Using It - Tue 28th March

[Mitra]

I did a session of heavier yoga postures. It was harder than on Sunday, because the muscles still haven't quite recovered.

Since I usually start them, I was thinking about these daily threads, and wondering how to make the best use of them.

What do you think is the purpose of posting your daily exercise?
What do you get out of it (posting, not the exercise)?
What help/support/advice do you need, or can you offer?

With the M&S thread it's clearer that it's about encouragement and support to get started in establishing an exercise habit. People posting here don't necessarily need that daily push to make the exercise happen.

I do my exercise at home, on my own, so I enjoy the feeling of being part of a community that comes from sharing our exercises here. Hearing what others are doing and how they're progressing helps to keep me motivated, and encourages me to work harder. But I don't really need to post every single day that I did some yoga today.

What thread format would you find most helpful?

daily - as we've been doing;
weekly - you could post every day, but just start a new thread once a week;
one thread that goes on indefinitely, and we just keep adding to it - it could be a sticky;
any other ideas.I could have done this as a poll, but was more interested in discussing the ideas than just counting votes.

[ShayKNJ]

Mitra-I think either one thread weekly where we could post daily or one continuous thread would be good.

Today I did the treadmill, three miles ran for 2 at 6.0.

[Ottawa]

What do you think is the purpose of posting your daily exercise?

It gives me some accountability other than to myself. I use Monitor Monday for the same reason.

What do you get out of it (posting, not the exercise)?

An odd form of feedback to myself that I have completed something I started. It also helps in keeping it a habit.

What help/support/advice do you need, or can you offer?

Nnthing special, just that this program has helped me trim down and build some muscle over the past three years.

Daily works or a Weekly like the March Challenge results thread is working is fine as well.
============================================

Today,
Situps to continue the abs work, some weights and biking right after work 10K to get the kinks out to begin biking to work. Today is going up to 11 C which is the warmest day in a few weeks.

[Shadow]

What do you think is the purpose of posting your daily exercise?
In all honesty, it's just a habit from trying to set an example for the M's & S's on the old board :p.
What do you get out of it (posting, not the exercise)?
Nothing ;). I've actually thought about not even posting any more. I keep a detailed workout journal at home - and have for over 10 years - so it's really just repetitive to do it all over here.
What help/support/advice do you need, or can you offer?
All I can ever do is look at things from my own personal experience. Not sure what kind of help/support/advice that counts as, though :p.

Weekly is fine with me - or monthly - or whatever. I'm easy to please :D. I do like to read what other people do so I will most likely continue to post mine just in case there's anyone else that just likes to read what others are doing ;).

And speaking of "doing", today was a rest day. I had ultrasound on my shoulder yesterday so thought I'd give it a little extra time to (hopefully) heal so I can quit messing with it...

[banshee]

What do you think is the purpose of posting your daily exercise?
Accountability, encouragement, and the chance to talk about exercise with other people who "get it"

What do you get out of it (posting, not the exercise)?
It helps keep me motivated and enthusiastic about exercise. Reading what other people are doing helps me stay focused and helps me learn what other options might be out there for ways to change things up and keep boredom at bay.

What help/support/advice do you need, or can you offer?
I think the posting here is just as much about encouragement and support as the M&S thread. Just because we're more experienced at exercising doesn't mean we don't have bad days, or days when we need an extra push to get moving. Just as maintening weight is as hard or harder than losing weight, I think those who have made exercise a habit still have challenges to face that are helped by the support of others going through the same challenges.

As I said before, I love hearing about new exercises, and the discussions about the science behind exercise are always fascinating to read. I've learned so much about how my body works through the PP forums, and learning about the science of exercise is just as important to me as learning about the science of eating low carb.

What thread format would you find most helpful?
I personally find the daily thread the easiest to work with. I also think that having the same format as the M&S thread will make it easier for people transitioning from that forum to this one. Part of that is just my preference for threads in general - with any of the multi-day threads, finding which page has the start of the posts I haven't read can be frustrating.


