Fun Stuff > CHATTER
The 'I Feel Like Being Healthier' Thread!
KvP:
So for the last few months I'd been feeling pretty gross, physically. The onset of Winter caused me to stay at home and stationary for prolonged periods of time, and I began to feel fat. I'm not terribly overweight, but I probably qualify for the title. This feeling of fatness contributed to my usual psychological doldrum periods. So after the holidays (the family dinner feast of which was canceled, luckily for me but unluckily for my cousin who suffered an aneurysm Christmas morn) I made a new year's resolution, like millions of others, to take better care of myself.
I've been doing alright so far. Every 2-3 days I undergo a workout regimen of my own rather uninformed design. I will ride our stationary bike over random simulated terrain for 15 minutes (covering about 4 miles, and burning around 90 calories) and then run a mile and a half on the treadmill. I have tried running outside, but I invariably slow down to a jog. The treadmill forces me to maintain a constant speed, so it is preferable. I start off at an amiable pace then after a minute thirty I increase the speed by a mile an hour and keep that up for a minute and a half. After that I slow down by half a mile an hour for a minute, then the cycle repeats itself. The slower intervals allow me to water myself as needed. As I near the end of my run I will generally wing it and go for longer periods at the faster speed. I started out running about a mile (+.2 miles cooldown) but tania was typing about her 5k runs and I felt that I should aspire to that, so I've been adding .1 or .2 miles to the run every time I start, and I haven't worn myself out yet. Currently I am at 1.8 miles (not including cooldown)
I try to run / bike every day, but on odd numbered days I add some various weight exercises as well.
I used to do things this way but it was not particularly enjoyable for me. I worked out in anticipation of a trip, during which I did a lot of physical labor. The workouts did not end up helping. So in addition to my routine being broken for an extended period I returned feeling rather discouraged about what exercise was doing for me, although I had noticeable increases in muscle tone, particularly in my shoulders for whatever reason.
But this time it's actually been enjoyable for me, because I've been doing things differently. Change #1, by far the most important, is that I've been keeping myself hydrated. Before I didn't even drink water in anticipation of exercise, sticking to sugary teas and sodas. As I strained during exercise I became dehydrated and supremely uncomfortable. Drinking lots of water has improved my stamina tremendously. Change #2 is that I'm stretching now, if to a limited degree, and it's kept my muscles from being sore and increased my stamina to some degree. Always before, after when I remember to do so. Change #3 is that I'm not running under the influence of sleeping pills.
There are a number of obstacles to overcome in order for me to get in shape. The biggest ones are the most obvious and common ones. I have to stay on routine, and I have to watch what I eat. The latter is going to be very difficult, as the stomach wants what it wants. Generally what it wants isn't usually terrible, but it's not often good. Lately I've developed a taste for salad, salmon and vermicelli pasta, which is beneficial, but I still have my lapses. With school coming up and the free time / sleep deficits that will bring, my regimen will come under further jeopardy.
One thing I've noticed is that after my workouts I have an irresistible sweet tooth. I guess my body needs to rebound from all the calorie burning. I'm trying to steer myself towards sugary cereals instead of ice cream and candy, trying to meet myself halfway, heh.
KvP:
I guess it's also worth mentioning that I experienced the fabled "runner's high" tonight. I ran my allotted 1.7 miles, stopped, refilled my water, and found myself feeling surprisingly not tired, and conscious of my love handles. So after a short breather I got back on the old 'mill and hammered out an extra 2 miles, essentially exceeding my 5k goal several weeks ahead of schedule. And I had a lot of fun doing it, and I felt really great. If I can replicate that consistently (I'm hoping to run 30 minutes every day even into the semester, which with the new job is going to be tough) I stand to gain quite a bit.
The soles of my feet, meanwhile, are furious.
Spluff:
Health thread, I am going to build myself a squat rack (with safety rails). This is something I am pretty excited about - I'm aiming to make it hold about 400 lb which shouldn't be too hard, provided I can get the joints together right.
Gemmwah:
Health thread, I've changed my diet to help me lose more weight and be healthier. I'm gonna try and cut down on my dairy, and I've already cut out red meat because eurgh. I've also stopped having cereal for breakfast and instead am starting my day with a "green juice" smoothie, which is really tasty and I can feel the difference in how energised I am through the day. So January is looking to be a really healthy month for me, except for the cookie dough ice cream I had last night, but everyone has to treat themselves occasionally.
Masterbainter:
--- Quote from: Gemmwah on 11 Jan 2009, 05:22 ---Health thread, I've changed my diet to help me lose more weight and be healthier. I'm gonna try and cut down on my dairy, and I've already cut out red meat because eurgh. I've also stopped having cereal for breakfast and instead am starting my day with a "green juice" smoothie, which is really tasty and I can feel the difference in how energised I am through the day. So January is looking to be a really healthy month for me, except for the cookie dough ice cream I had last night, but everyone has to treat themselves occasionally.
--- End quote ---
Hey, I'm really interested in stuff that is healthy for food. If anyone has some great nutritional knowledge. Please let us know some easy but healthy things we can drink eat!
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