Any health nuts on here?

[The30YardSlant]

1: Kind of, I do at least thirty minutes of cardio a day and lift weights three times a week. I don't really watch what I eat, though. I get annual physicals and bloodwork done and my exercise combined with good genes has produced a perfectly healthy adult by pretty much every standard to this point. One day that may change and I'll be force to change my diet, until then, meh.

2: Numerous studies have shown that severely restricting all forms of carbohydrates from your diet has serious long-term consequences. Limiting intake is one thing, but these diets that try and cut out all or almost all forms of complex sugars simply arent healthy.

 

[Kristi]

I will hit the pool once I can put a little weight on my leg...
Only problem is that the only stroke I know is the breast-stroke : and that is the WORST style for one suffering an MCL injury.

Off topic:
Kristi,
I just checked out your website and must say am very touched by your story. You are a strong woman; one of a kind!

Your sanguine outlook on life and its struggles has uplifted me.

Awww - thanks!

Well, if you are just itching to get a workout in and get your heart rate up and burn some calories when you get the OK from your doc try swimming without kicking your legs. You'd be surprised how much of a workout you get just by using your arms. There are also water aerobics, etc. you might be able to try without bugging that MCL injury. Heated pool would be good for it too.

I'm itching to try swimming again, I'm just itching to try something new. Thankfully, one of my physical therapists is determined to help people with disabilities and will be opening an accessible gym here in Sioux Falls in March!!! I'm so excited! There will be physical therapists there to help us and train us. Hoping the combination of the gym and Weight Watchers I get out of this plateau.

I didn't hit 20 lb tonight -- actually gained .6. I seem to have a good week where I lose 3-5 lb and then I plateau and hold my own give or take a few ounces. It's annoying -- I'd rather have a steady 1-2 lb loss every week vs. 3-5 then nothing. What really annoys me -- the last time I lost 5 lb I ate out with a friend, went to a kid's birthday party and had chips, BBQs, and cake and ice cream, and the weeks I follow the plan to a T I don't lose anything. WTH? And then at the WW meetings they asked what I did different this week to lose I say I ate cake and ice cream. It's my new diet!

I was out 8 weeks this time last year when I broke my femur and I did put on a good 20 lb. I looked at getting The Burn Machine, but it wasn't in my budget. Still might get it if my therapist doesn't have one in the accessible gym. I like to have equipment that can be used from my chair of need be from bed. Just wish it was a little cheaper.

Anyone here use a medicine ball or kettle bell? Are they a good workout?

 

[Wimbo]

Anyone here use a medicine ball or kettle bell? Are they a good workout?

i use a medicine ball in one of my core workouts - here it is: http://www.menshealth.com/print/20366

I have used kettle bells as part of strength training, but not on a regular basis. KB's are just dumbbells with different shape that allow slightly different movements.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Are you able to walk?

Whenever you are able to walk you should just start lifting weights.

You can do upper body and still get your cardio in. I do reps of 50-100 of some exercises, then repeat. The grunts look at me funny, but it builds muscle and gives you cardio and loses fat. Do upper body. You can still do upper body, cardio workouts.

 

[Wimbo]

You can do upper body and still get your cardio in. I do reps of 50-100 of some exercises, then repeat. The grunts look at me funny, but it builds muscle and gives you cardio and loses fat. Do upper body. You can still do upper body, cardio workouts.

We do that as a burn-out sometimes at the end of our workout. Put 135# on the bench & do 60+ reps. Definitely gets your heart rate going quickly. We also do strip sets sometimes at the end of the workout. Start with 195# ( one 25# plate and five 10# plates on each side of the bar). You lift that until almost failure - where you could only get 1 or 2 more reps. Then, the spotter rips a 10# weight off each side & you keep going. no rest. Then another 10#, then another... until you are down to just the bar & you can barely move it. That is usually when a pretty girl walks by - when you are struggling to get the bar off your chest.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Ugh, that sucks, Rash. I had a knee injury almost all last year, and it killed me to not be able to run or work out like I want to. I'm just now able to again.

I guess the good news is that your MCL will heal on its own, unlike an ACL tear. Just be patient and don't get too frisky on it!

Anyway, I agree with Catch on the fish oil... I recommend getting a bottle of liquid so you aren't having to down a handful of pills every day. Krill oil is probably even better, but more expensive.

I'm in the low-carb crowd, but you don't have to eliminate them completely -- just keep them low enough to minimize insulin spikes. Fiber will help with that, too.

I'd lift for upper body and do interval sprints on a stationary bike until your knee heals up.

 

[5Stars]

I've been told that I should stop doing some things that I do so that I can stay healthy...but, then I think, why?

I don't want to be laying in some Hospital dying from nothing.




Actually, the more often you go to a doctor...he WILL find something wrong with you...that is his job whether you like it or not, and you will pay!

 

[Kevinicus]

what did you choose for activity level? at 3800 i assume you chose extremely active?

Moderate.

 

[rkell87]

Moderate.

yeah that doesnt seem right

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Ugh, that sucks, Rash. I had a knee injury almost all last year, and it killed me to not be able to run or work out like I want to. I'm just now able to again.

I guess the good news is that your MCL will heal on its own, unlike an ACL tear. Just be patient and don't get too frisky on it!

Anyway, I agree with Catch on the fish oil... I recommend getting a bottle of liquid so you aren't having to down a handful of pills every day. Krill oil is probably even better, but more expensive.

I'm in the low-carb crowd, but you don't have to eliminate them completely -- just keep them low enough to minimize insulin spikes. Fiber will help with that, too.

I'd lift for upper body and do interval sprints on a stationary bike until your knee heals up.

I wasn't advocating no carbs either. I was advocating vegetable carbohydrates. You find a lot of those in carrots and even fresh vegetable juice. Raw nuts even have them. But I'd research a "raw" diet. It's not glamorous, but in my non-medical opinion it can be the healthiest if you substitute the right things for meat and/or just eat fish for your protein--or nuts.

The OP was asking for health nuts. You can buy them at the store.

Good luck.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

We do that as a burn-out sometimes at the end of our workout. Put 135# on the bench & do 60+ reps. Definitely gets your heart rate going quickly. We also do strip sets sometimes at the end of the workout. Start with 195# ( one 25# plate and five 10# plates on each side of the bar). You lift that until almost failure - where you could only get 1 or 2 more reps. Then, the spotter rips a 10# weight off each side & you keep going. no rest. Then another 10#, then another... until you are down to just the bar & you can barely move it. That is usually when a pretty girl walks by - when you are struggling to get the bar off your chest.

I never have that attitude in the gym. People look at me funny for doing pilates moves and stuff. I really don't care if I'm lifting girl weights in the gym. It's when I'm out of the gym that I care about and that's mostly for my health anyway.

I don't like running long distances. I'm a sprinter, although I haven't sprinted lately. So that's why I work out with light weights. I sweat a lot during my workouts. I have been going to the gym about 3 times a week for 2 months and am making strides doing what I'm doing. I've now begun legs after 2 months of upper body work. Now it's all about maintaining and eventually getting to my dreaded midsection, but I'd like to get there with diet mostly and I'm not all that worried about a 6 pack. I just want to be healthy.

Oh, and I usually do about 20 minutes of exercise bike before I start at a light resistance. But sometimes I grow bored and stop at 15. Either way, you can get cardio exercise by doing weights. True story.