Topic: Health, Fitness, and working out (Isn't that fitness?)

[Rugal]

Hey there! I haven't posted here in some time now, been busy.

Anyway! I'm curious as to what all of you do to be healthy, and fit each day. Me? I really don't eat healthy at all. I eat way too many carbs each day, and because I'm a cook, I'm always tasting everything. I do lift some weights every night to tone up my arms a bit.

I am looking to eat healthier! I have already cut all types of cola out of my diet, and now drink nothing but water, and Gatorade (Yeah, I know it's full of sugar..)

I used to be a really fat kid when I was young, but then puberty hit, and I dropped all those pounds what seemed like overnight. I am at my appropriate weight, but I do still have a tiny bit of the leftover fat that I'm trying to get rid of.

I know that there's one guy on this forum who is a body builder. I've seen him post pics of himself too which I can't find for some reason. I'm seeking a little advice. Which is the best way to go about getting rid of that fat?

Is it just continues cardio? (Running, walking, etc) and stay away from carbs, or do I have to do something completely different?

Post your fitness stories, and needs!

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I lost 30lbs by cutting Rice out of my daily diet.  Now Rice is a 'sometimes' food, as are other carb items.  It SUUUUUUUCKED since I'm Hispanic and most of our foods involve rice or bread or something like that.

As for exercise, I walk on a daily basis, but I do cardio and weights twice a week, on the weekdays.  I probably would do it on the weekends as well, but I'm usually busy doing other things and don't have the time to trek to the gym.  During the weekdays, the convenience of having a gym near my workplace is much appreciated.

Now I generally just go so I can stay a bit toned, and as maintenance (to prevent weight gain) but I've started to bring back some foods which I used to cut out completely.  Thankfully, now I can have rice and breads a bit more often without falling out of shape.

Well, that's my story!

[Mobius]

Posting health and fitness tips is iffy since one person's tried and true regiment may not yield the same results for another. I have friends who have tried cutting out rice and bread from their diets (or just cut back, as it were) who lost very little weight and then discovered that by limiting their intake of meat and starch they lost considerably more. Others couldn't lose weight through dieting but instead got major results by exercising and didn't have to change their eating habits at all. Still others keep in shape through a combination. And my gorgeous Brazilian lover gets by with 2 trips to the gym a week, a contour ab belt every other day and all the carbs she can eat. So in the end, it really depends on the person. We all have individual metabolisms and very distinctive bodies.

I think the universals we can all agree on are good circulation of blood through healthy cardio (walking, running), keeping our muscles active (lifting, carrying weight on you), and just try to keep limber (stretch, shake out our limbs). Plus keep an eye on how much fatty foods and high carbs we consume, not to mention alcohol, nicotine and other addictive substances. That, getting some regular sleep, and laughing whenever we can I think is what best promotes health in pretty much anybody.

...I've said it before. The only really steady workout I get is sex. And stomach crunches to maintain my firmness. - Up until a few years ago, the old abs ain't as firm as they used to be.

[X]

You could always try 'power walking' since it involves the motion of the entire body as apposed to just regular walking. I've never really been concerned with my weight since I've always had a fast metabolism. No matter what
I put in my belly I never gain a pound over. But I'm 30 now and I don't know when my body'll start to 'slow down' so to speak.

-X

[Abnormal Freak]

I've always been a skinny dude up until a year and a half ago. It was then that I took my love for root beer and turned it into a full-on addiction, trying every kind of brand I could find, and drinking at least two cans or bottles a day. :P In the process, I've been able to keep my teeth nice by brushing after every one, so that's good; but I have a gut now, and that's bad. Gained like thirty pounds. It suuuuuucks.

A few days ago I began exercising and plan on keeping it up every day. Just doing light stuff right now (since I'm severely out of shape): 30 sit-ups, 30 crunches, 15–20 push-ups (maaaaan, my arms are so weak and noodly), 100 jumping jacks, and then doing maybe ten to twenty minutes of weightlifting (haven't really timed it, I just do it till my muscles feel worn out and my heart is pumping like crazy)—just a little 10-pound dumbbell that I alternate between arms and lift in a variety of ways. I really need to get something heavier, and preferably two of them. Oh, and I've been stretching before and after each session, and so far it's prevented my muscles from getting too sore, which is really nice. :D

Hoping to shed these pounds I've gained. Trying to cut back the soda intake, since I realize that's the biggest contributor right there. High-fructoce corn syrup soda, anyway. Stuff with real cane sugar, while I try not to splurge on, I do still drink a bit. The former sweetener seems to contribute far more to obesity than the latter; probably why we Americans are so freagin' fat 'cos it's in all our food.

[X]

speaking of health and since you are a chef Rugal... Have you ever considered a combination of exotic spices to speed up your metabolism? It seems to be an ancient method for obese people to quickly burn the fat off without having to resort to an extensive exercise regiment. 

-X   

[Abnormal Freak]

Though not an exotic spice, I've been eating apple sauce with a helluva lotta cinnamon lately. :) Tastes yummy, and apparently speeds up one's metabolism.

[Gunlord]

When I need to get fit, I usually replace 2 meals a day with Slimfast and work out 2 hours a day. I do a half hour of situpz, a half hour of w8liftan, a half hour of stepups, and another half hour of moar w8liftan, done while watching anime.

[Abnormal Freak]

Fuuuuuuuuuudge, I'm having a hard time just doing 30 sit-ups in a day without using my arms to help thrust me forward. I'll get to a point where I can do more, I'm sure. Probably would require me resting a day or so between workout sessions.

Although I'm lying down in a "long way," if'n y'know what I mean; that is, with my butt further away from my feet. Being more scrunched and having my upper body closer to my lower would make sit-ups a lot easier, and maybe that's the proper way of doing it, I don't know.