We must find discipline. Those of us on a weight loss journey may have a tougher time than others and I do not mean only in the eating department.
I was at my other gym last week in South Florida. I go to a YouFit gym which I posted about in this post right here. Despite what my main guy and coach Jeff Ford says in this post he made today, I still do the long runs. In my defense, he and I have had conversations about this and I do the long runs for the extra calorie burn that I get. I definitely do more Crossfit work now though than ever. Back to my topic and observations....
I was on one of those longer runs on a treadmill last week and observed people working out. Like any gym, there were people of all shapes, sizes and physical abilities. Congrats to ALL of them for being there. As I looked at those that were sitting, idle between sets, I noticed something. All but 1 of the 6 people I saw using their cell phones in the workout were moderately to grossly overweight. This brought me to checking out the clock when they finished a set. The least amount of time I counted between sets for a cell phone user was 2 minutes. The longest was over 5.
Yes, some that are not using their cell phones tend to rest too long between sets as well. I hear you cluckin' but I do not think I have witnessed anyone take 5 minutes between sets just sitting there.
To go into a gym it takes some discipline in the first place. To really push yourself takes more. This does not differ from when you are running or when you are lifting. It takes discipline to really go out of your comfort zone consciously. I am usually the only one on a treadmill that might make a OOF or a ARGH grunt from time to time. But when it comes time for speed intervals or hill intervals with some running on them, I push myself. People sometimes stare at me when I do. I must be some kind of freak!
I am trying to make a few points here.
1) Leave the cell phone in the car. You can live without it for 30-60 minutes. I am certain of it. It will only be a distraction that keeps you from your best workout.
2) Have a plan when you go into the gym. Write it down if you have to. Know the weight you plan to lift, on what machines, for how many reps and sets. Know how long you will rest between sets and watch the clock (not the one on your cell). If you are running, know how long and at what pace. Decide ahead of time what intervals or challenges you might throw yourself into the run and execute them.
3) Push yourself. Yes, you may sweat. You might even grunt. The best part is, you might work harder than you though you could and leave with an extra high feeling at the end knowing you just crushed whatever you decided to do.
With that success will come more discipline. That discipline will carry you outside of the gym into the other places in your life where you did not have it. The kitchen. The restaurant. The car. At work. Discipline is the key to success.
Orracle and Family
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
No Frills Fitness
Like so many Americans, I have paid health club fees pretty much all of my married years. For most of those years, it was 100% profit for the club as we rarely if ever went. That of course is different for me now. I can remember being members of different YMCAs and of course being from the Minneapolis area, Lifetime Fitness was 'THE place' to be. We have not been members of Lifetime since we moved to New Richmond, WI over 6 years ago but I know our dues were over $100 a month then. My buddy Spiff just told me he is cancelling now as well because their dues were even higher at Lifetime. It just is not worth it.
I think even today if I went into a Lifetime, the idea of such a big club would woo me back into thinking I wanted to be there again. They sell it well and you look around at the amenities and cannot help but think of it as kind of a country club atmosphere. You want to enjoy all of those amenities. You want to sit around after a workout and chat with friends, sipping a drink, enjoying life. OK, a little bit over the top. The truth is, when you go there, you change, workout and leave. Time is short for these activities and the last thing you have time to do is lounge around just to be there.
Enter 2012. A new breed of fitness is on the market. No frills. No gymnasium. Few or no classes. Just equipment, a few TVs, some loud music and sweat.
Since I belong to a community run and owned fitness center in New Richmond, it obviously has no reciprocity elsewhere in the US where I travel. The hotel I frequent in Miramar has crappy treadmills and so I needed a club down there. I found YouFit Health Clubs. $10 a month for single membership and for $20, you can bring a friend whenever you want and get free skin cancer, err, tanning. I chose the $10 package.
On this season's Biggest Loser, they changed their sponsor from 24 Hour Fitness to Planet Fitness. Here also you get a customized if not completely arrogant color scheme on all of the equipment for just $10 per month. Like YouFit, $19.99 gets you guest access, tanning and access to all locations.
Last night I saw yet another new strip mall fitness club. This one is Blast Fitness. Again for $10, you get access to their club. Here for the big plan, you get group fitness, tanning and spinning classes in addition to the bring a friend deal. They offer babysitting as well which might be in both plans. Lastly, this club has a women's only area available.
I think all of these might be $10 for just the introductory period of one year (I know YouFit is that way) so it is best to check before you expect that rate forever. The bottom line is that for less than I used to spend on a fast food stop, you can have a month of health club access. Cost should no longer be an issue for anyone. Everyone has $10.
