The "I sometimes break a sweat" thread

[TrueBlueGED]

It's not fun. It's soul sucking. But there seems to be a nice endorphin release when you're done.

Either running isn't as soul sucking as you make it out to be, or you have more of a soul than I give you credit for. I choose to believe the former :p

I didn't start out riding 40 miles on a ride. Started out with 5 and 10 miles rides and they don't take that long really.

How long does it take you for those rides? I've been thinking of getting a bike as I hit middle age, but man, a 30 minute run and I'm done. Without having done any math, I feel like a bike would take longer to get the same caloric effect.

[Doohicksie]

You do burn more calories running.  It depends on how hard you ride though.  I don't ride that hard usually but occasionally I do.  My speed averages around 11-16 mph, depending on what bike I'm riding, who I'm riding with, and how long of a ride I'm doing.  (If I'm doing a 40 miler I don't push as hard as if I'm doing a quick 10.)

 

I enjoy riding because it's intellectually more stimulating- I navigate, I explore.  And the way things have worked out I've found a few good groups of folks that I enjoy riding with.  There is a wide range of cycling groups here, ranging from basic beginners and family groups with kids, to social riding groups where we ride as a group and aren't competitive, to hardcore roadies who seriously train and race and stuff.  There's pub crawlers, mountain bikers, taco rides, gravel rides and a fair amount of overlap between the groups.  So there's a big social aspect for me.  (I even know our mayor, mostly through cycling- I first rode with her shortly before she was elected.)

[Eleven]

I didn't start out riding 40 miles on a ride.  Started out with 5 and 10 miles rides and they don't take that long really.

 

So I'm currently a "former rider" and likely will retain that status until next spring.  I just don't enjoy cycling the way I used to.  A 5 mile ride, like you say, is an easy start.  A beginner can handle it in 30 minutes.  My regular route, when I was active a couple of years ago, was a 16 miler, and it took an hour.  But I wasn't a beginner at that point.

 

For the hell of it, for people who know Buffalo:   My route started roughly at Soldier's Circle, up Porter and past the bridge, around LaSalle Park, to the fake lighthouse near what we now call Canalside (that concrete lighthouse thing near what used to be Crawdaddy's), up Main to Allen, Allen to Delaware, up Delaware to Delaware Park, around the park and around the lake, and back to the circle.  City, seaside, and parkland, all in one hour.  It was a great route.

 

Either running isn't as soul sucking as you make it out to be, or you have more of a soul than I give you credit for. I choose to believe the former :P

 

How long does it take you for those rides? I've been thinking of getting a bike as I hit middle age, but man, a 30 minute run and I'm done. Without having done any math, I feel like a bike would take longer to get the same caloric effect.

 

Keep in mind that cycling will do more for your core than running ever could, though.  You engage many more muscles in your trunk and arms on a bike than you will if you're running.  I will defer to the more experienced cyclers here as to proper form, but I used a third/third/third rule for weight on my bike:  one third of my weight is supported by legs, one third by arms (cycling gloves help), and one third on the saddle.  Turning and balance engages your whole body.  

Edited July 26, 2016 by Eleven

[Taro T]

Thanks. I already count calories. I think you're selling yourself short. Technology didn't work for you, discipline and willpower did. You scored, technology got an assist. I've been averaging 3,000 calories a day recently and it's killing me.

If you're taking in 3kcals, you are correct about why you can't lose.

 

The technology can't get you over the hump, but it can help you see how big it truly/actually is. Won't guess your #'s, but for me, if I be a slug I burn ~1,900 calories & a good/typical active day is a smidge less than 2,300. If I took in 3kcal, on a good day I'd gain 2#'s & on a bad 1, 3.

 

The cool thing is, at this time of year fruit is plentiful, cheap, tasty, & filling. 2 apples = 162cal; 16 strawberries = 98cal; 2 peaches =74cal; 20 grapes = 72cal; & 20 cherries = 98cal.

