The New Years Fitness Resolution Thread 2009

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by J pold

During the summer I was in the best shape of my adult life, but like years past once I'm back at school I fall off the wagon. I didn't gain much weight but lost whatever tone and strength I had.

I just tweaked my school schedule so that I can get too the gym at least 4 days a week, hopefully more. I'm going to start eating right again, I had a good diet in the summer eating a good balance of protein, carbs, and fats in smaller portions every 3 hours or so.

I worked out for the summer (pretty much the first last and only working out I've ever done) and I had some crazy strength and definition going on, considering how short of a time it was.

Since school, nope. I found in the summer though, I didn't really need to watch what I ate, I just automatically ate better. Weird.

As for my resolution, I am going to wait until the "resolutioners" (like me) hit the gyms, and then when they give up in February, I will hit them hard again. Should be a good time. I liked working out. Mostly do weights, not much cardio.

[troutman]

I got a head start for 2009 - I have been to the gym 26 times in December. West-Side Rec Center is awesome. Saw Dowboy there the other day.

Maybe I can hit home runs this summer?

[Shin Pad]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Stationery bikes aren't that great - go for an ellipitcal instead.

A resolve to achieve a better work/personal life balance in 2009.

Jiri - I have a gym in my basement, complete with a tread mill, stationary bike, universal gym and rowing machine. I recently had to replace the tread mill (I actually wore it right out). Now, I need to replace my stationary bike - it has pretty much been worn out too, although I'm still using it). Anyway, I was thinking of replacing it in the next few weeks. I was wondering about what your experience is with an elliptical trainer. Does it burn off more callories than a bike? I do alternate between running and biking - one day I bike, the next day I run on the tread mill. Wouldn't the elliptical trainer be more like running? I have never used one before.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I have to tell you, and maybe this should go in the confessional thread, my will power is at the point that I'm completely balking at posting some personal goals in this thread.

I have to do something though. My job is changing and that's going to eliminate even more exercise from my day and probably increase my stress level.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Nancy

So, I've got about $600 in my budget for 2009. Should I go for a gym membership or just buy another piece of equipment? (Already have a treadmill and some free weights at home.) As I tend to work out at 10 or 11PM, I am thinking of getting a cycle of some sort?

Assuming you living in Calgary, get a membership at the UofC. I have been going for 7 years now and 70 pounds later I can tell you it has changed my life around for the better.

Once you get into it you get obsessed with it.

The UofC is good cause there is an actual running track, the oval, tons of bikes and ellipticals, a pool, and a great weight room. Trust me, UofC is the best gym in the city.

And that membership is not even as close to World Health or Golds, or any of those other places.

If you are alumni, it is even cheaper.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by fotze

You were 70 lbs heavier or lighter?

heavier...

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Tiger

Damn these new year resolutions. Everybody trying to get into better shape makes the gyms really busy for the month of Jan. It goes back to normal in feb. once everyone gives up!

January does suck at the gym. Its funny how it happens every year and every year the overwhelming majority give up by February. I wonder how many of them try it every year? Not only does the gym become super crowded. All the newbies do annoying things like not putting the wieghts away, not wiping the machines down, using the same bench for 20 minutes, things like that. It can get pretty frustrating.

Just over a year ago I started going to the gym at 5:30am. You will get a few New Years Resolutioners going that early. But only a handful.

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I'm joining a boxing class in January with a buddy. We may not get into shape but we'll probably beat the bejeebus out of eachother.

You may be in for a surprise. The cardio training for boxing is very intense. From what I did, every single exercise/circuit is based on what you would experience in the ring. Constant regular cardio (ie. footwork, boxing) then heavy intensity (throwing flurries, power punches). 3 minutes on a heavy bag like that was almost overwhelming. Even something as simple as skipping rope was pretty hairy. Fun stuff, though; best training I've ever done.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by Tiger

Damn these new year resolutions. Everybody trying to get into better shape makes the gyms really busy for the month of Jan. It goes back to normal in feb. once everyone gives up!

