Resolutionists and Indulgent Gym Traffic

[Foot2big]

Well, it's that time of the year. It starts right after Thanksgiving and continues until Feb 1.

Its that time of the year where all the people who SHOULD have been working out all year long, look in the mirror after that third helping of Turkey and Pie leftovers, and think, "Damn! I got fat." That button on those 38" pants doesn't button without a lot of gut sucking, and then it cuts into that spare tire like a butter knife into a ham. Others are trying on winter outfits, only to find that last year's selection does not fit this years indiscretion. Whatever the case of physical dissatisfaction, these people hit the gym like the shoppers at a black friday Walmart.

Expect to hear a lot of: "I'm going to stick to my exercise regimen this year." And, "Hey, long time no see Jim, how was your year?". There will be lots of moaning, excess sweating and long lines on your favorite exercise station. (The pull up bar is ALWAYS open and available however. LOL) Not to worry tho, by February 1 they'll retreat back into their sedentary existences, no skinnier, just sore. The pants still don't fit right, and just like last year, the hot christmas item will be NEW pants. (Albeit 1 or 2 sizes larger.)

On a positive note, the skatepark gets deserted. The children are back in school, and only us HARDCORE atheletes have the cojones to get out there and brave the cold.

This concludes my saturday rant.

(Do work YEAR ROUND!)

[online inline]

yeah, no kidding.
i always think how tough it is to stay in shape and keep weight down to acceptable level. My day revolves around it, and theres hours every day that go into it.
I'm generally meeting my fitness goals. But how hard must it be if the goal was to drop 150 pounds? Or a hundred? Or even twenty-five?
I can't imagine. In all honesty, I don't know if i could do it. COuld you? Would you stick to it once you found out how incredibably hard this was going to be (and it will be incredibably hard!) WOuld you even start?
Of all the knucleheads at the gym or on the trail that i run into, the overweight crowd giving it a go are not the ones that piss me off. THey are perhaps the bravest of the bunch, imo. So, without being a jerk, i try to do anything i can to make them feel welcome. Most of the time, that just means not staring, or not being judgemental, or maybe just being average courteous. Maybe just saying hello.
ANyway, they are the ones worthy of our admiration. THe ones that piss me off are the ones who don't even start to take responsiblity for their health.
Really hopes it works out for these guys/gals.

[Foot2big]

THat is a great sentiment. Being someone who lost 90lbs and kept it off for almost 3 years, I can empathize with those just starting down that path. What gets me is that they know what to do, a lot of the ones I run into are educated, professionals and it just doesn't occur to them to take care of their bodies until it goes into crisis mode.

And then there are those guys you see in there daily, still working on the baby weights, no apparent progress after years! Man, if you're gonna bother to go to the gym damn near daily, throw on a few extra plates and do work! Push away from the dinner table a plate early too. I only get an hour and half a day to take care of my business, and I make it count.

For those who are going to try again this year, more power to you! Stick with it this time dammit.

[online inline]

dropping 90 pounds! That is just about unheard of! Way to go.
THe ones that kill me, and there are dozens and dozens of them, are the guys who are throwing around some major weights, having obviously been at it for a while, and they are still overweight. WHat, never heard of a little cardio? HOw about balancing your workout? Being fit means more than pounding a lot of weights. I guess being conditioned is not as important to some guys as just being really strong.
It's not like i love running, but damn, it keeps you conditioned.

[skaterdog]

It is that time of year again. I admire the folks that are willing to humble themselves in an effort to get fit. I think it takes a lot of guts to start to run, swim or whatever around a group of very fit people...when you are way out of shape and have a long way to go.


All right...it can be irritating too. Like why do people have to hold on to the handles of the treadmill? Isn't that counterproductive?

And some folks seem to want to get fit in a couple of days. It's the boot camp mentality....push yourself to the limit each and every day.

Holding on to the handles though....I was running on the treadmill a couple of weeks ago and the guy next to me was complaining (bragging?) to his friend that he would never be able to get his heart rate high enough for his upcoming stress test. I look over at him and he is holding onto the handles of the treadmill and walking about 3 mph. He goes on about how he does the treadmill and elliptical every day and the stress test could never get him stressed enough.