 

How the #### can you give me #### for the next 2 decades if you aren't here? ####er, get back on track. You were there; do it again. (Sorry, probably should've been a PM.)

[Taro T]

I have yet to figure all of it out. On average, I consume about 600 a day give or take a hundred, which I reigment more depending on how gross I feel, and then do enough physical activity to negate it all. I only seem to gain weight. I'm not lacking in energy, I tend to try to eat protein and fruit more than anything else. I'm just squishy no matter what I do. It's incredibly depressing. I guess my body's just trying to go into 'fat/mature woman' build early. I've been working at dropping the final 10 pounds for about 10 years now. 

 

 My body thinks it has to store every goddamn fat molecule just in case I decide to create spawn. It's so incredibly frustrating.

 

  

I keep telling you, it's because your caloric intake is too low.

Heilige scheisse. No idea on how long it'll take your body to realize you're finally out of starvation mode (and that'll be depressing as heck) but gut feel is 2-4 weeks and then a 1,400-1,500 calorie diet will see you lose 0.5-1 #/wk. (Not that you need to lose anything, btw.) 1-2 / wk is completely sustainable. Again, doubt you need to lose anything, but that should get you where you want to be.

 

And D4rk, get the lady a fitbit for gosh sake.

[Eleven]

I keep telling you, it's because your caloric intake is too low.

 

This is a real thing and can lead to storage.  Also, Josie, we've all seen your trapeze pictures.  Your figure is great.  Eat a cheeseburger already.

 

If you're taking in 3kcals, you are correct about why you can't lose.

 

The technology can't get you over the hump, but it can help you see how big it truly/actually is. Won't guess your #'s, but for me, if I be a slug I burn ~1,900 calories & a good/typical active day is a smidge less than 2,300. If I took in 3kcal, on a good day I'd gain 2#'s & on a bad 1, 3.

 

The cool thing is, at this time of year fruit is plentiful, cheap, tasty, & filling. 2 apples = 162cal; 16 strawberries = 98cal; 2 peaches =74cal; 20 grapes = 72cal; & 20 cherries = 98cal.

 

How the #### can you give me #### for the next 2 decades if you aren't here? ####er, get back on track. You were there; do it again. (Sorry, probably should've been a PM.)

 

Melon (green or orange).  4 oz, 48 calories, and that stuff makes you feel full.  

[Taro T]

This is a real thing and can lead to storage.  Also, Josie, we've all seen your trapeze pictures.  Your figure is great.  Eat a cheeseburger already.

 

 

 

Melon (green or orange).  4 oz, 48 calories, and that stuff makes you feel full.

 

Watermelon, basically the same, 1 cup = 50cal.

[Eleven]

Watermelon, basically the same, 1 cup = 50cal.

 

Although it is one of my favorite foods (a former poster had a mild meltdown over that a couple of years ago), it is not as filling as the other melons.

[Taro T]

Although it is one of my favorite foods (a former poster had a mild meltdown over that a couple of years ago), it is not as filling as the other melons.

Never eat honeydews (sp?) and rarely eat cantaloupe except at breakfast out. Just giving caloric info. No judgments here.

 

Any data to share on the meltdown? (Too late for a search.)

[JJFIVEOH]

Running vs. Biking. These are just my opinions from my own personal experience. I started running a few years ago, mainly as a warmup for gym activities. Then when weight didn't start coming off, I started running more. Then I mixed up sprinting, jogging, high incline.............  (all of this on the treadmill). I eventually made biking more of my routine on non-gym days. Now I'm doing some long distance trips on a mountain bike. In my opinion, the running has helped my biking experience more than the biking has helped my running experience. I think the biking has really helped my endurance though. I have noticed a significant improvement in my cardio health from the running. All of this could be because I don't bike as often as I run though.

 

Taro is right about the calories. If you're not taking in enough your body will start consuming muscle cells which will do more harm than good.

 

Bio, nice choice of bikes!  

