Mgoblogger Fitness Survey - What Are You Doing to Stay Fit?

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

Despite the fact that it's pretty close to zero degrees with the wind chill, and on top of snow last night we're expecting another 1/2 foot today and tomorrow, spring is here.   And if spring is here, beach season is just around the corner.   Yesterday a few of the Mgoblogger-razzi made comments that they were just getting back into some form of regular fitness routine.  I also remember some prior posts where some of our brother/sister bloggers were pretty hard-core about their training.  

So today's question is this:  What are you doing (or about to start in the foreseeable future) to get and/or stay in shape?   Cardio work?  If so, what type(s) and how often?  Weights?  Same sub-questions.  Mix and match, maybe.   Might be good if you have any specific diet tips to share. 

Two things this thread is NOT:  a listing of how many lbs you can lift, 4 minute miles you run, etc.   Also, this is not a mental fitness request - there aren't enough terrabites, servers and clouds to store the collective neurosis that is particular to Michigan fans....

Have a great weekend,

XM

EDIT: A number of you have shared some anxiety issues in the context of exercise and I want to compliment all of the responses thereto - very thoughtful all the way around.  

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JayMo4

April 9th, 2016 at 8:46 AM ^

I'm the biggest and best weightlifter here.  No one is better at weights than me.  I got a gym membership free from China because I make the best deals.  I put a sauna in my basement and made Mexico pay for it.

 

Naa but srsly I do some weightlifting, some cardio (that depending on the time of year consists of a lot of basketball.)  I like riding the trails nearby and taking long walks while listening to music or podcasts when weather allows.

Joined: 04/19/2013

MGoPoints: 12070

Wendyk5

April 9th, 2016 at 9:12 AM ^

Anxiety runs in my family, and it struck me a few years ago at 48. Up until then, I just watched others around me deal with it. I got some very mild meds and it helped tremendously. It is definitely physiological and can be managed like diabetes or as Erik in Dayton said, high blood pressure. It's very common. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 68131

Wendyk5

April 9th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^

XM - I don't watch close games. I almost can't tolerate it. Also, my son pitches in high school and I've been banned from his games, more from his own anxiety than mine. But as much as I miss watching him pitch, sometimes the anxiety was too much to bear. So I'm happy to take one for the team and look at the box score. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 68131

xtramelanin

April 9th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^

a few years ago our oldest played in the state championship for girls hoops. as a chauvinist sportsman, if you'd told me a decade or two ago that i'd care about a girls hoops game i would've laughed.  flash forward those years to double OT thriller that i felt like fred sanford, 

Image result for fred sanford images heart attack

she/her team lost that game.  but they won it last year in another thriller.  i count those as the two most exciting sporting events i've ever seen, and i have seen a boatload.

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15439

DonAZ

April 9th, 2016 at 10:08 AM ^

Wendyk5: "Anxiety runs in my family, and it struck me a few years ago at 48"

Ditto the genetics; I'm 56+ and its been getting worse the last five or so years.

Re: sunlight ... I live in Tucson, and bright sunlight makes things much worse for me.  I'm very sensitive to bright sunshine.  Overcast days are better.

Re: OP question - I run 5X times per week.  Not long distances, but it gets me out.  And coming up on 3 years ago I stopped alcohol completely.  That's made a big difference in terms of health.  My BP is down, and my general blood work numbers have improved.

Joined: 12/05/2011

MGoPoints: 16763

Wendyk5

April 9th, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^

That's interesting about sunlight. I am sensitive to bright light, too, although the constant gray of a Chicago winter is worse, and overcast days are actually the worst as they bring on migraines. It's so pervasive in my family that I think every person has it in varying degrees. My father has it the worst, and has been hospitalized several times to get his meds back in order. My issue, on the other hand, is just mildly bothersome in comparison. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 68131

DonAZ

April 9th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^

My issue, on the other hand, is just mildly bothersome in comparison.

