The Fitness/Nutrition Thread
- Thread starter The Fear
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HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
35.7 miles, most of it off road. 1,500 calories burned!!!! Happy with that, especially as I feel OK still.
Just a bit of advice, if anyone knows. I have always been fast over short distances, whether that was running the 100m or on the bike. I know this is something to do with fast twitch and slow twitch muscles. My questions is, can I do anything to move towards a more sustained speed? I can climb half way up a biggish hill, but then the legs just give up.
My thoughts were to just keep pushing them as far as they'll go, in the hope it's further each time. Or is that completely wrong, and I should be easing off, and letting them learn how to go longer at say 70% capacity?
I hope that's all clear!!!!
Just a bit of advice, if anyone knows. I have always been fast over short distances, whether that was running the 100m or on the bike. I know this is something to do with fast twitch and slow twitch muscles. My questions is, can I do anything to move towards a more sustained speed? I can climb half way up a biggish hill, but then the legs just give up.
My thoughts were to just keep pushing them as far as they'll go, in the hope it's further each time. Or is that completely wrong, and I should be easing off, and letting them learn how to go longer at say 70% capacity?
I hope that's all clear!!!!
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
Push, but don't over push (difficult one I know, difficult for me anyway) ... but yes, all to do with pushing, then you should notice you do a little further step by step of this process.
Bear in mind, sometimes you push and don't get further. That is just your body needing a rest.
Only way I can explain is in training. So with deadlifts my best is 145kg It took a fair while to build up to it, increasing MOST times I was trying to achieve that goal BUT some of the weeks building up to it, I would lighten the load and do slightly more reps. If not, you can overtax your system.
I guess in summary, do a few where you push. Then do one at an easier tempo. Two steps forward, one back?
That make sense?
(And a general message to all of us)
In the whole process, don't over obsess and don't forget you are meant to be having fun. Push too hard, you can end up injured and back to square one. Take into account how you were feeling before you set off - if you are having a tired or 'off' day then go light, steady, easy ((whatever you are doing)) and don't bust yourself.
Bear in mind, sometimes you push and don't get further. That is just your body needing a rest.
Only way I can explain is in training. So with deadlifts my best is 145kg It took a fair while to build up to it, increasing MOST times I was trying to achieve that goal BUT some of the weeks building up to it, I would lighten the load and do slightly more reps. If not, you can overtax your system.
I guess in summary, do a few where you push. Then do one at an easier tempo. Two steps forward, one back?
That make sense?
(And a general message to all of us)
In the whole process, don't over obsess and don't forget you are meant to be having fun. Push too hard, you can end up injured and back to square one. Take into account how you were feeling before you set off - if you are having a tired or 'off' day then go light, steady, easy ((whatever you are doing)) and don't bust yourself.
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
I'm going through another flair up. Managed one ab routine in 2 weeks. Going to see if there is anything I can muster today, but it is one where I listen to the body and know the signs pretty quickly when it is brain aches. The frustrating thing is I'm not feeling particularly bad, just know the pressure is up as the back of the head tells me and I'm dizzy as feck. Oh and a bit of stuttering and also, not being able to remember the year is a good indication 'things ain't right' !
And I'm only saying that to illustrate my point above. I've listened to my body, had to put the brakes on, which I hate. And during this time, as negative as these bloody things are, I have read up, for the millionth time, about my condition, tried to contact the brain ache man to check out a few things and re-assessed.
I was loving the routines I was doing and the results were really coming doing heavy weights and some of the more taxing exercises like squats, deadlifts etc. So now, I am going to cut out weighted squats totally, I might do goblin cable squats, but think it will be all weightless on my vibroplate (which is excellent). I will no longer do bent over rows, I know other ways that should be less taxing and unfortunately, at least for now, I am going to retire my bucket list question to deadlift double my bodyweight. I think x 1.75 my bodyweight at my age and with my condition is something I can be proud of and settle for. I will do deadliffts now with vastly reduced weight and do them much MUCH slower (to get similar benefits) and hope they don't have to be retired at all.
I do want to talk to the brain ache man, because I really want to know if there is any newer research as to why these flair ups happen. It might be the training, but I can't see how there can be delayed reactions to the things I do, if it is going to 'get me' it should be when the csf is raised and that is quickly.
I digress.
Just trying to say, as hard as it is, I still try to look for the positives during these frustrating times and fuck me, over 30 years, it ain't arf been frustrating!
And I'm only saying that to illustrate my point above. I've listened to my body, had to put the brakes on, which I hate. And during this time, as negative as these bloody things are, I have read up, for the millionth time, about my condition, tried to contact the brain ache man to check out a few things and re-assessed.
