Lose Weight/Excercise

[InbetweenDreams]

Well not necessarily trying to get ripped, just lose the weight for the most part although I am mixing in some resistance exercises in here and there...cardio is the main focus...and I know both are the best. I don't really have the time or the access to a gym -- not going to spend money. So I'll stick to what I can do from home for now.

[InbetweenDreams]

Well unless I broke the scale standing on it I'm down 11 lbs since the 5th...No not jumping around all excited, but I hope to keep the momentum going.

I may have also mentioned this in another thread but I have been asked to participate in a triathlon this summer... That's a big challenge...

I don't really know how to swim, I can dog paddle but that's not going to work when you have to swim 1.2 miles or whatever it ends up being... One of the triathlons I timed consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, 17 mile bike and a 6 mile run if I am not mistaken...running is probably the only thing I feel at east with....but I don't have a bike either and I'd rather not have to buy one.

Sooo if there's anyone on here that has trained for a triathlon or similar event I'd love to have some insight on what I am agreeing to do lol

[MikeW]

[MENTION=23180]axle2152[/MENTION] -- I know you say you don't want to get ripped, but you'd be so damn hot if you did!

There are all kinds of ways to workout without using a gym, or even free weights for that matter. I'm not as versed in "body weight" exercise as I am free weights so can't help as much, though.

As for a triathlon... ummm... how is that going to work if you can't swim?! Lordy, we don't want you to DROWN for pity's sake! IDK, although I think it could be great to have that as a goal, motivation, something to work toward, you also don't want to bite off more than you can chew, either. They're a huge challenge!

[MikeW]

Oh, BTW, congratulations on the weight loss! I'm envious!!

[InbetweenDreams]

[MENTION=20947]MikeW[/MENTION] Well the guy who is wanting to me to join in is also a swim coach, he also taught my sister... and she's telling me I need to get crackin' with swimming... One thing I know is that swimming is going to kick my ass...and I may end up getting ripped just from doing that.

I don't see myself getting into body builder shape but I know swimming is pretty effective at making people hot if you get good at it... burns a lot of calories...

[MikeW]

[MENTION=20947]MikeW[/MENTION] Well the guy who is wanting to me to join in is also a swim coach, he also taught my sister... and she's telling me I need to get crackin' with swimming... One thing I know is that swimming is going to kick my ass...and I may end up getting ripped just from doing that.

I don't see myself getting into body builder shape but I know swimming is pretty effective at making people hot if you get good at it... burns a lot of calories...

Well, there you go. The first and foremost important thing is that you DO something you enjoy. Doesn't matter what it is... running, swimming, rock climbing, basketball, w/e... if there is something athletic you enjoy and do it regularly and really get into it so you try to excel at it (even if not at a competitive level), then it will do the trick.

Getting ripped is still 80% diet and only 20% exercise. And "exercise" can be anything, really.

Personally, I really get into weight lifting. No one has to talk me into doing it. I love it. But I also know that isn't true for everyone. There are lots of guys I know at the gym who seldom go into the weight room. They're there either to swim or play racket ball. I'm not a swimmer and I am not good competitive sports.

[InbetweenDreams]

Well I got into running but swimming sounds more attractive if I can just get someone to teach me to do it properly... I mean there's risk of injury or worse with anything of this stuff but I figure drinking soda and smoking cigarettes would probably kill me faster and hey if there's a chance to do something right and feel good about myself, the worst I could do is try.

Don't get me wrong, not easy...I used to be able to run 7 miles in the time it took me to run 5.3 the other day (1:09:04)...

The only thing I kick myself is that back in 2012 I was so close... I don't think I went about it the right way but I was down to 180 and then stopped, picked smoking back up, stopped dieting...and so on...

But I think this time I'm going to try to stick to it... have a little more motivation this time.

[MikeW]

...But I think this time I'm going to try to stick to it... have a little more motivation this time.

I envy you (any of you who are under 40) your youth and vitality. Now is indeed the time to establish good habits. Trust me, they'll make an ENORMOUS difference in how you feel about yourself, especially as you age.

We age so gradually we hardly notice. But, when you hit 50, 55, 60, 65... suddenly you begin to realize that you ARE loosing things you used to take for granted. Things you'll NEVER get back, no matter what. Limberness and flexibility, for one thing.

I'll say this: Testosterone is a huge factor for us guys. It begins to decline in the mid 30s but there are things you can do to boost it back up again. But there comes a point where even that doesn't work. (I'm speaking in general and for myself, of course all this is genetically determined.)

I was doing pretty good until I got to age 65. My T-count dropped almost over night. A whole bunch of things happened simultaneously. I got severely depressed (suicidal). I gained weight. I stopped working out. I had no motivation to do anything. My brain was in a constant fog. I had no energy... All of this.

I went to my Dr and had blood tests done and my T levels came back "low normal". WELL.. the medical establishment is set up in such a way that you have to have a T level that is near zero for them to prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy. (Didn't used to be this way but it is now.) They give all kinds of reasons (can be bad for your heart, for example). I was pissed off. So... feeling suicidal like you don't give a damn whether you live or die isn't "dangerous"?

I went to a cardiologist and had a full cardiovascular panel done on me. My cardio system is in great shape for a man my age. My blood pressure is right-on perfect. So, by damn, I talked to one of the juicers at my gym (a guy who shoots up steroids) and asked him if he could get me some Testosterone enanthate. No problem. So... I'm dosing and have been since April. I can't tell you how different I am... everyone around me notices. I'd rather NOT be doing this, this way, but I'll be damned if I'm going to suffer through total mental and physical decline due to a low T count.

Just saying, make use of your youth. Truly. It will pay off for years and years. Even if you run into snags and stop working out (or whatever you're doing) for a period of time, if you've built up muscle and stamina... you can get it BACK much more easily. You just have to refocus and get back 'in the game'. (I'm addressing this to everyone under 40, not just you Axel).

[InbetweenDreams]

Well it is definitely hard to form good habits but certainly is worth the effort....

When I was still smoking I couldn't walk up the driveway without getting out of breath...just couldn't breathe... Once I finally quit, took a few months but I could walk up the driveway no problem... Heck I could probably run up the driveway now and I am by no means in good shape... not yet anyway.

Well I am going to try all this and going to try to make it stick and hopefully I end up with someone who stays motivated... I tend to take up things from close friends and partners... I guess you would say I am impressionable...

[LONDONER]

. Old people don't realize it but THE ONE THING they could do to improve their over all health, well being and fitness IS TO GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND BACK UP AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. Truly use it or loose it.

Where's the "slap your wrists" smilie?