VHL Health Chat

[Berocka 2,263]

So we are in this forum chatting most days, is anyone else on the Gym kick at the moment? If so lets share goals and what we want to achieve and try and keep each other accountable for the ones that struggle with motivation/dedication!

 

I have been really focusing on weight lose since the start of Feb and I am down 8kgs been focusing hard on calorie counting (well Kilojoules but lets not get into that debate) and trying to get to gym at least 3x per week.

 

What are your goals and how can we help? 

[Beketov 9,102]

With 2 kids and thus way less time to focus on me I hit the heaviest I’d ever been back in November. Been trying to eat better and hit up the gym 3x a week since then. I’m not perfect every week but I’m trying.

 

So far only down about 10lbs but given that things feel as if they fit better I have to assume some of that is also muscle growth.

[Gustav 6,469]

I've managed to go almost every day I've had free since January (which wasn't a resolution, just when that started happening). I've been through phases of being active, or not, over the past couple years and this is the longest I've gone with that being the case. That usually means at least 4-5 times a week, if not more often when no one wants to do things with old Gustav.

 

I like to think I look better in the mirror although I think the differences are mostly only noticeable to myself at the moment. It's really shown itself quantitatively in what I've been able to lift and how that's improved recently. Just about everything I do is a notch or two higher than where it was in January and it doesn't feel any harder.

 

Where I come up a bit short is with the structure. I don't know anything about (nor do I trust myself with) free weights, and because I go by myself and the place is completely empty late at night, I just stick to the machines. Hit everything we have that works with a specific group and then run a mile on the treadmill if it wasn't just leg day. Which I'm sure is fine; it just isn't "optimized" in the ways some nerds like. I also don't ever weigh myself or monitor what I eat (even though I'm sure those things would be helpful). But I'm OK with that--what I do works for what I want it to do, which is to make me feel good about myself. I'm not here to get huge or to impress people, and I'm glad I don't have to think that way to get going.

[Scurvy 1,549]

Ive been hitting it pretty hard for last few months which is easier in the winter since it's rainy and cold where I am mostly.  We have a full gym in the garage that includes rower, skier, punching bag, assault bike, peloton treadmill, rack with weights, and dumbbells.  Wife is a fitness nutter so even when I am lazy she drags my ass out there.  Been lifting pretty steady, like 4-5 days a week, but cardio has taken a backseat.  Need to balance both and would like to drop about 5lbs by summer.  

[Berocka 2,263]

46 minutes ago, Beketov said:

With 2 kids and thus way less time to focus on me I hit the heaviest I’d ever been back in November. Been trying to eat better and hit up the gym 3x a week since then. I’m not perfect every week but I’m trying.

 

So far only down about 10lbs but given that things feel as if they fit better I have to assume some of that is also muscle growth.

With 1 kid I can only imagine how much harder it would be with two. 10 lbs is a great improvement, personally I think the clothes fitting is much better indicator than the number on the scale.

 

17 minutes ago, Gustav said:

I've managed to go almost every day I've had free since January (which wasn't a resolution, just when that started happening). I've been through phases of being active, or not, over the past couple years and this is the longest I've gone with that being the case. That usually means at least 4-5 times a week, if not more often when no one wants to do things with old Gustav.

 

I like to think I look better in the mirror although I think the differences are mostly only noticeable to myself at the moment. It's really shown itself quantitatively in what I've been able to lift and how that's improved recently. Just about everything I do is a notch or two higher than where it was in January and it doesn't feel any harder.

 

Where I come up a bit short is with the structure. I don't know anything about (nor do I trust myself with) free weights, and because I go by myself and the place is completely empty late at night, I just stick to the machines. Hit everything we have that works with a specific group and then run a mile on the treadmill if it wasn't just leg day. Which I'm sure is fine; it just isn't "optimized" in the ways some nerds like. I also don't ever weigh myself or monitor what I eat (even though I'm sure those things would be helpful). But I'm OK with that--what I do works for what I want it to do, which is to make me feel good about myself. I'm not here to get huge or to impress people, and I'm glad I don't have to think that way to get going.

My Gym I use to be at offered a free PT once a month and that was great for learning form and free weights, I do a gym now that is all classes and that is also a great way. If these are free/affordable options for you I would highly recommend to build your confidence.

 

7 minutes ago, Scurvy said:

Ive been hitting it pretty hard for last few months which is easier in the winter since it's rainy and cold where I am mostly.  We have a full gym in the garage that includes rower, skier, punching bag, assault bike, peloton treadmill, rack with weights, and dumbbells.  Wife is a fitness nutter so even when I am lazy she drags my ass out there.  Been lifting pretty steady, like 4-5 days a week, but cardio has taken a backseat.  Need to balance both and would like to drop about 5lbs by summer.  

I feel like I would never use a home gym haha, 4-5 days a week is impressive though well done.

[Scurvy 1,549]

8 minutes ago, Berocka said:

I would never use a home gym

I was the same.  If not for Covid and my wife I would have never thought Id use it.  Been pretty convenient now though with a 6 year old daughter.  She wants to work out with us so keeps me from procrastinating 

[Banackock 8,142]

Still having issues sleeping.. almost seems like it’s getting worse… wake up at midnight, 130, 315, 430 etc.. toss, turn, lay there etc.. have tried chamomile, sleeping pills for 2 weeks, melatonin and am now trying valerian root… going to get some blood work done this week!! 
 

