What fitness camp do you belong to?

[Fountain79]

It seems when I talk to people about trying to get back into shape, I am about 50 pounds overweight, I get two schools of thought. I get the people who tell me to run my way to fitness or the people who tell me I should lift my way to fitness. I'm actually a believer that both things need to take place, the cardio to boost metabolism and heart health and weight lifting to actually change the body itself. What do you think?

[Kutjara]

1. I tend to be quite contrary in most things, so...

...I'm cakeing my way to fitness. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Lady Effingbroke]

17. I'm beering my way to fitness (or fatness), even as I type!

I'm going for 6 sets of 12 oz. curls tonight. :beer: :toast:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. I think you need to do both, but that lifting will be more effective

in the long-term. Cardio immediately burns calories & fat, while lifting adds more muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest.

[idgiehkt]

13. I think this is true.

Of course I'm biased because I really enjoy the anaerobic stuff a little more. I am pulling my hair out over the cardio right now. I want to run really bad, I've tried to start again about 5 times in the last year, and my legs are messed up in some weird way that feels just like shin splints but there is no reason on earth I should have shin splints. I try to make myself walk but I find walking really boring. I am now in the process of going through my book of exercises and trying to make a routine or something that will act as cardio. I really don't think people should go from being totally sedentary to doing alot of running. It's really hard on the body. I suppose walking is better to start off with. I don't think that weights can be underestimated in terms of the benefit it will have on a person's body even besides making you burn more calories per hour overall.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. My shins are fucked. My right knee is on the way to being fucked.

Karate. It does a body good.

:eyes:

[idgiehkt]

18. how are your shins messed up?

Is it from repeated kicks, or something else? I'd love to hear about it. I just spent the last several months doing exercises to strengthen the sides of my knees and my ankles so I could run again and now I can't figure out what the hell is wrong with my shins (my tibias?)...If I run I'm fine during but the next several days are pure hell. Especially if I have to squat down for anything it feels like something is going to rip right off the bone, it hurts so bad. It may just be age and I may have to quit running for good. I always ran through my knee pain and I really feel like I have that licked, at least for fitness running which is all I have ever done anyway, I've never been interested in racing or anything. I think I may actually be a suppinator which is really rare but I usually just wear tennis shoes unlaced all day and I think I am wobbling out to the outside of my foot and maybe something on the inner side of my leg is underdeveloped...I don't know but it's driving me nuts because I miss running so much. I was actually thinking about a martial arts program since it seems to be good for your core and my abdominal muscles have never been really strong. I am too old to spar or anything like that but I am sure some of the movements would be good for strength and cardio.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

19. Repeated kicks. My left shin is fucked in particular.

I was in a full-contact match and I kicked at the same time as the other girl. She had her foot extended already. Her foot collided into my shin (so she wasn't hurt). I went down immediately and I was laid up for a bit. It wasn't broken, but the doctors said had I not been wearing the (optional) shin pads, it would have probably shattered. Since then, I get terrible shin splints running and if I get kicked in the shin, even relatively lightly, I go straight down.

On edit: It is a good workout for cardio and strength. However old you are, you'll be sparring. Sorry, but that's the way it is. However, how hard they push you in sparring will be in line with your physical abilities. You won't be sparring like I was sparring.

[idgiehkt]

20. holy crap.

I almost felt that...ow, ow, ow. It's kind of scary because if someone opposing you in a match knew this they could use it against you.

I have had a little trouble with shin splints in the past but nothing like this. It sucks. If I don't find a way to do some cardio soon I will probably end up getting committed.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

21. Honestly, when I competed my sideline warmups were fake pretty much.

Technically, strikes below the waist are forbidden, so I just had to be extra careful to not make a mistake like what resulted in my shin getting fucked.

However, my left shoulder is also messed up from being dislocated while sparring (it was a jackass green belt mistake). Since my left shoulder could be a very legal target, I would act like my right shoulder was messed up during warm-ups. This way, any sort of smart competitor who watches their opponents would go after my right shoulder, which could take more punishment.

I don't compete anymore, but I really want to get back into it.

The thing about the martial arts is most injuries are caused by/happen to novices or cocky brown belts. The brown belts know what their doing, but if they get too arrogant in their skills, they'll get hurt or hurt others.

[idgiehkt]

23. wow.

I love hearing you talk about this, since I know very little (read: nothing) about martial arts. So I guess people watch during the warmups to scope you out for injuries...nice.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

24. I watched my competitors for weaknesses and I assumed that any other

decent fighter was doing the same. It just makes sense. If you can see where your opponent is injured, why not try to turn that into an incapcitating injury? I'm pretty nice in real life, but I'm proudly merciless in the ring, and with the exception of the shin thing, I don't almost never feel pain in the ring. The adrenaline shuts that off. My sensei made me continue the match with the dislocated shoulder (it was in class) and I did it.

