I've been unhealthy all my life (overweight), and my eating habits have been terrible for a while now... at least a little over a year, I believe, since my eating was somewhat healthy...
But, this thread has influenced me to get back into my fitness and healthy eating routine. It sorta helped me realized just how shitty I feel lately (not guilt, but physicaly, "BLEGH"-ness).
I have a love/hate relationship with the gym. I don't mind working out alone, but it's so easy to skip if, say, you have to spend some extra time at work or something else comes up. Working out with friends is much better, but again, if someone can't make it anymore (they start having a busy work schedule, etc.), it can again throw off your workout schedule.
One solution that I've found ... playing in recreational sports leagues! I'm in an indoor soccer league with a bunch of friends from work. I play two times a week, with occasional weekend practices. That already is a decent amount of regular exercise. And while it's "easy" to skip out on going to the gym, it's a lot harder skipping out on your team. Plus, it's something that people at work understand. Can't stay late because you've got a game? That's understandable.
The downside is that sports like soccer often lead to injuries, especially if you aren't in that great of shape. So it's something you need to be careful about. Also, competition is fierce. My team ... isn't very good, since most of us started off as out-of-shape game developers. But a year has passed since we first started and now we're much better (and healthier!). (It's too bad that the team from Monolith still kicks our ass ... someday we'll beat them!) So yeah, unless you happen to join an awesome team or are a natural at the sport, or your league is very casual ... be prepared for some losses.
Also, swimming is probably the most low-impact excercise there is. It's fantastic for your heart, too, but bizarrely not very good for weight loss. Even science is at a bit of a loss to explain that one.
Yeah, why is that?
I did read one article that suggested for many people who are attempting to lose weight by swimming end up eating more after their workouts in the water than if they were to finish jogging, or biking. Perhaps that has something to do with it, but not entirely.
I love swimming though. If you're really, really, really, REALLY out of shape (as I am) swimming can still be a great way to be more active, and I'm sure could be used as a starter platform for more vigorous physical conditioning that would be more harmful than helpful right away. But, I'm no expert so I could be wrong.
I have a love/hate relationship with the gym. I don't mind working out alone, but it's so easy to skip if, say, you have to spend some extra time at work or something else comes up. Working out with friends is much better, but again, if someone can't make it anymore (they start having a busy work schedule, etc.), it can again throw off your workout schedule.
One solution that I've found ... playing in recreational sports leagues! I'm in an indoor soccer league with a bunch of friends from work. I play two times a week, with occasional weekend practices. That already is a decent amount of regular exercise. And while it's "easy" to skip out on going to the gym, it's a lot harder skipping out on your team. Plus, it's something that people at work understand. Can't stay late because you've got a game? That's understandable.
The downside is that sports like soccer often lead to injuries, especially if you aren't in that great of shape. So it's something you need to be careful about. Also, competition is fierce. My team ... isn't very good, since most of us started off as out-of-shape game developers. But a year has passed since we first started and now we're much better (and healthier!). (It's too bad that the team from Monolith still kicks our ass ... someday we'll beat them!) So yeah, unless you happen to join an awesome team or are a natural at the sport, or your league is very casual ... be prepared for some losses.
That's a great idea for those that have the time. Not only do you have a more difficult time in blowing off your work-out sessions, but for most it make exercise more interesting. I remember a point in my life when I was most active (ahhhh youth), I hated running as much as I do now-- but if I was playing football, basketball, or any other sport I didn't mind it as much. It's just that the thought of running just to run is too uninteresting and offensive to the lazy.
I just significantly reduced the amount of soda I drink. I used to drink upwards of 6-8 cans a day, sometimes more or less. As of last week, I have reduced my consumption to 1 can a day with an occasional 2 (going out to eat or something) and I have started to drink tons of water. I feel so much better now and I actually have MORE energy throughout the day. That 1 can I drink a day is actually in the evening too, not the morning. It's so odd because I've tried to quit so many times in the past 8 years and was never successful, and now just off a fluke where I ran out of soda in the house and I'm doing great. My wife even bought more soda for my new Friday night D&D night and I've been resisting downing it like I used to.
Stopping drinking soda completely is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. Mineral (carbonated) water is great if you still want some zing but don't want the corn syrup. I get mine by the case at Trader Joe's. If I'm feeling tired of drinking something flat I just grab a bottle and swig.
Also, swimming is probably the most low-impact excercise there is. It's fantastic for your heart, too, but bizarrely not very good for weight loss. Even science is at a bit of a loss to explain that one.
Yeah, why is that?
I did read one article that suggested for many people who are attempting to lose weight by swimming end up eating more after their workouts in the water than if they were to finish jogging, or biking. Perhaps that has something to do with it, but not entirely.
I love swimming though. If you're really, really, really, REALLY out of shape (as I am) swimming can still be a great way to be more active, and I'm sure could be used as a starter platform for more vigorous physical conditioning that would be more harmful than helpful right away. But, I'm no expert so I could be wrong.
No, you are basically 100% right. Swimming is a fantastic way to build up cardiovascular fitness and conditioning without risking injury if you've been pretty inactive up to that point. Plus, even without the (major) weight loss its incredibly good for your heart and lungs. Health isn't just about being thin. Although i'll say it is nice to have a lean physique (and don't listen to any shit about 'body types', anyone can do it).
