Witness the Fitness Prop

So, after a little discussion in IRC, it came up that 3 of us feel we need to get healthier, and more motivated. We decided we were all lacking on motivation and accountability, so figured a cardio prop-bet would help with both.

We've roughed out the rules, and will be tracking out progress here.

Rules
(1) Participants: Stacks, BooG, Kiwi

(2) 12 Week Commitment
[At least to start, will re-evaluate after 12 weeks]

(3) 5 days of cardio per week
[Week starts on Monday of respective Time-zone, ends Sunday]

(4) 30 minutes of cardio the 1st week
[Time will increase by 5 minutes every 2 weeks, thereby at the end of the 12 weeks, minimum daily cardio is 1hr.]

(5) Cardio Sessions must be 20 minutes minimum
[Thus cannot split up cardio sessions until minimum daily is at least 40 minutes. Then can split into two sessions if you so choose]

(6) $20 per missed day will be split and shipped to the other individuals at the end of the week
[Example: Miss 3 days, you owe $60, that needs to be split among the other 2 participants at the end of the week]

(7) $X/day will be evaluated at the end of 6 weeks, possibly staying the same or increasing.

(8) Each participant must at minimum update the blog at the end of the week with their weeks progress.

(9) A participant may buyout at any time for $5 per remaining day of 12 week period.

Fwiw, the "definition" of cardio has been discussed, and we have decided since not everyone is at the same starting point and interested in doing the same type of cardio, the underlying principle is to not cheat yourself, and to push yourself each session.

We will be taking each others words on the progress, and I feel that's easily okay with this group of guys. Any kind of progress update is fine, as well as any posts from others with ideas/tips/nudes/etc is welcome.

Good Luck Guys.

[x] Pumped.

[X] Just realized each excuse costs me $20.


[X] But also pumped!

*cheers*
this should be a fun thread.
I vote for pics. Not before and after or nudes - pics of you guys huffin' on the stair-stepper!
I think the prop deal is fantastic, good that you guys trust each other enough to do it.
Good luck to each of you.

This is pretty awesome. I'd suggest adding something about sickness in there because cardio when you're sick is almost impossible.

before and after pics imo!

If any of you are looking for some nutrition advice or some help with supplementation or just have any fitness questions, hit me up on MSN/AIM, I'll be happy to help. I'm not a big fan of cardio only exercise for weight loss but there are some things that can be done to speed things up or that can be changed around to make it a more muscle friendly exercise. For starters, look at the differences between HIIT and LISS types of cardio. I do think it's better to do interval type cardio as opposed to steady state types to preserve muscle and metabolism if your not training for actual cardio specific events.

HIIT (High intensity interval training) is definitely the way to go unless you want to run marathons as jyms said.

I don't intend to just do cardio. I'm well out of shape, and it has been just going downhill since HS graduation almost 4 years ago, so I'm hoping this thing sparks an entire lifestyle change towards being healthier. The cardio is just simply what I hate to do the most, and what would be easiest to propbet on.

For me, it will start tomorrow [Monday], and I'm gonna go look for an iphone armband so I can jog while listening to some tunes. BooG linked me to this HIIT program called "Couch to 5k", which is a 3 day per week [I'll change it up a bit to meet propbet rules] for 9 weeks program. I was able to find a pretty kickass iPhone app tied to this, whereby the app will count down the walking/jogging timeframes for you (while still allowing you to play music in the background). So I think that is going to be the first thing I give a try.

I also intend to start lifting weights, and eating healthier. Right now I only have classes 2 days per week, so 5 days out of the week I pretty much have totally free. There should be no excuse for not spending at least an hour or so each day getting in shape.

I love all the support already.

I hustled myself into this prop somehow. I'm doing pretty well with the cardio but this is a good reason to not allow myself to take a day off just because I'm lazy. I've read about HIIT and such since Stax introduced the idea. I'll probably work that into my schedule and such.

By the end of the twelve weeks, I hope to have a good enough time to run a 5K and not be embarrassed doing so. My schedule should look something like this:

Monday & Wednesday - Workout at School
Tuesday & Thursday - Workout with personal trainer - I'd like to get a 30 minute jog in before this to be honest
Friday - This is the day I usually get lazy and don't do any cardio. Having it cost me $20 per week would suck. So instead of staying home all day, I'll go out and enjoy the day (since the weather is getting really nice in New York). Thank you prop bet.

