Getting in shape



Surprised no one has mentioned Deadlifting yet, just about the best single exerxise you can do for strength training, it gets your entire body. Just watch your form when you are doing them. Oh and if you can handle them, pull ups are great as well, most people dodge them as they are pretty tough, worth the effort though.
 
I need to go watch some videos of new workouts or maybe shell out the $$$ for a personal trainer a few times per week.

And as for taking time off I actually just took 2 1/2 weeks off with nothing but the usual cardio. Yesterday was my first day back in the gym and I didn't workout tonight cause I was so fuckin sore.



Seriously man if you've been dedicated enough to go to the gym for 1 1/2 years - do p90x - you'll transform your body dramatically in 90 days.

It's a sound program, and it requires no thinking. You don't need to spend money on a personal trainer or try to remember any rules - you just do what Tony does onscreen and you'll get ripped and stronger than ever in 13 weeks.
 
Started at 218 in late November. Now at 192. I did 2 weeks of hardcore atkins in nov/dec, took winter break off and ate like a fat kid at a church picnic, now back on hardcore atkins again. Something must be working, down 26 lbs in a couple months really
 
Be careful with binge dieting like that PJ. It creates and reinforces horrible habits.
 
Oh and if you can handle them, pull ups are great as well, most people dodge them as they are pretty tough, worth the effort though.

Haha, yeah this is true but REALLY FUCKING SAD. I die a little on the inside when I see guys that can't get a single fucking pullup. So pathetic.
 
If you have really hit a plateau, here is also a new progression form that has kicked my butt when I did it.

1 - Choose your desired repetitions. Awww, fuck it. You need to hit 12 reps. One complete exercise will be 3 times 12reps.

2 - Start with the first set of 12 reps. If you manage to make 12 in perfect form, add weight. Actually, if you manage 10, add weight. If you do not, KEEP the weight.

3 - The second set. If you manage 10 or more, add weight. If not, keep the current weight.

4 - The 3rd set of 12. No, you will not make the 12. Strive for 10.

5 - IMPORTANT - Make notes, so you know where to start next time.

6 - every 4-6 weeks, change your routine.

You just described, in perfect detail, what my trainer does to me about once every week and a half (two weeks, maybe). I like to call it "fatigue day". That was yesterday for the chest and triceps.

3 different exercises for chest: incline, decline and flys

4 exercises for triceps: pulldowns with the V bar, pulldowns with the rope, and two weird machines.

He kept adding weights each set and by the end of the second set my muscles were seriously fatiguing (is that a word?) out on me. I HATE that. Not because it's hard, but because it feels like the weight beat me. I don't like losing to a bunch of iron.

So, today....I'm sore as fuck. And there wasn't a single masseuse available in Omaha. I need these knots worked out BAD. Instead, I'm just stretching and drinking a lot of water.
 
Great job deciding to get in shape! Best of luck. I think I'll ramp up on the exercise as well!
 
Good job man. Let me throw in another piece of advice in here that you should take to heart. Don't do anything too extreme. There's a a bunch of stuff you can do (super low carbs, counting, measuring, portions, extreme workouts, etc...) I've done most of them but the problem is, that only lasts for so long. Eventually, you need a break to something more sustainable.

I'm a firm believer in training hard and a strict diet. However, you always have to ask yourself, "can I keep this up for the rest of my life?" If you're trying to get a great bod for the summer or land a movie role like actors, this extreme stuff is fine, but it's not sustainable. Take it slow and steady and you'll not only reach your goal weight/body but keep it. The latter's what counts in the end.
 
Right on SEO_Mike!

I'm a more minimalist exercise guy, so I just go to the park and workout like these hustlers:

My longest string of exercise was 2 years ago, 1 hour of intense "ghetto workout" for 45 days straight then I overtrained and burnt out. Nowadays I just stick to 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week

YouTube - Fitness From the streets Part 2

word man, get money!

I do that too
 
Best of luck, Mike! I want to drop some lbs. this year as well. I'm 6'2", 220 lbs. - not overly out of shape, but I would like to slim down to 190 or at least bulk up with some muscle. Keep us posted. :)
 
3 more weeks until spring, time to get extra fit :D

For those of you who don't exercise often, 30 minutes a day of brisk walking, jogging and "ghetto workout" gives you insane energy boost. Almost as good as sex.

No gym membership necessary baby!
 
There's some really good and bad advice in this thread, i lost 30 pounds in 2 months and have been learning a lot as I go. As a general rule, Get your carbs, fats, and proteins from 'natural' foods. Don't juice your fruit, eat it raw. Get a Good Whole Wheat Bread with high fiber. Grass fed beef and leafy greens is a good meal. Drink water ONLY. Fruits and veggies are great, but stay away from some like pineapple, corn, potatoes. Berries and greens are great. I lost most of it on Atkins, but that will take alot of energy out of you at first so do a more southbeach/natural diet.
 
Want to lose 15-30lb's in 28 days with almost no muscle loss? Simplest fucking diet to follow ever. Velocity Diet.

5 Shakes a day, you spread out
Whey Protein
Casien Protein
Milled Flax
Fish Oil Tablets
Fiber Tablets
Gatorade or some source of good carbs.

I have an excel spreadsheet I made so you can figure out how many scoops/pills you need on each meal to reach your correct levels.

TESTOSTERONE MUSCLE | Velocity Diet 3.0 | Velocity Diet Program 3.0

Velocity Diet Questions! - Bodybuilding.com Forums