OT: Summer Fitness Thread

[SnowblindNYR]

Not even a little bit.

Where I do my training does have a lot of Adonis-like bodies. But no one really who is just huge like those that used to live in Powerhouse back in the day. Lots of the guys, you would have no idea of how they look under clothing. And the ladies are no stick figures.

I will say that at 48, I am now stronger, fitter and generally appear to look better than I have previously. But then again, I have a long, long way to go.

So, as a straight man, I always thought a more attractive look on a guy was well-defined muscles, but not huge. Do you agree and not to ask an awkward question, what look is a better hit with the ladies?

 

[will1066]

So, as a straight man, I always thought a more attractive look on a guy was well-defined muscles, but not huge. Do you agree and not to ask an awkward question, what look is a better hit with the ladies?

Ladies love the six pack the most. It's been proven. Lol

 

[kovazub94]

So, as a straight man, I always thought a more attractive look on a guy was well-defined muscles, but not huge. Do you agree and not to ask an awkward question, what look is a better hit with the ladies?

Sense of humor and opposite of self centered is at the top of the list of qualities women seek.

 

[True Blue]

This is as good of a thread for this

Wow. Nice job. Really nice job.

 

[True Blue]

So, as a straight man, I always thought a more attractive look on a guy was well-defined muscles, but not huge. Do you agree and not to ask an awkward question, what look is a better hit with the ladies?

Wow. Honestly depends. 6 packs are nice, but incredibly hard to get. I am resigned that I will never have one. Partially my fault as I have stated before I LOVE food.

It also matters who you talk to. For example, most me want the model thin type. Where I do my training are a lot of women who are anything but stick thin. Bigger thighs, shoulders, etc. The type of workouts will do that. So for what women like, it starts with not looking bloated. As you get older, that is what happens to many men. The bloat. Then after that, it gets to what you look with clothes on. Can you tell that there is some sort of definition? And so on and so on. But then again, Cassanova, I am not.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Wow. Nice job. Really nice job.

Thanks!

 

[blue425]

Snip

Bad ass SB. Stick with it

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Bad ass SB. Stick with it

Thanks!

 

[will1066]

Wow. Honestly depends. 6 packs are nice, but incredibly hard to get. I am resigned that I will never have one. Partially my fault as I have stated before I LOVE food.

It also matters who you talk to. For example, most me want the model thin type. Where I do my training are a lot of women who are anything but stick thin. Bigger thighs, shoulders, etc. The type of workouts will do that. So for what women like, it starts with not looking bloated. As you get older, that is what happens to many men. The bloat. Then after that, it gets to what you look with clothes on. Can you tell that there is some sort of definition? And so on and so on. But then again, Cassanova, I am not.

All very true. Not feeling bloated is as great as not looking bloated too.

If you work out and get some gainz over time, the look of clothes will get better on you, generally speaking. I'm a men's small. Always will be. It's not in my genetics to get massive. However, I fill out a men's small now. I'm not talking about clothes being overly tight or about muscle shirts, just regular clothes. I did have to get rid of some polo shirts (Ralph Lauren too, ugh) that did become too tight, as they were cut tight for the athletic look to begin with.

Shoulders, chest, and upper arms will show under clothes. Bigger traps. Bigger lats will be obvious under clothes and will improve your look from the back. Obviously, short sleeves show off your upper arms. Do weighted arm raises to improve your delts as part of the overall shoulders area.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Anyone into running?

I started running a couple of years ago (in addition to all of my other workouts, hockey, some fasting and meal planning) and I average about 10-12 miles a week. It's really had a positive effect on my physique and mental clarity.

At 40 y/o and working a desk job it's helped keep me lean. Definitely recommend adding it to your workout regimen, whether is a few mile jog, longer run, intervals/sprinting on treadmill. Helps the cardio/burning of fat.

Also have run in some local 5K charity events and they are a lot of fun, and I had no idea how I well I stacked up against those in my age group.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I think the most important thing with fitness in general is having a plan and sticking to it.

Everyone I know that is in good or great shape follows a plan that includes some kind of combination of cardio/HIIT, weight training, sleep and diet. The latter being the most important, paired with an overall discipline to maintain a cadence to it all.

The plan can and should always change or evolve (its important to keep your body guessing) - but I feel it is always best to put the research in and formulate the plan yourself. Learn how your body responds to certain exercises and diets. It may take a lot of time. Months. Years.

There are some general overall guidelines that everyone should follow, but what works for one may not for another. You gotta live it and you gotta put the work in on your own so you own it - for your benefit - no one else's.

Try a lot of different exercise and diet plans you find on the web, crib all of the ones that you enjoy that make a positive impact on you physically and mentally and you'll find that you'll get great results. But its less about the details of it all and more about the idea of keeping a plan and nailing it each day, each week, each month.

 

[kovazub94]

Not I. You would be amazed at once you start to figure out how much protein you need, at what that adds up to. My metabolism is not particularly fast, but doing the training ensures lots of calorie burning.

Thankfully, I am not a sweets, soda, chips guy. Also quite a while ago, I lost interest in beer (though not scotch or wine). That helps out.

It's more about a freedom from calculations (and strict restrictions) when it comes to food. I'm also not a sweets, soda, chips and pasta guy. But if I have a craving I don't have a problem indulging my self in a healthier version of chips or an occasional piece of cake.
However, generally I try to make sure that I'm make good choices (that are pretty obvious and easy to follow). For example, for breakfast my go to meal is a piece of toast from quality bread my wife gets with a spread on the top made out of guac, boiled egg and a bit of pico de gallo. I also like to mix cottage cheese with low sugar greek yogurt, or go for a shake made out of said greek yogurt, morning meal replacement drink (Costco) and almond milk.
For lunch I really enjoy grains like buckwheat, quinoa or brown rice with some grilled veggies and a side of protein like grilled chicken or fish. For dinner love salads and more protein (pistachios to watch tv). If I eat carbs for dinner (e.g. a sandwich) I would try to schedule a workout in the morning to take advantage of extra fuel.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I also find that the biggest key (and hurdle) in keeping with a plan is scheduling.

Everyone has different work schedules, commitments to school, children, parents, sports and hobbies, etc. In addition to finding the right fitness plan(s) that works for you, it also needs to fit into your daily routine and lifestyle so it becomes part of that routine.

For example - I work full time, volunteer time in my town and I am a father of two kids under 8 who both have many extra curricular commitments of their own. We are an extremely busy family. We like to travel when we can and we like to eat out every Friday night. One would think that would make it difficult to find any time to build a fitness and diet plan, but it is actually the opposite.

Fortunately there is a gym in my office complex. I utilize that every day on my lunch break and either take runs or hit the weights for 45 min. If I'm busy at work and cant do that, I run in the morning before I go to work or on the weekends, or rarely after work. The key to it is keeping a plan that is flexible in weekly increments so you can roll with the punches and switch days if necessary.

I also play hockey on Tuesday and sometime Thursday nights. Those games are late enough to not disrupt dinner or any other things my wife and kids have going on. (God Forbid!) I build my diet around all of it and while that is mainly the most difficult challenge I try my best to keep a balance with it all.

I so easy to make excuses to not exercise and keep yourself in line. But where theres a will theres a way. Picture yourself in the body you want to be in and make it happen.

 

[kovazub94]

@HockeyBasedNYC two great posts. Have pretty identical views and approaches.

 

[True Blue]

It's more about a freedom from calculations (and strict restrictions) when it comes to food. I'm also not a sweets, soda, chips and pasta guy. But if I have a craving I don't have a problem indulging my self in a healthier version of chips or an occasional piece of cake.

It's the protien I needed to calculate. Trying to take in 195 grams is not a tiny amount. I actually spent time to try to program my eating during week. Usually 3 hard boiled eggs when I get up, then comes the training, then comes the shake, then usually a Greek yogurt with some diced fruit in it. That is in the system by 9:30. There will be a fruit snack. Lunch, typically salads with 6 oz of tuna, tons of veggies, chk peas and avocado. Not a slave to it and will eat other things if out at lunch or change the protein. there will be another fruit consumed during the day. And then whatever for dinner, but has to have at least 6 more oz of a protein and at least a cup of carbs.

I do not consider eating "cheating" vs. " non-cheating". When I get a craving for a bagel with lox in the am, that is what I will have. If having good pizza for dinner, then that is what is. Food tastes good. All that said, there is no way I could do all that were it not for the workouts that I do.

 

[True Blue]

Anyone into running?

Am the card carrying president of the "Running Sucks" club. Now, I will only do it when it is programmed into the wod.

It's really had a positive effect on my physique and mental clarity.

