Dieting again.

[voodoolily]

But hey, if you don't want to believe that crash dieting might be less healthy than simply being overweight, why not try investigating it?  Go to the library, talk to a nutritionist or your family doctor (like I did last year when I was contemplating a number of crash diets) and ask..

To be fair, it did work for Christian Bale who reputedly only ate a tin of tuna and an apple a day to lose 63lbs for The Machinist:

But Christian Bale went from that role immediately to training intensively for his following role. He didn't just starve himself then keep the weight off.

[DraconianOne]

But Christian Bale went from that role immediately to training intensively for his following role. He didn't just starve himself then keep the weight off.

Well, yeah but then Schild isn't trying to become a 120lb emaciated insomniac either. 



Yet.

[schild]

The moment I went off the diet the first time I started working out 4-5 times a week. The diet is just impetus to get the extra weight off my back. Back pain can stop you from exercising effectively. I'm sure some fatties here know that.

Also, for the like, 10 people that PM'd me about it, I'm going to PM you all back with generic info and you can hit me up for more if it doesn't explain enough.

[stray]

Cool enough, schild. I should say though that back pain is a problem for anyone who doesn't get much exercise, even seemingly fit people. Not enough people focus on that area, when it should be the first thing. Lower back especially. You can help that now a little in the meantime by just doing as many leg lifts as you can a night. Yeah, it'll be a longtime before you get real results, but you will be better off by the time the diet's over, and better prepared for other shit.

[schild]

Actually, I got injured in high school. The weight just made it so exercising was not an option. See, I didn't want this thread to become bloggy, so I kept my PROBLEMS out of it.

So, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease stop giving me advice. Thx.

[stray]

Actually, I got injured in high school. The weight just made it so exercising was not an option. See, I didn't want this thread to become bloggy, so I kept my PROBLEMS out of it.

So, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease stop giving me advice. Thx.

First off, "No". If you or anyone else says something that I know can be expanded upon, or corrected, then I will expand upon it or correct it. The only reason I see for stopping is if I simply do not know or do not care. If you want to take offense at that, like it's some malicious attack against you, then go right ahead. I'm merely concerned with information. That other shit is your problem.

Secondly (and just to make you feel better, this "advice" is for anyone, not just you), if you think that you'll be able to exercise more without the excess weight, then you can exercise with the weight as well. Fat doesn't make it so that exercise is not an option at all. You simply do what you can at whatever stage you're at. If that means only five leglifts, then five leglifts it is. If it means ONE, then one it is. It's better than nothing. But doing nothing at all is silly. Only a completely debilitating injury would prevent you from exercising at all -- and it'd fuck you up whether you were heavy or not.

Besides all of that, leg lifts in particular are a back lying exercise, where the lower back muscle is worked from lifting up your legs. Nothing in your spine is moving, so even if you did have some special injury that prevented you from doing this specific workout, it'd have to be in your hips or thighs.

Upper back workout wise (such as lateral raises), your injuries would mainly need to be in the shoulder joints. Not your back.

[Logik]

Besides all of that, leg lifts in particular are a back lying exercise, where the lower back muscle is worked from lifting up your legs. Nothing in your spine is moving, so even if you did have some special injury that prevented you from doing this specific workout, it'd have to be in your hips or thighs.

I don't know about you, but I've only ever done lying leg raises for abdominals.  I'm unsure how they could possibly target the lower back, except to the extent inherent in stretching.

[lamaros]

Actually, I got injured in high school. The weight just made it so exercising was not an option. See, I didn't want this thread to become bloggy, so I kept my PROBLEMS out of it.

So, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease stop giving me advice. Thx.

So if it wasn't meant to bloggy, what was it? A public service announcement?

[schild]

Actually, I got injured in high school. The weight just made it so exercising was not an option. See, I didn't want this thread to become bloggy, so I kept my PROBLEMS out of it.

So, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease stop giving me advice. Thx.

So if it wasn't meant to bloggy, what was it? A public service announcement?

Yes, so don't be a dim choad. Here's a quote from the FIRST POST.

Also, this post is to really warn you that I'm going to be a fucking big asshole for about 2 weeks.

[Signe]

The funny thing is... you didn't have to even post that.  We wouldn't have noticed!

[Llava]

Also, accountability helps.

When we're expecting him to get this done (or, rather, when he thinks we're expecting him to get this done) he's more likely to do it.

[stray]

Besides all of that, leg lifts in particular are a back lying exercise, where the lower back muscle is worked from lifting up your legs. Nothing in your spine is moving, so even if you did have some special injury that prevented you from doing this specific workout, it'd have to be in your hips or thighs.