[online inline]

s_dog, i was thinking that they might be holding onto the handles of the treadmill in order to get a heart rate reading. The sensors are located on the siderails. So i googled it and sure enough, there's a mention of it on About.com under treadmills. It supports your attitude that holding onto the siderails is counterproductive:

"Handgrip vs. Wireless Heart Rate Control

Handgrip Control: Treadmills with handgrip heart rate control require holding on to the sensors located on the siderails. It is awkward for walking, and just not feasible for jogging. Only one type of heart rate control makes sense, and that is wireless.
Wireless Control: With wireless control, you attach a strap around your chest, and your heart rate is fed to the console. This in turn controls the intensity of your workout by keeping your cardio exercise within a predetermined heart rate."

[Foot2big]

Man the traffic has been rediculous the past few days..... grrr
"They're gettin sweat all over everywhere!" Said the nice lady who has to clean the machines at the YMCA.

[skaterdog]

Originally Posted by online inline

s_dog, i was thinking that they might be holding onto the handles of the treadmill in order to get a heart rate reading. The sensors are located on the siderails. So i googled it and sure enough, there's a mention of it on About.com under treadmills. It supports your attitude that holding onto the siderails is counterproductive:

Oh, thanks OI. I couldn't figure that one out.

[Foot2big]

They got em on the bikes too. If you feel around you can find a small hole in each side that you're supposed to put your index finger over.

I know this from back in the day when I was one of those guilty indulgent resolutionists. I can spot them, because I was one of them.....

Wouldn't be caught dead on one of them gravy trains these days. LOL

[swolltitan]

I know what to do, I just don't have the time to go. I work an hour away. Leave work to pick son up from day care and wife doesn't get home until its time for dinner. I get him in the bath and in bed, and make sure he goes to sleep. By then it's less than an hour left the gym is open... So weekend warrior or not at all

[speedysktr]

Originally Posted by skaterdog

...I think it takes a lot of guts to start to run, swim or whatever around a group of very fit people...when you are way out of shape and have a long way to go...

Actually, the guts is demonstrated by sticking to it after the initial wave of motivation subsides upon realizing that this isn't going to happen overnight. I think that is what is most frustrating for those that have made that jump to light speed. Knowing that they were once one of the wannabees and knowing that all you have to do is just suck it up and let it happen. Anybody can get a bad case of the RAH-RAHs and start busting out, but keeping it going is what seperates the worker bees from the wanna bees.

[skaterdog]

Originally Posted by speedysktr

Actually, the guts is demonstrated by sticking to it after the initial wave of motivation subsides upon realizing that this isn't going to happen overnight. I think that is what is most frustrating for those that have made that jump to light speed. Knowing that they were once one of the wannabees and knowing that all you have to do is just suck it up and let it happen. Anybody can get a bad case of the RAH-RAHs and start busting out, but keeping it going is what seperates the worker bees from the wanna bees.

The RAH-RAHS. They are good for getting folks into the gym but can lead to injury, burnout and not sticking to the program.

[Foot2big]

It's been a steady parade of strangers bearing blubber at my gym. And it's just gonna get worse after the 1st. Luckily all I use is the incline situp bench and the pullup bar. Both of which stations see the least amount of traffic. I wonder why that is?

[skaterdog]

Originally Posted by Foot2big

It's been a steady parade of strangers bearing blubber at my gym. And it's just gonna get worse after the 1st. Luckily all I use is the incline situp bench and the pullup bar. Both of which stations see the least amount of traffic. I wonder why that is?

A lot of them are using the pool here during lap swim. It has what I call the Tsunami effect...

[crashpants]

I burned off 50 pounds over the last 24 months, mostly by skating. I started on the elliptical to get the started, then worked up the distance on the skates.

It takes a change in attitude toward your lifestyle. I did that at the Austin Veloway, and saw the new heavyweights show up with expensive bikes and wearing spandex. They generally didn't last long. I think there was maybe two other people that I remember putting in the time out there that I did, but there may have been others with a different schedule. Even then, they weren't many.

3500 calories per pound and a sustainable burn rate of about a pound a week.... do the math, it takes a lot of time and effort.

Yup, my 38" waist pants were getting too tight when I decided enough is enough. I now wear 32".

[skaterdog]

OK...last night a guy working out next to me was wearing a sweater vest and a stocking cap.

[Foot2big]

We had two hot Russian blonde girls working out yesterday. Now those are the types of strangers I like to see at the gym!

True story. My homeboy thinks they're spies! lol