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It's going to be nice to fit into my wetsuit again and actual go scuba diving again
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P90X is my workout routine. I started in January and have lost 13 real pounds and 3 inches in my waste. Damnit I have to buy new pants, they are falling off of me. Eight more pounds to go to be at my ideal weight and a new wardrobeI'm on my 3rd cycle (since September) - down 20 pounds - body fat % waayyy down - 4 inches of the waist - still have a little ways to go but I'm 52 years old and haven't felt this good in 20 years. Stick with it DFW5....it keeps getting better!!
It's going to be nice to fit into my wetsuit again and actual go scuba diving againOriginally Posted by DFW5Traveler
I'm on my 3rd cycle (since September) - down 20 pounds - body fat % waayyy down - 4 inches of the waist - still have a little ways to go but I'm 52 years old and haven't felt this good in 20 years. Stick with it DFW5....it keeps getting better!! Originally Posted by Ed HighlightI'm over 50 so I was wondering if it would work for me. Nice to know.
I'm over 50 so I was wondering if it would work for me. Nice to know. Originally Posted by Marcus AureliusMarcus, you have to be at least a little fit to do the standard workout. I had to work up to it....There are different levels of intensity and you have to start at your most comfortable level or you can hurt yourself...go to it!!
I'm on my 3rd cycle (since September) - down 20 pounds - body fat % waayyy down - 4 inches of the waist - still have a little ways to go but I'm 52 years old and haven't felt this good in 20 years. Stick with it DFW5....it keeps getting better!! Originally Posted by Ed HighlightI'm 43 and when I hit 200+ with a 300+ Cholesteral level, I said enough is enough. I'm going all drill instructor on myself and pushing myself pretty darned hard.
I'm over 50 so I was wondering if it would work for me. Nice to know. Originally Posted by Marcus AureliusIt works, If you do it, just start at your own pace
Camille, this will be an unusual answer for a guy, but I struggle most with bench and shoulder press movements; the problem is a sticking point in my range of motion for those particular exercises. You didn't specifically ask for it, but I will offer the following thoughts with respect to weight training:What a great post!! I have always done squats and lunges...though I will admit for other reasons. My right glut goes into spasm if it's not worked regularly...and squats and lunges are great for that.
(1) London is absolutely correct with respect to using squats and lunges as the foundation for working your glutes. Find someone who can teach you how to perform a straight-legged deadlift (also known, with slight variation, as a Romanian deadlift) and that will further help to shape and firm your derriere, as well as your hamstrings and lower back, which, collectively, comprise the all important "posterior chain."
(2) If you have't been weight training for long, don't lament the amount of weight you can handle per se. Use a weight for which you can perform the desired number of repetitions but one which you can truly feel in the targeted muscle groups.
(3) If I understand you correctly, you were a former competitive athlete, so you will be far less prone to do this, but don't succumb to the "I'll get too muscular if I lift heavy" train of thought adopted by so many women. Barring pharmaceutical assistance, you probably don't have the hormonal profile to do so without years of hard, consistant training. Muscle adds shape and functional capability to the human body and, in my humble opinion, there is nothing more beautiful than an athletic female physique.
(4) For the purposes of avoiding strength imbalances and reducing injury risk, think of muscles as working together as antagonistic pairs. For example, the biceps functions to bend the elbow while the triceps elongates; the triceps straightens the elbow as the biceps relaxes.
(5) With respect to ab training, one movement that I particularly love is called a cable or pulley crunch. Ask one of the trainers at your gym to show you how to do this one. Since the lower back muscles (spinal erectors) work in opposition to the rectus abdominus (the proverbial six-pack), I would highly recommend an exercise commonly called "hyperextensions" for the lower back. Again, ask one of the trainers at your gym to show you how to do this one.
(6) If you truly want to get the best "bang for your buck," whether it be for the purposes of building muscle, burning fat or both, emphasize the heavy multi-joint exercises such as bench and shoulder presses, rowing movements, chins/pullups and deadlifts for the back, and, as previously noted, squats or leg presses for the legs.
I hope that this has been of some help. My undergraduate degree was in wellness & fitness, so I always enjoy discussing exercise protocols. Originally Posted by BreastLuvr
What a great post!! I have always done squats and lunges...though I will admit for other reasons. My right glut goes into spasm if it's not worked regularly...and squats and lunges are great for that.
The issue with my arms is a very limited range of motion. I can pull inwards..pushing outwards is a problem because I cannot get my arms to the starting point. Rowing crew required a very specific range of motion that I could manage...but I really am limited with other rotations.
The most important part of any exercise is strengthening your core. Any fitness pro will tell you that..and its true. Pilates and yoga are supposed to be brill for that...but bikram doesnt appeal to me because of the heat. I fancy a go at yoga..just not bikram lol. Don't you ever get dizzy/faint/light headed Olivia?
I agree about not worrying about building muscle. Keep your metabolism high (via diet and cardio) and its not that difficult to retain a lean look. I like a bit of definition...but it's actually pretty hard to build a muscular look by accident...it takes a lot of work.
I LOVE the rowing machines because it's cardio workout plus abs, gluts, triceps, biceps, quads and core strengthening in one. It makes me cringe when people don't use them correctly because you can cause some serious damage to your back/neck if you do not pull into your core correctly. My gym has every piece of cardio under the sun...except the rower.Grrrrrrr!!
Naomi..I'm impressed you like the ab circle pro. I hated the damn thing lol. Even with the pads it hurt my knees like HELL...and I further padded it too. I could not get into a comfortable position on that thing at all..regardless of the adjustments I made.
WTF...'aint no price tag on that here..because it's not for sale lol. Just doesn't work for me...
Thanks everyone for your feedback
Me xxxx Originally Posted by Camille
Camille, Having never met you and thus having not had the opportunity to evaluate your physique, Originally Posted by BreastLuvrI happen to think Camille looks just dandy. What do you think BL?
If you like a lot of cardio and core work the Insanity dvd series is very good. (but fairly intense) I was just trying to tone and still lost weight and a couple inches off my waist. It will get your obliques in shape. Did the entire scheduled progam last year....started again this week. Getting ready for the weekendAnd did it ever work for you!!Originally Posted by Logan135
I happen to think Camille looks just dandy. What do you think BL?Thanks for the link. I agree. With her long, lean lines, Camille would be a beautiful runway model, if she doesn't already have those credentials on her resume.
http://www.introducingcamille.com/24901.html
Originally Posted by SR Only