I think even today if I went into a Lifetime, the idea of such a big club would woo me back into thinking I wanted to be there again. They sell it well and you look around at the amenities and cannot help but think of it as kind of a country club atmosphere. You want to enjoy all of those amenities. You want to sit around after a workout and chat with friends, sipping a drink, enjoying life. OK, a little bit over the top. The truth is, when you go there, you change, workout and leave. Time is short for these activities and the last thing you have time to do is lounge around just to be there.
Enter 2012. A new breed of fitness is on the market. No frills. No gymnasium. Few or no classes. Just equipment, a few TVs, some loud music and sweat.
Since I belong to a community run and owned fitness center in New Richmond, it obviously has no reciprocity elsewhere in the US where I travel. The hotel I frequent in Miramar has crappy treadmills and so I needed a club down there. I found YouFit Health Clubs. $10 a month for single membership and for $20, you can bring a friend whenever you want and get free skin cancer, err, tanning. I chose the $10 package.
On this season's Biggest Loser, they changed their sponsor from 24 Hour Fitness to Planet Fitness. Here also you get a customized if not completely arrogant color scheme on all of the equipment for just $10 per month. Like YouFit, $19.99 gets you guest access, tanning and access to all locations.
Last night I saw yet another new strip mall fitness club. This one is Blast Fitness. Again for $10, you get access to their club. Here for the big plan, you get group fitness, tanning and spinning classes in addition to the bring a friend deal. They offer babysitting as well which might be in both plans. Lastly, this club has a women's only area available.
Friday, January 6, 2012
I am looking to challenge YOU! Everyone wants to start the year off with wellness and we all know that the gyms are just a little bit busier right now. Sometimes, we get in a rut though. Maybe we just don't want to do the same workout. Maybe we do not want to go at all! We need a push or a shove in some cases. I know that I respond to support and people around me. I have a perfectly good treadmill in my basement in front of a 92" ceiling projection movie theater. I rarely use it. Instead, I drag my butt to our local gym (I live in a small town). I go to the New Richmond Centre which is a GREAT facility! It has more of a community feel than many of the big box, corporate owned fitness centers. Why do I go to the Centre? I am more likely to push myself on that treadmill when someone is right next to me or behind me. I am more likely to run longer and faster. I assume they are all comparing themselves to me....which is probably just a bad case of narcissism but it works. I love it when someone gets onto a tread next to me after I have started and hangs it up long before I am done. YES! I WIN.....it is just unfortunate that they did not realize it was a contest!
That push or goal can come in many formats. If we set our own goals and have nobody to watch us or cheer us on, some of us might struggle to maintain them especially when the excitement of the new year has passed and we could lose sight of that resolution.
Back on 12/30, I posted about a site called FLEETLY. I am currently doing the Winter 100 Mile Challenge. For this one, I need to run 100 miles between January 1 and March 31. It tracks your progress and gives medals for so many different milestones.
I think the neatest thing about this site is that you can link to friends. That is a great way to hold each other accountable!
I am asking for YOU....right NOW.....to go and join Fleetly and sign up for a challenge. It could be a full year long challenge or something more immediately measurable and attainable to follow our SMART goal direction.
If you are a local here in New Richmond, sign up for a contest and tell me when you are headed to the Centre and I will do whatever workout you choose. Possibly even Zumba at which I would struggle not physically but with coordination. I will do whatever you choose.
Even if you are not here in New Richmond with me, sign up and link to me. Challenge me to a challenge with you! We do not need to be together....we do not need to be at Hilton Head Health and we do not need Jeff, Adam, Amy or Amber to be there. We can own this!
Sign up
That push or goal can come in many formats. If we set our own goals and have nobody to watch us or cheer us on, some of us might struggle to maintain them especially when the excitement of the new year has passed and we could lose sight of that resolution.
Back on 12/30, I posted about a site called FLEETLY. I am currently doing the Winter 100 Mile Challenge. For this one, I need to run 100 miles between January 1 and March 31. It tracks your progress and gives medals for so many different milestones.
I think the neatest thing about this site is that you can link to friends. That is a great way to hold each other accountable!
I am asking for YOU....right NOW.....to go and join Fleetly and sign up for a challenge. It could be a full year long challenge or something more immediately measurable and attainable to follow our SMART goal direction.
If you are a local here in New Richmond, sign up for a contest and tell me when you are headed to the Centre and I will do whatever workout you choose. Possibly even Zumba at which I would struggle not physically but with coordination. I will do whatever you choose.
Even if you are not here in New Richmond with me, sign up and link to me. Challenge me to a challenge with you! We do not need to be together....we do not need to be at Hilton Head Health and we do not need Jeff, Adam, Amy or Amber to be there. We can own this!
What are you waiting for?
Sign up
Link to me (Lyle Orr)
Let the games begin!
