Official Workout/Fitness Thread (Re-born)

[LyricalRico]

Thanks, fish. Now I'll never eat again.



Also, how can one know that something labeled "organic" is really grown/raised without the additives? I seem to recall viewing/reading a report that not all "organic" food is of equal quality.

[fishercob]

Yep. There's all of this talk in the politics thread about American companies competing on an international marketplace. Well if Starbucks is spending more on health care than on coffee -- the health of our population is very much a long term competitiveness issue, and potentially a national security issue.

We've got to eat healthier as a society.

[LyricalRico]

^ Yeah, but based on that video, it's not even possible. Sure you might be able to maintain a healthy weight, but why even bother if you're still going to get cancer? Unless you have the resources to buy more expensive organic food, you're screwed either way. Might as well stick with the Dollar Menu and spend your money on other stuff so you can get through most of your "bucket list" by 50 cuz after that it's all tubes and chemo.

The more I think about that video, the angrier I get.

[LyricalRico]

^ Okay, I've officially cooled off. In the end the world's not perfect and there's only so much you can do. (For example - I care about the environment, but I drive an SUV and use disposable plates/cutlery.) But I will still try to make better choices in my diet. Thanks again for sharing, fish.

Back to the workouts...now that the weather seems to have finally broken and it's light really early, time to break out the bicycle and start riding it to the basketball court in the mornings before work. I'll get a good workout and keep my jumper wet for the summer pick-up games. Add in some pushups/crunches and I should be good.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm glad I don't have any boys who would want to play football.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline ... s-coaches/

it's about as safe as boxing.

You're not a real man unless you've been hit really hard or you've hit somebody else harder.

I've knocked the crap of guys and it felt GOOD at the time. It's one of the few things in life I really had a talent for at one point in my life. No head trauma, Nivek??? Like Rocky Balboa says, "It's not how hard you hit, it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward".

Getting hit hard and even getting knocked out didn't do any damage to me. Hey, wait a minute ...

In truth, I was scared of getting big hits in football. It's the real reason I didn't go out as a sophomore. I played JV as a junior and varsity as a senior. Around the time my parents got divorced, funny thing happened. I developed a talent as a hitter in football. (It helps to be pissed off most the time when you can channel it). I vividly recall making form tackles in practice and having teammates encourage me. I soon grew to like my talent. Covering speedy receivers was tough, but I had a little Laron Landry in me. I dared them and running backs to run near me.

Guys, sorry for my brutal honesty of late if it scares you. I'm getting off the protein supplements and upping my happy happy stuff.

Nivek, I feel football is risky and potentially dangerous but also a lot of fun if you're good at it and enjoy the game. I really want my boys to be more physical but in control mentally rather than be wusses that are neither mentally in control or tough enough to be men one day. I LOVED it when my son one knocked two kids down on the same play. Another time he had three sacks in a row. However, it did make me reflect and come to the realization that it's his life and I just want him to be well adjusted and happy whether football is it for him or not.

My son plays but he almost apologizes for being stronger than other kids. Not like me in a good way.

[fugop]

FWIW, my gf bought me a membership to vida, in anticipation of the pool opening on U St. I've been heading down to Verizon center in the interim. It's been a long time since I worked out in any meaningful way.

I'm down to 185, can run a few miles, and can bench my weight a half dozen times. I need to quit smoking.

[Nivek]

That was jim who made the comments about football, not me.

That said, I never had head trauma from playing football. Of course, my "career" was a short one -- a week into practice, I got hit on the knee and ended up spending a month on crutches. Although I enjoyed playing, I did not return to the team.

I had an eye trauma playing soccer. I was the goalie and got hit in the face with the ball. Pretty much a direct hit on the eye. Ended up with a torn retina that left me with a small, but permanent, blind spot.

About 7 years ago, I had a head trauma playing basketball. A guy got out of control and ran me over on a fastbreak. Hit my head on the floor. Got up too quickly and sat down on a stage at the end of the court. Then blacked out. Woke up a few minutes later lying on my back wondering how I'd gotten there. Would have had a far more serious injury if a buddy hadn't caught me when I went unconscious -- apparently I was falling face first toward the hardwood floor.

I had headaches and short-term memory problems for a couple weeks. I could barely follow conversations, and then I wouldn't remember them at all a few minutes later. My wife says it's a good thing I recovered because she couldn't me stupid.

Craziest thing was having to write a speech the day after the injury. I don't remember doing it at all, but my wife watched me work. She said that I'd write a sentence, then forget my train of thought, re-read the preceding sentence, then write the next part as fast as I could. I couldn't hold the train of thought long enough to actually write the whole thing.

I re-read the speech later. It wasn't bad.

[pancakes3]

as primal and as cavemanish as it sounds, there's no feeling out there quite as good as laying a good hit on a guy. not a blindsided, cheap-shot, roy williams hit... no. a fair, 1-on-1, running back trying to juke you out of your shoes, you totally unfazed, and then just crushing him back from whence he sprang, ray lewis hit.

blocking someone's shot comes close. getting a clean steal off someone's crossover is similar, but that POP? hearing the other guy go "oooof", then lifting that guy up, and feeling that his entire bodyweight is now airborn, and rushing backwards? golly...

defensive plays (for me) are SO much better than offensive plays. Making a good catch, outrunning someone, crossing someone up, flipping a floater JUST beyond someone's reach and then asking the guy "what are you swatting at?", or megging someone in soccer? they're nice and all but i personally prefer making someone go "ooof".

[dobrojim]

I'd rather my kids be sissies and have fully functional brains into adulthood.

the videos describes some of the recent evidence that
show that hits below that which would cause a concussion
have a cumulative damaging effect on cognition. Younger
athletes are particularly susceptible to this damage.

