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"That's why they don't use vacuum cleaners in gym class"
I stole (and paraphrased) this from an earlier response to another one of the "does this (activity) count threads. I posted this a couple of weeks ago, but it bears repeating (with some additional info). Of the many ways that people trying to lose weight lie to themselves, estimating "activity" calories is almost certainly…
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The "Tare" button--my new best friend!
I suspect most normal people already know this, but for the few slow learners like myself, I thought I would share my "slap myself in the forehead" epiphany. I am sure that most of your scales have a "tare" function which resets the display to zero after you have placed a container, etc on the scale. That's the most…
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Ahh...Easy day today
I sometimes have trouble keeping to my "easy" days. I schedule them in to my weekly routine, but I often can't hold back.This has been a pretty good week. On Monday, I set a new 45-minute calorie record on the cross trainer and then lifted weights. Tuesday, something came up at work and I couldn't do anything. Wednesday…
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This is why I sometimes hate the fitness industry and my pee
I was reading some comments on a forum of "fitness professionals" on the topic of "cleansing". Here was one guy's job title: Enzyme Counselor, Leadership Developer, Attitude Coach "Enzyme Counselor"??? That's the kind of thing that makes me want to slap someone upside the head with a Body Bar. Three guesses as to the…
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New article on "running empty" --exercising before eating
If you haven't seen this, it is worth checking out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37492881/ns/health-fitness/ A Belgian researcher is promoting some of his work showing that working out on an empty stomach "burns more fat". Before the bodybuilders get too giddy with excitement, I urge everyone to pay attention to the…
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What keeps me going at work every day....
As I have mentioned before, I was out of work for 13 months until last February. My new job pays about 1/2 of my previous (pretty typical for an American in their 50s these days). I am back to a staff-level position, working on the front line with members at a hospital based fitness center. Which is fine. After 9 years in…
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Want Results? FOCUS on the basics...
I see many of the same questions come up over and over and over again on these forums. Unfortunately there is not a convenient FAQ that can be reviewed by newcomers. Sometimes I have been known to get impatient and a little "snipey" when I read answers from people or "trainers" who are giving explanations or…
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This is what a "record" songlist looks like....
OK, this is completely stupid and self-indulgent, so ignore this if you like. I use the "calories burned" feature on my machines not necessarily as a weight loss tool, but as a measure of progress. Total calories burned during a workout represent the total amount of aerobic work performed. If you are on a machine and…
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New Blog--Calories burned during exercise--it's the INTENSIT
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/calories-burned-during-exercise-it-s-the-intensity-not-the-heart-rate-that-counts-26524
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An HRM Primer
It seems like there has been a surge of questions about HRMs lately. I thought I would put together a more in-depth article for anyone who is interested. In order to make it more visibly available, I wrote it on my blog page rather than as a forum post. Feel free to come back here with additional comments or questions.…
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The Top Signs It's a BAD Weight-Loss Plan
From the American College of Sports Medicine Resource Manual... Be leery of weight loss plans that suggest any of the following: 1. A diet that is drastically different from the recommendations given in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid.gov, or other reputable sources such as the American Dietetic…
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My muscles are burning--it must be a good exercise, right?
A key technique used in infomercials for a new "fitness" device is to take the device into a crowd and invite random people to try it out. The viewer is then shown a series of testimonials saying "I could really feel this working" or "my (legs, abs, butt, etc) muscles were burning so I know it really works." Even without…
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Thanks to everyone at MFP--I've got a job...
I had a good week on the job front last week. After having been out of work for a year, I received 2 job offers. I accepted a position as a Fitness Specialist for a large, hospital-based health and fitness center in the Chicago suburbs. It's ironic in that I worked for the same large healthcare corporation at a different…
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THIS is why strength training is important
I have mentioned this study a number of times, but I didn't have the specific citation. This is not an abstract, but a graph of the results. This was a landmark study done in 1991 that really gave strength training a boost to become an accepted--almost required--part of a weight loss program. I think it is interesting as a…
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New Bench Press Record-- and AFTER a record cardio workout,
Got the weight plates right today and did an all-time personal best for the bench press: 205 x 2 reps. And that was after a 30 min cross trainer workout in which I set a new personal best for (machine) calories burned in 30 minutes. I also matched my "workout" high weight on squats as well. So, I am going to stick to my…
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Stupid Gym Tricks (I'm glad I used a spotter)
I was doing a traditional lifting day today and pushing up my weights. I decided to try for a new personal best in the bench press. I had just done 4 reps at 185, so I figured I could handle 10 lbs above my previous best of 195. I was sharing the bench with another guy and he offered to spot me. Normally I don't bother…
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How many here 55+?