[darksabre]

 

Heilige scheisse. No idea on how long it'll take your body to realize you're finally out of starvation mode (and that'll be depressing as heck) but gut feel is 2-4 weeks and then a 1,400-1,500 calorie diet will see you lose 0.5-1 #/wk. (Not that you need to lose anything, btw.) 1-2 / wk is completely sustainable. Again, doubt you need to lose anything, but that should get you where you want to be.

 

And D4rk, get the lady a fitbit for gosh sake.

She has a fit bit!

[Stoner]

If you're taking in 3kcals, you are correct about why you can't lose.

 

The technology can't get you over the hump, but it can help you see how big it truly/actually is. Won't guess your #'s, but for me, if I be a slug I burn ~1,900 calories & a good/typical active day is a smidge less than 2,300. If I took in 3kcal, on a good day I'd gain 2#'s & on a bad 1, 3.

 

The cool thing is, at this time of year fruit is plentiful, cheap, tasty, & filling. 2 apples = 162cal; 16 strawberries = 98cal; 2 peaches =74cal; 20 grapes = 72cal; & 20 cherries = 98cal.

 

How the #### can you give me #### for the next 2 decades if you aren't here? ####er, get back on track. You were there; do it again. (Sorry, probably should've been a PM.)

:w00t:  Thank you. All that fruit has lots of water, too. Plus it helps you feel full, which is why soup can be a good diet food (if salty). Hunger can come from lack of hydration I've found.

 

I did better last week, averaging about 2,700 calories. Monday to Monday, lost two pounds. Thinking about a gyro for lunch. Didn't have breakfast, so I might be OK.

[MattPie]

I'm trying to get back into eating my "gigantic" salad each day, which was always good to fill up. A serving of spinach, carrots, and broccoli barely fits in a 3-quart bowl and costs all of 100 calories. I've since found that adding some beans (red, black, chic peas, etc.) makes it a ton more filling too and adds a bunch of protein.

[josie]

I'm not genetically svelte. The best I looked was in college; I didn't work out and rarely ate. I was more confident. I even scored a d4rk! Now I'm trying to be active, thus needing to eat. It isn't going so well. 

 

Forms of measurement including fitbits/calorie counters quickly lead me down a path of competition w/ unrealistic goals. It's getting bad.

 

Other girls get chiseled or shrink, I just pack it on. My waist has increased by an inch- I know it's muscles but it. 

 

I see what people think about women who look like me, it isn't often positive. Just wait for the Olympics discussions on athletes. I've got way more in common with the awesome rugby chicks than the sexy little beach volleyballers. It's gonna suuuuuuuck. 

Friday two guys in Target made some mean loud comments about my giant fat a$$. I didn't eat dinner. I'm already bigger than most women I know, just in general build. I feel like I have to apologize for it. I need to change it. 

 

I weigh 140, size 6. I've never been less than 135 or more than 145 (was a size 2 in college, same brands). I'm 5'5". Them's the numbers, they never change. But I want to lose 10-20. 

 

I haven't found the holy grail method. I don't want to starve, I like to be active, but I can't stand how my body goes instant mannish meatball mini-fridge mode! Just don't know what to do anymore. Tried all the "lots of small meals!" ideas. Keep it to fruits veg and lean protein. Teamed up with a similarly built friend, ate identical, worked out identical, I put on weight, she lost weight. F*ck me, man. I'm at a loss. 

 

Sorry for the wall of text. Good lord hockey needs to come back. Come on, October... 

[darksabre]

I'm not genetically svelte. The best I looked was in college; I didn't work out and rarely ate. I was more confident. I even scored a d4rk! Now I'm trying to be active, thus needing to eat. It isn't going so well. 

 

Forms of measurement including fitbits/calorie counters quickly lead me down a path of competition w/ unrealistic goals. It's getting bad.

 

Other girls get chiseled or shrink, I just pack it on. My waist has increased by an inch- I know it's muscles but ###### it. 