Stax forgot to include this tidbit. We do not discriminate against people in the future. What that means is that Kiwi is not required to do his cardio around Eastern Time. The "day" falls on our respective time zones. It's currently like 7am for Kiwi on MONDAY. Therefore, the prop bet has already began for him. We should expect an update from him about his first day... or $20. Hopefully it started off well.

Anywho, that's my update. Good luck contestants. May nobody pay up the $20.

Originally Posted by BooG690

Stax forgot to include this tidbit. We do not discriminate against people in the future. What that means is that Kiwi is not required to do his cardio around Eastern Time.

Originally Posted by Stacks

(3) 5 days of cardio per week
[Week starts on Monday of respective Time-zone, ends Sunday]

Forgot to include it my ass.

Just talked to Jyms on AIM about a few things, regarding nutrition/weight lifting. Right now this is what I'm looking at as far as plan/schedule. Will change in the future if it so needs, or I see it isn't working like I want it to.

Nutrition
Main thing is to reduce the intake of carbs, while increasing my protein. In the past I've been prone to eating a fair amount of sandwiches just because they are quick/easy to make. Since bread is not so great, I guess I'll have to get around to cooking. Plan on packing more meals full of chicken breast/fish[salmon/tuna] cooked on my George Foreman, as well as basic veggies [broccoli, cauliflower, etc]. This really shouldn't be too hard, as I'm not the type that likes to eat sweets, and always prefer a solid meal over junk food.

Plan is 3-5 meals per day. I plan on throwing in some whey protein shakes into the mix.

The only real foreseeable problem with this is my Tuesday/Thursday class schedule. On those days I'm up at 5am, out the door by 6, driving 1.5 hours to class that starts at 8, and in classes without a break till 2:30 in the afternoon. So in the past those days have been rough for when starting a diet, as I just haven't had time to eat, and would just hit up a fast food joint afterwards. Breakfast and dinner should be no prob on these days, and I intend to start packing something I can eat maybe during the 15 min break to change classes, as well taking a protein shake or two.

Weight Lifting
3 days per week. The routine Jyms was describing was more of a circuit training routine than anything that I should be able to easily do on my home weight bench. The plan is to work out for 45 mins or so, with minimal 1 minute rests, doing 5 sets of 12/10/8/6/12 reps for each muscle group. Muscle groups being broken down to upper/lower/upper one week, followed by lower/upper/lower the next week, and so on.

There is a small debate going on whether this circuit training can be considered cardio and thus count towards the prop-bet, or not, as it will obviously get the heartrate up, burn calories, and keep your metabolism up for hours to come. I'm okay with it counting or not. Ideally I hope I'm motivated enough to do this 3 days per week, and on top of that do the 5 days of cardio outlined in the propbet, whether they count towards cardio or not.

Cardio
Was addressed in earlier post, as a form of HIIT.

Anyways, feeling pretty motivated just to become more active and better my lifestyle. Surely if this all goes right, only good things to come.

This is rigged. Letting BooG, who's been on a weightlifting/health kick since like October get in on this and then not letting me prop cuz I was a Marine is bull crap.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOPE YOU ALL LOSE!!!!

True.. You are a massive quitter. But we didn't let you in because we don't like you.

I revoke my previous statement. I hope only Stax loses.

I'll do before/after pics if Stax agrees to doing them as well...moobs and all.

I may upload a before and after pic, after I get motivated and know I can do this.

Originally Posted by dranger7070

This is rigged. Letting BooG, who's been on a weightlifting/health kick since like October get in on this and then not letting me prop cuz I was a Marine is bull crap.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOPE YOU ALL LOSE!!!!

They knew you didn't have the DOLLAS to compete

Awesome to see the support, guys!

