The Core

Why We Are Here => Water Cooler => Topic started by: littleman on March 20, 2015, 02:34:23 PM

Title: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on March 20, 2015, 02:34:23 PM
So Far we have:
Rupert
Drastic
Littleman

Come join the fun.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on March 20, 2015, 03:12:57 PM
OK, I will fail the first week.  (Thats not a very positive approach is it?)
starting slow again, and the clocks go forward, so evenings will be lighter from now on.

Setting up for 5 activities per week. Run/cycle/swim/ squash etc
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on March 23, 2015, 03:10:15 PM
Week 1 - 4/4
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on March 23, 2015, 03:48:45 PM
week 1 3/5.
set my leg back on run.  Physio tomorrow :(
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: buckworks on March 23, 2015, 06:31:44 PM
It doesn't look as though I'll make my end-of-March weight goal, but I'm not letting go of the goal.

End of April, maybe.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on March 23, 2015, 07:05:13 PM
aight, back in the saddle and crackin the whip.

Week 1 - 5/5  = 4xgym 1xSand vball (bout time)
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rumbas on March 23, 2015, 08:21:05 PM
Would love to join, but grounded due to a hernia operation his coming Friday, no training for a while and a bad back as a result.

However I got my newest fitness tool last week and took it for a 6 km test ride today. Phew, hot daum that was tough: http://me-mover.com - burning 40% more calories than biking and it's a lot of fun!
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on March 23, 2015, 09:13:07 PM
Rupert, what do you mean?  Did you pull a muscle?

Buckworks, I still haven't hit my goal either.  We'll get there eventually.

Dras, nice job!

Rumbas,  that gadget looks fun.  Is your plan to do a lot of low impact cardio when your body is recovering?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: ergophobe on March 24, 2015, 01:17:29 AM
I'm in, much as I failed in the last round, a lot exercise happened that otherwise wouldn't have. I'll be dropping out on May 9 for a trip to Ireland. I think exercise will be a challenge during that trip.

New goal: start with 15 miles running per week add one mile each week. So weekly total should be 22 miles by the time I leave for Ireland

Week one:
- 13 miles running (two miles short)
- decent day of rock climbing
- a good hard day of tree killin' and burnin' getting ready for fire season.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on March 24, 2015, 01:30:54 PM
>hernia operation his coming Friday

owwww. Man, so sorry to hear this Raz. Hope you have a quick and easy-as-possible recovery.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rumbas on March 24, 2015, 03:45:43 PM
Thanks, should be a pretty fast recovery - or so the doc says.

>Is your plan to do a lot of low impact cardio when your body is recovering?

At least to get out and break a sweat every day and the Me-Mover is a fantastic tool to do that. I do prefer lifting though.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: ergophobe on March 25, 2015, 03:51:05 AM
Raz - healing thoughts!
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on March 30, 2015, 03:45:21 PM
4/5 last week

3 x gym
1 x vball

Hard leg day and first real sand play on the same day kicked my butt for two days.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: ergophobe on March 30, 2015, 05:28:01 PM
dismal midweek 10/15 miles

- hard 8 hrs of tree killing with handsaw and chainsaw + 9-mile MT bike ride on Saturday
- several hours of hiking/climbing on Sunday. First ascent of new, but very short route: "All Quiet on the Western Front, 5.10c"
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on March 30, 2015, 08:33:31 PM
Yes, pulled a calve, It was a jump I was proud of, on skis.  It was the landing that sucked :)


does painting 2 rooms count?
If not managed 2 very short runs and a swim. 
so 3/5. 
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on April 02, 2015, 03:23:48 PM
Week 2 3/4
I took the kids to Disneyland and ended up missing one workout last week.  I'll likely only get in three this week too.  I did a ton of walking, but indulged a bit diet wise, so that's probably a wash.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on April 06, 2015, 01:02:45 PM
week 3 - 6/5

gym x2
vball x4
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on April 06, 2015, 02:45:55 PM
Nice job Dras!

Week 3 - 4/4

I ended up going to the gym four days in a row after coming back from taking the family to Disneyland -- not ideal, but it worked out OK.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on April 06, 2015, 03:04:25 PM
>I ended up going to the gym four days in a row after coming back from taking the family to Disneyland

Excellent, esp since you thought you wouldn't make it.

My goal is gym x 5 but getting back into vball, I had 5 sessions in 3 days and had to take a break. Looking forward to getting back to gym everyday and vball in the evenings as a bonus.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on April 13, 2015, 09:58:53 PM
Week 4 - 4/4
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on April 13, 2015, 10:41:56 PM
4/5

Leg day and double header vball past 10pm don't mix well with the next day's 6:30am gym time.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on April 20, 2015, 05:24:51 AM
Falling apart.
week 4 3/5 I think

Managed a swim last week and a game of Racketball. 
so week 5 2/5

Getting up early to rebuild my new toy.. a sportboat. So excercise is taking a hit because of that, as well as my leg not being right still.
Fitting new stringers and a new floor. After having already fitted the engine, partially rewired and rebuilt the dashboard.

Promise to do better this week.  :-\
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on April 20, 2015, 04:16:33 PM
5/5
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on April 20, 2015, 04:22:32 PM
Week 5 - 4/4

Rupert, I understand how a new project could push all other things out for a while -- at least it sounds like you are having fun with the boat.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on April 30, 2015, 05:02:11 AM
Week 6 - 4/4

I guess we've all been too busy to remember to post.  Was a good week of solid gains, but I have a couple of aches this week I'm having to work around.  I'm going to lay off my lats for a little while.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on April 30, 2015, 12:56:52 PM
3/5 last week. Tweaked my back, chiro straightened it out this Monday, but having to lay off this week.

Back in bidness next week.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 04, 2015, 03:41:14 PM
Week 7 - 4/4

After several weeks of going heavy I am easing up a bit on the weight for a while. The week before last I pulled a muscle on my right side doing wide grip pullups.  I am going to let that heel up for a while before doing pullups again.  I think I've been slightly over-training.  I'm still going to hit each part twice a week, but I'm going to very the exercises a bit more and give the sore bits a chance to mend.  I gained a few pounds, but the bodyfat percentage is holding.  It looks and feels like I've packed on a bit of muscle.  My current weight is 178lbs.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 04, 2015, 04:04:41 PM
Nice work John!

Last week I was off, scheduled, due to minor back issue. Seems good now so heading back to the gym today.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: nffc on May 04, 2015, 04:54:42 PM
>current weight is 178lbs

I guess I wouldn't easily recognise you nowadays!

What was your starting weight again LM?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 04, 2015, 05:12:24 PM
I peaked out at about 272lbs.  The lightest I got to was 172, but at that point I was looking a little emaciated.

It is odd, people who knew me in high school will recognize me, even tell me I look the same (just older); but people who knew me in my mid-30s do not recognize me at all.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 12, 2015, 05:05:50 PM
Week 8 - 4/4
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 12, 2015, 05:12:25 PM
6/5

3x gym
2x sand vball triples league play
1x dirt biking 3 hours on Saturday, and I'm still feeling it.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 18, 2015, 04:28:21 PM
Week 9 - 3/4
I got a stomach ailment in the beginning of the week which knocked out a couple of days for me.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 19, 2015, 01:40:43 PM
4/5 all vball this past week

2 nights league play

all day Sat tourney

open play Sunday, which according to my knee yesterday was a bad idea.

All BB triples, in case anyone's interested. (Jeff still around here?)
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 26, 2015, 02:52:08 PM
4/4, was a good week for working out. 

I am tweaking my diet a bit.  I've read recently that the quantity of protein becomes more critical for putting on muscle mass as one gets older.  I am also upping my carbs a little, mostly from fruit and proportionately scaling down my grams of fat/oil.  It is still very much a low carb diet, but not quite ketosis levels.

The motivation for switching up my macros are:
adding a bit more muscle mass
enjoying the fruit season
giving my body a break from ultra low carb
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 27, 2015, 02:25:50 PM
"Jussst the two of us...."

So all that vball took a toll, Sunday pushed me over the edge, knee was pretty rough last week. Skipped the gym so I could make my league play nights, and that was it so 2/5.

Shooting for 3 x gym this week and 2 x vball.

Every time I start to think it sucks getting older, I remember the alternative...
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 27, 2015, 03:35:05 PM
>two of us

Yeah, at least we're both still at it.  Sorry about the knee.  My right lat is still aching a bit too, but it feels like it is on the mend.  The getting older thing is tough on the ego -- I am learning that it is good to push, but not too hard.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 27, 2015, 05:16:28 PM
>good to push, but not too hard.

