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Getting in shape. I needs some tips.
DaftChris
Spiritually conflicted. Not of this world. Veteran
I lost a bunch of weight over the last two years and I now want to tone my body. There is just one problem: I'm REALLY lazy. -_-
So A.) How can I motivate myself to actually work out and B.) I don't want to muscular, just flat and toned. What are some good exercises to build some lean build without having big muscles?
So A.) How can I motivate myself to actually work out and B.) I don't want to muscular, just flat and toned. What are some good exercises to build some lean build without having big muscles?
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Comments
Let me know how you get on @DaftChris? I have just re-started a riding / swimming / weights regime after 6 months of doing nothing and putting on weight. Maybe we can help motivate each other
"If you have only effort you have all attainments,
But if you have only laziness you have nothing."
Once you run a 5k competently, go for a 10K - do a few of them - then do a half marathon, etc.
Like anything, with consistent applied effort, the law of gradual progression will mean you will get where you would like to be (or in the approximate area anyway).
I also find something deeply spiritual about running; it's all about working with our minds; making ourselves do the stuff we don't want to do, but know we should be doing. I have read somewhere that the measure of our spirituality is having the capacity to do the things we don't want to do.
"Is it raining? That doesn't matter. Am I tired? That doesn't matter either. Then will power will be no problem"
"When a person trains once, nothing happens. When a person forces himself to do a thing a hundred or a thousand times, then he certainly has developed in more ways than physical."
I dunno who said the above quotes, but they're quite 'Buddhist' I think.
Well I did the couch to 5k last year, not easy, still got injuries, I got up to 30 mins running but not for the lazy . . .
You could get a wii fit - I have one, lot of variety and nothing too strenuous to start with. Ipad and android apps available. youtube routines . . .
How about swimming. Or walking, you will have to do lama speed walking . . . for aerobic action . . .
Exercise bike whilst eating popcorn and watching TV?
The easiest is Qi ong and taichi - designed for lazy octanarians and over, should suit you fine . . .
My god, you really are lazy, we even have to sort out an exercise routine for you . . .
How about a martial art, that will cure the laziness . . . :aol:
:clap:
A) Resolve the power struggle in your mind - who is running the show?
A pragmatic way may be to invest in it - sign up to the gym and a personal trainer - it may force you to change habits.
Look over some weight training forums - lots of people post routines and tips etc plus general nutrition and fitness advice.
You need to burn more fat, and what you really want to do to burn fat is build muscle. Weight training is your friend here.
And think of it this way: If you exercise for 1/2 hour a day, the other 23 1/2 hours of the day will be better. That's a promise. It's not about how you look.... its about how you feel. exercise makes you feel good. Period. That's the truth. Maybe it should be the 5th noble truth...... no, wait a second, that's going too far. But I still stand by my promise. It will make you feel better and you will also have more energy because of it. And congrats on the weight loss.... now use it to feel healthy!
And like Beej said, diet is hugely important, and sugar is the main culprit when it comes to fat.
But people do need to let go of this popular "toning" idea. It's completely misleading. That and "spot exercises". It's all bologna.
Not only is sugar bad, but anythin high on the GI index will increase the fat your body stores. Potatoes, high sugar fruits like bananas and mangoes, anything processed and anything made of processed grain (waffles, pancakes, white bread, pastries, rice, bagels, etc etc) will all contribute greatly to excess fat. 80% of how you look, comes from the kitchen.
I keep hearing that it all starts in your head, so if you don't want to exercise,then it's kinda useless.
I've been trying to get in shape as well. What's been helping me is that I make my routine simple so it's easier to keep it going.
Looking in the mirror helps me too. I look disgusting now. My belly is way too big for my small frame. I looks really weird.
Also, I enjoy eating, but that hasn't been enjoyable lately because I've been getting gas/bloating and heartburn much more easily. Takes some the joy out of eating for me.
Maybe that will be a good start?
Question: how do you get motivated to meditate?
Answer: by meditating.
Simple, huh?
I really enjoy it now - okay I'll rephrase that - sometimes I really enjoy it. This evening I ran 11 miles easy; I enjoyed that. And on Saturday I'm doing my 2nd 20 mile run; I'm training for a marathon in January - my first.
I try to meditate on the run, but unfortunately it's more like a few snatches of mindfulness.
The feeling of stopping is lovely; after I've been running for a few hours - to just stop and 'be present' is sublime. That's the bit I love.
"Do, or do not. There is no try."
In addition, yoga helps increase mindful awareness of bodily sensations. It can be great moving meditation.
Me and you both mate. Like others have said, yes its good to work out, but all that will do nothing if have your fish and chips washed down with a special brew at the weekend. So think of the good fats, the poly unsats, the good low GI foods for your complex carbs, and your protien. I would advise against the high protien low carbdeit, your only end up depleting all your stored sugars and feel like crap. BAlanced is the key word, and vitamins an dminerals, theres no point in eating all the right amounts of carbs, protiens an dfats if theres no vitamins and minerals to turn these into engergy and do repair and biochemistry work in your body. Also recover days, by all means work out hard, but your actaull fitness is mainly gained in the days you rest, thats when all the stuff behind the scenes goes on. Exercise should be kepy vary as well, i know people that can run 15 miles really easy, but cant do 3 press-ups, you know what i mean, most of all be patient, dont be hard on yoursel fif you dont see changes in a month, it will come but takes time , have fun and enjoy it, that way your keep it up.
I started with weight and resistance machine training at my gym 2 years ago and it is one of the best things I ever did. I'm 46 and in better shape than I was 20 years ago. Not only does it help fitness but I feel much more positive and confident too.
With regards motivation my gym is wonderful. They have a policy of discouraging solo workouts and they always have an organised session running, with a trainer and around 5 or 6 members - all included in the membership cost. The trainers help with motivation, the banter makes things more fun. Having a trainer with you helps to avoid injury but also they push you harder than you would tend to push yourself, with better results. Every 8 weeks we get a health check (weighed, measured and given dietary advice to keep us on track).
Being a rather shy person I was initially terrified of this way of working and thought I'd prefer to join the "ipod and thousand-yard-stare, no interaction" style of anonymous chain gym. I was wrong - whilst I felt awkward at first I have made many friends at this gym and actually look forward to going, so motivation does not become an issue.