I have pretty much always been a skinny white boy (you know how with nerds it can go two ways, the glasses ones or the fat ones? I'm just missing the glasses), but that by no means is a result of good health or regular exercise. About four years ago, when I was sixteen, I started doing karate, and that's definitely the time that I was most in shape in my life. When I was eighteen, I went to Germany for a year and kinda let the karate go.
However one my three host families was quite into running. Each year the father would run a supermarathon (72km or 45 miles) and my hostbrother a normal marathon. They asked if I wanted to do a half marathon, and being too shy/polite to refuse, I accepted, and started training and completed the half-marathon in just under two hours, which I was really happy with, and discovered that I really enjoyed running. Shortly after that I took part in a ten-man 172km relay, which I also really enjoyed. However without something to train for on the horizon, my motivation pretty much disappeared, and I'm kinda disappointed in myself to realise that it's now been two years since I was running in any kind of committed way.

Since moving out of home at the beginning of this year, my diet's become even worse, and what little exercise I got cycling to and from uni has also been removed, since I live so much closer. As my super-dooper teenage-boy metabolism abandons me, I'm slowly but surely starting to put on weight.

So I'm hoping that this prop bet motivates me to get back into something that I know I enjoy, and I know that I feel much better about everything in general when doing regular exercise. I'm also thinking about getting back into karate, as that's something I really miss.

As the least affluent (or in boog's kind words, the most busto) of the three, I actually can't really afford to miss a day, so I'm in the happy position of having no choice but to follow through with this. DC does raise a good point about sickness, though, as it's coming into winter here and that shit spreads like wildfire amongst uni students. Perhaps something we should discuss, guys?

So, yes, today's my first day, I plan on going running shortly before the sun goes down as it's then not too warm (I'm sure daven will laugh at high temperature being a factor, if he reads this), and the lighting is the coolest.

HUSTLAAAAA!! =(

So basically, I'm easily starting in last place. Kiwi, is a skinny white kid that has ran in a few marathons previously. BooG is a terrorist that has already begun training for jihad via regular sessions with a personal trainer. And then there is me... A fat white kid (haz da glasses), that hasn't really ran since senior year of HS about 4 years ago. So..... I have my work cut out for me.

That should make you the most motivated then. Being the underdog always gets me going more than when I think its in the bag. You have the most to gain (lose ) in this case, so get your ass in gear.

Dranger. Side bet that stax looks sexiest in his after picture after this prop?

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

The only real foreseeable problem with this is my Tuesday/Thursday class schedule. On those days I'm up at 5am, out the door by 6, driving 1.5 hours to class that starts at 8, and in classes without a break till 2:30 in the afternoon.

That's rough dude. Traffic? Or just damn far? .... both?

It's prob 60-70 miles away I estimate. The time fluctuates. Sometimes I leave as early as 6am, and get there at 7:15, then 10 min walk to class. Sometimes I don't leave till 6:30 and barely make class. But it's def not longer than a 1 hour drive, and traffic/parking sure seems like it picks up if I leave at 6:30 rather than 6am.

It's definitely not as enjoyable as past semesters when I lived in an apartment 5 mins away. But that wasn't rent-free either, so....

Just went and picked up about $100 in groceries. Grabbed some whey protein powder (chocolate), chicken breasts, salmon, tuna, tilapia (cheap shit), broccoli, cauliflower, apples, salad stuff, crystal light, eggs, and some more stuff. Looking forward to tomorrow. Thing I'm least excited about is all the effing cooking. I HATE COOKING!

Also, couldn't find a solid iphone armband at walmart (only place open). I think I'll give the AT&T store a try tomorrow maybe.

[x] 36 minute run. I feel like shit, and also fantastic. It's great to be alive.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

Just went and picked up about $100 in groceries. Grabbed some whey protein powder (chocolate), chicken breasts, salmon, tuna, tilapia (cheap shit), broccoli, cauliflower, apples, salad stuff, crystal light, eggs, and some more stuff. Looking forward to tomorrow. Thing I'm least excited about is all the effing cooking. I HATE COOKING!

Also, couldn't find a solid iphone armband at walmart (only place open). I think I'll give the AT&T store a try tomorrow maybe.

Fuck this shit. Get on water ASAP imo. You may hate it in the beginning but force yourself to like it. Put that cancer powder away please.

Good luck you guys, defiantly before and after Pics

Originally Posted by kiwiMark

[x] 36 minute run. I feel like shit, and also fantastic. It's great to be alive.