Yeah, that's the lesson I seem to have trouble learning, or keeping learned. At least I'm true to my namesake.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on May 28, 2015, 12:03:10 PM
Action shot from last night.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on May 29, 2015, 05:20:25 PM
Cool Dras, we need to post more action shots here.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 01, 2015, 03:26:23 PM
Last week = 4/4.

Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on June 01, 2015, 05:01:11 PM
4/5 for me. Only hit the gym once, vball 3 times.

Good week though, I'm feeling great.  A bit too sunburned for the gym this morning, hoping to get back in there tomorrow.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 03, 2015, 04:40:11 PM
Any interest in another round?  Seems to just be you and me these days Dras.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on June 03, 2015, 11:00:07 PM
I'm in as always, but skipping this week. Struggling with some adrenal exhaustion.

Raz?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rumbas on June 04, 2015, 10:48:44 AM
Struggling with my lower back and training is suffering big time. I should hit the gym, I know, but the fear of a nasty pain spike is keeping me from it.

Been going to various treatments, doctors etc and nothing is really working. Last chance is probably having a check up with a surgeon to evaluate if surgery might be an option. However I really dont wanna go that route if there are other options, but they seem to be exhausted and I'm pretty fed being restricted in my movements.

Been doing some long walks and some TRX at home. Maybe I should jump on it and get with you guys again for good motivation? :)
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on June 04, 2015, 12:51:19 PM
Yeah bud, do something low-impact to stay healthy, even if it's just biking or walking.

Did you have any luck finding someone for Applied Kinesiology?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 04, 2015, 03:04:43 PM
>adrenal exhaustion

I'd like to hear more about that.


Raz:
Sorry about all the lower back pain.  As far a s exercising goes, have you considered modifying your routine so that you don't do movements that irritate the injured area?  Maybe do more isolated and/or machine type movements.  You could probably work your arms, chest and even to a lesser degree your upper back and legs without putting strain on your back.  You may even be able to do movements like lat pulldowns to work your upper back without putting much stress on your lower back.  I'm pretty sure you'll need to avoid the big compound exercises like squats and deadlifts for a while, but there are still plenty of movements you are likely able to do.

Obviously, you'd want to avoid anything that puts any strain on the injured area, and you'd have to do light enough weight so that you have very strict form.  I don't know how bad your back is, but from my own experience when I've been injured it seems to help to keep the parts of my body that aren't affected moving as the bit that hurts recovers.

...

How about we start the next round June 8?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rumbas on June 04, 2015, 03:31:55 PM
I hear ya guys.

>Applied Kinesiology

Yup, found one and a couple of other wizards. Their treatments do offer relief for a while but it keeps sneaking back.

>isolated

Deff a good idea LM! Curls, pull downs, face pulls, incline and regular benching would also be an option.

I'm in for a new round, June 8th is a deal.

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 04, 2015, 03:46:00 PM
Cool Raz,  I'm glad you are back in!  I don't know if you've been reading along in the weekly updates, but I've recently injured myself too.  I don't think it is as severe as yours, but I definitely pulled something in my armpit doing wide grip pullups.  Now I'm again having to check my ego and go easy for a while on all the movements that antagonize the area.  Actually, my ego has been getting the best of me in the last several months.  Over the last several years I've been sticking to the higher rep range, 8-15 reps, but over the last six months or so I've been pushing my lifting weight up and the reps down in an attempt to add some size.  It has worked, but my joints don't like it.  I'm backing off now.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Drastic on June 04, 2015, 05:55:43 PM
>Yup, found one and a couple of other wizards. Their treatments do offer relief for a while but it keeps sneaking back.

Good, well sorta. Are you doing what they tell you? (Home exercises, repeat visits, etc.?) Might make a difference. Also, acupuncture. I had some serious tmj a couple weeks ago that 2 sessions sorted out, never had it before.

>adrenal exhaustion
>I'd like to hear more about that.

It's weird. I go from doing great, then the next day I have no energy or will to do anything. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, wound tight to start with, and couple other things that make me more susceptible. Exercise is good and helps, but gym + vball seems like too much right now. I can compensate with strong coffee every day, for a while. Then I feel very, very sick for a day or so, and the cycle starts again. I've been doing some reading and it seems the most likely culprit.

