I've got a stationary bike for cycle training but I just feel like I am going nowhere with it. 🙁
My job is pretty physically draining. Problem is, just because a day whooped you and you're exhausted doesn't mean you got any decent aerobic time under your belt. Two years ago I weighed 224 Lb. I basically just stopped giving AF about anything, was coming out of a five year relationship, between jobs, and my life goals seemed unreachable. I ate & drank what I wanted in excess.
Fast-forward to now: 184 Lb. I still work hard, but have no time to hit a gym. This is commonly dismissed as an excuse by people that DO have time to workout. Here's the reality: I clocked 3,867 hours on the time clock last year and that doesn't include the time I had to spend feeding myself, bathing, sleeping perhaps 6 hours before doing it all again. Add to that the fact I'm in different cities at the drop of a hat.
So how did I lose 40 Lb, you may ask? (Disclaimer: I am not a physician, dietitian, or personal trainer, so this is just my experience and what works for me)
Pretty simple:
1. Beer is ok if you set a two drink limit, and don't drink it every night.
2. Many of us grew up taught to finish our plate. This is important for growing small humans, but NOT for already grown humans. Eat at a slower pace and be constantly aware of whether or not you still feel hungry. It's a mental exercise in restraint: When you aren't hungry anymore, just stop. After a while it becomes automatic behavior.
3. Water
4. Eliminate pop & candy 98% of the time. The occasional gas station candy bar and a slurpee ain't gonna kill ya. But be reasonable.
5. You should have eaten the last meal/snack by 2 hours prior to bed. If you are truly hungry, I find a scoop or two of oats or cottage cheese is plenty to fix that. Sleeping on a full stomach is no good.
6. Start laying the groundwork for that next stage in life. For me, that looks like a job change where I can use my experience to make more money in less time...with more free time, the gym becomes an option (still working on this one).
Lastly, remember that everyone's body is different. You aren't going to look like that Instagram model in 6 months by using "this one weird trick." Live your life and make improvements along the way.
Walk your dog. They love their hoomans😀
My wife, sadly, is and has been going through a thing I haven't been able to help/assist/even make a dent in for over the past five years. Underslept because of work and lifestyle, eats like a saint at home, eats like a pig at work & chronically lies about it,
My wife is also in healthcare -- she's a nurse practitioner. It's a tough schedule, but she has held up really well. It doesn't help that the pharma reps bring all kinds of food every day to bribe anyone and everyone who might have a say in prescribing drugs.
#2 and #3 are The Way...
under eating is a proven thing - knowing when to push the fυck away from the plate & table, water is godly - humans typically don't drink enough of it and obese humans seldom do... sleep lays the groundwork to not graze.
And then there is finally Discipline -- change and maintenance take actual effort. Sustained effort.
My wife, sadly, is and has been going through a thing I haven't been able to help/assist/even make a dent in for over the past five years. Underslept because of work and lifestyle, eats like a saint at home, eats like a pig at work & chronically lies about it, has piled at least 60 pounds on her very small frame (she won't give up a number ~ like it matters, it's visible) and basically views moving from one chair to another as "exercise".
Very worried about her and there is absolutely nothing I can do for her because she doesn't want help: tried to help, encourage, support, cook food for work for her, suggested personal trainers/therapists... no bueno, she's locked me (and perhaps herself as well) out of that part of her life.
And with my personal backstory it definitely is ironic, curious and sad.
Hoping she finds her way out before health ramifications start appearing.
Just installed a heavy duty pull-up bar. I have a gym membership, but now I have a rule 3 pull-ups every time I go into the garage. I also use it for hanging to help with shoulder issues.
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-p-5v-garage-pullup-system
Nice! Great exercise. As a kid we had one hanging in the garage. The discipline was to keep your knees down. Kicking your knees up during the pull was considered cheating. I could do 25 with practice. Now, in my early 50s. I stay away. I find it hard on my shoulders.
I have struggled with shoulder pain for years, hanging helps:
25 pullups is a lot. In my peak I could do 20 (18 without breaking form). My wife could do 10. We have taken a break from the gym for a while to focus on other things, but I have started to get back into it more. I am working my way back now.
I engage in a variety of types of exercise, but this particular machine (Water Rower) is excellent, and particularly appreciated during periods of bad weather. Extremely well designed and built, and stores upright.
@SydR very impressive. Welcome to OF.