Hahaha, this is exactly how I feel after any sort of strenuous exercise where I actually worked hard. I get all shaky feeling and want to puke or something but at the same time I feel incredible.

good luck people. and good idea for a prop bet too. i honestly doubt any $$ will change hands due to this bet.

where can i bet against stax?

Ummm.. I don't think crystal light is that bad, but could be wrong. I'll def be drinking a shitload of water, but meh, it gets quite boring.

Either way it's 8:30, and I just got up at 8:00am. Time for Breakfast, then gonna wait a little while before doing the circuit training, then Protein powder.

What the hell else is good to eat for breakfast besides eggs (hard boiled)?

Originally Posted by Bbickes

where can i bet against stax?

=(... And to think I was not willing to bet against your SNE chase.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

What the hell else is good to eat for breakfast besides eggs (hard boiled)?

Oatmeal with fruit in it (blueberries, bananas).
Cereals w/o corn syrup, usually from the organic section at your grocery store.
Cottage cheese (YUCK)
Fruit Salads

Throwing fruit in anything makes it bearable, even if it is really bland.

I like to eat oatmeal, bagel or english muffin, even though the 2nd two aren't that great because I burn a shit ton of calories and need the extra carbs in the morning to get me going.

Just watch your cereals for corn syrup, about 95% of cereals have corn syrup (basically any cereal that has any strong sugary taste). Corn syrup is an enemy.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

=(... And to think I was not willing to bet against your SNE chase.

extra motivation always halps sir.

I just did the cabbage diet. Cardio wasn't doing much for me weight-wise. I was getting healthier, but only losing about 3 pounds/month going 4 times/week. Out of my 4 sessions I would do 1 lifting session (hit the 8 major muscle groups), 1 5k run, 1 alternating running and lifting, then 1 alternating treadmill eliptical and bike.
The cabbage diet sux like no other, but I'll tell you what - dropped 10 lbs in 11 days EZ, no exercise. Then I blended off of that into a hybrid cabbage diet/atkins. It has really changed my tastes and hunger cravings. In total I've gone from 246 to 211 over several months. My goal is to get under 200, I should reach it by the summer.
Of all that, the one thing I'd like to share with you guys healthwise is to pick some food that's really good for you to eat, and stop thinking traditionally about them. For breakfast I often now just eat one thing. I'll cook up a plate of eggs (nothing else), or cut up 2 kiwis, or a bowl of strawberries or a cucumber. Yeah at first it's wierd to think "I'm going to eat a whole cucumber with nothing else with it?" But you know what? I like 'em and they're healthy and all that other crap I'd normally eat was making me 246, so I'll give it a whirl.

Day one is in the books for me. I had to extend my jog a little bit to get the full thirty minutes in...but I did it.

Five days per week for twelve weeks is going to be interesting. It's also gonna get ugly when the time is extended to an hour per day. I'm sure there won't be a lot of money transferring hands during the first four weeks. The last eight weeks is where it's going to get ugly.

This prop should be good because it'll force me to jog for longer periods of time as the weeks go by. It would be nice to be able to run continuously for three miles. I'd really like to participate in a 5K and I'll make that a goal by the end of the twelve weeks.

Cliffs: Prepare to donate to some charity in twelve weeks when I run my 5K.

Well Shit! Today was a good day. Wasn't as good as I hoped, but there is no disappointment here.

Today
Woke up at 8am (big improvement over 11am)

Breakfast - 4 hard boiled eggs

Protein Shake with water

Lunch - 2 Salmon Fillets + Steamed Broccoli/Cauliflower/Carrots

Weightlifting Circuit - 12/10/8/6/12 on Bench, Pulldown bar, & curls
Forgot about bent over rows. Will put them in Friday. Note: I'm amazed at how much weaker I am than last time I worked out. Hopefully the strength will come back soon.

Protein Shake with milk [mmmm way better than water]
I remembered what I used to do in HS with my protein shakes. I used to put milk/ice/protein power in the 'magic bullet' (blender, not mom's dildo), and make a smoothie type thing. Gonna give that a try soon.

Cardio - This was the only thing I didn't do as well as I had hoped really. The minimum time constraint is 30 minutes. Well I exceeded that, and put in 45 mins of cardio. However, my intention was to split 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking. But after about the 2nd interval of jogging, my calves & shins were throbbing, and my knees also weren't loving the weight I was bringing down. So I decided I would put in a few extra minutes, and walk (pretty briskly) the rest of the time. Obviously, getting my legs in better shape, and losing a few pounds, is something I intend to work on so jogging doesn't come as painful, but I hope the extra time spent can show that I did have the intention to push myself.