 

I see what people think about women who look like me, it isn't often positive. Just wait for the Olympics discussions on athletes. I've got way more in common with the awesome rugby chicks than the sexy little beach volleyballers. It's gonna suuuuuuuck. 

Friday two guys in Target made some mean loud comments about my giant fat a$$. I didn't eat dinner. I'm already bigger than most women I know, just in general build. I feel like I have to apologize for it. I need to change it. 

 

I weigh 140, size 6. I've never been less than 135 or more than 145 (was a size 2 in college, same brands). I'm 5'5". Them's the numbers, they never change. But I want to lose 10-20. 

 

I haven't found the holy grail method. I don't want to starve, I like to be active, but I can't stand how my body goes instant mannish meatball mini-fridge mode! Just don't know what to do anymore. Tried all the "lots of small meals!" ideas. Keep it to fruits veg and lean protein. Teamed up with a similarly built friend, ate identical, worked out identical, I put on weight, she lost weight. F*ck me, man. I'm at a loss. 

 

Sorry for the wall of text. Good lord hockey needs to come back. Come on, October... 

 

We were watching the UFC fight between Holly Holm and Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday night at the cabin. The consensus among most of the guys there was that we like athletic women. I've said it before, but I couldn't give two shits about your weight. All I want is for you to be healthy of body, mind and spirit. Weight is just a number. It doesn't really mean anything as long as you're eating well and getting enough exercise.

 

If you lost 20lbs I'd have you taken to the hospital because you'd be dying. Your weight is fine. 

Weight is the +/- of fitness stats.

[josie]

 

We were watching the UFC fight between Holly Holm and Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday night at the cabin. The consensus among most of the guys there was that we like athletic women. I've said it before, but I couldn't give two shits about your weight. All I want is for you to be healthy of body, mind and spirit. Weight is just a number. It doesn't really mean anything as long as you're eating well and getting enough exercise.

 

If you lost 20lbs I'd have you taken to the hospital because you'd be dying. Your weight is fine. 

Weight is the +/- of fitness stats.

 

I just looked them up. I'm built very similarly to those girls. Not as muscular of course, but their thighs/arms/shoulders and overall shape really look familiar to me. Little tank ladies. Even the muscles- give Shevchenko DD tits and you have almost exactly what I looked like in high school when I was a competing black belt doing MMA and such. I was made fun of relentlessly. Pretty much every guy I've ever talked to prefers someone with "Just enough but not too much" like ScarJo.  

 

To the bolded: that's funny and pretty true. I think for women it's often the defining stat, though. 

 

I wish it was more accepted to not be a little lithe babe. Feel like I'd accept it better if I felt like it was ok to be something other than tiny. A coworker/boss saw me making my sad little lunch yesterday and made some crack about "hey, it's ok, if the apocalypse hits, you'll survive the food shortage and can help us plow new fields!"

 

Ugh. Apparently I'm a draft horse. Saddle me up boys, I'm bringing the beer truck into town... *everyone cheers* 

[Weave]

Your self image needs repair. You are thin. Anyone calling you a fat ass was trying to get your goat. Or has a Skeletor fetish.

[dudacek]

Don't mean to pile on but the only issues I see Josie are false perceptions of what you look like and equally false perceptions of what you "should" look like. And from this great distance both perceptions seem to be coming mostly from you.

 

Regularly existing on 600 calories a day is not healthy for any adult.

I defy you to find a legitimate doctor to say otherwise.

[JJFIVEOH]

I'm also going to add that any app or universal diet tracker isn't going to be 100% accurate in telling you what you need to be eating. Probably not even close. Those are great for keeping track, but not so much in planning what you should be eating. There are so many factors that come into play that not one person will be the same. It might give you a baseline but only you can determine what kind of adjustments need to be made. Trial and error is the only way to find out. I can't tell you how many people I know that started consuming many more calories than they thought they needed, only to actually lose more weight and feel much healthier. Especially if you're an active person. If you're an overly active person, lowering caloric intake should be even less of a concern. 