I don't know about you, but I've only ever done lying leg raises for abdominals.  I'm unsure how they could possibly target the lower back, except to the extent inherent in stretching.

You should feel some burning in the lower back at least, directly opposite of your lower abs...Unless you need something more intense, I guess (which would be good). It'll work out the abs, lower back, hip flexors, glutes, and is good for just stretching the hamstrings a bit. It's not the best exercise for the lower back or anything, since it's indirect, but it's a simple start towards supporting the spine. Just about everything else is going require you to bend your back more. If someone can manage extensions or dead lifts (even a tiny bit of weight), then do those instead.

[schild]

Just for the record. I'm below 220 now.

[Jimbo]

Rock on Schild!

Just in case anyone else wants to exercise and catsass at the same time, AirDesk makes a stand you can rig up anywhere to play and ride.  I bought the AirDesk for CPU's and a custom made mast.  It works quite well, holds up to a work out (have done 2 hour gaming sessions and lots of calorie burn).  Now that I settled on a spot for it, I realize I probably could have maybe have made something from Menard's (well the monitor wall mount might have been tricky), but this way I didn't have to cuss as much.  I use an old ProForm exercise bike, it has a wide and comfy seat, no batteries or electricity needed, has a tension settings (so less parts), and is sturdy.  Too bad Pro form doesn't make it anymore.  I had a recumbent bike that I tried out this year, just could not get into it...probably that I still ride my bicycle and don't like the change in settings.  I do like steppers or ellipticals, but kinda hard to game and work out on them.

[schild]

Stray, I bought these just to annoy you.

[stray]

They're not that bad... Except for that gunk on the back of the knees???

[schild]

They're not that bad... Except for that gunk on the back of the knees???

Oh. They don't look like that in real life really.

It's just creases in the denim to be comfortable when you sit and stretch them.

[Engels]

Stray, I bought these just to annoy you.

Hoochie mama gear?

[schild]

Stray, I bought these just to annoy you.

Hoochie mama gear?

[Engels]

Stray, I bought these just to annoy you.

Hoochie mama gear?

Oog, foist upon my own beartard.

[stray]

Howzit goin' Schild?

[Ookii]

He's back on the diet to save money, he should be up in about 6 hours to tell you that much.

[stray]

Heh... So it's not even a diet anymore? Just thriftiness? 

[Bunk]

That's how I usually lose weight - I decide I can't afford beer for a week.

[schild]

This is a good thrifty diet.

And it goes. I'm having some major stomach issues this time around that I didn't have last time around. But then, this diet is supposed to be for people who have a shitload of weight to lost and I... do not. Like, at all. My ideal weight is probably somewhere around 200-210 as I've got a big fucking frame, and I'm uhhh not very high above that. In fact I am at 218. I'll see if there's any progress in the next day or two, otherwise, I think I've hit max effectiveness for the diet. And you know how much I like min/maxing.

On that same note, I bought a pair of slim jeans last night (7Fam Bladerunners) and I think this is the first time since pre-puberty I could fit into anything called slim. And they look fucking good.

[voodoolily]

Schild, I've told you a million times that that diet is not sustainable. Keep an eye on your fat, carbs, and protein (and fiber) and you should be able to knock off the last few.

I've dropped like 4 of the "quit smoking" pounds, yay on me.

[LK]

I reapplied myself to a diet and exercise routine about 3 weeks ago.  I had ballooned up to as big as 240 - 245 at 68", and it showed, man did it show.  I have the photo on my driver's license to prove it.  I signed up with Nutrisystem and spent about 2 months rigidly on that program without additional exercise.  I think I dropped down to 225 at that point before I went off it and got all depressed.  But then, I went to a party and got hugged by a hot asian girl, and for some reason that invigorated me to start exercising again, eating right, and all sorts of things.  Last time I went to the doctor I was 217 (about a week into the program) and I'm hoping to get down to what I consider "normal", which is about 180.  If I get below that, woo.

Right now I'm kinda easing into it.  I was doing cardio for 30-35 minutes at high intensity everyday, though now it's starting to ease back to about 4-5 days a week due to the scheduling factors (I do this on my lunch, and if I have to do something like go to the bank, I either come in early and exercise or I don't exercise).  I'm also using the Perfect Pushup to work my upper body.  The first week was somewhat hellish.  My entire upper body was sore.  I could barely do the stuff it was asking me to do.  My cardio was tiring.  But now? Well, I'm not sore, I'm able to do everything in my program for the date that I'm at (including close push-ups which are hell), and I'm doing a solid cardio routine.  All this during my lunch hour.  I'm feeling better, that's for sure.  I'm probably going to be doing real push-ups (without my knees) after next week when I reevaluate my upper body strength, and hope that my arms go from Christian Bale in the Machinist to Christian Bale in Batman.  Well, that'd be nice.  I never had great upper body strength.