Dinner - 1 Salmon Fillet, 1 Tilapia Fillet, more broccoli/Cauliflower/Carrots + bowl of mixed grapes, apple slices, and celery.

So that's my day for today. Hope it's up to par, and I intend to improve on it in the following weeks. I'm pretty fucking stoked. My chest is sore, my legs are burning, and I'm still sweating from my walk, but I feel as if this time I can do it. We will see.

Also to add, I put in around 3.5k hands at 100nl. This is a huge improvement in volume over the past 3-4 months. SO hopefully that continues as well.

Also want to put this in there because this guy is the shit, and he's pretty fucking motivating (imo): YouTube - Shane Koyczan 's Grandma 's Got it Going On

And lastly, Dranger put this up in irc, possibly as a joke (idk), but maybe it's just me, but water strangely came from my eye. YouTube - Nick Vujicic

Note: [22:21] <@Stacks> damn celery is the gay

"Still sweating from my walk"

No more sharing imo. Kthx.

32 minutes, went for a much easier but faster paced run than yesterday. Also got rained on. Feels much easier than yesterday, which is nice, although could also be because of the run in question. Feels good, man.

i like the sound of what you're doing. Some suggestions

1) have some sort of 'sick' clause, doubt any of you would abuse it
2)

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

at the end of the 12 weeks, minimum daily cardio is 1hr.

1hr/day is a lot. Especially on stax' tuesday/thursdays and in the short days dunedin will be facing once june rolls around. Maybe cap it at 45 minutes or something?
3) stretch, warm-up, warm-down, etc. Be nice to your joints.

enjoy getting fitter, and i hope that none of you make much money out of this!

Originally Posted by kiwiMark

32 minutes, went for a much easier but faster paced run than yesterday. Also got rained on. Feels much easier than yesterday, which is nice, although could also be because of the run in question. Feels good, man.

I have always felt that running in the rain is much easier because it keeps you cool.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

after about the 2nd interval of jogging, my calves & shins were throbbing, and my knees also weren't loving the weight I was bringing down. So I decided I would put in a few extra minutes, and walk (pretty briskly) the rest of the time. Obviously, getting my legs in better shape, and losing a few pounds, is something I intend to work on so jogging doesn't come as painful,

dude, seriously consider getting on a bike and grinding it out until running doesn't hurt. 30mins of high intensity on a bike is great for cardio. Also, pm jyms (he seems to know everything about training!) and see what he thinks re your legs and training plans. kk

Yea Stax, don't try and do the intervals (Sprints) after doing weights. You've pretty much used up most of your liver's stored glycogen (sugar) and have no fuel for those sprints. You will be running on ATP which is basically a 20 second fuel source that is used for bursts like weight lifting and it takes time to replenish those sources. Do the intervals on days you don't do wights and on weight training days do the long slow jogs or bike rides. The big thing about those long slow cardio sessions is your already out of glycogen so there is no time needed to get into the "fat burning zone". Your burning fat the moment you get on the treadmill or bike after weights. It's also the reason you should do cardio after weights.

<3 jyms

Taking my day off today, wheeeeee

Tried a morning run today. Well, an 11am run. Will probably stick to afternoon/evening runs, but we'll see, maybe I'll spend the rest of the day alive with energy, rather than feeling like death...

Day 2 of this week is in the books. I took Tuesday off, as it was supposed to be the day I go to classes. But I.... uhhh... Skipped classes. Ate really good yesterday.

Today, I ate somewhat decently I suppose; however, I did eat 2 hotdogs for dinner, as my family wanted to go out and do a little bonfire deal. Put in another 35ish minutes of cardio, but definitely didn't enjoy it like I did Monday.

I'm looking into borrowing a stationary bike from my uncle. If he is using it, then I might look into purchasing one. I really think that the lower impact on my knees/feet would be pretty beneficial to pushing myself further. The past 2 cardios, it was more pain in my legs than breathing that was difficult.

