Gym wannabes, post your plans here!

[msgadget]

Are you thinking about becoming more physically active? What's your plan for the rest of this week?

[Longhorn]

1. I was doing great until last fall.

I'm just not good at exercising unless I do it first thing in the morning and last fall I started teaching every day (I teach math at a community college.)

This semester, I go in early two days a week but not until noon the other two and not at all on Fridays. So my plan is to start exercising five days a week, all but Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In the past, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and then alternated upper and lower body presses and curls, etc. on our home gym, followed by several sets on my "6-second abs" contraption.

I kept my exercise plan going for more than a year and then virtually nothing! I was feeling great and need to get back to it. I lost 60 pounds in 2003 by doing a modified liquid fast and exercising but in the last couple of months, I've gained back about 15 pounds.

Suggestions appreciated!

Here's what I have:

[msgadget]

10. You sound like me

with the exericse! I have an elliptical and last year I experimented with 'bonking' something I read about in a biking magazine. Basically, you work out first thing in the morning, before breakfast and after having a cup of coffee and you follow the sort of schedule runners and bikers use. For instance, you'll have your distance days, you days for practicing sprints and your take-it-easy days. It was great fun...while it lasted. After showering I'd have a protein shake with half a piece of fruit. It was fantastic and I felt so smug all day for having gotten it out of the way first thing.

My plan for tomorrow is to get back to that but I can't promise I'll be doing any weight training that first day. Have to see if I survive first.

[kaitykaity]

2. I'm going to look for a really good pair of running shoes.

That help prevent shin splints and are good on hard
pavement.

Suggestions welcome.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

3. I don't know the name of my shoes.

They're some kind of Nike's that I paid about $50 for. I look for sneakers that have flexible soles (will bend with my foot). I find them much easier to run with. I think they are more comfortable to wear in general too. I've noticed that a lot of sneakers have hard, inflexible soles.

I run outside on the sidewalk all the time, and I haven't yet had a problem with shin splints. I don't know if reason why I haven't had shin splints is because of my shoes, or if it's just me.

Maybe a clerk at a track equipment or a sporting goods could help you find the shoe you're looking for.

[kaitykaity]

4. They made us run in combat boots when I was in the Army

and it ruined my shins fur permanent.

I guess it's a mindset or whatever. Last time I exercised
I did it for almost two years, and I was in such good shape.
That time I started with a workout tape, and when that got too
simple I joined a gym and started on the treadmill. When I
plateau'd there, a buddy got me started on the weight circuit.

Anyway, that was when I had a car. I don't have a car now,
and I don't see the sense of riding the bus to the gym so I
can run on the stoopid treadmill.

:hi:

[ewagner]

6. Combat boots on asphalt

Shin splints FOREVER!

I've inherited some of my sons old cross trainers from his track years....they're hardly used really....most are Nike Cross Trainers and they help reduce the pain of the shin splints....I tend to run like a sprinter....on the balls of my feet...so I need a lot of padding there....joggers may need more cushion in the heel.

[kaitykaity]

7. Just one of the many ways the Army keeps on giving

even after you hang up your greens.

I guess I'm going to have to go to a athletic shoe store
and put myself on the tender mercies of a predatory sales
clerk.

Ouch. :spank:

[ewagner]

13. It's not really that bad

One chain (that just closed down due to Walmart undercutting their prices) was The Athlete's Foot . Their sales clerks were very well trained and taught how to customize the shoe to the customer. They were usually very helpful.....

I also saved money by buying "last year's model".

[msgadget]

9. I scrolled through the selection at Sports Authority last year

and ended up buying New Balance again. I'm also prone to shin splints and I'm glad you mentioned them because I'd stopped doing the heel walking/foot flexing exercises I had on my list (oh that endless list...).

[kaitykaity]

11. Exercises? Heel walking something or other?

I'll keep the New Balance in mind, maybe cruise a running
mag, see what they've got.

:hi:

[msgadget]

12. Exercises to strengthen my shins

and a trainer told me that flexibility in the foot also helped prevent them. He also promised I'd stop getting them eventually but that hasn't proven to be so.

[ewagner]

14. Good brand

MY wife is on her second pair and just loves them.......

[dolo amber]

5. I start my workout Sat.

I have no idea what I'll be doing. x( Probably walking on the treadmill and copying what others are doing (at my own pace, of course ;)) until I have some idea what the hell's going on. :D

[msgadget]

8. LOL!

All those expressions, Dolo! You're starting at a new gym?

[dolo amber]

16. I am doing the (I hope this isn't embarrassing)

Discovery Health Challenge and starting Bally's on Sat. I have no idea what to expect...it's a 2 month trial membership thingy so I doubt it comes with a personal trainer or anything...I've belonged to the Y before and pretty much all I did there was the treadmill/weights thing. Wish me luck! :D

[msgadget]

18. It's gonna be fine!

Usually they have a personal trainer evaluate you and maybe even design a program for you before turning you loose on all that dangerous equipment. Do you have your music ready? It's KEY to working out alone and establishing your own little private space in a setting like that.

I'm going to check out the Discovery Health Challenge. I took a peek at the Biggest Loser diet and workout plans yesterday. Heck, I'll take all the advice, guidelines and motivators I can find!

:bounce:

[ewagner]

15. Couple of hints

I don't know if you're a first time gym user but

Don't forget to stretch first....loosen up anyway

Take the tredmill in steps: step/intervals up and down..

Don't forget to do stretches after the main exercise....cool down cycle.

[dolo amber]

17. Good tips, ewagner

Thanks! :hug: