[Offers] NSC Fitness Thread

[Bozza]

Still ticking along here.

My run steak is up to 398 days and my mileage has increased without me specifically trying to. I guess the volume I’ve been running has given me greater endurance, enabling me to go further without weariness setting in.

I’ve run 548 miles so far this year, an average of 8.8 miles per day. With dog walks on top I’m averaging 14.4 miles and 23,700 steps per day.

I’ve not had a drink yet in 2021, but I’ve developed a real sweet tooth and I reckon I’m replacing many of the booze calories with sugar.

That said, I’m at what I think is my lowest adult weight- certainly the lowest I can ever recall being at. I’ve only lost 5.5 pounds this year but I was starting from a position where I was not really trying to lose weight, but I was curious to see if I would lose some by laying off the booze a bit, and then to see if there was any obvious improvement to my running from weighing a bit less.

 

[Mellotron]

How’s everyone doing? I am now 3 and half stone down from my starting point, currently at 13’11 which is still fairly high for my height (5’11 and a half ) still running 6/7k 6 days per week down at the velodrome, have a minor lower right abdominal injury that is playing me up but it’s only a minor thing so I’m not letting it put me out of action even though I know I should probably have a rest and let it heal up.

Intermittent fasting is without doubt the best decision I’ve ever made in my life diet wise, totally life changing for me.

Thanks for bumping this thread - feels timely for me, as I've had a bit of a health scare over the past 7-8 months (numerous hospital visits re: possible tumour, been given the all clear recently).

My habits have slipped back into how they used to be. I went from 17stone 9pounds all the way down to about 13stone, but then bounced back up to around 14st 11pounds, where I currently reside.

Really frustrating, but also have to remember I'm not back to the really bad old days, there's still progress there and I just need to find the motivation again. One frustration was issues with my kidneys meant I was given orders by the Doctor to lay off the Protein shakes a little, which previously formed a big part of my diet. The kidney stones were also making exercise painful and difficult, but fortunately they have all gone bar one final big bugger.

I will be back annoying everyone with my monthly updates soon, and I hope some others will join me in doing the same.

 

[Mellotron]

I know sometimes a really dangerous mindset I can get into is;

"I don't have time to think about my physical health at the moment". ie - when work and home life stresses are getting too much, food is my enjoyable thing that I'm allowed, and I will deal with all of that later "when things are easier".

Such a dumb, counter-intuitive way of thinking. Eating crap all the time makes me feel lazier, more lethargic, leads to worse sleep, worse work performance, lack of focus, etc etc.

It's a self perpetuating cycle and the "no time" line is a complete lie I feed myself.

 

[Weststander]

I know sometimes a really dangerous mindset I can get into is;

"I don't have time to think about my physical health at the moment". ie - when work and home life stresses are getting too much, food is my enjoyable thing that I'm allowed, and I will deal with all of that later "when things are easier".

Such a dumb, counter-intuitive way of thinking. Eating crap all the time makes me feel lazier, more lethargic, leads to worse sleep, worse work performance, lack of focus, etc etc.

It's a self perpetuating cycle and the "no time" line is a complete lie I feed myself.

Well done on losing the three stone and that’s great news that you were tumour free.

Losing the final bit of weight can be the hardest for anyone. I think we all comfort eat unhealthy foods at times. It might be out of boredom, habit, stress or an innately survival thing to do in the cold months of winter.

Don’t be harsh on yourself.

 

[Brighton Rocker]

A great thread.
I find exercise is good for both mind and body although sometimes it is difficult to find the motivation to get out on my bike.
A while back I read The Circadian Code by Satchin Panda which advocates getting in sync with your body’s circadian rhythm to loose weight, have more energy and sleep better. I have been fasting for 14 hours every day (overnight) and have lost a lot of weight.
Works for me.

 

[Weststander]

For years I’ve always carried between 6 to 23lbs of excess weight, I’d say unhealthily (i.e. not the muscle of rugby players, who on paper exceed their BMI ideal weight band). These days I’m not really into booze, my undoing is having a sweet tooth.

I do quite a lot of physical activities (I need energy) and I don’t want to eat separately from my family, so I’m not in the mood just now for a Mosley-esque Fast. I know they work btw.

So I’m giving a go of; simply eating no sweet food altogether, no eating after evening dinner and eating minimal carbs with lunch.

That’s doable for me and is my Mumsnet contribution to NSC for the day.

Hopefully I’ll now shed the weight.

