday I ran a couple miles, plus 100 situps.

    Today, I ran a couple miles (brrrrrrr). I also swam about a mile at lunchtime. I still have my situps and pushups to do tonight.

    :) I often forget how much better I feel when I am getting regular exercise.
     
  14. dutterman

    dutterman Monkey++

    I've been doing p90x every other day and lifting weights in between. I only took 1 day off last week.
     
  15. CBMS

    CBMS Looking for a safe place

    NO exercise for me yet, Its finals season and I have 0 time to exercise, or atleast I have not made the time yet...maybe soon i'll just get it done and start.

    Hey Dutterman, I am not very fit, but I got the p90x workout. Can you show your before and after pictures when you get there?
    Also how strictly have you been following the diet?
     
  16. enough

    enough Monkey++

    You'll find that success in burning fat is about 80% healthy eating with a small caloric deficit (about 500 calories per day), and 20% exercise.

    At least this has been my experience.

    We got 3 inches of fresh sloppy snow last night, so I didn't run first thing this morning. I'll do it on my lunch hour. Instead, I spent about 20 minutes of dedicated stretching, then did my 100 core strength reps.

    Stay healthy all.

    Although I am not a dietitian, or personal trainer, I do have a lot of experience with endurance training and nutrition. I'd be happy to answer any questions that anyone has on the subject. If I can't answer it offhand, I'll find the answer or point you in the right direction. :)
     
  17. dutterman

    dutterman Monkey++

    My diet is already pretty good. I used to work out with bodybuilders so I looked good but I had no stamina. I'm trying to change that and so far the p90x is great so far. The only thing I don't like is that there are no heavy weights and my bench press has gone down, but I feel great. So, on the days I don't do it I'm lifting heavy and on the treadmill (cause there's no running either). I've been doing it about 2 weeks so i'll take a before picture and do an after pic in about a month.

    As far as not being very fit, it's hard for me to do those workouts straight through. I take small rests and just keep track of my progress. Try to do better each time and set goals.
     
  18. enough

    enough Monkey++

    IMO, there is no substitute for cardio and muscular endurance in a survival situation. No amount of short term physical power is going to overcome the need to escape quickly and then endure a long trek. However, there are lots of ways that a smart person can overcome the need for short term physical power, by using a little ingenuity.

    Just my opinion. I'd like to hear others' thoughts on the subject.
     
  19. dutterman

    dutterman Monkey++

    I think everyone has to figure out what your survival situation may be. I've got quite a haul to the back woods of Mississippi from where I am. Hopefully I can drive it but I'm preparing to walk if need be. I want get my cardio up but I don't want to get caught in a food rationing situation with 10% body fat. Muscular endurance is great but being able to benchpress 300# could come in handy. Eating 6 times a day to increase your metabolism is a great idea to lose weight. But if food gets scarce who wants to share food with the guy who can digest a meal in half an hour? Just a few things we need to think about when deciding on an exercise program.
     
  20. enough

    enough Monkey++

    Excellent points!

    I am bless/cursed with a really slow metabolism. 1500 calories per day is plenty, plus whatever I burn from exercise. That's my maintenance level. I'm not your typical twig thin, high metabolism endurance athlete. I'm more like the desk jockey that you would be shocked to find out could run 25 miles straight, then do it again the next day.

    Again, excellent points on metabolism though. I never really though about other peoples' metabolisms, well, besides my family anyways.
     
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