My daily report:
Yesterday's exercise went well. I didn't push it - only did one set instead of two, but it was a good hard workout and I was nicely tired at the end. My back isn't hurting, so I'm pleased with the level. I hope to be back to my regular intensity by next Monday. I also did a really good set of ab vacuums in addition to my upper body workout. I've discovered that I get a better workout if I do them lying down on a hard surface than if I do them sitting. Lying down, I can really feel the lower abdominals working as I hold them in. Today is a rest day.

[Mitra]

... with any of the multi-day threads, finding which page has the start of the posts I haven't read can be frustrating.

One of the features of this board is a link that takes you to the last unread post in a thread. If there are posts you haven't read, the link to a thread appears in bold, and to the left of the thread title is a little down arrow, that takes you to the last message you haven't read.

[banshee]

One of the features of this board is a link that takes you to the last unread post in a thread. If there are posts you haven't read, the link to a thread appears in bold, and to the left of the thread title is a little down arrow, that takes you to the last message you haven't read.
Heehee. I should have known there was such a feature... Thanks, Mitra! Now Ijust have to remember to use it! ;)

[realruth]

Posting my daily makes me accountable to others
I get a lot of good detailed talk about different exercises
Because of this thread I got a new fitness tape to work with at home that has 5 levels of difficulty with a pilates/yoga/aerobic mix ( I was bored with just the easy pilates DVD and didn't keep doing it)
I don't mind daily or weekly thread.

I did my workout and got in 40 mins weights...20 mins Cardio and did a small 1 km walk last night

[Mitra]

What help/support/advice do you need, or can you offer?
All I can ever do is look at things from my own personal experience. Not sure what kind of help/support/advice that counts as, though :p.
Shadow!!! :rolleyes: Probably half of us wouldn't be here exercising every day without having had your support and encouragement along the way! I still like to check in and find that there's somebody who notices whether I've exercised or not. (Hope your shoulder's healing.)

I think that apart from the encouragement aspect, the regular reporting does expose us all to new ideas, and different ways of working, and raises questions and discussions that are useful, but that we probably wouldn't think to ask in a separate thread.

We may as well finish out this week/month as we have been doing, then why don't we try a weekly thread, since that seemed like an option most people would be happy with? - Whoever's around first at the start of the week could get it going.

I know Shadow and I count our exercise weeks from Sunday, but since weekends are often a bit quieter, I don't imagine it matters too much whether the thread runs Sun-Sun or Mon-Mon.

Anyway - don't wait for me: if you want to report something, and the thread isn't up, just jump in and start it :D.

:confused: It's still a bit of a mystery to me how a weedy geeky type like me gets to play with all you fit strong athletic people :confused:.

[Shadow]

Thank you, Janet :o! Of course I keep an eye on you - don't want you to think you can start slacking if I'm no longer watching :p!

Oh yes - think of all the discussions we've had on things we probably would never thought of - like yoga and different weight exercises, things the two have in common, etc. It's been a very interesting ride :)!

Sunday - Saturday is how I'm used to threads going but hey, I'm here regardless of what days it covers :D.

As for the new thread post - that only takes you to whatever posts happen when you're off line. I've made it a habit to scroll up the page a little to make sure no one else posted while I was online :).


:confused: It's still a bit of a mystery to me how a weedy geeky type like me gets to play with all you fit strong athletic people :confused:.
Ahh...weedy, geeky people can be athletic too! Just look at that picture of you doing a back bend - that definitely took some skill and stamina :D!

[Mitra]

As for the new thread post - that only takes you to whatever posts happen when you're off line. I've made it a habit to scroll up the page a little to make sure no one else posted while I was online :).

The link at the side of a thread takes you to the first unread post in that thread - even if you were online when it happened.

The new post link at the top of the page lists all new posts since the previous time you logged on. But you have to click on the link again to make new threads/posts that have appeared during your current session appear at the top of the page. Just clicking the refresh button doesn't do it.

(I may feel insecure about my right to be on an exercise thread, but I can pontificate with confidence on computer interfaces :D - even when I'm wrong (which, of course, I'm not ;).).)

