Debating Runners!

[FinalEnigma]

An idea struck me while out running today, I'm trying to get in shape and get some exercise, and I'm sure there's others on here who are as well, so why not do it together and be accountable to one another? we all know that if you just do it on your own, with nobody to keep you honorable you're gonna cheat.

Now You don't have to run if running isn't your thing, you can walk, swim, bike, skip, fly or marathon somersault down the street if you like, the important thing is to get some exercise and keep up with it. You don't actually have to debate while running either, although that is worth bonus points.

I'm making a usergroup for this, and I know it's a bit silly and has nothing to do with the forum, but this is for everyone who's trying to get in shape, lose weight, or bring down their mile time.

I know I'm a few days late, but here's my new years resolution: To outrun everyone on DC&R! Now who's gonna stop me?
That's gonna be a tough one I know, as I'm not much of a runner at the moment, and I know at least Confused can outrun me, and I doubt shes gonna give ground without a fight.
And I know some of you have resolutions to get in shape. according to a poll on the news a few days ago that's the most common resolution, so who's up for doing it together? maybe a little competition and fun while we are at it?

So if you are interested, just post here with your current status(running time and distance, biking, swimming, walking, weight you're trying to lose[don't have to tell us your weight, just how much your trying to lose!]) and keep us updated every week or two weeks and post your latest accomplishment. Feel free to join the usergroup Debating Runners as well.(which I'm making right after this post)
I'll put up my mile time tomorrow once I get it timed.

[TXatheist]

Oh, I forgot to post about today.

I ran about 8 miles again with 30 pull ups, 60 pushups and tricep-dips-things(what is the correct name for those, btw), and 90 sit ups interspersed. I've done this a couple times a week since the first time, and it certainly is beginning to tell - the pull ups are getting a heck of a lot easier. I think it's about time to up the numbers on that stuff.

Also today, after my run and other stuff, I did 8 about 100 meter sprints, just because I could and had the energy left. I haven't really sprinted in...over three years now, and I've one thing to say on it.

Damn, I can move.

I don't know that I'm really tremendously fast(although I've always compared myself to soccer players, because I was around them.), but I haven't felt sprinting that easy since I was 15(and back then, I was fast enough that the high school football team tried to get me to play running back).

I used to be fast(I think I was fast for my age, but that I'm not really that fast relatively anymore. I'm not sure.) because I played soccer for a long time(from about 5 to 16 or so). But even then, I wasn't in as good of shape as I am now. those sprints felt like I was just cruising and didn't get me very out of breath at all. I really am in better shape than I've ever been in my life, and I really love being in shape like this. I can't tell you how awesome it feels to be able to take a hundred meter sprint in stride.

Man, that is awesome. I'm not even going to tell you how many push ups or pullups I can do so as not to embarrass myself. But I'm working on it. Keep it up, man. You not only do yourself a world of good, but you push others like me to work harder to catch up with you. Mega kudos.

The trick is to do a few at a time. I was doing doing laps on a trail at a nearby park that's a little under a mile and a half long, and every time I pass the pull up bars, I do five.

I wouldn't even try to do 30 in a row.

I recently bought one of those "iron gym" bars that you can hang in a doorway and then take down when you're done. I'm going to start using it this weekend. I've also started doing pushups in the morning. When I was in high school, a coach told me that if I did 5 pushups one day and then added 5 to my set each day after that, that I would have big arms in no time. He said it didn't even matter if I did the whole set at one time, just get the accumulative total done sometime during the day. I think adding 5 a day is a little unreasonable, at least for the shape I'm in. So I started with 5 today and I'm going to add 1 to my set each day. Better than nuthin.

[FinalEnigma]

Adding 5 a day does seem a bit ridiculous to me. you would end up with pretty big arms if you could possibly keep up that rate of accumulation, but by a month you would be doing 150 pushups a day. You obviously can't continue adding 5 pushups a day forever. you wouldn't make 3 months. 1 per day you could keep up a long time if you really wanted, but again, when you reach 200+ pushups a day, you are being a little silly.

I wish I had one of those bars. How expensive are they? Not that I have money to spare right now. lol

[TXatheist]

Adding 5 a day does seem a bit ridiculous to me. you would end up with pretty big arms if you could possibly keep up that rate of accumulation, but by a month you would be doing 150 pushups a day. You obviously can't continue adding 5 pushups a day forever. you wouldn't make 3 months. 1 per day you could keep up a long time if you really wanted, but again, when you reach 200+ pushups a day, you are being a little silly.

I wish I had one of those bars. How expensive are they? Not that I have money to spare right now. lol

Yeah, I think just doing it daily is a great accomplishment. Then adding 1 a day to the routine just makes it that much better. Iron Gyms are only 20 bucks. Here is their site, but you can also pick them up at Walgreens or anywhere that has the "As Seen On TV" section.

[colpal19]

Arg! I have been trying to lose weight for forever now! I'm 5'10 and 210lb. My goal weight is 170lbs. and I keep fluctuating between 200 and 210! Ahhhh! Tomorrow morning I plan to get up at 7am and run my butt off! It's really hard for my because I attend college full time and I work. But, I need to get this weight off, so I'm gonna make time! Wish me luck!

[FinalEnigma]

It's good that you are trying to get healthier. Remember though, the idea isn't to go out and run your but off until you cant move the next day because of sore muscles, its to come up with something you can maintain, and do at least 2-3 times a week.
Aside from your weight, I'm not sure what kind of shape you are in, but for losing weight, I might recommend swimming. Its low impact if you've got bad knees like I do, really easy and fun, and extremely good for losing weight. I'm 5'8"/5'9" and 160, but I once weighed about 190 back when I drank soda constantly and such. I took a swimming class at my local college, and lost 30 lbs in 2 months without hardly trying. Since you are going to college yourself, a swimming class might be worth a try. It will get you in the water and swimming a few hours a week and you don't have to rely so much on yourself to police and stay with it.
The best way to lose weight, is to find an activity that you enjoy, and use that. Seijun is using biking for health, Confused and I run(though she also bikes and does everything else under the sun), whatever you like.

If you don't run much, a note though. Running is probably the hardest one to start off - the least fun, most work, etc. But damn does it pay off in the long run. The endorphins I get from running now beat hands down any other exercise I've tried.
I've only been really running for less than a year, and I'm enjoying the benefits, and have been, for months. Not only does running eventually become very enjoyable if you stick with it, but its a great way to deal with stress and/or give you time to think. Stressed about a test? Go run the night before or morning of, and you will actually perform better because you are less stressed. Got a paper to write? Go run and think about your paper while you do it. You'll come back with a dozen good ideas. It works for me(I'm also a college student).
I also am really enjoying being in shape. I feel like I'm far less sluggish and such moving around in daily life and, because I'm slightly paranoid, I'm far better off now than I was before if somebody tries to mug me or something. And I certainly don't mind the muscle tone in my legs either.