I was loving the routines I was doing and the results were really coming doing heavy weights and some of the more taxing exercises like squats, deadlifts etc. So now, I am going to cut out weighted squats totally, I might do goblin cable squats, but think it will be all weightless on my vibroplate (which is excellent). I will no longer do bent over rows, I know other ways that should be less taxing and unfortunately, at least for now, I am going to retire my bucket list question to deadlift double my bodyweight. I think x 1.75 my bodyweight at my age and with my condition is something I can be proud of and settle for. I will do deadliffts now with vastly reduced weight and do them much MUCH slower (to get similar benefits) and hope they don't have to be retired at all.
I do want to talk to the brain ache man, because I really want to know if there is any newer research as to why these flair ups happen. It might be the training, but I can't see how there can be delayed reactions to the things I do, if it is going to 'get me' it should be when the csf is raised and that is quickly.
I digress.
Just trying to say, as hard as it is, I still try to look for the positives during these frustrating times and fuck me, over 30 years, it ain't arf been frustrating!
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HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
Thanks Fear. As I thought, then. The lungs were the weakness before, but they are OK now, and it's the legs that go to jelly. That's where the ebike comes in. I just let it take over when the legs fail.
HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
Have you tried something like swimming, Fear? Just something less intense to build up to the big stuff?
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
Yup. Nothing not tried over the years to be honest heathfield. Controlled weights is amongst the best for me. Swimming sets off other issues, knees, bust ribs, injury at the back of the head (the hind brain hernia) and also doesn't really bring me the satisfaction/feel good chemicals that weights do.
It is a good suggestion, but it really isn't about building up. If it was, I'm sort of built up if that makes sense!! And although I push, I don't over push, it is all done pretty advisedly and I don't do beasting that I would like to do.
Just a pain having a lovely gym and all this knowledge. But hey ho, I could be dead and that wouldn't get me built up!!!!!!!!!!
The annoying thing with my condition is, apart from being left far too long so the damage is extensive, a flair up can happen for no reason at all, ie at times I've not been training. If it was up Ben Nevis, or doing the marathon, and then boom, ill for weeks/months I would get it. Brains are funny old buggers though!
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HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
I feel your pain, mate. I sometimes wish I'd just been born lazy, then I wouldn't force myself out to do stuff. It was the same with golf, before the cycling. I'd force myself to go play, telling myself the exercise was good for me. As you well know, a good rest would have been better!!!!
I am starting to suspect mine are linked to barometric pressure. Like you, it's not always clear what causes a bad episode, but every time there is a major change in weather I have a bad day.
The good news for me is that the added fitness does seem to be making a difference, as I'd hoped.
You've done incredibly well, so don't beat yourself up. I think you know this already, but it doesn't hurt to hear it from someone else.
I am starting to suspect mine are linked to barometric pressure. Like you, it's not always clear what causes a bad episode, but every time there is a major change in weather I have a bad day.
The good news for me is that the added fitness does seem to be making a difference, as I'd hoped.
You've done incredibly well, so don't beat yourself up. I think you know this already, but it doesn't hurt to hear it from someone else.
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
Yes, very kind of you to say. I do sometimes beat myself up and then remind myself I've done well judging by the issues. It is the last bit that grates isn't it? Some don't have issues and destroy themselves/take their fitness for granted. I just accept normal as a blessing.
But hey, at least I got a book out of it!!!!!!!!
But hey, at least I got a book out of it!!!!!!!!
Pangloss
Vital Football Legend
Well I'm finally back in training. Lockdown hasn't been good for my body, lot's of junk, no consistency in my diet at all, lots of boozing. I'm a tick over 13.5 stones, which is around my usual weight, but I've lost a good amount of muscle mass and gained fat.
I'm going to track some of my workouts here, I'll cover off this weeks and then probably update progress every couple of weeks to see how I go. I had a quick 40 minute session today:
Flat bench (sets x reps):
100kg x 3 x 10
Chest Flies machine thingy
60kg x 3 x 10
DB shoulder press
40kg x 3 x 10
Lat-pull down machine
60 x 3 x 10
Triceps pull down (cable)
70kg x 3 x 12
Surprised to be honest, thought I'd be a lot weaker, bench form good still, noticed all stabilisers weakened but expected that. I'm going to increase volume as time goes by. I think my bench might be back to where it was in around 6-8 weeks.
I'm going to track some of my workouts here, I'll cover off this weeks and then probably update progress every couple of weeks to see how I go. I had a quick 40 minute session today:
Flat bench (sets x reps):
100kg x 3 x 10
Chest Flies machine thingy
60kg x 3 x 10
DB shoulder press
40kg x 3 x 10
Lat-pull down machine
60 x 3 x 10
Triceps pull down (cable)
70kg x 3 x 12
Surprised to be honest, thought I'd be a lot weaker, bench form good still, noticed all stabilisers weakened but expected that. I'm going to increase volume as time goes by. I think my bench might be back to where it was in around 6-8 weeks.