Also decided it was about time I got back into studying poker again. So I read about 20 pages of BalugaWhale's Easy Game Book 1, and took some notes. Decided to play 6m for a bit, and will try to finish that book over the weeks to come.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

Also decided it was about time I got back into studying poker again. So I read about 20 pages of BalugaWhale's Easy Game Book 1, and took some notes. Decided to play 6m for a bit, and will try to finish that book over the weeks to come.

No poker in fitness thread! Kthx.

As for my update, my personal trainer kicked my ass last night by mixing in heavy weights. It's the first time in forever I've done heavy weights. My body was sore like crazy all of today and I had a headache due to lack of sleep. Long story short, day three will be postponed until tomorrow.

This means I will have to squeeze cardio in on Saturday or Sunday before/after work. Bleh.

Bit of a late update.

So Thursday I actually went to classes, and because of this, I decided thursday was my cheat day for the week. I was too tired/lazy to pack a lunch or protein shakes for the day. So my eating schedule was all messed up.

For day 3 (Friday), I wasn't feeling all that great for most of the day (stomach pains). However, after taking a nap, I got up and did my cardio at about the last possible time for the day (11pm at night).

Day 3 done. Not looking forward to this weekend without a bike yet, but I'll manage.

And it only gets worse...






















<3

So I finished Day three on Thursday with my personal trainer. I was tired as shit Friday and crazy sore. Also, I felt my metabolism was pretty high on Friday being that I wanted to eat everything (I restrained myself!). Anywho, I chose against running Friday to run today and tomorrow. One, I was super tired. Two, I figure by running Saturday and Sunday, I can keep my metabolism high on the weekend as it begins to drop (especially since I drank a bit last night).

Anywho, I will be going on my run now. Tomorrow is ldfo a must or I owe $20. Later.

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

So Thursday I actually went to classes, and because of this, I decided thursday was my cheat day for the week. I was too tired/lazy to pack a lunch or protein shakes for the day. So my eating schedule was all messed up.

Hey dude. I suggest you don't have cheat days in such an early stage of your "trying to eat healthy" thang. It simply makes it easier to fall off the wagon and begin eating like shit again. Maybe go a month or so eating healthily and then begin cheat days. Also, cheat days don't mean you can eat ice cream, tacos, and crap. Cheat days simply means you can increase your caloric intake. Try not to go crazy with it!

It wasn't really an intentional cheat day. I was just in classes from 8am to nearly 3pm without a break, so I didn't eat during that time, and when I got out I was pretty hungry and had another 1.5 hour drive.

I got off my lazy ass to run today due to this prop bet. Today was actually one of the best runs I've ever had.

Grats BooG.

Cardio 4 is complete for me. Once again I put it off till late, which is definitely not optimal. Will try to correct that.

Good news is my uncle has a stationary bike that is just taking up space in his house. So Monday I'll be picking that up, and using that for cardio a bit. Looking forward to it.

Owww my legs. Alright that's me for the week, can't remember if I updated for yesterday or not, but both yesterday and today were exactly 30 minute days, just couldn't handle it after that, too much beer and whatnot over the last few days!

More beer/women/etc less cardio imo.

BURGER KINGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

Dranger

I love Burger King. Tis my favoritest fast food place (actually, the only fast food place I actually like besides Subway). However, eating it would be so disappointed, so meh, I'll pass.

Anywho, today would make day 5. I'm so damn tired. My entire body is sore and running would indeed suck. But meh, I gotsta do it.

I'm gonna go drink some tea then return upstairs to watch this video:

Training Videoaments

If this doesn't get me in the mood, nothing will.

LOL @ me bitching about some 30 minute run. Rocky climbed a damn mountain and didn't bitch.

LET'S DO IT.

Consider Day 5 in the books imo.

YouTube - You need a montage !! Team America World Police

imo

This HAD to be the fourth Wise Men gift to Baby Jesus.

*drools*

So I ran downhill too steeply and too quickly in the weekend, essentially destroying my legs. For that reason I decided to follow the advice in this thread and do today's cardio on my bike. 'Cause I quite often bike casually from Point A to Point B, I foolishly thought I'd have a hard time pushing myself on the bike compared to running- Having just gotten back from a bike ride with a bunch of hill action incorporated I can hardly express how wrong I was- I'm knackered!