[banshee]

:confused: It's still a bit of a mystery to me how a weedy geeky type like me gets to play with all you fit strong athletic people :confused:.

I don't know about the weedy part - I definitely consider myself more in the rubenesque category :p - but I definitely fall into the geeky category! :D I don't consider myself a strong athletic person - yet! My goal is to be like that grandma in the commercial who uses the Bowflex and looks like a female bodybuilder. Or at least to feel like that!:rolleyes:

[Mitra]

LOL, Mary. I'm only weedy in the sense of being weak - I definitely don't have a skinny, lanky type of build - more small and curvy, I suppose.

I haven't seen the bowflex commercial, but I'll picture you as a bodybuilder - I'm sure you'll get there! I bet when you started out, you never thought you'd get this far? You can make it the rest of the way!

[banshee]

LOL, Mary. I'm only weedy in the sense of being weak - I definitely don't have a skinny, lanky type of build - more small and curvy, I suppose.

I haven't seen the bowflex commercial, but I'll picture you as a bodybuilder - I'm sure you'll get there! I bet when you started out, you never thought you'd get this far? You can make it the rest of the way!

Amazing what you can find online. The lady from the commercial actually has her own website with pictures... http://www.fitgrandmother.com/

She's 51 - That gives me 12 years to get to the same level of fitness. :D I'll never look like her, because I'm short and will never have those lovely long legs, but I want that level of fitness!

As for getting this far - when I started PP 3 years ago, exercise wasn't even part of my vocabulary, and doing things with my friends that involved movement was a chore rather than an enjoyable outing. The hardest part, though, has been finding something that I enjoy, and the next hardest part was getting DH involved so we motivate each other! :rolleyes:

[Shadow]

The link at the side of a thread takes you to the first unread post in that thread - even if you were online when it happened.
Once again, I am the exception to the rule ;). I just noticed several posts I missed the last couple of days relying on it :p.


The new post link at the top of the page lists all new posts since the previous time you logged on. But you have to click on the link again to make new threads/posts that have appeared during your current session appear at the top of the page. Just clicking the refresh button doesn't do it.
Tried that too - but it never gave me any new posts in this forum :confused:.


(I may feel insecure about my right to be on an exercise thread, but I can pontificate with confidence on computer interfaces :D - even when I'm wrong (which, of course, I'm not ;).).)
Of course you're not :D! However, you have just as much of a place here as the rest of us do! I'm telling ya, a lot of the things you do I am betting 99% of us "weighties" would never be able to manage!

[Shadow]

Jeez - I didn't look that good at 21 so I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna be there when I'm 51 :p!

[Mitra]

I think you must have been teaching your computer some bad habits! You probably just need to let it know that you are the WP, and it'll happily cooperate.

I don't know what I can do that you can't - or couldn't if you practiced it for a while.

All this tough action yoga has left me with aching legs (which I'm not bothered about - they'll soon adjust) and a sore knee. The knee is the same one that protests if I do too much cycling, or stand for hours and hours. It's not serious, but I probably need to go easy on it for a while, so it looks as if the one-legged squats will have to wait a couple of weeks (they seem the most likely culprit for overworking it). I've been doing the two-legged ones for years, and that obviously hasn't built up enough knee strength, so I need to look for something else to help with that.

[Mitra]

Jeez - I didn't look that good at 21 so I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna be there when I'm 51 :p!

I won't look like that either :rolleyes:. But I've never particularly wanted to look like anybody else. I'm pretty sure that looking that way at 50 needs good genes as well as exercise and diet! I wouldn't look that young without a lot of air-brushing :(.

Mary, I don't think I'd quite realised how young you are :D - I'd just put you in the same age bracket as Ruth, Shadow & I, all of us "mid-forties-ish."

[Shadow]

I think you must have been teaching your computer some bad habits! You probably just need to let it know that you are the WP, and it'll happily cooperate.
Ah I see! Just gotta crack the whip at it :p!