My cardio routine does get my heart rate up higher than I think would be optimal, but I'm hoping that the extra work I'm doing will eventually become "the norm", and that my body will go to a better heart rate because I'm in better shape.  I've already had that happen once during the 3 weeks and made my cardio more intense.

Diet by Nutrisystem.  "Portioned for Weight Loss."  It's been working pretty well.  I will have the occasional "whatever I want" day, but lately I realized that the food I used to gorge on is better enjoyed every once in awhile.  But fuck I love vanilla ice cream on some cookie.  Applebee's Maple Butter Blondie is currently the enemy.  I haven't had one in awhile, don't really feel like having one, but if I get the urge to have some dessert, that'd be the first thing I go after.  Also, averaged out over 28 days, Nutrisystem is cheaper than my normal purchasing habits for food.

Edit: I think it'd be hilarious if I switched my portrait there to a Scout once I hit my goal.

[schild]

Edit: I think it'd be hilarious if I switched my portrait there to a Scout once I hit my goal.

Not funny once you say it.

[stray]

Pushups are great, but I recommend some dumbbells for arm strength. And dumbbells for pressing as well (get a bench while you're at it). It's a better way to work up the chest early on.

At 220 or whatever you're at, you're basically trying to bench around 130 when you do a pushup. That's tough if you haven't developed that much muscle. Besides, it's not all that conducive to fat burning. You want to do as many reps as possible. Get some 30 pound weights for now, and work with that. Curls and pullovers for your arms, presses for your chest, overhead presses for your shoulders.

[edit] Oops.. didn't see that you were doing them with your knees. Not sure how much weight that would cut off...

[Murgos]

Most of it.

Push-up aren't going to build big biceps anyway.  They are more chest and tri.  Push-ups are very easy to plateau on as well, you can easily get to a point where several hundreds of push-ups don't really do anything for you.  Don't get me wrong, they are a great exercise, you just need to do other things as well.

[LK]

Yeah, I'm using dumbbells (15 lbs) on each arm.  I have *really* skinny arms.  I'll do 3 sets of 10 curls really quick before I run out of time between the variety of push-ups I'm doing (Regular, Wide, Closed).  But like I said, trying to ease into it.  I can probably do more on the curls but I don't want to overdo it.

If I could do several hundred push-ups, I think I'll be OK. 

Don't get me wrong, I can probably do more, but I've found the point where I can't push myself up anymore and it's right when I'm supposed to finish.  But each time I go back in I'm able to do a little bit more.  The transformation in 2 weeks has been inspiring.

I'll look up the other stuff.  Focus is on weight loss but I understand more muscle mass can make that happen better.

Edit: I think it'd be hilarious if I switched my portrait there to a Scout once I hit my goal.

Not funny once you say it.

Wasn't planning on doing it.  That's why I said it.

[MrHat]

Your doc ok you on doing the cardio?

[LK]

Not really.  Told them I was doing an exercise routine.  Didn't seem concerned about specifics since I appear to be in good health.  Though, the difference in a cholesterol check from 2005 showed I gained 30 points of bad cholesterol and dropped 5 good ones.

[MrHat]

I've done something similar to you (5'9 dropped from 230-200 atm over about 4 months) just eating lots of small portions all day during the week and on and off again cardio sessions.  Every now and then when I'm working especially hard I notice that my heart is pumping a bit too hard.  So I'm going to go get a full physical (needed one anyways) next week before I start this lifting/cardio program that Nebu has been helping me with.  You mentioned something about heart rate higher than what you might think is optimal, which is why I asked.  Once I get my next pay check, going to get me and the wife some sexy heart rate monitors.

[LK]

Our cardio machines have a built-in Smart Rate where I can get the heart rate at any time.  I know what you mean, when you can feel it in your chest, but I haven't been getting there.  When I first started out I was doing what I thought was OK and I was building a hella good sweat, but the heart rate monitor said I was at maximum peak.  However after about a week or two of doing it, my heart rate dropped down into the "cardio" range doing the same thing.  I didn't feel like I was getting much of a work out and bumped up what I was doing very slightly.  Now I'm toeing the line between cardio levels and max.  I'm feeling GOOD though.  I am able to put that effort in and I'm not exhausted.  Heart rate around 160 at age 26 going on 27.