I should stop doing crunches because even a single somewhat positive post here gets me attacked.
To be entirely honest, heavy cardio, like you guys reccomend, often gives me panic attacks, and considering the amount of panic I have to endure regularly, and that panic isn't the most heart-healthy thing...
(Forgive me, I'm doing this for the second time around. Stupid internet going down.)
You should not ever be attacked for participation in this thread. Ever. Total no-go.
Sometimes people find it hard to understand entirely.. that just because they are capable of something does not mean everyone is. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. And you are absolutely right, this thread was for people to challenge THEMSELVES and for others to encourage and support them. This thread is an encouragement thread, so positive attitudes only kthnx.
With that said. Sometimes, it is beneficial to see what others have to say. We can only go based on what you post.. for all we know, you post here to gripe about the small things that get in your way, but IRL you handle them with grace and the obstacles are jumped over successfully. We don't know. We only have the posts to go by..
You do tend to sound a bit defeatist in your posts. I think we're only getting half the story, because it sounds like you're offended by people pointing that out.. but it is beneficial to know what others perceive as well, is it not? Maybe this is a chance to realize maybe you are sounding too negative in a thread made to be positive and encouraging.. or maybe that others are noticing a trend of negativity in your posts. A lot can be taken from the perception of others, whether it's entirely the truth or not.
In the end.. in this thread, we want to see the participants happy, and active, and looking at solutions to their challenges and obstacles. Maybe you can turn that winter frown upside down maybe?
Encouragement is shown in all different ways.. some people like shocking, blunt honesty.. and some people prefer soft, quiet nudges of positive feedback without any sense of judgement. I think you just prefer the latter is all. There's nothing wrong with that. But try to understand people can be encouraging you even if it is in ways you don't quite like as much.
It's really fascinating what happens to snow. They have ploughs that try to clear the sidewalk, but they leave a sizeable layer behind. This layer is packed down by 50,000 people walking on it every day, and the top layer is melted by this friction and refrozen until it turns to ice. And this is what coats the sidewalks here.
I still walk many miles every day, but you know, because I'm such a fatass I need to run or walk at least 10 miles more or more, and so I'll have to run on ice. I really don't care how fantastic your snow boots are, unless you're willing to ship me a free pair of cleats, I'm not going to attempt it.
And you seem to be skirting the idea of me having a heart-attack at 23 years of age. Considering, it seems rather likely.
You're not a bad person. I cannot imagine stepping foot outside in ice everyday @_@ I can barely tolerate it for snowboarding!
So, allow me to use another approach to encouragement in my own personal way: I like to lead by example, and enabling. So, if I see a solution to a problem, I offer that.. So, it seems like heavy cardio and other fast-paced activities are a bit worrisome for you. That's not a problem though, there are plenty of activities that don't require that at all
Jumping can be harsh on your joints, but what about this?
A regime heavy in free, soft-spoken exercises can still do a lot of good and I promise everything I suggest will be totally free.
You can take these ideas or leave them.
1. I suggest starting to use some free weights. Dumbbells usually cost money.. and sometimes on craigslist they'll be giving items away for free, but you generally need transportation. The solution: Make your own for free!
What you need:
Quart, Half, or full gallon jugs cleaned out
Water or sand
They're totally customizable, adjustable, and you wrap gripping tape around the handle or even seal the top if you're worried about it spilling, but I think it'll be just fine. I use these all the time, and you can decorate them if you feel like they aren't pretty enough
Using free weights will be a soft way to strengthen yourself, which builds muscle, which burns fat. There are all kinds of gentle, beginner exercises online you can do with them, so building a starting point there gives you strength training.
2. Adjust your current regime.
You do a lot of walking, which totally rocks, and I think walking is just as good as running and jumping and all that crazy stuff! Keep it up! But!! Here's something you can do to challenge yourself and make it a bit better: Use ankle weights. Again, those cost money, but this website has a way to make them for free
http://www.ehow.com/how_5200619_make-own-ankle-weights.html
Some long socks, some sand in a ziploc snack bag or even smooth pebbles, and you're on your way! Just put a bit of them in the end, tie a knot, and tie them around your ankles over your clothes (incase they chafe or something..) before you go walking anywhere. Try to keep your same pace, with the added weight, and the best part is you can add weight easily by adding more socks or more rocks/sand. It won't really put you off balance if you keep them consistent on your ankles, but it'll give your legs some strength training.
3. Also.. I recommend youtube videos. They save my life in the winter, when I don't feel like going anywhere to work out outside. If I could recommend someone..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVjwkaLGDk
[YOUTUBE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVjwkaLGDk"].[/YOUTUBE]
This woman here is an awesome personality. She's gentle, and encouraging, and never pressuring or fast paced. My mother is very soft hearted, and gets discouraged easily during workouts, and she really liked this woman and her DVD series. It's a walk-at-home system, and it even has mile markers. It's a non-strenuous way of getting some cardio in at home. Her series is really awesome, and I don't feel like she'd make you panic or freak out because she's such a sweet lady.
4. Add stretching to your regime.
I believe you already attempted stretching before, and had some difficulty with it.. but I'd like to emphasize that stretching is a very gentle way of strengthening your muscles. Everyone from body builders to couch potatoes can benefit from it, and there are plenty of poses and ways to help.
http://walking.about.com/od/stretching/ss/warmupstretches.htm
These stretches are designed for walkers, so before you go walking take 10 minutes or so to do some of them and you'll get a lot more out of your walking.
Yoga may seem really intimidating, but there are some very basic moves that anyone can do that will help a lot. Adding just a bit of basic yoga will increase flexibility. Yoga also is calming, so it may help some..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGbuJwPhE3w This is a very basic pose that you don't have to be able to do immediately.. you can simply switch legs or sit in the pose as best as you can until your body adapts to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osPjqFfIjG8&feature=related Another very simple move that you don't need to be completely flexible for.
Sometimes, with youtube, if you don't have an idea of what to look for it can be hard to find things. You have to know what to type in.
so these videos may give you suggestions to related videos that you might like more as well, or give you the rest of the series in that category.
I hope you like my suggestions, and keep out of the cold! :workout: Don't get discouraged!
I don't even care about improving right now (though it'd be nice), the challenge for me will be sticking to the routine and actually doing it.
