PHat PHighters?

[Phoenix]

lunarscope said:

I'm in.
Currently 92Kg and 1.82M tall and rather saggy so could do with losing about 10Kg. However, currently have BP of 178/128 (4 weeks ago it was 197/128) so have to ask the Doc' if I can start exercising without risk of explosion.
Very keen to get in shape for the Summer though.

Good to see someone quoting figures I can understand It should be quite easy to loose 1kg a week with a few changes to diet and some exercise but you must check with your Doctor first. That's quite a figure for your bp.

I am also aiming for 10kg but would be very happy to loose 8.

[KingRichard]

Buster Bakdorzin said:

We have another 'getting older' thread running.
And yet another weight training thread too.

I fully expect this thread to peter out into nothingness, but it is a thread I almost started a few times over the last year or so, so here goes anyway.

Is anyone else man enough to start, and/or anyone else be keen seriously pursuing, an online challenge as such, in which we get ourselves in shape. I work from home, dont really have time to trek to the gym and back regularly but do have a little time to work out from home.

I dont play any sports, find it hard to motivate myself, and have no local friends who are (currently) into working out.

I flit between buying healthy low fat foods, and then binging. My main problem is sticking power and not being able to motivate myself, by myself, to achieve the changes I want to achieve.

Not sure how to say this without sounding like a gayer, but how about a photo challenge for 6 months to start with. One photo a month (mid section/shoulders) and a thread or perhaps private forum in which we learn from and encourage each other. I could knock up a dedicated website/forum if the consensus was to keep this a private affair.

I dont have a brother or best friend who would drag me down the gym regularly, do find it hard to motivate, imagine we'd benefit being part of a group effort, dont have time to go to the gym (etc) and at this particular moment in time this seems like a good idea.

It did take a bit of balls to post, so keep the thread serious/sensible. What say ye?
Who might be up for it?

please dear God, spare me from the tumbleweed

Should do a facebook group with before and after photo's or somesuch.

We can swap notes and training ideas... Or you could set up a little forum somewhere for it. I dunno :shrug:

Good idea though - I've just started another bid to get fit. Following the Arnold Schwarzenegger Encyclopedia and diet plan, which is considered the absolute gospel for anyone that trains with weights

You'll find if you hit the gym at peak times you'll meet likeminded peeps. When it's busy you're forced to train with other people as the benches are so busy. It's what makes a good gym in my opinion

[Kinky]

To maintain a level of privacy (amongst ourselves), we should be able to setup a private/closed forum here on PH, where we can set who can/can't access it.

K

[KingRichard]

Phoenix said:

If you are monitoring and recording fitness would it be an idea to include blood pressure and resting heart rate.

I find it helps to keep records of all exercise and all food intake and plan meals in advance.

For me the exercise bit is the easy part, my food intake during the day is ok as well but it's my addiction to red wine and cheese that's the problem.

Blood Pressure
Resting Heart Beat
BMI
Waist, Upper Arm, Chest, Thigh and Calf measurements.

All the measurements in the world will be a waist (geddit?) of time unless photo's are provided. That's where we see the difference and will be able to glean the most motivation

Don't have to be a posed photo. If you just want to look slimmer, a picture of you standing fully clothed will do... If you want to build lean muscle and build a beach bod, well, we won't see the difference if you're wearing a puffa jacket in your picture!

[KingRichard]

Mrs Fish]Bloody stand in doctor [angry said:

horrible man. I can't wait for my doctor (woman) to get back from China, I appreciate her even more now. I went in all friendly like, asking him if he was standing in for my doctor etc, he never cracked a smile. I felt on edge as soon as I went in. He didn't ask me what was wrong, just waited silently until I spoke. Didn't really help at all, only advice he offered was that they could do an mri scan or ultrasound, but nhs wouldn't fund it, so would have to go private as it was only for peace of mind. Did a cursory check of movement on the couch, which didn't hurt at all, I told him I was just being cautious and that it was uncomfortable but not enough to take painkillers. I wanted some advice on my running, as to whether I could keep it up or not, he just said that it was likely a sprain, not to run the race this year and to lose some weight [hmm] that's why I wanted to run you moron [angry] Aaarrrrgghh! can't put in to words how stupid he made me feel. Anyway I am still going to train but take it more slowly and see what happens. He didn't even suggest any exercises to do that might help. F****ker, he has made me angry.