I don't know what I can do that you can't - or couldn't if you practiced it for a while.
Oh - for one example, I am pretty sure I'll never get a handstand :rolleyes:


It's not serious, but I probably need to go easy on it for a while, so it looks as if the one-legged squats will have to wait a couple of weeks (they seem the most likely culprit for overworking it). I've been doing the two-legged ones for years, and that obviously hasn't built up enough knee strength, so I need to look for something else to help with that.
I'm with you there! The one-legged squats are definitely ones I save for a good knee day (which are rare) - and I don't do them too often, even at that.


I'm pretty sure that looking that way at 50 needs good genes as well as exercise and diet!
I think you're absolutely right ;).


Mary, I don't think I'd quite realised how young you are - I'd just put you in the same age bracket as Ruth, Shadow & I, all of us "mid-forties-ish.
Gosh - I didn't realize she was so young either! Sigh.... I was once that young too but it was years ago :p....

[Mitra]

Oh - for one example, I am pretty sure I'll never get a handstand :rolleyes:

I think it's unlikely I'll ever do it without using a wall for balance. I'm pretty sure neither of us will ever run a marathon, but it's probably not because we couldn't, if we really wanted to, and did suitable training. Maybe we couldn't win, but we could complete one. And the handstand is definitely in that category (only not as hard as a marathon ;)). It takes a bit of upper body strength. I'm not great in that respect - you're probably stronger. If you use a wall you don't need to have great balance. You need to use your legs to kick up, but that just takes half a dozen tries to judge how hard to kick so that you get up as far as the wall, but don't hit it so hard you just bounce back down again. You just need a bit of confidence, and to want to do it. But the main reasons to do it are fun and variety.

There are some yoga postures that depend on build - some I'll never do, because they depend on having long arms (longer than your back), which I don't have, and they're not something you can develop with practice! Some, like the lotus posture, need quite a bit of hip mobility, and can take a lot of work if you don't have that naturally.

[Shadow]

You are right - I don't see either of us ever in a marathon :D! Not unless there's a bear, moose, or some other large wildlife chasing me! I should practice handstands to improve my UB strength - but klutz that I am, I can see a lot of disaster and banged up walls if I do :p!

[Mitra]

You are right - I don't see either of us ever in a marathon :D! Not unless there's a bear, moose, or some other large wildlife chasing me!

The largest wildlife I've seen around here is the neighbour's cat ;). There are some cows in the field adjoining my parents' garden, but they're not very fierce, so I think I'm safe from having to run :D.


I should practice handstands to improve my UB strength - but klutz that I am, I can see a lot of disaster and banged up walls if I do :p!

As my handstands are done yoga-style, I always have bare feet, so there's limited scope for damaging the wall. If I've been wandering around barefoot, there's a risk of footprints :o.

[banshee]

Mary, I don't think I'd quite realised how young you are :D - I'd just put you in the same age bracket as Ruth, Shadow & I, all of us "mid-forties-ish."
I've always been mature for my age. Guess it's still at that point even now! :D Not that I'm that much younger than you-all. Shadow, I've always been told I look younger than I am, so I would have guessed you would have realized my age from my picture! :p

I've actually been reading with interest all the talk you guys have been doing about menopause, cause I know that's looming on the horizone for me! :( In fact, I've had night sweats and actually thought I was starting early, but the tests came back negative, so apparently it's just a hormone imbalance... I just hope that if I get my body into shape before it all starts it will make the whole process easier...

[Mitra]

I think I'd need to see a picture that was more than 1" across before I tried to judge somebody's age ;).

I'm at that hoping it'll be all right stage, too!

[Shadow]

Shadow, I've always been told I look younger than I am, so I would have guessed you would have realized my age from my picture! :p
Mary - If there's one thing I've learned being in a real estate office for over 8 years, it's that pictures rarely tell the true story :p!

Janet - Well, I have a monster cat that would give you a run for your money :rolleyes:. I don't go barefoot - my feet are just too old and cranky to appreciate it :(. Which is really a shame because I never, ever used to wear shoes unless I was going to work or the store.

[hawk]

Tuesday afternoon I worked on upper body and back until my arms wouldn't straighten. They feel great today. Today I will have an hour to fit in a lower body work out.

