I'm trying to get fit!

chef · #1

Hey guys. I started a blog about my journey to getting fit. As many of you may or may not know I've had a messed up ankle and back for a while. Now that I'm better, I've been hiking and jogging for the last 2 months. Now that I've done that, I'm cranking the volume. Check out http://koogetsfit.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think. This has nothing to do with go, but since this group is the only forum I'm a member of, I thought I'd let you guys know.

kokomi · #2

chef wrote:

Hey guys. I started a blog about my journey to getting fit. As many of you may or may not know I've had a messed up ankle and back for a while. Now that I'm better, I've been hiking and jogging for the last 2 months. Now that I've done that, I'm cranking the volume. Check out http://koogetsfit.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think. This has nothing to do with go, but since this group is the only forum I'm a member of, I thought I'd let you guys know.

why not choose something that has less pressure on your ankle than jogging, if you have had a messed up ankle? I'm no expert, i'm just wondering.

ketchup · #3

Hmm, the first thing I thought was that swimming might be better overall. I'm also pretty sure? that swimming is better on injuries. Though, I'd say you should consult with a physical fitness doctor or some other type of physical therapist.

Joaz Banbeck · #4

Swimming has been my favorite way of comming back from injuries. You can get in shape, burn lots of calories, and not overstress the recovering parts.

wossname · #5

Lift Weights!!

chef · #6

Swimming means I need a pool. Uphill walking has been pretty good... so long as I have a skate board for the way down. I'm also staying away from weights because I want to keep this as simple as possible. In fact, once I build myself up I want to being doing calisthenics.

fwiffo · #7

I think it's easy to underestimate the value of hitting the weights. Add a few pounds of muscle, and you burn more calories all the time. Calisthenics like push-ups pretty quickly become too easy and it's hard to add additional weight. Once you get to even like 15-20 reps, there's almost no benefit to doing more (if you want to work on endurance, running or whatever is better). One major exception are pull-ups. They're harder to start with and you can add weight with a weight belt or holding a dumbbell between your feet.

I respect your interest in keeping things simple and not wanting to add equipment, but at least consider adding some sort of weight training down the road once you get broken in and your back is better. It doesn't have to be complicated. Hitting the major compound lifts a couple times a week will make a world of difference.

Of course, the exercise routine is only part of the battle. You will have lackluster progress without proper nutrition. Likewise, any diet is virtually useless without proper exercise.

cdybeijing · #8

fwiffo wrote:

I think it's easy to underestimate the value of hitting the weights. Add a few pounds of muscle, and you burn more calories all the time. Calisthenics like push-ups pretty quickly become too easy and it's hard to add additional weight. Once you get to even like 15-20 reps, there's almost no benefit to doing more (if you want to work on endurance, running or whatever is better). One major exception are pull-ups. They're harder to start with and you can add weight with a weight belt or holding a dumbbell between your feet.

I respect your interest in keeping things simple and not wanting to add equipment, but at least consider adding some sort of weight training down the road once you get broken in and your back is better. It doesn't have to be complicated. Hitting the major compound lifts a couple times a week will make a world of difference.

Of course, the exercise routine is only part of the battle. You will have lackluster progress without proper nutrition. Likewise, any diet is virtually useless without proper exercise.

OP is talking about uphill walking as a form of transitional exercise so I'm sure it's safe to assume a basic calisthenics routine would still be strength and muscle promoting.

fwiffo · #9

Yeah, it certainly depends on your level of fitness. That's why I suggested that weight training should be considered down the road.

Bartleby · **#10**

fwiffo wrote:

Calisthenics like push-ups pretty quickly become too easy and it's hard to add additional weight. Once you get to even like 15-20 reps, there's almost no benefit to doing more (if you want to work on endurance, running or whatever is better). One major exception are pull-ups. They're harder to start with and you can add weight with a weight belt or holding a dumbbell between your feet.

I've got nothing against weight training (I do it myself), but I somewhat disagree with this remark. You can get very strong using only bodyweight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups. etc.). There are many variations on these exercises which can increase the difficulty level.

There are some elite athletes (e.g., Herschel Walker and Bruce Lee) who had outstanding functional strength and who gained it through bodyweight exercises.

Javaness · **#11**

I'm trying to get fit too, but I sit around all day working on a computer or playing Go.
FAIL

wossname · **#12**

agreed helel, i would never really lift weights. i might end up becoming too bulky!

i just stick to 5 lb dumbbells and tone all my muscles. if i get a little chubby in my belly, i just do a few hundred crunches, problem solved.. cheers!

wms · **#13**

I've found that combining running and weightlifting gives me the best workout. I've tried each alone, but as long as I do both together I've found that it is easy for me to keep my weight down at healthy levels. I used to do 6 workouts per week (3 of each), but since my kids were born 8 years ago I've dropped to only one of each. This seems enough to keep healthy. I've lost a fair amount of strength and speed since dropping way back so much, but I'm still in pretty good shape and as far as blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., I'm doing fine.

Different things work for different people, but this is what does well for me with a minimum of time. Plus running and weightlifting are both things that I enjoy so it's easy for me to keep them up.

Edit: Just to clarify, by "both together" I don't mean weightlifting and runing at the same time or even in the same day. I mean doing both exercises regularly, but on different days.

Magicwand · **#14**

i used to weight 208 and after a month and half of being a waiter i weight 164.
constant semi running back and fourth for 14 hours / day really works.

CarlJung · **#15**

Helel wrote:

I do doubt that nutrition is as important as lots of steroids

Yes, vitamin S is the most important nutrient.

Stefany93 · **#16**

With all my respect, that guy is just trying to advertise his blog!

daniel_the_smith · **#17**

It's ok, we know chef from the godiscussions.com days.

Stable · **#18**

It's funny, the same weights vs. bodyweight debate always crops up in the parkour community too. I would say that I've seen immensely strong and fit individuals from both camps. Eg. If pushups are too easy do 1 hand, when that's too easy do handstand pushups, when that's too easy clapping handstand pushups, when that's too easy stop taking steroids, freak.

I have to say that for me, excercise is a lot like studying go: find what you enjoy and do that and you're bound to see some improvment. If it's not the optimal, who cares? You're not a professional athlete... (unless you are). I can't do excercise without another activity though, I quickly lose interest. Hence, capoeira and parkour keep me fit, and give me a reason to keep fit. (Just running in 2D is boring too, give me walls and rails any day.)

topazg · **#19**

wms wrote:

I've found that combining running and weightlifting gives me the best workout. I've tried each alone, but as long as I do both together I've found that it is easy for me to keep my weight down at healthy levels. I used to do 6 workouts per week (3 of each), but since my kids were born 8 years ago I've dropped to only one of each. This seems enough to keep healthy. I've lost a fair amount of strength and speed since dropping way back so much, but I'm still in pretty good shape and as far as blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., I'm doing fine.

Different things work for different people, but this is what does well for me with a minimum of time. Plus running and weightlifting are both things that I enjoy so it's easy for me to keep them up.

Edit: Just to clarify, by "both together" I don't mean weightlifting and runing at the same time or even in the same day. I mean doing both exercises regularly, but on different days.

Awww, I wanted to see pics of you running down the road with a dumbell in each hand

simpkin · **#20**

fwiffo wrote:

Likewise, any diet is virtually useless without proper exercise.

Well, yes and no. It'll be far less beneficial, but if you restrict your calorie intake enough, you'll still lose weight, even if you do no exercise at all.

And if, for example, you already take a reasonable amount of exercise, then restricting your diet will lead to weight-loss and increased health.

The 23lb I've lost in the last year says so quite convincingly.

I'm trying to get fit!

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