DeanoVilla
One Bloody Number
Is he just plain ignoring you is it it due to COVID and him being over stretched with other things?
I know you paid for your own MRI, so it would be nice if the 'expert' could cast his eyes over it and offer an opinion, and as you say things may have moved on, they often move on quickly in the medical world.
Keep calling mate and don't take no for an answer. Not on really.
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
100% covid. Never seen this specialist. He's taken over the department and I'm told he's very good.
I have the report on the mri. Nothing catastrophic despite a bit of a scare (they thought during the scan they had seen something and called in the specialist imager.
I'd be happy with a phone call to see if things have moved on. I don't think they have.
Plus if there is anything I'm doing. Can you have delayed reactions (defies logic) and are there any newer measures for helping csf (99% sure no)
I'd be satisfied with an email exchange. If he's happy there is nothing that needs doing re the mri and damage I have and can answer a few questions (and I have no issue if they don't know, which has often been the case with this rare condition and I'm sure brain damage in general...) fine.
Then I'm back off the list and not part of a backlog.
It should be the new way forward instead of clogging up hospitals/car parks/roads.
HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
Have you thought about taking up knitting to kill the time?
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
I've thought about killing some people, to literally kill the time!
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
Pushed myself to do a sesson today, was going to abort if I had any problems. Didn't feel comfortable but didn't have to duck out. So fairly pleased with that. Now I will see how the body responds. Sometimes it gets things moving / pumping and seems to lead me to being able to do more. Sometimes, not!
HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
I don't know whether to say well done or smack you!!!!
I hope it works, but please take it easy.
I hope it works, but please take it easy.
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
I don't know whether to say well done or smack you!!!!
I hope it works, but please take it easy.
Must dig out the bit in my book where I go into a bit of this forcing the body to do things, the whole ethos has changed. They used to do bed rest etc with some brain damage, now they try to get you up and out, brutal though it is.
I did a walk in the Malverns with deano a good few years back and felt elated and emotional, because even a few years before that, I'd never have been able to, and years gone by, it wasn't definite my walking would be continuing and maybe a chair would be needed. Deano has seen me when I can barely stand up, but I did that walk - it led to Ben Nevis and latter on the marathon.
The medic at the end congratulated us, we struck up a conversation, I mentioned my bag, it was his area of interest, and he said how slowly but surely, even though the pathways can't repair and do what they used to, they now can see you force new pathways. Not as perfect, but for sure, if I hadn't done all these things, I'd be far more disabled. That and a few years of intensive lymphatic massage that I believe saved my life.
Ramble over, all interesting.
Nowt to be slapped about! It is the process. Sometimes the body is very quick to say no, not yet, other times it will push on. It is annoying, but also quite interesting how it all operates. At times (too many times) I'm up, sit down, and that will be pretty much my day. Then I get spells where I can do the gym, sometimes a couple of times a day (if I do abs and stretches in the am) and then the walks, sometimes I can do a 7 mile lap by me, sometimes I struggle to the bins.
Funny old game, but it is the only game I've got to play!
DeanoVilla
One Bloody Number
Gym was great.
Actually preferred it as it was very quiet. Only 5 of us in there.
They give everyone their own personal bottle of spray sanitiser on the way in so you can all clean your equipment after use, then every hour (sessions are limitied to 1 hour) they give it a 15 minute deep clean before letting the next group in.
Very impressed.
Half the machines were taped off, but that was fine given how quiet it was. Got on everything I needed to.
Booked in again for tomorrow, same time.
I did a 15 minute run to warm up, then 15 minutes chest (4 sets bench press, 4 sets pec flys), 15 minutes arms..... (couple of tricep things and a couple of bicep things), and then finished off with a 15 minute ab routine on the matts.
Will do bike, legs, shoulders and abs tomorrow.
Actually preferred it as it was very quiet. Only 5 of us in there.
They give everyone their own personal bottle of spray sanitiser on the way in so you can all clean your equipment after use, then every hour (sessions are limitied to 1 hour) they give it a 15 minute deep clean before letting the next group in.
Very impressed.
Half the machines were taped off, but that was fine given how quiet it was. Got on everything I needed to.
Booked in again for tomorrow, same time.
I did a 15 minute run to warm up, then 15 minutes chest (4 sets bench press, 4 sets pec flys), 15 minutes arms..... (couple of tricep things and a couple of bicep things), and then finished off with a 15 minute ab routine on the matts.
Will do bike, legs, shoulders and abs tomorrow.
