Anyone Exercising in 2020?

crystalworks · #1 11-13-2020, 05:00 PM

Figured I'd start a "covid" workout thread to avoid bleeding into other topics elsewhere. Share what you do if you want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maruzo

Morning Crystal. How do you gain more muscle than fat when you put on that 20 lbs?

Isn't that what they call body building?

After I lost those 10 lbs i've been gaining and losing 3~4 lbs every other week depending on whether I bing eat or not... Make sure you have good padding under your body. I use those really thick yoga mats, not the thin ones.

Good luck!

Morning,

Okay, first, some vitals to give you an idea of why what I'm doing works for me. I'm 6'8". When I started "working out" in February/March I started at 249lbs. And I am by no means strong as Hercules or as cut as Ryan Reynolds currently, but I look much better than when I started.

I started out with 8 sets of push ups, alternating military style (4sets/15 reps) and wide-fly (4sets/20 reps) on the first day. 8 sets of pull ups, alternating between wide grip and close reverse grip (5 reps each) the next day. Then I'd take the third day off. Everyday I would walk 9000 steps, usually closer to 11000. Kept doing that and after 2-3 months I was down to about 235lbs.

Over the next 4-5 months I kept doing that and upping my reps as I would reach a point where it was feeling "easy." Currently I am up to 10 sets of push ups of the same styles, alternating military (5sets/30reps) and wide-fly (5sets/30reps). All the while kept up the ~10000 steps/day. Currently weigh in at 249-252lbs. I wish I would have measured my chest and shoulders before starting as I have gained quite a lot of mass on my upper body.

I think the reason this has worked as a mass building routine is because I am/was a big guy. So even using only body resistance with no added weights it has had a large effect. If I were smaller I think I would just be toning a bunch.

My back issues are likely to be with me forever. Had one back surgery already and will likely have another in a couple years as I reinjured it (on a tennis court a couple months ago) after 3 years of "relative" normalcy after my first surgery. First surgery removed a ~3cm herniated disk. Doc was surprised I wasn't debilitated and bedridden the nerve was so smashed.
He attributed it to stretching and inversion table.

Thank you for the tips on the stretches, I do variations of both of those and it helps. I've been stretching most of my life and am still relatively flexible. Before 35 I could put my feet behind my head but now am happy I can bend and touch the floor, if not palms down like I used to. My inversion table and tens units are life savers in addition to stretches.

In your case, if you are looking for abs, you have to change diet. Abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym.

Which is why I've only had abs twice in my life, when I used to work in a warehouse burning 6-8000 calories a day and when I had a month long stomach infection/virus and I got down to 185lbs.

So, find what works for you. If you are looking to build mass you will probably need to add heavy weights. From your post in the other thread it sounds like most of your routine is toning. Which is fine too, depending on what type of physique you are looking for. In my case I am very tall so I want that wide shoulder/back look, which is good because it hides my fat that I carry around the midsection. Did I mention I like to eat and drink?

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Maruzo · #2 11-13-2020, 06:21 PM

Nice workout info and much appreciated Crystal.

I am considered small and I do wear size small, so body resistance type of workout won't do as much for me as it does for you.

I lift weights 3 times a day doing 8-9 reps each time. I've seen my pectoral muscles grow these past couple of weeks. So i'm keeping up with that.

6 packs is a dream, i'm just happy I was able to reduce my belly size enough that I can now fit into a size small t shirt without holding in the fat too much.

You're right that excessive diet is the main reason the belly remains the most difficult part of the workout routine.

I don't typically eat a lot during the day, but by the time 6pm comes by, i'm usually so hungry and empty that i over eat just about every other day.

Will try to eat a good midday meal today and skip dinner.

2~3 sets of tennis tommorrow then allow myself a nice breakfast.

keep up with your excellent routine. And may you live long and healthy!

crystalworks · #3 11-13-2020, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maruzo

I don't typically eat a lot during the day, but by the time 6pm comes by, i'm usually so hungry and empty that i over eat just about every other day.

Will try to eat a good midday meal today and skip dinner.

2~3 sets of tennis tommorrow then allow myself a nice breakfast.

keep up with your excellent routine. And may you live long and healthy!

Intermittent fasting works great for fat burning. I sometimes (not often enough thanks to my wife who likes to cook) have a big lunch around 1PM and then don't eat again until lunch the following day. Hard to not get the munchies around 8PM though, especially if having a couple of cocktails.

I'm jealous you can play tennis. Since I re-hurt my back 3 months ago I don't feel like I'll ever be able to play it even recreationally anymore let alone competitively like I was used to before CV19. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted I guess.

Same to you, keep up the routine. Consistency (as with most things) is the key to success. This is the longest I've kept up with it and I intend to keep it up, as the hard work is done... making the workout a habit. After that it's gravy.

Happy · #4 11-13-2020, 06:57 PM

Breakfast at 7:25 am, Lunch at 11:30 am, and Dinner at 5:00 pm. Scheduled eating, I swear is the key to good nutritional health.

Munchies are not a bad thing. It all depends on what you’re munching on. For me if I get the late night munchies, i’ll go for pistachios, or a small fruit salad with spinach.

If you eat healthy, when you cheat no damage will be done.

crystalworks · #5 11-13-2020, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy

Breakfast at 7:25 am, Lunch at 11:30 am, and Dinner at 5:00 pm. Scheduled eating, I swear is the key to good nutritional health.

Munchies are not a bad thing. It all depends on what you’re munching on. For me if I get the late night munchies, i’ll go for pistachios, or a small fruit salad with spinach.

If you eat healthy, when you cheat no damage will be done.

You have more discipline than I do Happy.

I don't do rabbit food.

JK, I do wish I liked to eat healthier. But my idea of healthy is a salad consisting of iceberg lettuce and a healthy dollop (pour) of french dressing.

Happy · #6 11-13-2020, 08:15 PM

Bruh...! Tell me about it. I’ve been doing straight spinach, kale, and water shakes for years now.

I still gag now and then. And I am talking like 24oz’ers.

Rough! But at my age, if I do bacon and eggs and hash... Forget about it, the day ain’t even gonna start! LoL..!

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