Basically, I love to fight and I almost never came home without a medal or a trophy. There was only one other girl that I couldn't beat at all. She actually ended up going on to getting Pepsi as a sponsor and touring the world. I traveled, but only on the US circuit.

[idgiehkt]

26. that is so cool

I don't think I have it in me and I admire anyone who does. I have experienced the adrenaline rush but I don't think I can really do anything but defend myself, in the times I've been in that circumstance. Did the guy know your shoulder was dislocated? That seems kind of mean...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

28. Yeah, it was pretty obvious.

It was obviously hanging and I couldn't use it. His exact words were "God gave you two arms, use the other one." He's very rough; he had been in the military and now has very high security clearance through work and still trains with them. One of the reasons I'm not involved as much anymore has to do with major falling outs over politics. Like the first phase of the black belt testing (a 24 hour affair) is called "Shock & Awe," as in how we "shock & awed" Baghdad.

[idgiehkt]

29. man, that sucks

and 'hanging' made me cringe when I read that...I guess it's good for a person to learn that they can bear pain but good grief. I bet your Mom probably wanted to beat him up when she found out.

Do you not want to work with someone else or is he the best there is around there? I would take offense at those things too.

My old boss was into martial arts and he was also in the military, or something like that, in Canada. He was always showing me stuff to do for self defence. Like telling me it only takes 16 pounds of force to rip someone's ear off, so if I get cornered I should do that. I can't imagine holding someone's ear in my hand. Blech. He also said I should get oranges and practice poking my thumbs through them so I could practice poking someone's eyes out. Yum. He had all kinds of weapons he used to bring to work and practice with.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

30. My parents were there. They were okay with it.

The funny thing is my mom is also in the martial arts and she's a total wimp. She hasn't sparred since I accidentally popped her five years ago. She should be a black belt, but she keeps pussying out on her black belt testing.

There's a couple other dojos around that I want to try out, but they're all about an hours drive and pretty expensive. My dojo is local and free (since I'm a black belt).

It's gross, but yeah, the eyes are the best thing to go for in self-defense. We teach to go for the eyes, throat, and then groin, if attacked. It's gross, but if my life was in danger, I'd take out someone's eyes or rip off their ears. If they're trying to kill me, then why should I feel bad about it? The orange thing is interesting. I'll have to ask my instructor if he's heard that one before. Personally, I'd imagine it'd be easier to pluck out someone's eyes than push my thumbs through an orange.

[idgiehkt]

32. apparently that's how they do it in the Canadian military.

Honestly I never tried it because I don't like getting orange peels under my fingernails. Eyeballs would be grosser, but easier to clean, I'm sure.

That's neat your Mom is also in the martial arts, how cool. If she's not a black belt what is she, I don't know anything about the levels. I understand about having political fallout with that guy...it's such a shame everything is so divisive but it is. I remember getting into a fight with my parents the night the war in Iraq started. I had taken care of my grandmother until she died and everyone was at her house and I just lost it and started crying and screaming and everyone else there was thinking it was a most excellent patriotic thing going on. I was so upset I could barely talk. It's hard for me to confront this stuff with anyone anymore so I can imagine how hard that must have been to have those stupid slogans applied to something you loved in a place that was important to you.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

33. She's an ik-kyu...

which is the highest level of brown belt. There are three levels of brown belt in my style and you spend at least 3 years as a brown belt (year at each level). She's been an ik-kyu for about three years now.

Honestly, the stupid "shock & awe" thing didn't bother me all that much. Hell, we do shock and awe them during their testing. Honestly, what we put brown belts through is fucked up and our testings are really fucked up. During the testing you will be pushed to your psychological and physical limits. However, people come out of it tougher than the average person, and I don't support easing it up, because I do believe a black belt should be tougher than the average person. Many dojos hand them out too easily and that cheapens it. And you become bonded with whoever you get tested with. I tested with only one other person, but we went through that whole year together. Joel is my black belt brother and we consider that a very close bond.

Most of my problems with my instructor have stemmed from things like me going to a peace march and him having issues with that.

[idgiehkt]

34. that seems strange to me

because I thought martial arts was about self-defense and kind of avoiding conflict unless you can't get out of it and then just protecting yourself. It seems like a peace march is something he would support. How strange.

When you say what you put them through are you talking psychologically like in army boot camp or physically or both?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

35. He's very much for the Iraq war.

The man has a Shrub quote painted on the back of his pick-up.