Friday, December 30, 2011
New Year, New Goals To Keep You Motivated
I have to say that I have hit my major goals that I have been pushing for since my visit to Hilton Head Health in April/May 2011. I have never really stopped pushing and certainly have not regressed in any manner. Lately though, I have found myself with some distance goals in mind but that was it. Something has been missing.
Tonight I was at a sporting goods store which actually is dangerous for me now since so many things are appealing and fit my new body that I could easily spend $500 and not break a sweat. I saw ski boots and thought I'd look at them.
Some of you know that in high school, I was an avid downhill skier with my buddies. I found that after college as I gained weight, I could barely get ski boots buckled around my legs until the point where it was completely impossible. I have wanted to ski with my kids for years but have not been able to.
I tried on a few boots tonight and unfortunately, none would close around my legs. It is good though because I would not be tempted to spend the $300+ on them right away. It is a little disheartening since I really wanted to ski this winter. The best thing about it is that I now have a new goal to reach! I needed this!
Now as we move towards 2012, it is time for you to find your goals. Call them resolutions or whatever you want but make them. Make them SMART goals!
I think most importantly, they need to be behavior based goals. This was one of the most critical things I took away from Adam Martin's goal setting class at H3. Don't think about numbers or sizes. Think about things you want to be doing as a goal. For me, skiiing is a behavior based goal.
Think about using a website to help you reach your goals. A while ago on www.h3daily.com, Amy Kelderhouse posted about a goal setting website called STIKK.com. I like the idea behind this site!
One that a co-worker showed me today is one to track your activity where you can join challenges of various levels and where you earn points for activities. These points drive your 'fitness level'. I really like this site for creative workout ideas for when you are having less time, traveling or just need a change of pace from your normal routine. Here is the link to this site which is called Fleetly and free to use as well. I like the ability to link yourself with friends on this site. Accountability is KING!
When you are standing at the bottom of a giant hill, the climb looks daunting. You know you can do it but it will be such a long, hard task. That is how I felt in March of this year before I started this journey. Now, it has been 8 months since the day I checked into H3 and time has flown by. That day, looking up at the hill seems like just yesterday. It has been easier to climb this hill than I ever could have imagined while standing at the bottom looking up. Don't let your mind get in the way of you taking that first step! This is YOUR YEAR! YOU have ALL the tools you need to start right now!
To everyone that has cheered me on this year and supported me, whether from work, home, New Richmond or someone I have met along the way, I am truly grateful for you and your support. I cherish each and every one of you for what you have brought to my life and I only wish I could repay every one of you back for the support you have shown me.
Tonight I was at a sporting goods store which actually is dangerous for me now since so many things are appealing and fit my new body that I could easily spend $500 and not break a sweat. I saw ski boots and thought I'd look at them.
Some of you know that in high school, I was an avid downhill skier with my buddies. I found that after college as I gained weight, I could barely get ski boots buckled around my legs until the point where it was completely impossible. I have wanted to ski with my kids for years but have not been able to.
I tried on a few boots tonight and unfortunately, none would close around my legs. It is good though because I would not be tempted to spend the $300+ on them right away. It is a little disheartening since I really wanted to ski this winter. The best thing about it is that I now have a new goal to reach! I needed this!
Now as we move towards 2012, it is time for you to find your goals. Call them resolutions or whatever you want but make them. Make them SMART goals!
Specific.....Measurable.....Attainable....Realistic.....Timely
I think most importantly, they need to be behavior based goals. This was one of the most critical things I took away from Adam Martin's goal setting class at H3. Don't think about numbers or sizes. Think about things you want to be doing as a goal. For me, skiiing is a behavior based goal.
Think about using a website to help you reach your goals. A while ago on www.h3daily.com, Amy Kelderhouse posted about a goal setting website called STIKK.com. I like the idea behind this site!
One that a co-worker showed me today is one to track your activity where you can join challenges of various levels and where you earn points for activities. These points drive your 'fitness level'. I really like this site for creative workout ideas for when you are having less time, traveling or just need a change of pace from your normal routine. Here is the link to this site which is called Fleetly and free to use as well. I like the ability to link yourself with friends on this site. Accountability is KING!
When you are standing at the bottom of a giant hill, the climb looks daunting. You know you can do it but it will be such a long, hard task. That is how I felt in March of this year before I started this journey. Now, it has been 8 months since the day I checked into H3 and time has flown by. That day, looking up at the hill seems like just yesterday. It has been easier to climb this hill than I ever could have imagined while standing at the bottom looking up. Don't let your mind get in the way of you taking that first step! This is YOUR YEAR! YOU have ALL the tools you need to start right now!
To everyone that has cheered me on this year and supported me, whether from work, home, New Richmond or someone I have met along the way, I am truly grateful for you and your support. I cherish each and every one of you for what you have brought to my life and I only wish I could repay every one of you back for the support you have shown me.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Beat The Resolution Rush!