 

[Springal]

I am part of a gym that give members a Myzone belts to track workouts etc. Today was the first 'outdoor' session under the new rules - incredible how much harder you work in person with a trainer and variation of kit. Burnt roughly double the amount of calories in the same kind of workout as I was doing on Zoom last week. Hope all the activities that have opened up this week and the nice weather help people get out and about

 

[Bozza]

For years I’ve always carried between 6 to 23lbs of excess weight, I’d say unhealthily (i.e. not the muscle of rugby players, who on paper exceed their BMI ideal weight band). These days I’m not really into booze, my undoing is having a sweet tooth.

I do quite a lot of physical activities (I need energy) and I don’t want to eat separately from my family, so I’m not in the mood just now for a Mosley-esque Fast. I know they work btw.

So I’m giving a go of; simply eating no sweet food altogether, no eating after evening dinner and eating minimal carbs with lunch.

That’s doable for me and is my Mumsnet contribution to NSC for the day.

Hopefully I’ll now shed the weight.

I've developed a real sweet tooth over the last three months that I've not been drinking, but a quick google revealed that this is quite common. Almost everything containing processed sugar is fair game, so I'm now also trying to exercise a bit more willpower.

I'm somewhere around the lowest I've weighed in adult-life, so it's not a major issue, but I must have been consuming a ridiculous amount of essentially empty calories.

 

[timbha]

I've developed a real sweet tooth over the last three months that I've not been drinking, but a quick google revealed that this is quite common. Almost everything containing processed sugar is fair game, so I'm now also trying to exercise a bit more willpower.

I'm somewhere around the lowest I've weighed in adult-life, so it's not a major issue, but I must have been consuming a ridiculous amount of essentially empty calories.

I’m with you. Are you ok with sweet stuff until you have the first taster (about 5pm for me)? Then I just crave more so much so that sometimes I’m thinking about what next to eat whilst I’m eating something. I’m mildly over weight (2/3 lbs) and run/walk a lot.

 

[The Wizard]

How’s everyone doing? I am now 3 and half stone down from my starting point, currently at 13’11 which is still fairly high for my height (5’11 and a half ) still running 6/7k 6 days per week down at the velodrome, have a minor lower right abdominal injury that is playing me up but it’s only a minor thing so I’m not letting it put me out of action even though I know I should probably have a rest and let it heal up.

Intermittent fasting is without doubt the best decision I’ve ever made in my life diet wise, totally life changing for me.

About two months later, I am another stone down at 12’10 now, got back in the gym the last few weeks and it was quite a shock how much weaker I feel now despite the fact I physically look in much better shape, when I was 17st odd I could lift much heavier weights, it’s probably also not helped by the fact that I go to the gym towards the end of my 18hr fasting period.

Really happy overall though, things ticking along nicely, it’s been very hard don’t get me wrong and no point pretending it’s been squeaky clean, I have cheat days and blow outs, I used to get real guilt around my cheat days.

Be interesting to hear how the rest of you are doing.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Not really been able to do anything much for the last 6 weeks as I have been recovering from hernia surgery (was probably going to the gym, when it was open, 3-4 times a week before the operation). Should now be able to start cycling and swimming once the surgeon gives the go ahead. I have been doing plenty of walking which is recommend and felt like I could have done more but thought it best to follow his instructions.

 

[Bry Nylon]

Back in the gym x6 days a week since it re-opened on 12th April. Alternate between cardio and weights programmes, usually for 1.5hrs / session. Halfway through week 5 now since the gym re-opened and feel I'm beginning to get back to where I was before it shut at Christmas with regard to stamina, strength and muscle mass. Surprised how quiet it has been - I thought it would be rammed but a lot of people seem to have not come back, or did for a short period and have since seemingly given up, unless they are taking advantage of the lighter evenings to do other things.

For me, it makes a huge difference to my well-being. Not just the exercise but also how I feel about myself and life in general. Out of all the restrictions imposed upon us, I think the gym being shut was the one I felt 2nd hardest. (The worst thing for me was my son's under 10s football being suspended - but thankfully that is all up and running again now too).

 

[Mellotron]

Right - gonna get this thread going again, as the weather starts to improve.

I am finally kidney stone free after nearly 2 years of intermittent severe pain. My long term aim was to drop from nearly 18st to around 12st 8. I came close (about 13st 1) but then the kidney stones kicked in and I put almost all the weight back on (now at 16st).

Going to be annoying people with my updates over the next few months and hopefully helping to kickstart some others into action.

 

[Bry Nylon]

Right - gonna get this thread going again, as the weather starts to improve.

I am finally kidney stone free after nearly 2 years of intermittent severe pain. My long term aim was to drop from nearly 18st to around 12st 8. I came close (about 13st 1) but then the kidney stones kicked in and I put almost all the weight back on (now at 16st).