Yeah, you're pretty much psychologically ripped apart, put down, and physically kicked down for a year. Then, we try to completely destroy you for the first 3/4 of the black belt testing. If you make it through that, we shift the tone and try to encourage and help you through the rest of your black belt testing. It's just like how later on in boot camp, it shifts from ripping you apart to having everyone work as a team. Once you make it through the black belt testing, you're part of the team though. Just like boot camp has the graduating class, whoever you're always "brothers" with whomever you got your blackbelt with.

[idgiehkt]

36. sounds like my childhood, lol

my ex-girlfriend said MEPS in the Navy was like that. They made them do alot of fucked up stuff and laughed at them.

I admire you for going through that. I think I would just cry and go home, lol.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

37. Oh, I felt like it.

Actually, the only time I ever cried in karate was during my black belt testing. It was on Memorial Day weekend and I remember just thinking, "I should be at a BBQ right now." Anyway, I got kicked in the head really hard by a 6'3" 200lb brown belt (I'm 5'1", 105lbs), went airborne and spent some time rolling around on the ground clutching my head. My instructor said, "that's because you have your earrings in." My response, "I don't have my earrings in. It's my next." I ended up crying, mostly because mentally I was just shot at that point. I got my shit together though and continued.

And when it came time for that brown belt to be tested (he had a history of purposely beating women in class), the black belts that were running my testing bloodied him, and told him it was because of what he did to me during my testing and how he treated women in general. Guess what? He doesn't beat up on smaller women anymore.

[idgiehkt]

38. wow.

earrings? that is so weird. I don't know why anyone that big would feel the need to bully someone that much smaller. What glory is there in that? Sigh...I'm glad he got what was coming to him then. It pisses me off though, what he did.

I have to go to bed, I should have gone an hour ago...you have a good night, and sweet dreams. I'll be round these parts again tomorrow I'm sure. Nighty-night.

[Scooter24]

3. Why not do both?

why not do both? Start with weights and finish with cardio. Don't forget a pre- and post- stretch and warmup.

Also evaluate your diet. Cut back on those calories. No more sodas!

And stay motivated :)

[Fountain79]

4. Not even diet soda? n/t

[Scooter24]

10. You should try and cut most caffeine out of your diet.

It's good for your heart if you do. Water is the most important thing to drink. I drink a lot of water, but also drink some apple juice, OJ and some low-fat milk every so often. I do splurge here and there like tonight with wine, but it's proportional and not in abundance.

Another good thing to learn when dieting. Eating several smaller meals throughout the day rather than 3 or so large meals.

[Left Is Write]

11. An occasional diet pop won't hurt, but don't make it a daily habit.

Some studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can actually increase your appetite by preparing your body for sugars it then expects to receive, triggering hunger.

[femmocrat]

5. Camp Ihatetoexercise.

I would rather cut calories.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

9. Until your body goes into starvation mode and your metabolism gets

fucked.

Exercise is the only long-term way. That's why diets fail.

[Left Is Write]

12. Exactly. Cutting calories without exercise is a good way to sabotage

the metabolism, which can result in being unable to eat even normally without gaining weight.

[LeftyMom]

6. I'm eating my way to fatness.

You get sweaty, I get cookies and ice cream.*

Just kidding. Mostly. :)

*But they're vegan, so I get to tell myself that I'm being healthy. :eyes:

[flvegan]

7. Depends.

You can run all day long, but if it doesn't raise your metabolism, you're not going to burn much. You can lift all day long, but if your form and intensity are for crap, you won't build much.

Proper fitness is the key.

[Left Is Write]

8. Cardio and strength training are both important.

Cardio will give you a temporary metabolic lift, but weight training will increase your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories all the time - at rest and during activity - than fat does. Building and maintaining lean muscle mass is very important for metabolism, strong bones, and general health.

Cardio exercise is important for burning fat, improving cardiovascular strength, helping to achieve and/or maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and a host of other health benefits.

Don't do one or the other. Do both.

[ZombieNixon]

15. I do both.

Run and lift.

:shrug:

[Redstone]

16. The smoking, drinking,cussing, watching your kids mow

the lawn camp.

Not much weight loss, but a hell of a lot less stressful than the others.

Redstone

[leftofthedial]

22. I joined 24-Second Fitness

seems to work out just about right.

[Broken_Hero]

25. primarily

cardio...for me, I don't have any free weights to mess around with, but I do some heavy lifting when doing yardwork/getting wood...I throw in a few sets of pushups every now and then to keep my upper body somewhat active, but thats about it. For cardio, I walk 3.5 miles, plus a 15 mile stretch on my exercise bike...

[Starlight]

27. To be fit, you need BOTH strength training & cardiovascular exercise.

[Random_Australian]

31. Capoeira.

It does both, and it is a HELL of a lot more fun than any silly running or lifting.... though I must admit, the max weight you lift IS your own body weight. :)