Here we are in the middle of December, officially in Christmas mode (only allowable AFTER The ORRacle's birthday on the 8th). Those of you out there that have been giving yourself the, "I am going to start eating right and exercising on Monday" talk are probably now shifting to the, "I am going to kick my butt in gear when the New Year comes" talk.
I know. I have been there.
Why not start now? Does it mean you cannot have a nice Christmas dinner? Does it mean you cannot have fun on New Year's? Absolutely not! There is no reason to wait! Just think how much better you will feel at your health club having pushed through the beginning workouts BEFORE the newbie rush at the club on January 3. You will already be on the ground running!
This year has been the best of my life. I feel better than I can ever remember and love my new lifestyle. I have one regret about the whole thing. That regret is that I waited until April of this year to make the change. I have had amazing success but just imagine where I would be now if I had started last December at this time. My everyday life is so much easier and especially my work life. As I type this post, I am flying back from a business trip, sitting in an exit row seat. This is something I could have not done last December because I had to use a seatbelt extender. Back then, I could only imagine how freeing it would be to not have to worry about not getting an upgrade or sitting next to someone on a full flight. It stressed me out beyond belief.
Whether you just have a few pounds of 200 to lose, take that step today. Don't wait.....you will be glad you did it!
I know. I have been there.
Why not start now? Does it mean you cannot have a nice Christmas dinner? Does it mean you cannot have fun on New Year's? Absolutely not! There is no reason to wait! Just think how much better you will feel at your health club having pushed through the beginning workouts BEFORE the newbie rush at the club on January 3. You will already be on the ground running!
This year has been the best of my life. I feel better than I can ever remember and love my new lifestyle. I have one regret about the whole thing. That regret is that I waited until April of this year to make the change. I have had amazing success but just imagine where I would be now if I had started last December at this time. My everyday life is so much easier and especially my work life. As I type this post, I am flying back from a business trip, sitting in an exit row seat. This is something I could have not done last December because I had to use a seatbelt extender. Back then, I could only imagine how freeing it would be to not have to worry about not getting an upgrade or sitting next to someone on a full flight. It stressed me out beyond belief.
Whether you just have a few pounds of 200 to lose, take that step today. Don't wait.....you will be glad you did it!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Find A Way To Stay Inspired
Since my visit to Hilton Head Health, I have not had much of a problem staying motivated. I have had terrific success in weight loss now over 100 pounds. I can honestly say that most of that can be accounted for by my steadfast focus on what I eat. Bob tells us that it is 80% diet but I did not believe it was so true. Truth is, I have had patterns of good weeks and bad when it comes to working out. My travel schedule has been crazy and the hotel I stay at has really bad treadmills. I now have a bike in Florida so that will certainly help me get more workouts in.
For you, it may be that you have lost the inspiration you need to push through a workout or even start one. Last week before my first ever 5K, I purchased a Garmin GPS Watch.(Garmin 405CX). Since my purchase, I have used it on the race and 2 bike rides here in Florida.
For those that do not know me, I am a geek. Specifically, I am a data geek.....and I love toys. This is the coolest thing! It tracks your route, speed and split times between miles. I have not used the heartrate monitor yet, but am excited to add that component to it so I can not only see my speed, pace and elevation changes over time but my heartrate as well.
If you go to this link, you can see my bike ride from this morning. This link goes to my first ever 5K.
I have had a few rides/workouts when I was just struggling to keep the pace or intensity. This has given me that added new inspiration to push through. Go fast. Work a little harder. I don't want to look at those stats later on and see proof that I was dogging it! Maybe that is just my competetive nature mixed with a little OCD.
Whatever it takes, mix it up and find the tools or methods that make you push it and keep the inspiration! Do this whether you are fit and staying that way, or on a journey like me.
For you, it may be that you have lost the inspiration you need to push through a workout or even start one. Last week before my first ever 5K, I purchased a Garmin GPS Watch.(Garmin 405CX). Since my purchase, I have used it on the race and 2 bike rides here in Florida.
For those that do not know me, I am a geek. Specifically, I am a data geek.....and I love toys. This is the coolest thing! It tracks your route, speed and split times between miles. I have not used the heartrate monitor yet, but am excited to add that component to it so I can not only see my speed, pace and elevation changes over time but my heartrate as well.
If you go to this link, you can see my bike ride from this morning. This link goes to my first ever 5K.
I have had a few rides/workouts when I was just struggling to keep the pace or intensity. This has given me that added new inspiration to push through. Go fast. Work a little harder. I don't want to look at those stats later on and see proof that I was dogging it! Maybe that is just my competetive nature mixed with a little OCD.
Whatever it takes, mix it up and find the tools or methods that make you push it and keep the inspiration! Do this whether you are fit and staying that way, or on a journey like me.
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