[Ottawa]

You are right - I don't see either of us ever in a marathon :D! Not unless there's a bear, moose, or some other large wildlife chasing me! I should practice handstands to improve my UB strength - but klutz that I am, I can see a lot of disaster and banged up walls if I do :p!

You could both begin a Mini-Marathon of your own. Using an earlier post here about http://www.gmap-pedometer.com (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=87443) I decided that I would make this year my bike-a-thon year. I've wanted to do more biking and setting up a route is easy and then you just update your mileage/kilometers as you go.

Before the end of this season I have set out a route to bike to my home town of Peterborough Ontario using this tool. All my kilometers biked around town will go into this route and pinned down as I go along.

As well, my camping buddies have agreed that this year's canoe trip will involve a long bike ride over a restricted logging road to spend a day/night fishing from the best lake in Algonquin Park. We practice next month http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=87443 and we do the real thing this September http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=84361 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=84361) by bringing our bikes as well as the canoes.

[Mitra]

Well, we could, but since the reason I won't be running a marathon is that I don't want to, I think I'll skip this one. It's a fun site, though (but doesn't have close enough zoom on my area to find my usual walking routes).

[Shadow]

Randy - I will live vicariously through you :D. But I will wait here patiently with my ears open to hear all of your stories! Jeez, that's quite the route you have planned :eek:!

[Ottawa]

Shadow, I hope I didn't make it sound like we canoe with our bikes.:D
The biggest problem in putting something like this together is getting a small group that it interested and committed to do it. Much of our gear we have put together over the years from yard sales. We have had lots of people ask to come along but there were always reasons or excuses for not being able to do it. This is our 17th or 18th year and we would be hard pressed to replace any of us since we "meld" immediately and the trip becomes an adventure as soon as we start planning.

We will drive up and leave the bikes with the vehicle/s. We paddle into a site on Lake Traverse and set things up and hoist the food, leaving the next day for the aptly named Radiant Lake. In the fall the sunrise through a mist looks like the lake is on fire and there won't be another person on it. To reach it by canoe takes a full day (9-10 hours) in September when the water is lower and there are beaver dams and bogs to cross. By bikes without the extra gear should be about 3 hours unless we have problems.

There is a gated logging road and an old railway bed that should let us carry the necessities for an overnite trip but not the canoes. Two of the guys have never biked on anything but pavement and none of us have biked with a lot of gear before so everyone has gone over the problems and solutions and bought into it.

Another reason this trip is a major annual event is that I nearly gave up at 305 lbs., so it means a lot that I got my life back in order with this program and can still have some adventures like this. Although one of the guys complains that "sometimes this is more work than a holiday" the rest of us just keep going looking for still water or the base falls and go after Trout or Bass. Part of it is sharing a knowledge of "why we are here" but the main cement comes from working together on something as friends.

[Shadow]

Shadow, I hope I didn't make it sound like we canoe with our bikes.:D
Well Randy, with you, I just never know ;)!


We have had lots of people ask to come along but there were always reasons or excuses for not being able to do it.
Sounds pretty much like trying to get anyone to exercise :p! If talk got it done, the whole country would be in shape...


This is our 17th or 18th year and we would be hard pressed to replace any of us since we "meld" immediately and the trip becomes an adventure as soon as we start planning.
Sounds like you have a "winning team" just as you are!


To reach it by canoe takes a full day (9-10 hours) in September when the water is lower and there are beaver dams and bogs to cross. By bikes without the extra gear should be about 3 hours unless we have problems.
I would call that a great workout no matter which method you choose :D!


Two of the guys have never biked on anything but pavement and none of us have biked with a lot of gear before so everyone has gone over the problems and solutions and bought into it.
What a wonderful challenge for all of you!


Another reason this trip is a major annual event is that I nearly gave up at 305 lbs., so it means a lot that I got my life back in order with this program and can still have some adventures like this.
What a fantastic success story, my friend - you absolutely rock :D!!!!


Part of it is sharing a knowledge of "why we are here" but the main cement comes from working together on something as friends.
I imagine it is quite the awesome experience all around :)!