Fitness...how many of you have gotten back to it?

richnota · #1 10-26-2008, 05:41 PM

Posted on this a few weeks ago.

Got back to riding my mountain bike after a few years off due to an injury (and subsrquent 60 lbs of weight gain).

After getting my bike adjusted to deal with my less than sporty figure (raised stem, wider seat...god bless 175MM seats!) I've been riding the trails near my home.

I got to ten miles today! not too fast but not too shabby. Ok so i used to do 20 miles a night just for kicks....but you need to (re)start somewhere.

Recent rainstorms left some wet areas but the trail is an old railroad bed and its hardpack gravel. mmmmm ice cold water up the back.

I really missed this. Biking was always something I wanted to do....can't believe i stopped.

Have you gotten back into a healthy activity after a break? What tricks are there to staying in.

**BullHorn** · #2 10-26-2008, 05:53 PM

I've been suffering from joint pains since I was 16. I absolutely lost all kind of shape I've ever had (I've used to do martial arts and ball games 7 days a week). Being in such a top shape and losing it absolutely destroyed me. I will never be able to get into such shape again.

A few months ago, because of the army's training I was forced to get back into shape, but it never felt the same as it was before. Now my training are over and I'm getting out of shape again.

**MAJOR METAL** · #3 10-26-2008, 05:54 PM

I am back on the wagon and those Metallica cd's keep me pumped in the gym !

mike_v_s · #4 10-26-2008, 06:19 PM

No tricks, but I started running again after smoking for about ten years. Running is not as enjoyable as smoking. Staying with it has been difficult (weather related for a while, then time-related) but I manage.

For me, I quit smoking for someone else (meaning I probably would not have made the same choice if they were not in my life). When I go running, that is what drives me.

Mike

fdeck · #5 10-26-2008, 06:37 PM

I started biking to work when gas went up to four bucks, and have kept it up since then.

MakiSupaStar · #6 10-27-2008, 09:35 AM

I bike to work in the summer. I bike to the beach to surf on the weekends. During the weekday, I just surf on the way home from work. I've clocked 13 hours of watertime in the last four days. Keep it up Nota. It good to keep the blood moving.

dwanetom · #7 10-27-2008, 09:42 AM

Upon retiring 2 years ago at the age of 60, I got back into gym lifting an hour 3 times a week. I'm surprised at how much muscle tone I've developed at this age. I feel much better (and stronger). I carry most of the heavy stuff at tear down after gigs 'cause the younger guys stand around and look at it.

Eublet · #8 10-27-2008, 09:44 AM

If I biked to work, I'd smell like a wet dog. I've gotten out of shape a couple of times. Nothing major in terms of weight gain (20 lbs) but I lost of lot of cardio vascular fitness. At 37 years old, the only trick I have is to pick the time I'm going to go to the gym and then just do it. Consistency is more important than anything. I've found that if I'm consistent, I can accomplish quite a lot without having to go overboard and be a fitness zealout. You'd be surprised what 30 minutes a day will do for your health if you eat even a remotely sensible diet. Perhaps people who are genetically prone to being overweight might have to be more disciplined, but this has worked well for me.

MatticusMania · #9 10-27-2008, 09:49 AM

I recently started running again after 2 years. Im way out of shape and gained about 20 lbs. Started up again about 2 weeks ago, running 3 times a week. Got up to 1.5 miles on friday.

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 10-27-2008, 09:59 AM

I got out of weight lifting for a while due to time constraints (bad excuse, bla bla) and knee and ankle injuries. Back into it now.

The most important thing is forcing yourself those first 3-4 times, but when you are back into the routine, you just start looking forward to it all again

Only problems are:
A) It is disheartening when you struggle to lift what was easy to lift months back.
B) Recovery time has increased drastically!

Baryonyx · #11 10-27-2008, 10:36 AM

I never really left fitness though I did recently get back into cycling, and I'm especially enjoying getting out on a road bike. I used to ride a mountain bike over long distances for the added challenge, now I'm enjoying going even further on something light!

