NDK Health Club...WE not just YOU are getting in shape!!!

[Aoisora]

Hahaa, so, I haven't read the whole of this thread (I will later...too lazy to do so now), but it's encouraged me to talk to a friend of mine about exercising a couple times a week. =] I'm not fat or heavy by any means, but I -have- lost a lot of stamina, flexibility, and strength since I've been on break from Taekwondo. I'd kinda like to get that and more back. xD My prime motivation, I suppose, would be cosplaying Envy from Fullmetal Alchemist at some point this next year. I'd kinda like to show off some of my martial arts juuuuust a little bit whenever I do him~ A bit difficult to do that when I can't hold a relatively high side kick or front kick for more than a millisecond. xD

So, yeah, kudos to Rae for coming up with this. :3 Helped me realize that a lot of my lack of motivation to exercise was lack of extrinsic motivation and lack of a friend to support me/for me to support and all that jazz. I really don't have a lot of intrinsic motivation when it comes to this sort of thing. xP

[The Business Ninja]

I agree Aoisora, having extrinsic motivation (out of curiosity are you also a psychology fan? ;] ) regardless of whether or not you have intrinsic motivation can be the lynchpin to success in situations like this. Motivation can be contagious and people often feed off of other people's commitment and success. As such, I'm really hoping that frequent visitation and participation in this group will help me reach my goals for NDK NYE and NDK'11.
So...Here's to group efforts! ^ ^

[Aoisora]

(Yeah I am. xD Not a major, but I took it in highschool, took sociology last year, and I'm taking psych this year. Hence the terms.)

Hahaa, the feeding off of each other's commitment and success is really what I'm going for with this. =] Eventually (as in: when I'm buying my own food, etc., etc.), I'll probably start throwing in eating healthier than I have been, but that may be a bit. My mom's already heading my family towards that, but, well, it can be somewhat difficult. But, anyways, I'll be keeping tabs on this thread from here on out and I may post some of my own goals just so I have, not only my friend, but a few other people as well.

[The Business Ninja]

(Yeah I am. xD Not a major, but I took it in highschool, took sociology last year, and I'm taking psych this year. Hence the terms.)

Hahaa, the feeding off of each other's commitment and success is really what I'm going for with this. =] Eventually (as in: when I'm buying my own food, etc., etc.), I'll probably start throwing in eating healthier than I have been, but that may be a bit. My mom's already heading my family towards that, but, well, it can be somewhat difficult. But, anyways, I'll be keeping tabs on this thread from here on out and I may post some of my own goals just so I have, not only my friend, but a few other people as well.

Ha! Thought so, psychology is my minor but a major passion. -will burn in pun hell-

I think posting goals and updating them on here is a good idea, that way we can all feel like we're making progress, not to mention get feed back on whatever methods we're using to reach out respective goals.

[Roddy Manic]

Went to gym today. Only 20 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes on weights. I was going to do another 20 on the treadmill but scary male maintenance dude would not leave. I go to the girl only area for a reason. >< But better then my normal nothing. ^^ and I ate pretty good so far today. ^^ -151

[The Business Ninja]

Good game Roddy. Is the 151 at the end your present weight or...? If so that's actually an interesting idea. Posting weights if you intend to lose/gain any so that as a group we can note progress. Forgive me if you posted earlier in the thread (I haven't read all 17 pages) but what are your goals?

On this end: Presently eating sour gummy worms...not the best start to my fitness goals but in my defense they're the greatest sour gummy worms ever, given that they're actually sour, and my college was sold out the entire semester until yesterday, which happened to be my birthday so I couldn't resist. But yes, this is my last bag...(I hope).

[The Ronin]

Happy news! I've been buying size 40 pants because anything smaller was a little uncomfortable. Lately they've been feeling pretty loose. I went to buy some pants today because I've worn out my jeans and all the size 40's were too big. I bought size 38 pants! Progress!

Even though my weight hasn't really changed much my waist size has. I must be gaining muscle at an equal rate to losing belly fat. Not a huge surprise since most of my exercise isn't cardio.

[The Business Ninja]

That's great Ronin! I'm actually about to go do a late night workout with my brother. I've been doing class readings all night (-pretends she hasn't also been stalking the forums-) and need a break.
What sort of exercises do you do?