Agree.  I count my blessings.  And irritate my wife. :-)

The darkest possible sunglasses help in Arizona.  I tend to cling to the shadows.  I'm like those creatures from the Star Trek (original series) Operation: Annihilate!:

Joined: 12/05/2011

MGoPoints: 16763

Gallagher

April 9th, 2016 at 9:27 AM ^

I've had anxiety/panic attacks for the past few years (mainly in winter). Am currently in a period of it right now. Tried meds and my body didn't react well so I'm now trying to manage it naturally. Still no idea what sets it off or if that's an effect of something else. Vitamin B complex (specifically B6 and B12 vitamins) is great for anxiety/depression. Vitamin D3 is great too. Many people are deficient in it in northern states because of winter and the lack of sun. Magnesium is good too, although I just started to take this. Exercise 4-5 days a week for 30 minutes. Not intense exercise, but moderate. Jogging is great. Walking isn't good enough. Take in sunlight every day. It helps. A cloudy day still has sun. Keep in touch with your social circle. Most importantly, go see your doctor. Therapy is good too, they'll teach you how to manage it.

Joined: 04/09/2014

MGoPoints: 981

HenneGivenSunday

April 9th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^

Thanks for all the support. It's been a pretty tough few days. I've never been one that let things bother me too greatly, so this has come as a pretty big shock to me. I'm very grateful for the kind words and suggestions. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. It's been a wake up call for me to take better care of myself for sure. Thanks again all!



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Joined: 10/24/2011

MGoPoints: 10983

We are back

April 9th, 2016 at 8:45 AM ^

I just try to eat right. I haven't drank pop or ate fast food for about 13 years now, that alone goes along way. It also goes a long way that my wife is a vegetarian who only eats organic, so I'm forced to eat organic, also my 13 year old Nephew started a program called k bands training, I'm not doing any of the bands training with him but I run with him and go on walks and jogs. Today marks the beginning of the 4 week mark for him in the program, he has lost 18 pounds in the month with a goal of losing 10-15 more to get into the healthy portion of the BMI



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Joined: 12/17/2015

MGoPoints: 13419

julesh

April 9th, 2016 at 8:47 AM ^

For anyone in A2, I go here: http://www.livingoutloudllc.com

It's like the perfect combination between personal training and group classes. There's rarely more than 5 or 6 people there at one time, you don't have to show up at any particular start time, but it doesn't cost $50 a session. 

Joined: 11/28/2011

MGoPoints: 21974

LSBlue

April 9th, 2016 at 8:48 AM ^

I only do one thing, mountain biking. Great full body workout. I love making it up to your area once a year XtraMelanin, especially Copper Harbor.

Joined: 10/19/2011

MGoPoints: 3447

ToDefyTheFrizzleFry

April 9th, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^

I run 5 times a week and lift 3 times a week. Weights is a 5x5 program with the lifts being bench, squat, deadlift, overhead press and barbell row. Diet wise I try not to consume any added suger, stay low on sodium, and stay away from processed foods. 

Joined: 08/12/2010

MGoPoints: 1875

Bocheezu

April 9th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^

I plataeued completely at 3 months because I'm not eating enough calories (nor do I want to). I just maintain now and space the five main lifts over 4 days instead of 3 and add a few extra exercises and cardio.  So, an ideal week (which rarely happens) is

Monday -- dead lift, pull ups, decline sit ups, 2 mile run (just started running again)

Tuesday --  squat, bench, russian twists, 20 mins on the elliptical because my legs are dead and I can't run

Wednesday -- off.  This is basically leg soreness day

Thursday -- bent-over row, overhead press, curls, decline sit ups, 2 mile run

Friday -- squat, push ups, russian twists, elliptical

I plan to add maybe a run on Saturday and push ups on Sunday.  Hard to be motivated on the weekend when the weather is crap.

Joined: 02/22/2009

MGoPoints: 2154

turtleboy

April 9th, 2016 at 9:08 AM ^

Rowing at home when I watch sports, and I'm able to do some walking at work. Also I've cut almost all sugar from my diet, and most processed foods, drinking 6-7 glasses of water a day in various forms.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35130