I've been working out more regularly lately and I'm feeling much better in general. Need to keep myself out of the lulls. My knee is feeling a lot better, too, but I'm guessing that's because softball ended over a month ago. 

Really grinding since Thanksgiving. Made it to the gym 5 days last week. 4 this week so far. Our business tends so be a little slower around the holidays so we do a ton short afternoons, early happy hours..etc. This is just the time of year when you want to have some Christmas beers every night. At this point, I'm just hoping to make it to the gym 4 or 5 days a week, be as disciplined as possible and recognize I'm not going to lose any more weight this year and staying exactly where I am until I can get the diet back in order in January is a win. 

Broke my foot on Sunday cooking. Dropped a large wooden cutting block on my foot breaking 3 bones. Not working out atm which partially spawned me buying a video game system so I don't go crazy.

posted by TBone14

Really grinding since Thanksgiving. Made it to the gym 5 days last week. 4 this week so far. Our business tends so be a little slower around the holidays so we do a ton short afternoons, early happy hours..etc. This is just the time of year when you want to have some Christmas beers every night. At this point, I'm just hoping to make it to the gym 4 or 5 days a week, be as disciplined as possible and recognize I'm not going to lose any more weight this year and staying exactly where I am until I can get the diet back in order in January is a win. 

The Christmas beer is my problem too, especially with this year I'm finding a lot more I like. I'm hoping that after the New Year when all the beer I like goes away for the IPA's and spring beers that can fuck off I'll continue dropping weight. 

I seemed to have (knock on wood) gotten over my nagging injuries that hindered my running. Just wish it wasn't cold AF outside. Running on a treadmill sucks. 

posted by Commander of Awesome

Broke my foot on Sunday cooking. Dropped a large wooden cutting block on my foot breaking 3 bones. Not working out atm which partially spawned me buying a video game system so I don't go crazy.

This sucks. Prayers tho. 

posted by friendfromlowry

The Christmas beer is my problem too, especially with this year I'm finding a lot more I like. I'm hoping that after the New Year when all the beer I like goes away for the IPA's and spring beers that can fuck off I'll continue dropping weight. 

My problem is that there isn't a beer style I don't like.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Broke my foot on Sunday cooking. Dropped a large wooden cutting block on my foot breaking 3 bones. Not working out atm which partially spawned me buying a video game system so I don't go crazy.

Damn, that sounds painful. Good luck with getting that healed up. Is it painful to walk at all?

I weighed myself for the first time in a while (I don't think I stepped on a scale at all in 2017) and I was not happy with the number (210). It's time to get serious about losing weight, I want to get back down below 200.

I tend to fail at eating healthy for lunch, so any easy ideas for healthy lunches that I can pack for work would be appreciated.

posted by justincredible

I weighed myself for the first time in a while (I don't think I stepped on a scale at all in 2017) and I was not happy with the number (210). It's time to get serious about losing weight, I want to get back down below 200.

I tend to fail at eating healthy for lunch, so any easy ideas for healthy lunches that I can pack for work would be appreciated.

On Sundays, we'll usually go to the local farm market and stock up on salad vegetables. We'll break these down into salad in a huge container so all I need to do is scoop out my salad in a bowl and add some kind of meat (or not) like steak, chicken, tuna, etc. Also sometimes will bring a bowl of berries.

If you eat a healthy dinner, just make extra and take the leftovers for lunch the following day. I'll often do this with salmon. I'll usually just eat the salmon cold as microwaving it in out company kitchen tends to make the place smell like Spring thaw in the Cleveland Flats.

My goal in 2017 was to regularly go to the gym and see some results. I did that, now I want to get stronger. I don't think my bench has really improved at all since April-June of last yr, stuck on benching body weight for the most part. I want to get to the point of reppin' 215, a nice goal from current 185.

posted by Commander of Awesome

My goal in 2017 was to regularly go to the gym and see some results. I did that, now I want to get stronger. I don't think my bench has really improved at all since April-June of last yr, stuck on benching body weight for the most part. I want to get to the point of reppin' 215, a nice goal from current 185.

How do you bench (form)?

posted by BR1986FB

How do you bench (form)?

Shoulders back & down, legs flat slightly out from the bench. I was dealing with shoulder soreness around this time last yr so I spent a good deal of time researching form, etc... I think it's pretty solid. I just need to get in the habit of starting 5 lbs heavier, etc....

I've tried a few different programs (5X5, 3X10, etc...). I like to start with bar, stretch, add 25s (5-8 rep), move on to 45 for like 5, then add 15, rep 5, take 15 off and put on 25 plates with the 45, 5 reps, move back down to the 45+15 for 5, then rep 45 for 10. sort of a hybrid but I feel I get a better workout that way having tried a few different methods.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Shoulders back & down, legs flat slightly out from the bench. I was dealing with shoulder soreness around this time last yr so I spent a good deal of time researching form, etc... I think it's pretty solid. I just need to get in the habit of starting 5 lbs heavier, etc....