Be thankful. The money gyms rake in from resolutioners is what keeps them in business. These (we?) people subsidize the hard core gym goers.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by troutman

I got a head start for 2009 - I have been to the gym 26 times in December. West-Side Rec Center is awesome. Saw Dowboy there the other day.

Maybe I can hit home runs this summer?

Westside Rec would be on my short list of possible gym candidates. It seems a bit spendy, though, considering I probably won't get any use out of either the pool or the ice surface, and that, I imagine, is where most of the money goes.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Nancy

Westside Rec would be on my short list of possible gym candidates. It seems a bit spendy, though, considering I probably won't get any use out of either the pool or the ice surface, and that, I imagine, is where most of the money goes.

A family rate is a good deal - about $1000 for the whole family (most things included, even classes). My only complaint is that it is too successful. Too many members - sometimes hard to get parking or find a free cardio machine.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by troutman

A family rate is a good deal - about $1000 for the whole family (most things included, even classes). My only complaint is that it is too successful. Too many members - sometimes hard to get parking or find a free cardio machine.

That is pretty reasonable for a family. Considering most gyms are at least $500 for a single membership without pools or ice surfaces.

[Ch40s]

Having one point in the year where you pledge to make sweeping health changes in your life is downright ridiculous!

There are very few people who ever come close to meeting their lofty goals.

Instead, try setting small, specific goals throughout the year and ensure you follow through on them. Something as little as cutting back on the amount of wings you have every friday, and then moving on to eating an extra couple of servings of vegetables each week, that sort of thing!

I have always been very healthy and fit, as I play a bunch of sports and train throughout the year for general and sports specific fitness. I'm able to jump right into a program and have very good efficacy but to expect that from others who don't have my lifestyle is unfair. I can empathize, however, in some of the health changes I have made, especially in my diet. Over the past year I have all but cut out desserts, and have made my diet of much better quality (I should mention that a lot of motivation for that came from knowledge gained from nutrition classes!).

So in sum I plead; do not make a New Year's resolution! Build to your goals throughout the year.

[LGA]

Go from being a decent kickboxer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu guy to becoming an excellent kickboxer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu guy. I also need to add about 20 lbs to my frame as I've developed the anti-holiday eating pattern where I barely eat at all.

[Winsor_Pilates]

To the OP, I recommend getting a gym membership.
For myself, I find working out at home has too many distractions and limitations. Its easy to find myself in-front of the computer or TV or whatever else, and cut my workouts short. Plus a good gym offers a lot of variety, classes and my favorite motivator; eye candy.
I would also recommend joining a sport or team of some sort to make cardio more fun and committed. I play soccer twice a week, and it makes a huge effect on me getting extra cardio in, plus I love it.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by troutman

A family rate is a good deal - about $1000 for the whole family (most things included, even classes). My only complaint is that it is too successful. Too many members - sometimes hard to get parking or find a free cardio machine.

Am I stoned... I can see where I can add a child dependent to a membership, but nothing that would cover a whole family including the spouse:

http://www.westsiderec.com/bs_home.h...13&MenuID=2097

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Tiger

Damn these new year resolutions. Everybody trying to get into better shape makes the gyms really busy for the month of Jan. It goes back to normal in feb. once everyone gives up!

Amen to that! It always drives me nuts!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by troutman

I got a head start for 2009 - I have been to the gym 26 times in December. West-Side Rec Center is awesome. Saw Dowboy there the other day.

Maybe I can hit home runs this summer?

Maybe an inside the park homer with that new found speed of yours

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Tiger

Damn these new year resolutions. Everybody trying to get into better shape makes the gyms really busy for the month of Jan. It goes back to normal in feb. once everyone gives up!

It started in December with the gym i go to. Damn treadmills are always in use when i get there

[habernac]

I had a decent 2008. Got down to below 170lbs for the first time in 10 years. Raced 3 big mtn bike races and got into great shape. The problem was I went too hard in the last one and totally wasted myself. Took a month off and never got back to where I was. I have a knee MRI for Feb and now my rotator cuff is not feeling very good.

My goal is to get back below 170 and stay there.