So you think you're in shape?

We are required to work out at work. I've always lifted weights and I have a definite interest in being fit. However, I hate running.

Well, I decided to start running a little again on duty. For a while I was simply doing 1 mile per shift...which coupled with my frentic lifting and the walking I do with my wife I figured would do the trick....and basically it has.

However, to keep my interest level up I got a bright idea the other shift. I thought "World Class/World Record marathoners run at or just below a 5:00 minute MILE for 26+ consecutive miles. Mind numbing!! Do you know how many people can run just a single solitary 5:00 minute mile? Not many at all.

So, as it happens our treadmill at work will go up to 12 MPH.....or a 5:00 minute mile pace. I decided each shift to warm up and then crank that baby to 12!! and see how long I could hold on.

Today's effort....brace yourselves........85 seconds!! I can run a World Class marathon pace for 85 seconds!

The goal is to bump that by 5 seconds per shift until I puke, my heart explodes, or I notice my weightlifting going the wrong direction. I actually think none of that will happen....however I'm sure my ceiling will be reached somewhere in the 2+ minute range. IF I can run that pace for 2+ minutes I'll be happy.

Thank goodness I don't have a treadmill. Just attempting that challenge would probably kill me.

I HATE running with a fiery passion. I'd rather do any other form of cardio. But I gotta admit, I was in the best shape of my life about 15 years ago when I started running with my girlfriend (she was the added incentive I needed to keep going) but even then I hated it.

Yeah, me too Toho. Some years ago I got away from heavy lifting. The Dept. started the fitness program we have now and I got gung-ho for running and was doing 15-20 miles a week. Nothing Earth-shattering, but I had a nice 8 minute mile pace for 3 miles and was easily in my best shape since I was a late teen-early 20. But the simplest thing knocks me off the running trail. A cold, a vacation, whatever and I just lose all interest.

So that's what I'm trying now. Lift hard, fast and heavy so that is a little cardio, walk briskly with Momma 2-3 times a week and run short but hard at work. I will do no more. This should be enough to keep me in reasonable shape.

I have a bench that I try to use as much as I can, but what is really doing the trick is my work. Landscaping has been building me some shoulders like crazy!

Stender wrote:

I have a bench that I try to use as much as I can, but what is really doing the trick is my work. Landscaping has been building me some shoulders like crazy!

Yeah, that's where you guys with a physically demanding job have it all over me. I sit on my butt in front of a PC monitor all day. THe only exercise I get is that which I impose on myself. RIght now, I forego lunch and instead get on my eliptical every day at lunch.

Now if only I could give up my love of good beer...

I would like to invest in a Bowflex or something along those lines. I'd like to tone up my muscles more than anything.

I would like to start walking or running again on a regular basis.I've lifted for the past 8 years and I've done cardio of some form off and on but would like to get more dedicated to it.

Mortuary wrote:

I would like to invest in a Bowflex or something along those lines. I'd like to tone up my muscles more than anything.

I've got a gym-quality elliptical in my basement along with an adjustable weight bench and dumbbells ranging from 25 to 85 pounds.

I hit the elliptical every day but only hit the weights on days I have off.

If you young folks did the same things I do, you'd probably be in great shape. As and old fart, the best I can hope for is to "maintain".

tohostudios wrote:

Mortuary wrote:

I would like to invest in a Bowflex or something along those lines. I'd like to tone up my muscles more than anything.

I've got a gym-quality elliptical in my basement along with an adjustable weight bench and dumbbells ranging from 25 to 85 pounds.

I hit the elliptical every day but only hit the weights on days I have off.

If you young folks did the same things I do, you'd probably be in great shape. As and old fart, the best I can hope for is to "maintain".

Nice, I would love to have that. I'm not out of shape but it would be nice to be more toned.

my wife & i run 5 miles every morning. it kick starts your metabolism. we don't really do it to stay in shape (although it helps), we do it because it's fun.

Code:

my wife & i run 5 miles every morning.

That's fantastic! My wife and I walk...(she hates running as well) but the key is we enjoy the togetherness.

I probably have more incentive that all of you to stay in shape but do think I can motivate myself, heck no. I'm diabetic, totally uncontrolled, give in to sugar attacks all the time. My doctor told me the last time I saw her that I don't start to get my act together I am at the age where my body won't forgive me anymore.

I have all kinds of reasons to listen to her. Discipline is just not one of those good habits that I have ever picked up.

The fitness center only cost $75.00 a year and is totally equipped.

When I was a journeyman carpenter, staying in shape was part of the gig. I drive a 18 wheeler now and do WAY too much sitting. I am in that group of walking with the wife and I do alot of mountain biking on the week-ends. I jump on the drums for at least an hour a day and that is an excellent cardio thing as well as doing wonders if I blow it anf get stressed out over something. Being middle-aged, the body changes and a guy has to accept that, pretty simple. Watch what ya throw down the neck and don't park it on the sofa to much

I've given up staying in shape once I hit 40. No time anymore...

Tall Tyrion wrote:

I've given up staying in shape once I hit 40. No time anymore...

what, with your busy schedule of always being at this forum?

I could make time with no trouble at all. I could probably even get started but given 1 week I would be back at my old habits again. I think the only thing that would keep me going would be a drill instructor like at boot camp when I was in the Navy.

mc666 wrote:

Tall Tyrion wrote:

I've given up staying in shape once I hit 40. No time anymore...

what, with your busy schedule of always being at this forum?

Tall Tyrion wrote:

mc666 wrote:

Tall Tyrion wrote:

I've given up staying in shape once I hit 40. No time anymore...

what, with your busy schedule of always being at this forum?

Silencio you fat day trading bastard!

You just wish you could be a pear-shaped trillionaire.

mc666 wrote:

my wife & i run 5 miles every morning. it kick starts your metabolism. we don't really do it to stay in shape (although it helps), we do it because it's fun.

This after seeing my 62 year old relative getting featured in the local paper today for his upcoming bicycle ride from California to New York. I just hope I die pretty soon so I don't have to listen to any of this lunacy anymore.

I ran two miles in 9 minutes at the end of basic training in 1995. I could walk a mile in 9 hours now.

Eyesore wrote:

I could walk a mile in 9 hours now.

I am not now, nor have I ever, been "in shape."

...No, wait, that's not entirely true. Round is a shape.

so fat Freddy really is fat. imagine that. so, is he really Freddy?

mc666 wrote:

so fat Freddy really is fat. imagine that. so, is he really Freddy?

So its not just a clever name