Your best bet is to talk to a qualified Personal Trainer about it. That GP sounds like a cock!

[central]

Kinky said:

To maintain a level of privacy (amongst ourselves), we should be able to setup a private/closed forum here on PH, where we can set who can/can't access it.

K

Too late.

My lard factor has already been shared with the group.

[Mrs Fish]

KingRichard said:

Mrs Fish]Bloody stand in doctor [angry said:

horrible man. I can't wait for my doctor (woman) to get back from China, I appreciate her even more now. I went in all friendly like, asking him if he was standing in for my doctor etc, he never cracked a smile. I felt on edge as soon as I went in. He didn't ask me what was wrong, just waited silently until I spoke. Didn't really help at all, only advice he offered was that they could do an mri scan or ultrasound, but nhs wouldn't fund it, so would have to go private as it was only for peace of mind. Did a cursory check of movement on the couch, which didn't hurt at all, I told him I was just being cautious and that it was uncomfortable but not enough to take painkillers. I wanted some advice on my running, as to whether I could keep it up or not, he just said that it was likely a sprain, not to run the race this year and to lose some weight [hmm] that's why I wanted to run you moron [angry] Aaarrrrgghh! can't put in to words how stupid he made me feel. Anyway I am still going to train but take it more slowly and see what happens. He didn't even suggest any exercises to do that might help. F****ker, he has made me angry.

Your best bet is to talk to a qualified Personal Trainer about it. That GP sounds like a cock!

I am going to make an appt with a physio. There is a good sports injury clinic very near by so will try them out

[Rude Girl]

Kinky said:

To maintain a level of privacy (amongst ourselves), we should be able to setup a private/closed forum here on PH, where we can set who can/can't access it.

K

That sounds more appealing...

[KingRichard]

Mrs Fish said:

KingRichard said:

Mrs Fish]Bloody stand in doctor [angry said:

horrible man. I can't wait for my doctor (woman) to get back from China, I appreciate her even more now. I went in all friendly like, asking him if he was standing in for my doctor etc, he never cracked a smile. I felt on edge as soon as I went in. He didn't ask me what was wrong, just waited silently until I spoke. Didn't really help at all, only advice he offered was that they could do an mri scan or ultrasound, but nhs wouldn't fund it, so would have to go private as it was only for peace of mind. Did a cursory check of movement on the couch, which didn't hurt at all, I told him I was just being cautious and that it was uncomfortable but not enough to take painkillers. I wanted some advice on my running, as to whether I could keep it up or not, he just said that it was likely a sprain, not to run the race this year and to lose some weight [hmm] that's why I wanted to run you moron [angry] Aaarrrrgghh! can't put in to words how stupid he made me feel. Anyway I am still going to train but take it more slowly and see what happens. He didn't even suggest any exercises to do that might help. F****ker, he has made me angry.

Your best bet is to talk to a qualified Personal Trainer about it. That GP sounds like a cock!

I am going to make an appt with a physio. There is a good sports injury clinic very near by so will try them out

Cool. In the meantime try swimming, and using the cross trainer or eliptical trainer at the gym (no impact) and they should get your joints moving and help get you fitter.

Ask the physio about weight training as well. It can be beneficial for joint recovery but you'd need to be careful what you do. But some light resistence stuff can do wonders for women Uh huh

[Mrs Fish]

I have been using our cross trainer at home since january, which is why I am surprised my hip is playing up to be honest.

[EmmaP]

GPs aren't specialists (no offence meant as they do a fine job). I saw mine about an injury to my wrist that I sustained four months prior to appointment. She would not refer me to a physio because it is not preventing me from working or my day-to-day life. Also said that X-ray was unnecessary risk (haven't had one for at least four years). See another doctor Lisa. That's what I'm going to do. That's what we pay our taxes for

[EmmaP]

Mrs Fish said:

I have been using our cross trainer at home since january, which is why I am surprised my hip is playing up to be honest.

It could be a combination of factors, not just an isolated cause. Could be result of carrying heavy weight awkwardly (such as child), related to your posture, imbalance in one part of the body (back for example). I'd pay a visit to a physio. Believe me it is worth it. I've been given plenty of advice (lifestyle and exercise) and various exercise regimes by a final year physiotherapy student for the past year and 30 years of problems have almost gone.