Week 1 for me is now complete. 5 days of cardio at least 30 minutes or more. Plus I made a conscious effort to get outside and do some work in the backyard more often than usual. Good week. I'm really looking forward to the bike tomorrow. My knees aren't loving the jogging.

Originally Posted by kiwiMark

So I ran downhill too steeply and too quickly in the weekend, essentially destroying my legs. For that reason I decided to follow the advice in this thread and do today's cardio on my bike. 'Cause I quite often bike casually from Point A to Point B, I foolishly thought I'd have a hard time pushing myself on the bike compared to running- Having just gotten back from a bike ride with a bunch of hill action incorporated I can hardly express how wrong I was- I'm knackered!

dude - ride NEV-Norwood Rd up to corner upper junction with Mt Cargill, down to the harbour, then back to town. My girlfriend and i somehow incorporated that into our relaxed saturday... The road down to the harbour is rad, except for traffic fear - spent the whole way down between 40 and 60 clicks and feathering my brakes

Stax if you owe more than 2 days worth of missing unless you break your leg or some shit, I'm driving/flying to Tennessee and kicking you in the nuts and hooking up an IV to your arm with Baconator grease so you have no choice but to be a fat ass fo lifes

lol? Do you have a sidebet going or some shit?

LOL

I can never decipher Dranger. Either he's high and spew-typing, he has a side-bet, or he genuinely cares about you missing days.

Originally Posted by BooG690

LOL

I can never decipher Dranger. Either he's high and spew-typing, he has a side-bet, or he genuinely cares about you missing days.

lol <3 BooG

It's option C obviously. I actually do want you to succeed, hence the threat of a Baconator grease IV drip.

Edit: For once I'm not high, or spewtyping and no sidebet.

Week 2, Day 1... Complete

Spent 30 mins on the stationary bike. Much different than the memories of riding a bike as a kid.. It kinda kicked my ass, but definitely more enjoyable than jogging right now.

Took my first day "off" this week, so that I could go to karate...first class after more than two years feels pretty good! People there even remember me, so that's cool.

Zomg kiwi is popular wif da karate crowd.

What is the point of a stationary bike? You can ride a rel bike and go places! And they're cheaper!!!

Hardly gets much cheaper than free.

This prop bet is good. I know that boog would've missed tonight if Stax hadn't given him an e-ass-kicking and convinced him to go quite late in the evening, and that motivated me to go tonight even after other stuff came up when I was going to go running so I didn't get the chance to go until now (it's 11:15pm here), when I otherwise would almost definitely have succumbed to the laziness. Point being that stax could've profited or perhaps more valuably gotten himself a near-guilt-free day off, but instead helped boog out, thus helping me out. I know I'm rambling, but I'm just happy with the support.

This might just sound like whining, but it's a serious question, for anyone with experience: Is it normal for my legs, a couple of steps after stopping running to become really really sore and really hard to stand on let alone walk/run on? I've ldo had stiff muscles after exercise and the day after etc. etc. in the past, but this is like instant onset and fairly painful. Nothing I can't push through if it's normal, just wanna check I'm not doing any real damage or anything stupid like that. (I've also never run this much on streets, which I think are way harder on my legs than dirt/forest paths)

Originally Posted by kiwiMark

Is it normal for my legs, a couple of steps after stopping running to become really really sore and really hard to stand on let alone walk/run on? I've ldo had stiff muscles after exercise and the day after etc. etc. in the past, but this is like instant onset and fairly painful. Nothing I can't push through if it's normal, just wanna check I'm not doing any real damage or anything stupid like that. (I've also never run this much on streets, which I think are way harder on my legs than dirt/forest paths)

can't speak for your legs, but...
nope, not normal. Not sure that a poker forum is the best place to get advice on this one - get your arse to a running shoe store on george and ask them (they'll say you need new shoes ), google some running websites, maybe even visit a doc...

@ Kiwi

Where in your legs does it hurt? Is it the shin/calf area? I had something like this in my shins and calves for a while when I hadn't been running a lot. My shins and calves got super super super tight and so when I ran they would just burn. Stretching is the key and your body will get more used to running but making sure you have good shoes is definitely important. If this isn't what you are describing then yeah daven's suggestions are spot on.