Eublet · #12 10-27-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

I never really left fitness though I did recently get back into cycling, and I'm especially enjoying getting out on a road bike. I used to ride a mountain bike over long distances for the added challenge, now I'm enjoying going even further on something light!

Same here. I used to do MTB only, and made fun of roadies until I got a bike a few years ago just to get out of the woods during the summer heat. What can I say? Those roadies were right. I love it, and it's a great form of exercise.

Baryonyx · #13 10-27-2008, 10:48 AM

I liked the mountain bike for the weight and the grunt when pedalling over rougher terrain, but the way you ride a road bike with drop handles is so different...it's a whole different ball game!

spade2you · #14 10-27-2008, 11:17 AM

Way back in the day, I had bad asthma until my soph. year of college, so I was never in shape until after that. Since then, I've been steadily increasing my fitness. I bike a ton and purchased a Cycle Ops trainer to keep me on the bike. It's not as good as the real thing, but better than regular stationary bikes or doing nothing at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

I liked the mountain bike for the weight and the grunt when pedalling over rougher terrain, but the way you ride a road bike with drop handles is so different...it's a whole different ball game!

Ever since I got my road bike, mountain biking just doesn't feel the same.

Eublet · #15 10-27-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

Ever since I got my road bike, mountain biking just doesn't feel the same.

Same here. MTB feels clunky and slow now. I still enjoy riding a good trail. I suppose if I lived somewhere where I could do some faster downhill riding it would be great, but chugging through a trail seems really slow by comparison. I love to get out on a flat on the road and just settle into a pace. It always thought that would be so boring before I tried it. Not to mention I thought it was pansy to wear all the spandex and stuff. But if you're going to be sitting on a road bike for any period of time, there's nothing better to wear.

For you guys who are thinking of losing weight or getting back in shape on a bike, you should read Heft on Wheels. It's a great read and an amazing story of one guys bounce-back from obesity.

EricF · #16 10-27-2008, 12:12 PM

Years ago, after breaking my shoulder on the MTB, I stopped riding and quickly put on 30 lbs. After a couple years, I got back into riding seriously and jumped full-tilt into road racing. At the end of '04, I stopped racing and riding just for the excercise and fun of it quickly faded, too. Once again, I'm packing on 30 lbs. of extra gut and woefully out of shape. I'd love to get back to riding, but the time just isn't available to do it regularly. Some day soon, I hope.

i_got_a_mohawk · #17 10-27-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Same here. MTB feels clunky and slow now. I still enjoy riding a good trail. I suppose if I lived somewhere where I could do some faster downhill riding it would be great, but chugging through a trail seems really slow by comparison.

Thats the kind of downhilling my little bro does, the kind of stuff where they dont really let you on the tracks without full body armour, pelting down loose rock paths at great velocity isnt my idea of fun!

Eublet · #18 10-27-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Thats the kind of downhilling my little bro does, the kind of stuff where they dont really let you on the tracks without full body armour, pelting down loose rock paths at great velocity isnt my idea of fun!

No, I wouldn't want that extreme. But a medium-fast downhill trail that isn't overly technical is lots of fun. The kind where you just relax and enjoy the speed, rather than worrying too much about what line to take. There are some fairly flat trails around here that I used to think were fast and fun. It just feels like creeping now. 12 to 13 miles per hour on a trail versus 20 on the road. It's all perception. Plus being in a pace-line is just loads of fun to me. I don't know. I still love riding in the woods, and with the winter months approaching, that's all I'll be doing. Too much wind chill on a road bike for my tastes.

Deluge Of Sound · #19 10-27-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

.

For you guys who are thinking of losing weight or getting back in shape on a bike, you should read Heft on Wheels. It's a great read and an amazing story of one guys bounce-back from obesity.

+1. I got the book as a gift a few years back (when I was real into riding) and its a great read.

Unfortunately, back injuries and knee injuries have more or less kept me off bikes for the past year or so, but Mike Magnusson is a great writer none-the-less.

James_B · #20 10-27-2008, 05:16 PM

I've been working 7 days a week ever since I got out of high school. Between school and work I've just been exhausted. I've been told that light exercise is what I need to reverse this. So I guess I have to find something to do during the winter.

Man, I miss gym class......