What do you all think? I am trying to get into better shape and all and I thought I’d ask all of you here. So, what are some good excircises, how much of them should one do, what foods SHOULD one eat, and what foods should one NOT eat, etc…
You know all the questions.
So, my question to you all here…
What are YOUR tips on how to get into shape and stay fit!?
Sincerly,
…Downhome…
Well, my tips are to eat whatever you want, and not go out of your way to do any sort of excercise. Works for me.
(of course, it helps that I have the metabalism of an 18 year old.)
But as for the people who do not benefit from the high metabalism, just do whatever works for you (as in, something you won’t hate.) If you like to run, or work out, then do that, if you hate it, then do something else. Don’t force yourself into eating stuff you hate, etc…
I do not, however, recommened any sort of pills. Especially the ones that are suppossed to keep you from digesting the fat from foods. I don’t know much about them, but they seem to me that they work in ways similar to Olestra, aka, watch out when it comes to the other end of the digestive system. But I could be wrong, but still, any sort of pill designed to interfere with the body’s natural process (that has worked fine for millions of years) is a bad idea.
My tip is to drink lots of water while beating people like bouv to a blood stump.
Drinking a case of beer a day does not count as exercise…even if it’s in bottles. That’s about all I know.
The key is low-fat ice cream. One bite and you’re guaranteed to lose your appetite. Really.
Ok, here are some serious diet tips:
Try to eliminate most soft drinks, and drink water instead.
Don’t eat high fat foods for breakfreast. I’ve found that this makes me sluggish for the rest of the day.
Eat as little as you can after dinner. If you need a snack, try fruit/vegetables rather than something high fat.
As for exercising, I recommend runing and weightlifting, try to do it once a day, everyday, if possible. I’ve found that late afternoon is the best time to run, but I know some other people who prefer early morning or late at night, so whatever works for you is fine. I started at one mile and have no worked up to three miles per day. With weightlifting, I started lifting 80 pounds and am now at 120. This took about nine months.
I got serious about exercising and eating better about two months ago. I walk four miles every day, at about a 3-4 mph pace. My tips:
Caveat: If you have any physical problems, make sure your exercise respects them. For example, I have bad ankles that roll easily and hurt like the dickens when they do. So I decided against running, which I felt would be too hard on my joints.
Start off with a measly amount. If you decide to run, for example, try for a 5-10 minute trot. Stay with it for a week or two, and slowly add time to that. Don’t add too much, though. If you get to a point where running for so long doesn’t seem to do much for you, increase the intensity (take faster, rather than longer, steps) of your workout.
It’s not entirely about refreshment, though. You need to rehydrate yourself.
If something starts hurting, lay off the exercising until it stops. You’ll have minor aches and soreness, of course, but pay attention to your body and don’t risk injuring yourself.
Realize that losing weight and getting in shape takes time, and lots of it. You have to commit yourself to whatever program you come up with, and have patience. I think AlbertRose mentioned once that it took him two months to only begin to see the benefits of his jogging. I myself am seeing minor changes, but it’s more in how my body feels, and it’s nothing really noticeable by others. I plan on continuing on my program until at least December.
As for eating tips, well, I don’t know about high carbs vs. low carbs and all that. I keep my rules simple: easy on the portions, reduce intake on stuff you know is bad for you, increase intake on the stufff you know is good for you, allow occasional treats, and drink lots of water. It’s worked for me so far.
I think it was George Foreman who said: **I have the body of a man half my age. Unfortunately, he’s in
terrible shape. ** Exactly my case.
Find excersize you like and do it every day.
I am not a heat/sweat/work/bugs person. I go to my nice, clean, air conditioned gym and do thirty five minutes (a bit over four miles) on my beloved elliptical trainer. I then go back to the locker room and laze about in the hot tub for about ten minutes.
I love my excersize routine. I am quite lickely to do it every day.
My little sister hates my gym. She says its “too commercial” She likes being outside. Good for her.
try different things until you find one you like or even love. Its fun when you do it right.
Oh! and increase gradually even when you are feeling like you are cool stuff. (Do not add ten minutes and go up a level of resistance if your previous patern has been either add five minutes or a level. It will make you want to puke. Just trust me.)
Be sure to eat a good dose of protein right after doing heavy weightlifting. You’ll do very well with yourself if you make your muscles sore a couple times a week. I mean making each muscle that you’re working on sore a couple times each.
