Summer is coming! Lose weight get fit? Ask here.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by blueangel

I agree that you don't need a gym to begin getting in shape. In fact, I'll take it a step further and say that you don't need a gym at all. When I was doing heavy-duty judo competition, I didn't belong to a gym.

I jogged and ran wind-sprints in my neighborhood park, I swam at our swim club's pool, I stretched on the living room floor, and I lifted free weights in my basement. It's all about being motivated and knowing the proper exercises and how to do them correctly. I had a training diary and kept to it religiously.

Basically, everything you said here is why most people use a gym - I would infer, then, that unless you have access to these things . . . a gym membership (or acquiring access to these things) is probably necessary.

I agree completely with James and Valkyrie, though - integrating some form of weight/resistance training will dramatically increase your results . . . and even better, if you're starting to get "cubical sickness" or similar, it really helps energy levels and metabolism a lot more than simple cardio routines.

Find something you like, and go nuts - some people like lifting, some like classes, some like competitive judo . . . generally the path can go in almost any direction, it's a matter of putting in the effort and consistency, and enjoying it helps immensely.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Basically, everything you said here is why most people use a gym - I would infer, then, that unless you have access to these things . . . a gym membership (or acquiring access to these things) is probably necessary.

I agree completely with James and Valkyrie, though - integrating some form of weight/resistance training will dramatically increase your results . . . and even better, if you're starting to get "cubical sickness" or similar, it really helps energy levels and metabolism a lot more than simple cardio routines.

Find something you like, and go nuts - some people like lifting, some like classes, some like competitive judo . . . generally the path can go in almost any direction, it's a matter of putting in the effort and consistency, and enjoying it helps immensely.

High repetition, low weight lifting + running = big time weight loss.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by macallan25

High repetition, low weight lifting + running = big time weight loss.

I think low repetition, heavy weight lifting is more effective.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I think low repetition, heavy weight lifting is more effective.

CONDITIONER IS BETTER.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

CONDITIONER IS BETTER.

I prefer long walks on the beach, holding hands, watching Grey's Anatomy, reading chick lit, and picking out wedding dresses. Are you the man for me?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I prefer long walks on the beach, holding hands, watching Grey's Anatomy, reading chick lit, and picking out wedding dresses. Are you the man for me?

OH MY GOD eHARMONY SAYS IT IS A MATCH MADE IN INTERNET HEAVEN

COMMENCE DOING IT ALL BAD, SLOPPY AND VANILLA-LIKE

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I prefer long walks on the beach, holding hands, watching Grey's Anatomy, reading chick lit, and picking out wedding dresses. Are you the man for me?

Not until you paint your living room.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

CONDITIONER IS BETTER.

Stop looking at me SCHWANN!

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I think low repetition, heavy weight lifting is more effective.

Low rep heavy weight is for building large muscle mass and bulking up.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Low rep heavy weight is for building large muscle mass and bulking up.

True, but most women aren't going to bulk up all that much, although personally I'd be thrilled to have a body like Serena Williams, LOL.

And DA, I'm hoping RC will be my knight in shining armor who does all the home improvement work while I sip wine like a delicate flower and read Cosmo.

[ZTAngel]

ZTAngel advice:

I hear women say all the time, "I don't work out my chest because I don't want to lose my boobies!!!!!!"

Guess what breast tissue is made out of? Fat. Guess what you lose when you do cardio? Fat. If you're working out regularly, you will lose fat and, yes, you may lose your breasts as well. The good thing about working out your chest is that it builds up your pectoral muscles which is what your breasts sit on. Working out your chest muscles will make your breasts perkier and will make them appear bigger.

I had to make this post because I just overheard two of my female co-workers discussing how they don't work out their chest muscles because they don't want to lose a cup size.

[James]

If you want a free resource to help you track your calorie intake for the day:


www.fitday.com


If you enter what you eat it will track your calories for you.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Low rep heavy weight is for building large muscle mass and bulking up.

This is generally true, but both contribute to overall increase in metabolism and advancement in lean muscle tissue over fat - so really, unless you're in great shape already, both will help.

I guess the way to look at it is, "if you're trying to lose weight, just f-ing go, don't worry about the semantics or specifics so much as being in the gym 5 days a week"

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

This is generally true, but both contribute to overall increase in metabolism and advancement in lean muscle tissue over fat - so really, unless you're in great shape already, both will help.

I guess the way to look at it is, "if you're trying to lose weight, just f-ing go, don't worry about the semantics or specifics so much as being in the gym 5 days a week"

Yeah, I agree, I'm just saying that if you are overweight, I wouldn't start out with heavy lifting....unless you want to look like Nate Newton.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Yeah, I agree, I'm just saying that if you are overweight, I wouldn't start out with heavy lifting....unless you want to look like Nate Newton.

This is the best comparison ever - nicely done