[The Ronin]

Mostly push-ups and crunches, but I'll add in some bicep and tricep curls with some dumbells that I have every now and then. Another thing I try to do when I'm at work is some standing toe curls. Basically you just raise up on the balls of your feet while standing still, hold for a second and go back down. Repeat 10+ times

[The Business Ninja]

Ah. I do crunches on my yoga ball (much better for your neck and back, not to mention you don't have a lot of the wasted effort that comes with floor crunches) I also to a lot of free exercises that are honestly a bit difficult to explain in text, like the punk rock aerobics stuff and things my brother brings home from his MMA gym. In addition I pretty much live in my sketcher's shape-ups and occasionally pick up the free weights and run on the elliptical machine.

[RaeWolfDemon]

wow.. again I'm so happy about all the new members :3 I have a cycling class tomorrow as wells as tai chi and then taekwondo tomorrow night.. if i can stand on thursday it will be a miracle.....
I also have been cutting back on my eating agin so that is helping a load with me feeling better..its amazing what cutting out grease does for your skin as well as how you feel

[Nogardous]

Well other then riding my bike i haven't done much excerising but At work I do end up having to lift heavy boxes and buckets of water/tea... I still stuck at 145lb and 32 inch waist... But far as my heart health(big concern with me) I say I'm doing pretty good will know more in december when I have another heart check up and stress test... My goal is to go from 43rating to a 50 rating.. which will be a big deal in my case...

[colonelmasako]

A well known fact for those of us fortunate to have the opportunity to do so: kissing burns around a calorie a minute. And since kissing may lead to other related activities, no details necessary, it ends up being a great workout, so yeah :p

[Treefox]

I started watching this show about a week or so after NDK and I have to say I found it really inspiring (a little campy sometimes, but...) It really made me more aware of how many calories I was consuming on a daily basis and how many of them come from just extra EXTRA things I wasn't really needing. Maybe it can be helpful for others, too : )

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/cook-yourself-thin

[The Business Ninja]

So, I've been trying to cut back on sugars, but admittedly with my already allergen-limited diet, it's been an uphill battle. However, I've just about quit smoking and I've added two more exercises to my daily routine putting me at eight exercises total. I won't call it progress until I maintain it for a few weeks, but it's a start.  

[Choco]

Well I just started working out regularly again, after a 3-week break cause of the con (or at least thats the excuse I use to be lazy).  So to make up for that I am gonna not only add on to my normal routine, but do more on top of that while at work.  I found that dropping and randomly doing 20 or so pushups a few times throughout the day in my cube helps me actually stay awake..

[The Business Ninja]

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet is the need for stretching. When working out, the impact is greatly increased if you stretch both before and after. To quote Zombieland Rule #18 Limber Up.
;]

[Greg Hines]

Stretching doesn't really make the exercises any more or less effective, but it does significantly reduce your chance of injury while working out. The same applies to any strenuous activity, like running or playing sports.

[The Business Ninja]

Stretching afterward helps the muscles recover and in some cases reduces soreness after a work out in addition to preventing the likelihood of cramps and when done beforehand it improves flexibility, range of motion and gives you a better feeling for muscle control. I misspoke when I said it makes exercises more effective, rather stretching works as an accoutrement to exercises, though it is best to research which stretches are best for which workout routines ahead of time as overstretching can also have a negative impact.

[Caffum]

Choco: That is an awesome idea you have going there. Increased blood flow from your routine is helping you keep alert, and I guarantee it's increasing your productivity. You should ask your boss for a raise!

As for my own personal stuff, I love workouts. I have a 24 hour fitness membership, and I abuse the heck out of it! Currently, I run several different routines which all focus on different areas of the body and core, along with a couple of full body workouts, mixed in with some cycling, swimming, and general sports like basketball, football, or tennis. I also do Taekwondo all the time, have been my whole life which has helped attribute to being able to stay in shape. If anybody is looking for a workout partner or a gym, i'm more than happy to help! Just go ahead and PM me and we can figure something out!

My biggest tip: Make sure you're on a protein regiment if you plan on going into intense, muscle building or weight loss workouts. Protein shakes and supplements will help you recover and will give your body something to snack on other than your own body (working out without protein in your system means your body will use that newly built muscle to recover). Just make sure you're careful with what kind you take and if it assists your workouts or not, and check the ingredients lists and ask a few questions or do some research before you buy. Apparently, recently, there's been trace amounts of HGH or steroid supplements laced in some workout supplements. I've had to switch a couple of products because I found out that company was putting these disgusting chemicals in the stuff I might have been taking. Don't be afraid to ask someone at a local gym or at a GNC store for advice either, everyone is more than happy to help you out!