That I get. I call it "redemption through sweat". During the workouts, it's like there is a huge fire into which I feed anything and everything on the inside". When done, I am usually drenched and on my back on the floor, but feel cleansed and much better.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Am the card carrying president of the "Running Sucks" club. Now, I will only do it when it is programmed into the wod.

That I get. I call it "redemption through sweat". During the workouts, it's like there is a huge fire into which I feed anything and everything on the inside". When done, I am usually drenched and on my back on the floor, but feel cleansed and much better.

I sometimes like working out, but I don't understand people that can't live without it. Or feel great after working out. If I could never work out be healthy and in shape I would.

 

[darko]

I sometimes like working out, but I don't understand people that can't live without it. Or feel great after working out. If I could never work out be healthy and in shape I would.

I feel great after a workout. Even if I had a shit day at work or in general, smashing weights and getting a pump works wonders for me.

 

[will1066]

I enjoy the immediate swole. Sure, it goes away, but working out is like the gift that keeps on giving with delayed onset muscle soreness and you continue burning calories well after the workout.

 

[True Blue]

I sometimes like working out, but I don't understand people that can't live without it. Or feel great after working out. If I could never work out be healthy and in shape I would.

I guess there is a difference between working out and training. It is not that I cannot live without it, I could. But there are goals you can always hit and as you get better, you want to be able to do more. Whether it is making a new 1Rm or completing a workout in a faster time. The environment is entirely different. The people around you are doing it. Supportive but competitive. Though most of your competition is against yourself. The more you do, the more you can see how much more there is to go. You can constantly erase limits and set new horizons. And when you get there, you see the next one and start the journey there.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I guess there is a difference between working out and training. It is not that I cannot live without it, I could. But there are goals you can always hit and as you get better, you want to be able to do more. Whether it is making a new 1Rm or completing a workout in a faster time. The environment is entirely different. The people around you are doing it. Supportive but competitive. Though most of your competition is against yourself. The more you do, the more you can see how much more there is to go. You can constantly erase limits and set new horizons. And when you get there, you see the next one and start the journey there.

I don't have that but I found that making the process more regimented helps me do it. As I said I'm keeping track of the workout in an excel spreadsheet so now I'm working out like it's my job, around the same time almost every day. It's the same way how I can eat the same thing for lunch every weekday. Granted it tastes good, but I feel like it's work and in some ways that makes it easier.

 

[kovazub94]

I sometimes like working out, but I don't understand people that can't live without it. Or feel great after working out. If I could never work out be healthy and in shape I would.

I feel terrible if I missed a workout for not a good reason like simply being lazy. I have ways to compensate it a bit like walking a leg of my commute that I typically ride subway. Smaller food intake is my “punishment”.

On the other hand if I get any type of workout in when I don’t feel it or barely have time - feel GREAT afterwards!

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Anyone into running?

I started running a couple of years ago (in addition to all of my other workouts, hockey, some fasting and meal planning) and I average about 10-12 miles a week. It's really had a positive effect on my physique and mental clarity.

At 40 y/o and working a desk job it's helped keep me lean. Definitely recommend adding it to your workout regimen, whether is a few mile jog, longer run, intervals/sprinting on treadmill. Helps the cardio/burning of fat.

Also have run in some local 5K charity events and they are a lot of fun, and I had no idea how I well I stacked up against those in my age group.

I love running. Part of the reason I'm not more muscular is I get "lazy" and default to running 3-5 miles a day over lifting, especially in the spring and summer when you get plenty of sunshine and don't have to wear 37 layers because of wind and temperature.

The key for me as I get older (late 30s) for running is the stretching. Do not take shortcuts and skip out either pre or post run, it'll hurt the actual run and recovery. I had a g/f who despised when I went running she never understood why it took 2-3 hours with the actual run + warmup lap+ pre and post stretching and I told her it's so you don't get hurt, went right over her head.

I used to run 16-24 miles a week when I lived right by my job, but some days I have to be up by 5-5:30 so the morning runs don't happen.

It's a huge part of my life and I miss 16-24 miles as I'm no down to 3-12 per week and is one of the reasons I am looking to change jobs (along with the stress and lack of sleep) by end of summer/early fall.

I also love making a mix and putting new songs on a little Sansa clip I have.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Sense of humor and opposite of self centered is at the top of the list of qualities women seek.

LOL if that's the case I'd be married and have like 4-5 kids.

 

[kovazub94]

LOL if that's the case I'd be married and have like 4-5 kids.

Worked for me! 2 teenage kids, 17 years of marriage and it’s still getting better!