The Official Gym & Fitness Thread

Gonna start alternating cardio days of treadmill vs stationary bike in hopes I can get a head start on building my legs again for mountain biking this season. Burns a whole lot different than a treadmill ever could thats for sure

 

Another piece of equipment to consider is the ergometer/rower. Those machines can provide a great workout

 

Yeah you better get that done and hit up this guy prior too

 

Will do!

I have to go to Vermont and visit WhistlePig tasting room sometime.

 

Just scratching the surface with that. Check out Hill Farmstead brewery, too. Lord knows VT has an abundance of open country and breweries.







Feb is a tough month - fortunately - looking at the weather forecast - the end is in sight! Another couple days of 30s, one here and there and then we start to see the first week of March come into view, all 40s and 50s. I'd rather humid and 90, but at least at 40-50 things are doable. And the longer days + DST will give more time + take away cooking time.

 

Indeed texas

and I'm running gear now.

 

On the left was when I first joined this thread and was jogging 6 miles before work. I weighed in at like 178 at my lowest with visible abs. Like 5-6 years ago.


Now I compete in strongman and walk around weighing 215-220 and cut to 200lbs the day before comp lol.

just recently got on PED's because my sport allows it and I'm curious how strong I can get. Not looking to get shredded due to the weight class thing in my sport but would like to pack on as much muscle as I can while staying around 215lbs.

 

if you dont mind my askin, what's your age?

 

Look bigger at 178 than I did at 190. I've been persistent on the forearm workouts lol. I'm convinced if someone has large forearms they just look stronger.

 

Just turned 30 a few weeks ago. I don't mind anyone asking me anything. You go far back enough in this chat and you can find some hella weird conversations we used to have

 

I also want to go to The Alchemist, even though I can’t stand Hazy’s. Still have to visit.

I’ve been to OR, CA, CO, NE, IA, IN, IL, FL, KS, MN, WI, KY, TN, NC and OH for beer.

Ashville, NC is one of the best beer cities.

Plan to hit more of the PNW this year. Want to hit ID and WY next year.

 

How is the ankle coming along?

 

Thanks for checking on me!

Not bad. Walking 4-5 miles at least 3 times a week. When I do jog for a bit, I get a little pain, but not much. Never went for x-ray. Just used the crutches for 5 weeks .

I have my regular annual wellness check coming up next month. I've been monitoring BP and HR for the last six months. I'm gonna see what she says about me resuming some light jogging. But she's probably just going to say I should see cardiologist first.

I will say my arrythmia did go away as my cardio conditioning faded. In other words, once I got out of race level of fitness, my heart rate seems to be staying above 40 BPM . Anytime I get below 40 is when I start having bouts of arrythmia. So, if I do go back to jogging it's gonna have to be low key. No more hill training for sure. I live in a hilly part of Indiana and I ran hills pretty hard nearly every trip out. Now that I've "sobered up" from the endorphin withdrawal I guess I realize I was pushing myself too hard for someone my age (66 yrs).

Current cardio condition level: sit in the sun and shake after 10 minutes.

 

I hear ankle injuries suck because reinjury is easy coming back. Im fortunate I have avoided such injuries.

Hopefully all goes well for you returning to running

 

You're not wrong. I've had several over the years. Ironically, none occurred while jogging. One was work related and another when I hoped over a chain link fence in my yard and one foot landed in a hole. Third strike for the same ankle.

They do tend to leave permanent bulges and weak spots in the ankle bones. My right ankle circumference is noticeably greater than my left.

 

Same here - I'm 23 days post op on total knee replacement. Pound and a half of Titanium in me now. WOOT WOOT! Knee by Bilstein.
I'm 2 to 4 weeks ahead of where the doctor expected me to be. Walking with no cane or walker. Did a half mile walk this morning, but still having to ice it and keep elevated. Can't do much else. The most cardio I get is when I forget to put my debit card back in the right slot in my wallet. PT has been rewardingly intense.

 

I knew Id bite my tongue. Ive been having left foot issues since the break on the right healed. I broke the left 2nd metatarsal now but have a numb bottom left foot.
They think ankle nerve entrapment. So perhaps counts as ankle injury?
My thyroid may be causing bone issues. We will figure that out too.

hopefully you keep healing up and can get back to it!

good for you!
Its bad ass you dont let the knee replacement stop you from making the most of your comeback

 

after full recovery are squats frowned upon ?

 

Not entirely sure... But I've got Germanic Alpine Heritage in me so I came into this world with massive quads and calves. Looked like I was born skipping arm and chest day. So I don't really do squats. Never have. I skip leg day all the time and get my legs-ercise through hiking and mountain climbing (not the sheer rock walls with ropes and stuff - because I also came with a brain) out here in the desert. Jeans that fit right have always been hard for me to find because of this and any hope I ever had of dunking the ball stays a dream because of the low center of gravity in my legs.

They have me doing "Mini-Squats" for PT but after that's done I'll probably say AMF to squats.

 

I'm highly competitive - even and especially against myself.

Last night at PT they caught me sneaking in extra reps and doing the timed exercises for longer that prescribed. I'm also one of the few patients that actually DOES their PT at home too. But alas they have told me to cool it, step back, let the knee recover before I push it too hard and too far.

My new years resolution has always been to end the year healthier than when I started it. I figure that's the best way to keep up with the aging process. But this knee has had me backsliding for the last three years. Adding weight, pre-diabetic, heart meds now (maybe vax related according to a CDC study now). But this is the year of the knee. Getting mobile again and going to start reversing three to four years of crap. I'm already down 21lbs since surgery and up about 3% muscle mass. My visceral fat score is dropping too 22 to 19.

Next goal is Flexion. I'm getting about 75 degrees of bend in that leg. Been getting better by about 5 degrees a day. Was at 55 degrees last week sometime. Getting to 90+ will help with walking, sitting, and using the exercise equipment so I can start working upper body again.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I know I've been knocked back a peg or two but I'm fighting like the third monkey on the way to the ark to make this happen.