I stumbled across another forum topic centered around women 5'10" and taller. To distract myself from evil thoughts, I thought I'd do a roll call of "seasoned" adults on MFP, and see if there were any common issues we might want to discuss. We could be the "Too Old to Rock n' Roll But Too Young to Die Group". My…
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Added a "Before" Picture to my Photo Gallery
During my "fat" years (2000 to 2009), I avoided the camera like a CIA hit man. If I appear in pictures at all, it's usually at the back of a group where just my head is showing (bad enough). After I started losing weight, I was a little sorry that I didn't have any recent "before" pictures or starting measurements (other…
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What is your workout wear?
Someone posted this on a forum on another website, and it made me curious about what people wore in "our" little community here. For me, it's nothing I would consider extravagant, but I do believe in having the right tools for the job, so I don't skimp on what I consider to be the essentials. I am a big fan of "technical…
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HRMs cannot count caloiries during strength training--deal w
Sorry--reposted because of crappy spelling in the title.
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<Sigh> It didn't seem THAT hard on the video........
http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_TabataFGB.wmv Let's just say my journey of personal fitness discovery had an interesting stop today. :tongue:
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Big difference shoveling snow
Having just finished shoveling the driveway and sidewalks for the 3rd time in 24 hours, I have to point out the obvious: Shoveling snow is a LOT easier when you have been consistently strength training for 10 months. Last year, this would have wiped me out for the afternoon. Now I hardly even notice it. (I still would…
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Christmas Gift Dilemma
I do a LOT of chopping when I make meals. As a joke, I often say that my cooking consists primarily of figuring out how many different combinations that mushrooms, onions, garlic, broccoli, and peppers can be prepared. A mainstay of my diet is what was referred to on Seinfeld as "The Big Salad". For me, texture and color…
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Pre holiday workout....
30 minutes cross trainer--set a new "personal record" for calories burned on this particular machine 30 minutes running on treadmill @ avg 7.2 mph/1% elevation Strength Training: Bench press x 3 sets Lat Pulldown x 3 sets Shoulder Press x 3 sets Squats x 3 sets Upright Row x 2 sets Lunges w/25lb DB x 3 sets Biceps/Triceps…
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Maintain your fitness during the holidays
Holiday times can be hectic with travel, shopping and events. I was reading another forum where someone said they were planning a 2-week "break" from their fitness routine. I suspect that is unthinkable for most people on this website, but it can be a challenge. Obviously, there is the whole eating/calories question (oy! I…
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New picture (OK, I have to brag a little)
I have been using a profile picture that I took last May. At the time I had lost 30lbs and had just gotten a new haircut and was feeling very proud myself. Since then, I had lost another 25lbs or so, but had not taken any new pictures. Anyhow, the new one was taken last night at a formal dinner party (hence the suit and…
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Nothing like new running shoes!!
I finally broke down (before my legs broke down) and used a $25 coupon from Eastbay.com to get some new running shoes--early christmas present. I have been running in ASICS GT series shoes the last couple of years--this time I got the GT-2140. I like the feel a little better than New Balance and this style is one of the…
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Metabolic Testing--Your Opinions
Based on my personal experience, educational and work experiences, and current employment status, I have started researching the idea of working with some other professionals in a wellness coaching business and one of the services I was thinking of offering was metabolic testing. This would consist of a cart that analyzes…
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Play It Again Sports is Worthless....
Ok, first off--this is a rant. Like all good rants, it consists of 25% reason and 75% emotion. I am sure others may have a different experience. If you are a fan of PIAS, don't take this too seriously--it is meant for entertainment as much as anything else. I have only been in one of these stores once, maybe 10 years ago,…
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MEB!! NYC Marathon Champion!
Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the New York Marathon, finishing in a personal best time of 2:09:15. He beat 4-time Boston Marathon and past New York Marathon winner Robert Cheruiyot by making a strong surge between miles 23 and 24 and holding on to win by some 40 seconds. This years NYM was also the US…
