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Post by DBCooper on Jul 25, 2004 16:12:13 GMT -5
Fitness programs – weight management, strength and weight training?
This is a topic that I haven’t seen very much about recently and would like to get the group’s opinion.
I would like to know what types of fitness programs that are being used and what end results you are seeing ? Are these self imposed or required by others?
How about machines Vs free weights?
What type of machines do you recommend? - (bowflex type machines, etc)
What types of Anaerobic and Aerobic programs are used by this group?
DBCooper
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Post by DaveKing on Jul 25, 2004 19:01:56 GMT -5
I was a many year member of the "chub club", joined just after I retire from the Navy. I got up to just under 230 lbs (naked and an ugly sight to boot). My son joined the Army and I felt pretty small going to visit him in such poor condition sooooo.
I went on a modified Adkins thing, 12 days of zero carbs and 2 days of anything, been doing it over and over for about a year now (time off during trips and vacations) and got down to 190 +-. We'll call it the Groundhog Day diet I guess.
I also started getting into shape aerobic and strength. I first decided to max out the Navy PT test (for my age group). Took me about 8 months of crunches, push-ups and running but I did it. I've nowset my sights on the Marine Corps PT test (still working on that one).
Its been pretty simple but I've found that to lose weight it takes a firm commitment to a attainable goal (either through internal or external motivation).
There are several/many references to doing the military PT tests as sort of a club thing, search the internet for a read if you have time.
I still have a way to go to get to the 175 I desire but that's coming up next Spring I'd guess. I now spend a lot of time carrying a pack and hiking in preparation for a high altitude backpack elk hunt in Colorado this fall.
As a side note: My son will return next month after his Iraq tour and Germany posting and I'll be able to run with him and have a fair time when I visit his new post (FT Lewis).
I'm not too much on machines, about every house in the state of Maryland has a machine or two (I have an ancient ski machine thing my wife bought... can't even give it away!)
One thing I did discover... geezers get hurt easier! I was using a grip spring thing to strenghen my grip (pistol shooter) and ended up compromising my wrist circulation and am now fighting with Reynaud's type thing. (I also must now do my push-ups on my knuckles and not on my palms... Oh well!)
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Post by DBCooper on Jul 25, 2004 23:09:54 GMT -5
DaveKing - I recognize you form “The Duty Roster” and “Sniper Hide”. HI! Are you the same DaveKing the put out the ballistic excel spreadsheet a few years ago?
Showing his age:
The reasons for this thread are not to see what fads are out there. I am finding it harder to keep the same level of fitness as I did . . . 20 yrs ago. I am now 45 Years of age - 6’ 3” tall and 250#s in PT gear. The average guy, half my age, finds it hard to keep with me. THEY NOW ARE CATCHING UP!!!!
Running has started to really hurt my knees in the last year. And . . . . . I’m starting to see I disagreeets slide down to my waist. Can’t have that!!!!!!
I am now looking for a “SMARTER WAY” to maintain the body’s fitness level without having to work out twice as long as I do now.
DBCooper
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Post by DaveKing on Jul 26, 2004 6:29:34 GMT -5
DBCooper
Yup, I'm the same Dave King as on that spreadsheet, worked on it with Peter Cronhelm. I keep promising to update and build a program but just can't get motivated to tackle it.
I know what you mean about it being harder to stay in shape, my knees get to complaining pretty easily nowadays too. I just recently began using LEKI poles when hiking because my knees gets banged pretty hard with a heavy pack and steep inclines and rocks descents.
I'd guess a machine would/should be less impact and reduce some problems but many seem to be isolated in their area of benefit during any particular series of workout(s), quads, abs, pect's. Some are (I believe) more whole body, more like an actual bicycle...lock in your feet and get both sides of your legs as well as lat's and upper body... Just my quick thoughts but I've never been described as a fitness specialist. My wife is a big fan of the high-end elliptical trainer(s), I imagine there'll be one of those in the basement before too long.
Good luck on your quest, I'll be interested in what you discover.
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Lindy
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by Lindy on Jul 26, 2004 8:16:09 GMT -5
I'm 58, and it most definitely is harder to stay in shape. One primary factor is that my recovery time is extended, so I try not to repeat workouts on less than 48 hour intervals. I do an aerobic workout every day, though I limit it to a three-mile run. I see no reason to go farther than that, and it limits the pounding on my bones and joints. I also do a hike with a 35-pound pack at least once a week to keep the muscles unique to that activity in shape.
Machines for at-home use are expensive wasters of space, IMO. You can do everything you might need to with a couple of dumbbells and some plates. But given that two-thirds of the U.S. GDP consists of "consumer discretionary spending", which is economist-speak for "selling stuff to people who don't need it," I won't presume to tell other people how to spend their money.
