Life The Getting in Shape Thread

[Riku]

I know, I know, I'm taking atleast this week off. And I didn't start kendo, yet atleast. Still gathering info on it, and on the other hand I'm not sure if I should start at all since I just have to quit after few months or so since my military service starts at beginning on January.

But at least I found out that kendo is the most suitable for me, since it is classed as "semi-contact" sport. Doctor suggested me some time ago that I shouldn't do any fullcontact anymore (since my knees can't take it, that's way I quit football first place).

 

[Belisar]

you should make workouts to stremgth your leg muscles. it really helps. swimming is also good.

 

[baboysai]

I love swimming. As I read up, it's good for people who are not too competitive, as its just relaxing and you compete with yourself, at your own pace. It builds up the cardiovascular system, increases your air capacity.

well, any kind of cardiovascular exercise is good for singing, and that was my main motivation for it, but now its also for my weight control.



I wonder if you burn anything by just standing? I do it 10 hours straight in the kitchen, and my feet and legs ache like hell afterwards that I can't work out after anymore. >.<

 

[Belisar]

I wonder if you burn anything by just standing? I do it 10 hours straight in the kitchen, and my feet and legs ache like hell afterwards that I can't work out after anymore. >.<

yes, you do. your body uses energy all the time.

 

[WhatWhatinthebutt]

Although strengthening is important, stretching is the best way to keep the muscles relaxed and cohesive, it also induces more calorie burn during and after exercises....

 

[godofthesunn]

My goal is to regain my former glory circa 2004-2005 in hs.

That includes:
Being able to run 10 miles and 6 to 7 mins per mile.
Being able to lift the my overall bests in weightraining.
Being limber/quick and able jump with ease

Additionally
I would like to finally get a 6 or 12 pack
Gain as much muscle mass as possible while retaining speed(SS2 not SS3) and not going over my ideal bodyweight lol
Eventually double surpass my former self.

 

[Belisar]

and blai, how is the five animals quan fa?

 

[blai]

It's very interesting and really fun. It's a great exercise, it's not really that tough as I thought... tho some people in my group can barely stand the warm-up >.>

Learning both forms, ground-combat, and combos as well as working on our fatigue, agility and strength.

Give me 4months and I'll give you more detailed info on how we're working and how I feel about it. I'm still a bit new for this type of kung fu.

 

[Belisar]

It's very interesting and really fun. It's a great exercise, it's not really that tough as I thought... tho some people in my group can barely stand the warm-up >.>

haha i know what you mean. my warm-ups are also intense. after half a hour i'm sweating streams and cursing the teacher for being a sadist.

Learning both forms, ground-combat, and combos as well as working on our fatigue, agility and strength.

ground-combat? what type of? i know that quan fa has no grappling skills.

Give me 4months and I'll give you more detailed info on how we're working and how I feel about it. I'm still a bit new for this type of kung fu.

this type? how many do you know?

 

[blai]

Yup. Our teachers are all sadists but I luv them for that.

Ground combat, for example, how do you release yourself from someone who's sitting on top of you while you're lying down. How do you get up from the ground without being vulnerable and then the other way around, how do you keep someone on the ground etc.

This one and the Five Forms.

---

Planning on starting Judo and/or Aikido to get a better defensive position and to combine it with offensive tiger/crane combos

 

[Akiyama]

(bump)

I did a rough guess-estimation and I walked up and down 400 steps during a typically week at school, no elevator for me!

 

[Xadyu]

Elevators should only be used if you have heavy luggage.

At my old school a part of the building was 8 stories high, the 8th floor was off-limits, but we always had Math at the 7th floor (right after gym classes too!) and there was an elevator avaible of course. (Teachers only T_____T). After some nagging students were allowed to (under guidance of a Teacher). But I never set foot in an elevator in my life. I used to work my ass of in the two hours of gym, and then I ran 14½ sets of full stairs (besides the ½-one), which have 24 steps or so. And that's only up!

Nowadays I play (basket)ball daily, rough matches with friends. For the rest.. Well, I walk somehwat 58km per day and ride 80km a day on my bike (up, down, left, right.. everything).

I also bought a cheap fitness .. thing.. awhile back where I can do tons of exercises, never used it though, but it's basically for muscle-building. And I don't care if I have muscles or not, as long as my condition is tip-top.

 

[Forever_Melody]

Well when one speaks of "in shape" it doesn't mean that you have to have superb cardio, big muscles or anything of the like. Being "in shape" mostly means having your main components of fitness within a certain bracket which is judged "healthy"(these brackets will vary depending on age, gender and even location where they are emitted). Being "in shape" is also a state of mind as it's a question that actually doing physical activity doesn't become a chore for you but something part of every day life(whether or not you like it is another story, but that you're willing to accept that it's part of your life and lifestyle is the important part). That IMO is the most important aspect as this aspect will allow a person to maintain their good shape rather than simply getting it .

Personally, you don't really have to do lots of sports, go to the gym or do fancy things to be in shape. Lots of people lack the time to do these things so they can think small and still maintain a good lifestyle(just simply not the most active). Simply walking/biking/jogging more or taking the stairs can be an important step for your health .