The best I found recently was this:
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/adrenal_burnout.htm

You can get a hair sample test done for about 70 bucks and know if this is affecting you. There are a couple tests on that site that you can do, for example shine light in your eye and watch for it to dilate and return to normal and time it, plus a couple others. They pointed to adrenal exhaustion for me, which my nutritionist was already telling me was my problem.

So now, I am taking adrenal support supplements, cutting out coffee, and trying to get good sleep, eat fewer carbs, etc.

>How about we start the next round June 8?
Sounds good to me, but might not quite be ready for the gym, will see next Monday.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on June 05, 2015, 03:37:10 PM
Just the two of us... well if thats not enough to trip in the guilt switch! 

I will have a go in another round.  sorry Guys dropped off the radar.  seems life just gets busier, just when I thought it had peaked! 

Still got a calf problem. And a sprint tri in about 3 weeks.  The bad news is a friend has breast cancer, and her man is trying-a-tri to raise money for the Charity (at 16 stone).   So if John can do it, I can do it with him. He is strong, and used to do flick-flacks at parties 20 years ago, but has never been in speed form.


So I need to get out and run/stretch/run/stretch etc. so I CAN do it with him.
Another round would be really good for me. If you guys are up for it?  Drastic and Littleman, you guys are doing so well!  Keep it up do another round!!!

Rumbas... your knackered... like me, but don't let on to the women or the wolves ;)


Meanwhile work is crazy. And then there is that General life stuff.  (Dads not got long now, very poorly, and Mums not great as a lone carer, so its tough for them both) ... sounds a terrible winge.. its not meant to be, just to say its life stuff, same sh1t everyone gets. Just sometimes it gets in the way of keeping in trim doesn't it? )




Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 05, 2015, 04:26:00 PM
Rupert, no doubt there is a lot of hard stuff going on in your life right now.  I'm willing to bet that if you could put in the time to take care of yourself that the it will pay off in making you more resilient in dealing with the external stress.  I'm glad you are on board for the new round.

>Drastic and Littleman, you guys are doing so well!

Its like brushing my teeth now, just something I do.  Maintenance.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on June 05, 2015, 04:43:29 PM
QuoteI'm willing to bet that if you could put in the time to take care of yourself that the it will pay off in making you more resilient in dealing with the external stress.

With you all the way on that!

I live in the UK, have an income, a wonderful wife, delightful  daughter.  My sense of humour, my health  :)
Good friends, fantastic sister.. I could go on and on. I am truely very lucky.

Nothing hard going on... just stuff.  Its life eh?  But thanks.

eh hem..  I could do with a new motorbike though.  The Fazer took me to the south coast and back on Thursday, but I think a Triumph would be nice.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 05, 2015, 05:21:40 PM
>motorbike

I've been debating that one myself pretty hard.  I've always wanted one, a guy here at work has some truly nice rides, Triumph Bonneville T100, Ducati Monster.  He doesn't have any kids and makes an senior programmer's living.  I have limited riding experience, dirt bike and a little time on an old Vespa scooter (70's model) when I was a teen.  I've been considering getting my license and buying something like a GS500 -- tame, reliable, affordable, but not too boring.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on June 06, 2015, 05:19:45 AM
QuoteGS500 -- tame, reliable, affordable, but not too boring.

Yes Yes YES.. but no bike is boring :) And its cheap fun.
Mine would probably sell for £1800 now. She is an old girl.  But I bought her for £2700 years ago.

So 50hp with 180kg gives a fantastic power to weight ratio compared to a car, grins on the twisties, easy filtering in traffic, whats not to like?
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 08, 2015, 03:31:32 PM
So you have one, nice.  They seem to be remarkably inexpensive here in California.  I've seen them in good shape for $1.5k.  Your sentiment seems to be the norm with people who have had one, the bike seems to be universally loved by those who have had one.
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on June 08, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Sorry... misunderstanding... I have bike.. not one of those. 
Any bike is great. 
2 wheels. Its like skiing.
Mine is a Yamaha fazer 1000
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: littleman on June 08, 2015, 04:32:24 PM
>Yamaha fazer 1000

That looks like a fun bike, pretty quick!
Title: Re: Core Commit to Health & Fitness 2015, Round Two: March 16 - May 31
Post by: Rupert on June 09, 2015, 06:02:06 AM
Well, isnt any bike.. almost. Its still a detuned R1. Cheaper than a Ferrari.