Going to be annoying people with my updates over the next few months and hopefully helping to kickstart some others into action.

Always found this thread motivating and interesting, so I’m glad it’s reappeared. Focusing on decent nutrition and eliminating / reducing alcohol is as big a part of achieving any goals as time spent exercising. Looking forward to you updates.

 

[Mellotron]

I know if I try to get on too strict a regime too quickly, I’ll just fail. So it’s incremental steps.

Started last week with 10k steps a day, nothing else. It even meant feeling a bit stupid walking round and round the living room at 10pm one evening but I know that I need the momentum of not failing early on.

This week I’m adding - making protein shake each morning and taking it to work. Starting the day off right makes a massive difference as to whether I stay on the wagon for the rest of the day.

Exercise - Tuesday (jog or HIIT dumbbell session), Thursday (badminton) and Sunday (evening jog).

 

[timbha]

I know if I try to get on too strict a regime too quickly, I’ll just fail. So it’s incremental steps.

Started last week with 10k steps a day, nothing else. It even meant feeling a bit stupid walking round and round the living room at 10pm one evening but I know that I need the momentum of not failing early on.

This week I’m adding - making protein shake each morning and taking it to work. Starting the day off right makes a massive difference as to whether I stay on the wagon for the rest of the day.

Exercise - Tuesday (jog or HIIT dumbbell session), Thursday (badminton) and Sunday (evening jog).

Good stuff and well done. Have you checked that the protein shakes won’t aggravate your kidney stones?

 

[Mellotron]

Good stuff and well done. Have you checked that the protein shakes won’t aggravate your kidney stones?

A good point well made, and yes it’s been considered.

The kidney stones formed last summer when I was losing weight too quickly, getting really dehydrated and probably having too much protein. Also to confirm, the stones are now gone, but obviously I want to be more careful this time about not forming any more!

I’m restarting at less than half the protein intake I would have previously when losing weight. I definitely overdid it previously and didn’t take enough notice of warning signs (REALLY dark urine!)

Tbh starting each day with a protein shake is about the psychology more than anything - whenever I see it it reminds me that I’m prioritising my health over short term shit food gratification.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

Good to see the thread revitalised (and those who post on it). Temporary (I hope) refugee from the running thread here as I pulled my hamstrings. So trying to maintain some hamstring-friendly fitness: exercise bike, proper bike, press ups, pull ups and the dreaded kettlebells. Speaking of which I've reclaimed my 32kg kettlebell that I lent to my son and therefore am confidently expecting to injure various other parts of my body pretty soon..........(I'm quite lucky that in the periods when I can't run, I don't tend to pile on any weight.)

 

[Bold Seagull]

I know if I try to get on too strict a regime too quickly, I’ll just fail. So it’s incremental steps.

Started last week with 10k steps a day, nothing else. It even meant feeling a bit stupid walking round and round the living room at 10pm one evening but I know that I need the momentum of not failing early on.

This week I’m adding - making protein shake each morning and taking it to work. Starting the day off right makes a massive difference as to whether I stay on the wagon for the rest of the day.

Exercise - Tuesday (jog or HIIT dumbbell session), Thursday (badminton) and Sunday (evening jog).

Feel free to pop round to take my dog out if you need to get some steps in!

Anyway, interesting about the breakfast side of things...https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/feb/19/beafast-have-we-been-getting-it-all-wrong

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

It seems an obvious suggestion but I can't begin to tell you what an amazing difference finding a social kickabout makes.

I don't like running. I did the Brighton half about 5 years ago out of guilt to run for a specific charity. Trained 3 weeks, died on about 11 miles.

Every year I've had that 2 week burst where I convince myself running will be fun. I get myself up to about 5k and then remember I hate everything about it and bin it off.

This time last year I had emergency surgery on a hernia I had just been pushing back in for 6 years (yes, I ran the Brighton HM with it popping out at points!). I've got VERY lazy since that cardio wise. Finally I took the plunge and joined a twice-weekly social football session. Week one I literally fell over for no reason after 1.5 hours because my legs gave up. I couldn't walk the next day and only just managed to make the next session 3 days later.

1 month in and I'm now comfortably running the whole session, all cobwebs seem to have been blown out my system and I have barely any aches the next morning.

It's amazing how quickly the body adjusts to exercise.

For curiosity I started wearing my fitbit for the games. I average around 11k-12k steps which I understand to be about 6-6.5 miles

Not a CHANCE I would go off for a 6 mile walk/run by myself. Yet, throw a ball into the mix and I'm chasing it like a puppy without even realising I'm exercising. I can't begin to explain what a difference it makes.