I've been unhealthy all my life (overweight), and my eating habits have been terrible for a while now... at least a little over a year, I believe, since my eating was somewhat healthy...
But, this thread has influenced me to get back into my fitness and healthy eating routine. It sorta helped me realized just how shitty I feel lately (not guilt, but physicaly, "BLEGH"-ness).
Thanks.
When it comes to diet, I have a pretty simple philosophy that I started following around four or so years ago. Basically, if it isn't meat, fish, eggs, raw nuts, fruit or vegetables, then don't eat it.
Yeah, that includes bread, rice and pasta, but I find get just as much, if not more, energy, from snacking on fruit and nuts.
i'll still have the odd cake or doughnut or whatever, I just won't make a habit out of it. The only foods I habitually eat are generally made up of the things above.
If it isn't water, tea, coffee or very fresh (preferably squeezed yourself) fruit juice, then don't drink it. When it comes to alcohol, I tend to stick to strong spirits and simple mixers (my favourite drink is scotch and soda). Although it helps that I can't stand most beers, lagers are so damn gassy. Do like the odd bitter or ale though, especially if there's a beer festival on. Again, that only comes up pretty rarely though.
Stopping drinking soda completely is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. Mineral (carbonated) water is great if you still want some zing but don't want the corn syrup. I get mine by the case at Trader Joe's. If I'm feeling tired of drinking something flat I just grab a bottle and swig.
But bottled water is bad for the enviroment, so booooh.
When i was a gamer bum (playing WoW all day every day with no other commitments) I found it much easier to exercise and eat well.
Maybe it was because i could plan my days something like:
Wake up at 11, ride/gym, get home and make some good food, WoW for many hours, get more food off mommy, WoW more hours, sleep.
With work and collage and social life distractions it's so much harder
Posts
Thank you. I was starting to get paranoid that all those years of sitting in desks at school was the man's way of trying to kill me.
But, this thread has influenced me to get back into my fitness and healthy eating routine. It sorta helped me realized just how shitty I feel lately (not guilt, but physicaly, "BLEGH"-ness).
Thanks.
One solution that I've found ... playing in recreational sports leagues! I'm in an indoor soccer league with a bunch of friends from work. I play two times a week, with occasional weekend practices. That already is a decent amount of regular exercise. And while it's "easy" to skip out on going to the gym, it's a lot harder skipping out on your team. Plus, it's something that people at work understand. Can't stay late because you've got a game? That's understandable.
The downside is that sports like soccer often lead to injuries, especially if you aren't in that great of shape. So it's something you need to be careful about. Also, competition is fierce. My team ... isn't very good, since most of us started off as out-of-shape game developers. But a year has passed since we first started and now we're much better (and healthier!). (It's too bad that the team from Monolith still kicks our ass ... someday we'll beat them!) So yeah, unless you happen to join an awesome team or are a natural at the sport, or your league is very casual ... be prepared for some losses.
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Yeah, why is that?
I did read one article that suggested for many people who are attempting to lose weight by swimming end up eating more after their workouts in the water than if they were to finish jogging, or biking. Perhaps that has something to do with it, but not entirely.
I love swimming though. If you're really, really, really, REALLY out of shape (as I am) swimming can still be a great way to be more active, and I'm sure could be used as a starter platform for more vigorous physical conditioning that would be more harmful than helpful right away. But, I'm no expert so I could be wrong.
That's a great idea for those that have the time. Not only do you have a more difficult time in blowing off your work-out sessions, but for most it make exercise more interesting. I remember a point in my life when I was most active (ahhhh youth), I hated running as much as I do now-- but if I was playing football, basketball, or any other sport I didn't mind it as much. It's just that the thought of running just to run is too uninteresting and offensive to the lazy.
No, you are basically 100% right. Swimming is a fantastic way to build up cardiovascular fitness and conditioning without risking injury if you've been pretty inactive up to that point. Plus, even without the (major) weight loss its incredibly good for your heart and lungs. Health isn't just about being thin. Although i'll say it is nice to have a lean physique (and don't listen to any shit about 'body types', anyone can do it).
When it comes to diet, I have a pretty simple philosophy that I started following around four or so years ago. Basically, if it isn't meat, fish, eggs, raw nuts, fruit or vegetables, then don't eat it.
Yeah, that includes bread, rice and pasta, but I find get just as much, if not more, energy, from snacking on fruit and nuts.
i'll still have the odd cake or doughnut or whatever, I just won't make a habit out of it. The only foods I habitually eat are generally made up of the things above.
If it isn't water, tea, coffee or very fresh (preferably squeezed yourself) fruit juice, then don't drink it. When it comes to alcohol, I tend to stick to strong spirits and simple mixers (my favourite drink is scotch and soda). Although it helps that I can't stand most beers, lagers are so damn gassy. Do like the odd bitter or ale though, especially if there's a beer festival on. Again, that only comes up pretty rarely though.
But bottled water is bad for the enviroment, so booooh.
Maybe it was because i could plan my days something like:
Wake up at 11, ride/gym, get home and make some good food, WoW for many hours, get more food off mommy, WoW more hours, sleep.
With work and collage and social life distractions it's so much harder