Kayak Angling Fitness 2012/13

 I have been going to the gym for weight training since mid November, twice a week and now up to 3 times a week doing routines from the New Rules of Lifting book. The payoff: I went skiing on the weekend and was able to do the black diamond runs for 2 days in a row which hasn't happened for a long time. Sure feels good.
T2

That sounds pretty awesome tsquared!

Along with thinking of all the goodies and gadgets I want and need for my new kayak...I also thought of how I can be more prepared physically if a problem were to arise. The first thing I assessed was my fitness...Or lack of fitness haha. I realize I need to be ready if I find myself taking a plunge into the murky depths!
So I decided to start a work out/diet plan last week.

I did a little research and found a 10 minute circuit/30 min cardio routine that suited my needs.
I coupled that with a strict diet change.
I'm not eating carbs, sugars or dairy.
No liquid calories. Just water.
No beer! sad day for me. I love beer...but I don't love beer belly.

The diet part is easy so far. I find myself not wanting those foods because I'm seeing results so quickly! I started last Monday and have lost 6 pounds. This is the first time I have felt like I'm going to stick with the program. I can't wait to see where I'm at in a month or two!

A friend of mine on Facebook posted a quote: "To reach the impossible, first start with what IS possible." Sounds kind of cheesy but it's true! Obviously you aren't going to reach your goals over night. You're going to have to put in work to get that body you always talk about having in your high school/college days. Baby steps is key!

I know it's only been a week but I'm pumped! I hope someone else finds this to be encouraging and starts working toward their fitness goals.

-Chris

Good for you Chris--you'll have a great season on the water if you keep that up.
T2

Since starting this thread, I've given it a load of neglect.  Good to see you all using it, though; many congrats to all of you making progress. I've been climbing and biking and occasionally getting on the water. Staving off any weight gain, but falling short of any goal-oriented mileage. Life gets in the way with that, I suppose.

I've been clamping down on the dietary side of things, and, really, have never felt better. It's been stated that I'm into the juicing - that has been ramped up. A morning juice of kale, red cabbage, carrots, chard, apples, and various citrus comprise the pre-lunch intake. Yeah, it sounds filthy, but it keeps one full, and provides a load of energy and micro-nutrients. Solid food stuffs are largely based on items made from real ingredients. If there are preservatives or unpronounceable items on the ingredient list, I avoid it. Making one's own tortillas and bread cuts out the grain-side of the issue, and really doesn't take much time. Well, it doesn't take much time after the initial learning curve. For protein, I stick to fish and breast of bird; mammals are a no go. Soy has been eliminated. 

A mindful approach to caloric input/output has also added to my general well being. I don't obsess and use an app, but read energy content labeling with passion.  Barring booze, I can easily hover under 1900 calories and feel energized and satiated with regard to hunger. Daddy loves his wine, though. That ain't going anywhere.

My employer has also provided us with pedometers, and we are to use them with rigor. An average sized man can walk 5 miles over the course of 10,000 steps, and that has been my daily goal. Walking to the train stop and grocery/wine store easily gets me above 8000. They say 10,000 is the number to achieve if you want to lose/maintain weight, and it does certainly seem true. Pedometers are cheap (PDX city officials were giving them away) and provide good biofeedback. Highly recommended.

Too long; didn't read: sorry to neglect, been active, add some walking, don't eat filthy junk food.

My winter fitness regimen has three elements: skiing, swimming and Pilates.  I do one of those three every day. The best for me is XC skiing, whether freestyle or classical.  Most days, I'll ski from 4-8 miles with my dog running alongside. When the snow conditions deteriorate because of rising temperatures or lack of fresh snow, I swim laps for an hour at the local high school. And if the time I've got to exercise doesn't fit with the pool's schedule, I go to a Pilates class and work on the core.

My goal is to log at least 55 outings of 5 miles or more on skis for the season.  As of yesterday, I'm at 38 with at least 2 months to go. No problem!  I'll be ready to pedal miles and miles when the time comes...

Now that my back is healed and not bothering me, I started in with Crossfit here in Olympia.  After researching costs for a gym, the Y, and alternatives, I made the decision on 1/22.

Since then I have lost 4lbs and 1.5" on my waist while getting through foundations and just feel stronger overall.

Congrats, Oly; good to see you back at it.  Crossfit will do wonders for you.  Best of luck, man.

AJ

My goal has been to drop 20lbs and get back the strength and endurance I've lost over the 5 years or so.  Biking, running and lifting and eating better had started working great for the strength and endurance portion, but the weight has been more difficult.  That is until last month when suddenly developed stomach issues and lost my appetite (and other stuff)...turns out I had mysteriously acquired Giardia.

I'm cured now and I've lost most of the weight, but all the endurance is gone.  Even though I lost the weight, I don't recommend the Giardia diet. 

My goal has been to drop 20lbs and get back the strength and endurance I've lost over the 5 years or so.  Biking, running and lifting and eating better had started working great for the strength and endurance portion, but the weight has been more difficult.  That is until last month when suddenly developed stomach issues and lost my appetite (and other stuff)...turns out I had mysteriously acquired Giardia.

I'm cured now and I've lost most of the weight, but all the endurance is gone.  Even though I lost the weight, I don't recommend the Giardia diet. 

The mononucleosis dies is not recommended either.  When I was turning 18 I got that (hadn't even been kissing anyone, unfortunately).  Dropped from 160lbs to 135. 

Granted right now, though, my goal is to get back down to 180 (currently 205-210 give or take).

I'm gonna let you guys in on a little discovery I made.   

Costco, Foster Farms, Boneless, Skinless, Buffalo Chicken Breasts.  Grab a pack, about $25 for 12 breasts.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes

Chop it up, put it over spinach and add some orange slices and your favorite low calorie vinaigrette.


Filling, TASTY AS HELL, and under 350 calories.  Mine are generally around 350 calories because I use the spray on dressing.  I weigh out the meet on a scale so I know exactly how much I'm getting.

Haha^^ I was just thinking how I wished I had a chicken and spinach salad to eat. I ate three eggs and a pear instead. It would have been nice to have some fish for dinner but the tide was ripping so fast I couldn't stay in one place long enough to get anything to bite.

after all these meds.......

- i dont feel much like eating a lot- hope this helps me get back below 240 and continues southward
- don't have a lot of motivation
- i have dry mouth that would make the shamals of the Gobi envious
- might possibly have to learn to walk unaided again
- definitely will need to work on overall abdominal strength
- absolutely will have to change the diet to add more greens and fibre.
- have started a probiotic to help keep me normal

have found another meaning for fitness; working to prevent further degeneration of a compromised lumbar support system.

Got back after over a week of taking it easy.
I kicked my ass trying to learn to snowboard. Being injured sucks .... probably should just stick to water sports. Ice is too damn hard!

Nursing an injury is not one of my strong suits....

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Speaking of injuries, I picked back up going to the gym consistantly for the first time since my back surgery 3 years ago. Hurts like hell during my workout, but I feel so much better after I work out.
For me, it's been gym 5 times a week.

Mon, Wed, Fri:
30 min cardio on treadmill or elliptical, followed by 10 minutes in the sauna, 25 minutes swimming laps, 10 minutes in the hot tub.

Tues, Thur:
30 min on weighs, 10 min sauna, 10 min swimming laps, 10 min hot tub.

I'm determined to get back in shape to my pre-surgery condition.

Eating right is the challenge, but my wife is a big juicer so she's been pumping me full of cale, spinach, apple, carrot, and banana shakes.