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.

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.

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 do doubt that nutrition is as important as lots of steroids

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.

Likewise, any diet is virtually useless without proper exercise.