Personally, I'm kind of a lazy person by nature() but I was made to do sports and activities when I was young so despite my nature, I've come to look at these activities as part of life(albeit sometimes inconvenient parts )

I personally do dance(I take classes as well as teach them), soccer(only in summer though), and gymnastics(once a week practice with the occasion tournament). I used to do volleyball, but time constraints have made it hard to continue, but I still play leisurely(also play hockey leisurely).

 

[mugen]

i wants abs and a butt! what type of exercise should i do?

 

[Forever_Melody]

Well for abs, one general misconception is that you have to do sit-ups to get nice abs. This is wrong. To have nicely toned abs, you need to stimulate every portion of your abdominal muscles i.e. upper abdominal muscles, lower abdominal muscles and cross abdominal muscles. Sit-ups typically only work upper abdominal muscles so you won't get abs by simply working those out. You need some form of stimulation of the other 2 muscular sets as well.

For lower abdominal muscles, any exercise which consists of bringing your legs up to your torso will simulate lower abdominal muscles. I find the most stimulating exercise is to use gravity; hold yourself onto a bar like you would for pull-ups and bring your knees up to your torso slowly and repeat the motion.

To stimulate cross section abdominal muscles, you need to make pivoting movements with your torso. An easy exercise is a variation to the well known "crunch" exercise. Simply lift your legs above the ground, put your hands behind your head and try and connect your elbows with the opposing knee(ex: right elbow with left knee and vice versa).

Basically, you need to perform exercises which stimulate those 3 types of muscles on a regular basis in order to begin toning abs. The key though is to vary the exercises. If you keep doing the same stuff, your abs will simply become used to the particular motion of a given exercise and be able to accomplish it while minimizing the effort sot he key is to diversify your exercises. If you want more exercises I'll look some up for you but the 3 I've given are a good start for now

Oh btw, laughing stimulates abdominal muscles so get a good sense of humor too

I won't really write anything about butt because I kinda have none lol

 

[Bugzee]

Running and Swimming!!!

Great workout for muscles all round!

 

[Belisar]

i wants abs and a butt! what type of exercise should i do?

http://www.mensfitnessmagazine.co.uk/exercise/abs/archive/
http://www.mensfitnessmagazine.co.uk/exercise/legs/archive/
http://www.mensfitnessmagazine.co.uk/exercise/chest/archive/
http://www.mensfitnessmagazine.co.uk/exercise/arms/archive/

abs without chest sucks. abs without trained back hurts. train also your arms to get a well rounded body.

 

[LEXAcide]

Hmm... i guess I will drop my 2 cents and tell a story...

1) take Resveratrol. About 400mg-600mg twice a day.
2) Drink Green Tea in the Mornings andd whenever else possible.
3) if not green tea, water.
4) They say, "eat 4-5 times a day", I say "2 or 3 MAX".
5) Dont eat after 8, dont sleep after 12
6) Walk as much as you can a day. You Otaku's have nothing but time. Use it.
7) cut the red meat

On this Diet type thing, I lost 19 Pounds in 2 weeks. I am not positive, but I think that the Resveratrol had something big to do with it. Even if you cant afford it, do the rest. The only way to lose weight is 1 of 2 ways. Pain or $$$.

With $$$, you can just undergo surgery. I dont recommend it, but if you wanna lose weight desperately, go for it =/

Now we move onto the Pain >=D!!! Following this lifestyle is difficult. Why do you think I gave up after 2 weeks? You must Give up on all beverages aside from Water and Green Tea. Perhaps one or two sodas a week. You must exercise the most you can. I was always able to bust out at least an hour. Sometimes up to five. I dont have a Job, I could =) I usually just walked and did sit-ups.

People say that eating 4-5 meals a day is good. This may be true, and I did try this diet before. It worked, but it was such a slow weight loss. When I cut to 2-3 meals a day (mostly 2), I never felt drained of energy. Eat Fish and Turkey (chicken if no turkey available). Obviously not only that, add in a bit of variety.

Never eat before 8 and never sleep after 12. It may suck and all, but hey, it helps. Here is a Pro-Fact! You burn more Calories when you sleep, then when you watch TV... =O

Out of ALL the diets I tried, this one works the best. Although the best, its also the hardest. I called it quits after 2 weeks. Ultimately there is only one person who can make the change in your life, YOU! If you aren't completely serious about losing weight, then you wont. I wasn't; hope you are...

My 2 Cents

 

[blai]

Belisar, how's your MA going?

Started running again and I'm doing 5kms terrain in just about 15mins. Want to push it to somewhere around 12 but that'll take another month at least. When I'm there I'm going for 7.5 in 25 and then hopefully somewhere just above 20 but I guess I either have to work hard as f*ck, or loose some muscle kgs. My lungs are okay, my legs are not because of all the hills/slopes...

 

[thornofcarrion]

I believe nothing is as good as staying in shape the natural way. Eating balance diet, getting good sleeps on time, and walking can keep one healthy.