 

I've tried a few different programs (5X5, 3X10, etc...). I like to start with bar, stretch, add 25s (5-8 rep), move on to 45 for like 5, then add 15, rep 5, take 15 off and put on 25 plates with the 45, 5 reps, move back down to the 45+15 for 5, then rep 45 for 10. sort of a hybrid but I feel I get a better workout that way having tried a few different methods.

It sounds like you're already close to doing it but when you are about to bench, pinch your shoulder bladers together on the bench and pull you feet back in (under you) as close as you can. If you can, this will create a little "arch" in your back (butt still remains on the bench). You want to decrease the distance the bar will descend. This should add a good 10-15 lbs to your bench if you do it properly.

posted by BR1986FB

It sounds like you're already close to doing it but when you are about to bench, pinch your shoulder bladers together on the bench and pull you feet back in (under you) as close as you can. If you can, this will create a little "arch" in your back (butt still remains on the bench). You want to decrease the distance the bar will descend. This should add a good 10-15 lbs to your bench if you do it properly.

Yeah true. That plus a wider grip will help. Bottom line I need to add weight, regardless. I also work out at 5 am with only about 0-3 ppl in there. So I don't have a spotter. I need to be ok with failing and letting the weights drop off the end of the bar as well.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Yeah true. That plus a wider grip will help. Bottom line I need to add weight, regardless. I also work out at 5 am with only about 0-3 ppl in there. So I don't have a spotter. I need to be ok with failing and letting the weights drop off the end of the bar as well.

This program works.  

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=899851

About to attempt the switch form evening to morning workouts. I've failed everytime, it's really difficult for me to keep at it and not want to pass out at 3pm in my office.

On a positive note, I've been working out every Saturday and Sunday for the past few months, minus the holidays. It's really nice when you feel like skipping early in the week when the gym is most packed.

posted by Automatik

About to attempt the switch form evening to morning workouts. I've failed everytime, it's really difficult for me to keep at it and not want to pass out at 3pm in my office.

On a positive note, I've been working out every Saturday and Sunday for the past few months, minus the holidays. It's really nice when you feel like skipping early in the week when the gym is most packed.

 

 

Weekends are my main cardio days. Only go to the gym is raining. I find them to be more packed than during the week. Might have something to do wiht the time of day I work out.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Weekends are my main cardio days. Only go to the gym is raining. I find them to be more packed than during the week. Might have something to do wiht the time of day I work out.

Probably not applicable to you but I work night shift x3 nights a week so my off days I like to go around 9-10am and it's desserted except for old people. It's pretty busy between 4-7pm. 

My building has a gym. Like others, busy in the evenings, tails off later in the week. It's completely dead early mornings and weekends. 

I've been getting outside to workout much more than in the past. I'll be eager to get back on the track for sprint workouts, but that's on hold now because Polar Vortex.

posted by BR1986FB

On Sundays, we'll usually go to the local farm market and stock up on salad vegetables. We'll break these down into salad in a huge container so all I need to do is scoop out my salad in a bowl and add some kind of meat (or not) like steak, chicken, tuna, etc. Also sometimes will bring a bowl of berries.

Also, cut out the salad dressing, which 99% of them have sugar.  If you need something on top, find the best EVOO you can.

posted by Verbal Kint

Also, cut out the salad dressing, which 99% of them have sugar.  If you need something on top, find the best EVOO you can.

 

Yeah, EVOO & vinegar works for me. That pre-made stuff will get you.

I made a dressing last night with avacado, buttermilk, rice vinegar, salt, and cilantro. Blended until smooth. It's very tasty, and healthier than something you'd buy at the store.

Think I'm going to purchase a new treadmill tonight. Have a coupon from the local Dunham's Sporting goods for $499 (regular price $1100+). My current treadmill will go 25 minutes (max) and then abruptly stop. It won't restart again until it's turned off and let sit for about an hour. I really don't want to lose any teeth so I'm biting the bullet on a new one.

Also looking for either a treadmill or elliptical for the house. I know I won't go to the gym, and my wife would rather have an elliptical. Might wait until March so people start selling their Christmas gifts on craigslist. 

posted by iclfan2

Also looking for either a treadmill or elliptical for the house. I know I won't go to the gym, and my wife would rather have an elliptical. Might wait until March so people start selling their Christmas gifts on craigslist. 

If you would've posted this a year ago I would've given you a commercial grade elliptical for free. Ended up giving it to my niece.