IMO, there is no magic about diets. Here's a quote from a guy who doesn't think much of low-carbohydrate diets for active people:
"To think carbs make you fat is wrong. You're fat because you're not exercising. There are some nine million people in this country swimming, running, biking, regularly going to the gym, or doing whatever, and no one's been talking to them about their diet. Low-carb diets are exactly what you should not do if you're active. Carbs are the fuel that drives your life; suddenly everyone's forgotten this. If you're working out five days a week, you need a minimum 60 percent [dalily caloric intake] of carbs a day. You need protein to help you recover after you work out, and you need fat to help you digest those carbs. You can't just cut carbs--or cut protein or fat, for that matter--like every trendy diet has for the last 20 years. That's dysfunctional. You need them all. To simply blame a food type for us being fat is bullnuts."
His name is Chris Carmichael. He runs Carmichael Training Systems in Colorado Springs. Among his clients are Lance Armstrong, so perhaps he knows something about nutrition for active people.
Exercise and a heathy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, seem to me to be the key to extending fitness as one gets older. Yeah, it takes time. But look at all the fat people around. Ask them, given one wish, what they'd choose, and a goodly number would probably pick being thinner and in good shape. Since most of us don't have access to a genie in a bottle, there's only one way to get there.
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Post by xshooter on Jul 26, 2004 14:22:45 GMT -5
DB,
When my knees started to throb I took up riding a bike,
now I do 15 miles after work 3-4 days a week, takes about an hour and can get your heart rate to the 90th percentile if you crank it, a lot easier on the old bod and the cooling breeze is a bonus. Hate running, always said I'd rather take a ass-wuppin than run from it.
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Post by DBCooper on Jul 26, 2004 15:24:21 GMT -5
OK,
bikes seem the way to go since i hate to run.
What Type should I go for? 10 Speed, !5 speed, BMX, Mountain buke . . . what and how much?
Last bike i had was a 10 speed my dad ran over because i parked it behind his car in the driveway!
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Post by DaveKing on Jul 26, 2004 18:30:04 GMT -5
Bikes??
Bikes are a big deal right now, Lance Armstrong has folks wishing/dreaming!!
I have an Schwinn Cimarron (1986/7?) and love that heavy old thing but it won't do nowadays to get something like that.
For me, buying a bike is a big deal like when I buy a rilfe, it needs to be as durable as possible and functional correct/efficient.
Best to go to a cycling forum and ask questions and then to a bike specialty shop that's trustworthy/honest.
If you haven't ridden in a while, review your pedaling technique. We nearly all learn to ride fairly young and many of us keep that novice pedal technique our entire life. It'll be better IMHO to develop a good pedaling technique and use/exercise more muscles thus having a more efficient stroke and ride. Do a search on "pedal technique cycling efficient" and wade through some of the articles and you might also do a search on "proper bicycle fitting". You can end up using a lot of muscles in cycling and get a fair workout, far more than if you use the "push left then push right" method.
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Post by xshooter on Jul 26, 2004 19:10:30 GMT -5
I guess I'm more of a "huff and puff" I bought a Schwinn letour a few years back at a garage sale for 55 bucks. I don't think it was ridden much so i put a couple of new tires and a gel seat on it and bought one of those heartrate monitors/ speedo/whatever that goes on the handlebars.
I put a couple thousand miles a year on it, today it said 7230 so i think i got my moneys worth
Its not state of the art, but shoot, i'm on it to work out, not show off. I think i'll paint it OD with a white star just to mess with the wannabe Lances on the cannondales
I,ll save my cash for a new Nesika and a couple Borders
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Post by DaveKing on Jul 26, 2004 19:18:03 GMT -5
XShooter
LOL...
If I could find a good one at a garage sale I'd get it but my luck at those things is not too good... I get pushed around by the "garage sales queens" and get the leftovers (Toaster: One side works good! $.75 Underware: Need washing! FREE)
Camo and a white star would be a nice setup, you could take it on stalks too!
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Post by kmussack on Jul 31, 2004 9:07:47 GMT -5
I'm a 50 years old heart attack survivor.
I don't heal up as quickly as I used to so I'm careful about getting injured.
I too try to keep 48 hours between similar workouts.
Andy and I have been rucksack marching in preparation for the Storm Mountain match this September. We just finished a 6-miler this morning with #50 packs. Take my word for it this is a great workout.
I'll run tomorrow (4-miles) and rucksack march the day after. I'm not as fast as I was when I was a 23 year old infantry lieutenant (I used to run 5 miles in 35:00 flat.) but I'm still in the fight.
I need to start lifting also but time becomes an issue.
My boss just had a heart attack and we’re planning to make daily trips to the ‘Y’ together as soon as he’s back on his feet. This will be on company time so that should allow me the opportunity to start a lifting program.
My medium term goal is to pass the APFT and the U.S. Army height and weight standards by next spring. After that my long term fitness goal is to maintain.
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