But start out at a slow pace. If you go nuts at first, you’ll be sore for a week and not go back.
Even a scrawny guy like me made visible, commented on progress in 7 weeks, and I was not lifting really heavy weights, and I was probably not eating enough protein after my sessions.
I have also been told over and over that building muscle is a great way to burn fat. So I’m trying to either run for 20 minutes or lift every day. Also, I’m told that it’s better to run in the morning before you eat, because it forces you to burn fat instead of breakfast.
I’ve heard a number of people swear by this new ThermaCore pill as a fat burner. You might want to try it.
I just started back on jogging, but I remember the effects it had a year or two ago (I went on hiatus, for reasons of my own). I weighed in at about 170 pounds when I started. A year later: 150. Now: 145, and am a little taller, so it works out to much less body fat than before. Beautiful. I no longer jiggle, and I can now go around shirtless without shame.
It’s nearly impossible to gain weight on most vegetables. It’s pretty on snack cakes and cookies, which of course fit my diet, but a carrot only has around 35 calories. An entire head of lettuce, if I remember correctly, has less than 100 calories. Try eating an entire head of lettuce. I dare you.
I think I pretty much agree with what everyone has said. My personal spin:
Exercise DAILY - Doesn’t have to be a lot. Should NOT be a lot at first, especially. But do it at least 5 days a week. I don’t even think it needs to be strenuous, or for a long time. Ride your bike three miles a day, five days a week, and you’ll be astonished at the results after two months. I was never in better shape then when I rode my bike to work every day. It wasn’t far, about three miles each way, but it was exercise every morning and every evening. Amazing what even a little will do, on that schedule.
Drink enough water - Don’t dehydrate yourself. Your body will tell you when you’re thirsty. Listen to it. Bring water along, or have water nearby, when you exercise.
Don’t stop eating! I’ve generally found that the food thing takes care of itself. I don’t believe in trying to diet per se. Do try and eat healthy food. If you eat McDonalds every day, you’re going to have a heart attack no matter how skinny you are or how much exercise you get. Eat salad (throw in tomatos, avacados and carrots to make it less boring, and get good spicy dressing), fresh fruit (bananas, oranges, apples) and pasta (all kinds - I like mine with parmesan and olive oil). I wouldn’t recommend excessive meat consumption, but meat is an excellent source of protein - don’t forgo it entirely.
In general I find that exercising regularly actually has the effect of making me less hungry than sitting around all day. I have no idea why this is, but it seems to be true. So you get a double-whammy by exercising; you’re burning more and eating less.
Point is, don’t starve yourself. If you do that, you’ll lose muscle as your body cannibalizes itself. And you may not lose fat, since your body is frightened that you’re in a famine period and it needs to hoard fat so you won’t die.
Keep doing it forever (literally). Lastly, make the exercise a permanant part of your routine. You may do it for a month and lose a few pounds, but they will come back fast if you don’t keep exercising. This is the hardest part in my experience. Exercising takes time, and if you do it regularly it can take a LOT of time. I find even one hour five times a week really eats into my free time. It’s easy to let it slip. And if you do, don’t feel guilty - happens to everyone. Just get back on the horse and start again.
-Ben
Tips, just based on what I’m going through:
It takes time. Any healthy program takes quite a while to start to see the effects, whether its weight loss or body toning.
Something I read the other day: You can do as many stomach crunches as you want, but if you want a firm tummy and you have a belly, you HAVE to do some variety of aerobic activity to burn off the fat first, or in conjunction.
Take a break. (That’s me today) Otherwise, you can overdo things, hurt yourself, and wind up sick or injured.
Learn how to eat out. Most restaurants have a “good for you”–or at least better for you–menu that lists healthy alternatives. At least, that’s the case here in fitness-obsessed Southern California. You can’t not eat out ever, and you can’t eat all the junky stuff all the time.
My personal thing: Don’t deprive yourself of everything, all of a sudden. It might feel like a weird punishment. When my husband, with the metabolism of a hummingbird on speed, has pancakes and I like the smell, I allow myself to take one bite. I get the satisfaction of the taste, but don’t overindulge. Also, I allow myself desserts at “special occasions only.” This means major holidays–Thanksgiving and Christmas–and celebrations, like weddings, reunions, and such. It’s never more than once a month.
Good luck, and heh heh…keep us posted!