[KingRichard]

EmmaP said:

Mrs Fish said:

I have been using our cross trainer at home since january, which is why I am surprised my hip is playing up to be honest.

It could be a combination of factors, not just an isolated cause. Could be result of carrying heavy weight awkwardly (such as child), related to your posture, imbalance in one part of the body (back for example). I'd pay a visit to a physio. Believe me it is worth it. I've been given plenty of advice (lifestyle and exercise) and various exercise regimes by a final year physiotherapy student for the past year and 30 years of problems have almost gone.

Yeah, it might be worth a visit to a chiropractor as well... Didn't you fire out a sprog recently Mrs Fish?

[jep]

I'm in.

Start date: 20th Feb 2008
Wk 1: Starting weight identified (not good at all)
Wk 2: Missed weigh-in due to business commitments
Wk 3: 12lbs lost over 2 weeks
Wk 4: 5lbs lost
Wk 5: 4lbs lost
Wk 6: 0lbs (major blow-out on pub food/alcohol/hotel food kept in check by exercise)
Wk 7: Find out tomorrow at fat fighters!
Total weight loss so far: 21lbs

Key things to remember for me - portion size, portion size, and portion size! When weighing out everyday food items such as pasta, I've realised that what is a standard portion when you cook yourself or go out, is actually a very very large portion according to Fat Fighters. Simply reducing portion sizes has been a revelation.

My diet has changed considerably. My veg consumption has gone through the roof (zero points for most of them!) whilst my meat consumption has, regrettably, decreased. My fish consumption has increased, and whilst my fresh fruit consumption has increased, I've nearly totally cut out dried fruit eg sultana's etc because of the high energy/weight ratios'. Along with meat, my bread consumption has massively decreased too.

I have begun to exercise on a semi-regular basis, and try to do something at least 3/4 times a week, which helps when work takes over and the diet can't be rigorously stuck too. Having lost a stone and a half, I'm feeling better already, but have noticed that I am feeling tired more often. Long working days and spending 6hrs in a car commuting don't help at the moment, and as I don't always eat enough in the day, it perversely means my body stores more of what it takes in for future use and slows weight loss.

Overall however, a very good thing, and here's to losing the next couple of stone!

[Dawn ofa newera]

Well done to you all for giving this a go!

Got a mate at mine at the minute who has lost loads of weight and is now a gym instructor and training to be a nutritionist. She uses a site called Nutracheck to keep her eating in check, its an online food diary with some good resources like a nutritionist and a fitness expert She has said she'll join this site and try to help if anyone has any exercise / food related questions if anyones interested.

If there's already been something similar to this been posted i do apologise but the threads got a lot of messages to read through!!

[Mrs Fish]

EmmaP said:

Mrs Fish said:

I have been using our cross trainer at home since january, which is why I am surprised my hip is playing up to be honest.

It could be a combination of factors, not just an isolated cause. Could be result of carrying heavy weight awkwardly (such as child), related to your posture, imbalance in one part of the body (back for example). I'd pay a visit to a physio. Believe me it is worth it. I've been given plenty of advice (lifestyle and exercise) and various exercise regimes by a final year physiotherapy student for the past year and 30 years of problems have almost gone.

I was thinking the same thing this morning as it is the hip I carry the boys on. I also regularly see a chiropractor because I have a vertebra in my neck and lower back that keep popping out and I always have problems in my right shoulder, so I think it is all connected. I am going to try the physio as the chiropractor hasn't helped much this year, I have been 4 times and still having problems. Time to try something new I think

[EmmaP]

I've found deep tissue sports massage extremely beneficial. My problem is musculo skeletal ('scuse poor spellin'). Osteopath never really helped - back or bank balance Timoni (?) chiropractors are supposed to be very good.

Edited by EmmaP on Tuesday 8th April 16:58

[mechsympathy]

EmmaP said:

Timoni

McTimoney

[Plotloss]

Timothy McTimoney.

The famous Galway based Chiropractor.

[Ranger 6]

Kinky said:

To maintain a level of privacy (amongst ourselves), we should be able to setup a private/closed forum here on PH, where we can set who can/can't access it.

K

Don't do gyms - K there's miles of tracks on the common/great park - have you got a bike? Sunday morning hoon?

My target is to lose 2 stone.