[biodork]

Jo -- I know we only hung out once, but nothing about your appearance (either in person or photos) would compel any sane person to draw comparisons to either men or overweight women. So FWIW coming from another female, I think you look great and am super-impressed by your athletic ability. I know it's easier said than done, but try to keep focusing on what your body can DO and how it feels vs your perception of the reflection in the mirror. I agree with Taro on the caloric intake strategy, too.

[Stoner]

It's so frustrating to read Jo's comments. I know there isn't anything my words can do to help. She's young and I think in time she'll have some clarity and peace about the whole situation. Huge plus — being with someone like d4rk. Speaking of which, it would be nice to know how d4rk views his body. :) (Men have it so much easier in this area.)

[darksabre]

It's so frustrating to read Jo's comments. I know there isn't anything my words can do to help. She's young and I think in time she'll have some clarity and peace about the whole situation. Huge plus — being with someone like d4rk. Speaking of which, it would be nice to know how d4rk views his body. :) (Men have it so much easier in this area.)

 

I've had self confidence issues pretty much my whole life. I've never been particularly satisfied with my physique, but I learned in college that you have to set realistic expectations. You get out what you put in. And you always have to put more in than you think. When I was training for police exams back in 2008-09 I figured out that I didn't hate running. I also figured out how to count calories. I figured out that there were cheap ways for me to get the protein and carbs I needed to build muscle and get lean. I was down to about 185lbs at one point, but I was running pretty much every day and eating nothing but fish and rice. It was interesting, but not sustainable. I learned from it. 

 

Since then I've sorta come to terms with my expectations for myself physically. I'm an average dude and I plan to be an average dude until the day I die. I'm a solid 205 and I've been going to the gym almost every day after work since October. I've built a lot of muscle mass in my upper body since then (something I've never really focused on). My overall weight, body style, appearance, hasn't really changed too much. 9 steady months at the gym and I don't look like Hugh Jackman?! Welcome to the world of slow and steady progress. I still have a beer belly. I'm not a muscled out hulk. I don't aspire to be. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I just like getting some exercise. If I can have a couple good looking years in my 30s before I have kids and get a "dad bod" then I'll call that a success.  :P

 

I know it's cliche, but I got over my body issues by training myself mentally to not worry about it. Worrying doesn't solve anything. I don't worry about how I'm being compared to other people. I don't worry about what other people think. I don't really care about what other people think. Maybe it's because I have a propensity to be anti-social (buh-lee-dat). Call me the Tim Murray of Body Image. ZFG. 

 

Temperament is where Josie and I are set apart. Josie is a worrier. Josie was raised to criticize other people's bodies (by her mother), and she internalizes it now. Where I give zero f*cks, Josie gives too many. It's unhealthy and I've encouraged her to get into sports as a way to build confidence and work through it, but it's a process that likely needs more help. I've suggested she see someone about it, but she has yet to take that step. It's not a decision I can make for her. 

 

We're both in arguably the best shape we've been since we met. She's active, I'm active. But my body image is healthy and hers isn't, and it's 100% mental. 

[GoPre]

In the Buffalo area right now visiting family. Gotta say this. Running in the summer is SO much easier up here than it is in the south. Main reason is the humidity. That's the killer. Going to miss the lower temps/humidity when this vacation is over.  :cry:

[Iron Crotch]

In the Buffalo area right now visiting family. Gotta say this. Running in the summer is SO much easier up here than it is in the south. Main reason is the humidity. That's the killer. Going to miss the lower temps/humidity when this vacation is over.  :cry:

 

97 degrees with 85% humidity down here is like running in a sauna.  Treadmills make a lot of sense in the deep south!

[GoPre]

97 degrees with 85% humidity down here is like running in a sauna.  Treadmills make a lot of sense in the deep south!

 

And very dangerous. Every time I do it I tell myself I'm not doing that again. But there are times where I don't want to wait until 7 p.m. or later to run. So I simply suck it up. Not a smart decision to make.