Didn’t work out at all last week.. so busy at work and then so tired at home from the driving, work and lack of sleep. 
 

 

[jacobcarson877 2,563]

Is today the day?

[Thunder 1,205]

23 hours ago, Scurvy said:

Need to balance both and would like to drop about 5lbs by summer

Who are you trying to kid….  You’ve been hitting Ben & Jerry every night for 3 months, watching anime porn and playing xbox.  If it werent for your wife, that garage would be all dust.

[Thunder 1,205]

Im training for a 1 K.  Might be able to finish it if it’s not too hilly.

[Thunder 1,205]

On 3/18/2024 at 2:41 PM, Berocka said:

What are your goals and how can we help? 

Good idea Berocka.  

My goals are cardio every day and drop at least 5 pounds a month until I dont drop anymore.  Problem is too many distractions.  This chat might help, especially if you flip me shit for not achieving goals.  

[Banackock 8,142]

8 minutes ago, Thunder said:

Who are you trying to kid….  You’ve been hitting Ben & Jerry every night for 3 months, watching anime porn and playing xbox.  If it werent for your wife, that garage would be all dust.

[Berocka 2,263]

9 minutes ago, Thunder said:

Good idea Berocka.  

My goals are cardio every day and drop at least 5 pounds a month until I dont drop anymore.  Problem is too many distractions.  This chat might help, especially if you flip me shit for not achieving goals.  

What is your cardio for today/tomorrow I will check in on you!

[Thunder 1,205]

15 minutes ago, Berocka said:

What is your cardio for today/tomorrow I will check in on you!

So far walked dog 4.5 miles.  Still gotta do 30 minutes on peloton.  

[samx 1,175]

1 hour ago, Thunder said:

So far walked dog 4.5 miles.  Still gotta do 30 minutes on peloton.  

Can we see the dog

[Thunder 1,205]

46 minutes ago, samx said:

Can we see the dog

Demanding proof??  Ha ha.

Saint Berdoodle named Hazel.  

[Scurvy 1,549]

3 hours ago, Thunder said:

f it werent for your wife, that garage would be all dust.

very true

[frescoelmo 1,282]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:41 PM, Berocka said:

So we are in this forum chatting most days, is anyone else on the Gym kick at the moment? If so lets share goals and what we want to achieve and try and keep each other accountable for the ones that struggle with motivation/dedication!

 

I have been really focusing on weight lose since the start of Feb and I am down 8kgs been focusing hard on calorie counting (well Kilojoules but lets not get into that debate) and trying to get to gym at least 3x per week.

 

What are your goals and how can we help? 

 

I have a few resolutions this year that are loosely related to working out; getting below 10% body fat, recovering/sleeping better (I quantify this as averaging 7 hours of sleep per week) and not drinking a minimum of 3 days a week.

 

Focusing on meal preparation on Sundays has gone a long way, and I make sure I grocery shop on the way to work to avoid ordering carryout or delivery during the work week.

 

Regarding sleeping, this has been getting better however like Bana suggested, I too find myself wide awake in the middle of the night, albeit occasionally.  I have read (currently reading Atomic Habits) that it is good to get out of your bed if you cannot fall back asleep after ~15 minutes and focus on a light task, ie., reading, to wind back down.  If your body recognizes other activities while in bed you are not going to fall asleep as easily, it argues.  

 

Related to working out, I do about an hour of cardio/lifting first thing in the morning but if I don't recover properly (ie., last night I got 5 hours of sleep and took a nap earlier today) I will be sleeping in tonight to try and get back on the right side of recovering for the next 4-5 of gym or workouts.

 

The cut-back in drinking I tried to manage by monitoring the amount of drinks per week last year, but found that it did not get me closer to my goal and rather was an excuse to have a drink after work every day.  Strictly stopping (I focus on Sun, Mon, Tues) has been much easier since I usually am busier with work on these days.

 

 

[Thunder 1,205]

You got it dialed in @frescoelmo

[frescoelmo 1,282]

Fong can confirm

[v.2 1,412]

Any Magnesium takers in the thread?

[v.2 1,412]

Actually, drop your supplement stacks.  My current is:

 

Vitamin D

Elderberry

Magnesium

Creatine

 

Sometimes Ghost pre-workout, and sometimes Ghost EAA's intra-workout.

[dlamb 1,328]

3 hours ago, v.2 said:

Actually, drop your supplement stacks.

Currently rocking with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, and 5-HTP, just stopped with Ashwagandha

[rory 1,943]

3 hours ago, v.2 said:

Any Magnesium takers in the thread?

Actually just started this week, been liking it so far. Helps calm my anxiety during sleep. I'm on Vitamin D3, Omega-3, and a mass gainer protein too

[v.2 1,412]

18 minutes ago, dlamb said:

Currently rocking with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, and 5-HTP, just stopped with Ashwagandha

What are you taking 5 HTP for?

 

I know that shit is great after a night of doing molly