[nate33]

Got the MRI results. It's basically the worst case scenario: a torn ACL, a bone bruise, and a meniscus tear. I'm going to need surgery and recovery time is 6-9 months. Also, because of the bone bruise and cartilage damage, the doctor recommends against doing much distance running for the rest of my life. It'll only accelerate the inevitable arthritis. I'll still be able to run and play sports after I've healed, it's just not a good idea for me to pound the pavement for 20 miles a week.

Looks like I'll have to get back into swimming.

I plan to have the surgery in June.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

as primal and as cavemanish as it sounds, there's no feeling out there quite as good as laying a good hit on a guy. not a blindsided, cheap-shot, roy williams hit... no. a fair, 1-on-1, running back trying to juke you out of your shoes, you totally unfazed, and then just crushing him back from whence he sprang, ray lewis hit.

blocking someone's shot comes close. getting a clean steal off someone's crossover is similar, but that POP? hearing the other guy go "oooof", then lifting that guy up, and feeling that his entire bodyweight is now airborn, and rushing backwards? golly...

defensive plays (for me) are SO much better than offensive plays. Making a good catch, outrunning someone, crossing someone up, flipping a floater JUST beyond someone's reach and then asking the guy "what are you swatting at?", or megging someone in soccer? they're nice and all but i personally prefer making someone go "ooof".

pancakes, you and I have those feelings in common.

It may not be cool, but after a good hit, I loved the feeling of knowing I just knocked the you know what out of a guy.

The only problem I have with my memories about football is it seems that I could only really hit hard and play at full velocity when I was angry. If I could change anything, it would have been to play all out for the love of the game, and not play like that with bad intentions. I wish I could have just been a cheerful guy who made big plays.

Watching local HS games on the Hawaii cable affiliate, I love to see the sportsmanship the kids display. They hit hard but commonly help opponents up after the play. Nice kids. No drama or chippy stuff, 95% of the time. They do great with sports here.

My memories were of a tyrannical football coach who got in your face and kept you feeling upset.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Got the MRI results. It's basically the worst case scenario: a torn ACL, a bone bruise, and a meniscus tear. I'm going to need surgery and recovery time is 6-9 months. Also, because of the bone bruise and cartilage damage, the doctor recommends against doing much distance running for the rest of my life. It'll only accelerate the inevitable arthritis. I'll still be able to run and play sports after I've healed, it's just not a good idea for me to pound the pavement for 20 miles a week.

Looks like I'll have to get back into swimming.

I plan to have the surgery in June.

Sorry to hear that, nate.

--I'm hoping that the doctor's gloomy prognosis turns out to NOT be the case.

--I hope your surgery is a success and that you return better than ever. I hope you run a marathon some day and set a personal best, nate. Wish for the best!


(Just my own words of encouragement: My prognosis after a ruptured Achilles at age 46 was pretty bad, yet at 50, I'm doing things now I couldn't then. Doctors tell you what's true by their statistics but you never know. Wish and expect the best but prepare for the worst is the only advice I say. Tell yourself you don't know for sure but you think you're going to be running again--pretty soon.)

[nate33]

Thanks for the encouraging words, CCJ.

[Nivek]

Got the MRI results. It's basically the worst case scenario: a torn ACL, a bone bruise, and a meniscus tear. I'm going to need surgery and recovery time is 6-9 months. Also, because of the bone bruise and cartilage damage, the doctor recommends against doing much distance running for the rest of my life. It'll only accelerate the inevitable arthritis. I'll still be able to run and play sports after I've healed, it's just not a good idea for me to pound the pavement for 20 miles a week.

Looks like I'll have to get back into swimming.

I plan to have the surgery in June.

Tough luck, man.

Sounds like you're in good shape going in, and that you're no stranger to hard work, which means that you're a good prospect for recovery. Gotta attack the rehab.

[fishercob]

Got the MRI results. It's basically the worst case scenario: a torn ACL, a bone bruise, and a meniscus tear. I'm going to need surgery and recovery time is 6-9 months. Also, because of the bone bruise and cartilage damage, the doctor recommends against doing much distance running for the rest of my life. It'll only accelerate the inevitable arthritis. I'll still be able to run and play sports after I've healed, it's just not a good idea for me to pound the pavement for 20 miles a week.

Looks like I'll have to get back into swimming.

I plan to have the surgery in June.

Tough luck, man.

Sounds like you're in good shape going in, and that you're no stranger to hard work, which means that you're a good prospect for recovery. Gotta attack the rehab.

Had virtually the exact same thoughts. You're a tough-minded dude, nate. You'll come through this fine, as you'll surely be as diligent in your rehab/PT as need be. Good luck with everything!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

That was jim who made the comments about football, not me.

That said, I never had head trauma from playing football. Of course, my "career" was a short one -- a week into practice, I got hit on the knee and ended up spending a month on crutches. Although I enjoyed playing, I did not return to the team.

I had an eye trauma playing soccer. I was the goalie and got hit in the face with the ball. Pretty much a direct hit on the eye. Ended up with a torn retina that left me with a small, but permanent, blind spot.

About 7 years ago, I had a head trauma playing basketball. A guy got out of control and ran me over on a fastbreak. Hit my head on the floor. Got up too quickly and sat down on a stage at the end of the court. Then blacked out. Woke up a few minutes later lying on my back wondering how I'd gotten there. Would have had a far more serious injury if a buddy hadn't caught me when I went unconscious -- apparently I was falling face first toward the hardwood floor.

I had headaches and short-term memory problems for a couple weeks. I could barely follow conversations, and then I wouldn't remember them at all a few minutes later. My wife says it's a good thing I recovered because she couldn't me stupid.

Craziest thing was having to write a speech the day after the injury. I don't remember doing it at all, but my wife watched me work. She said that I'd write a sentence, then forget my train of thought, re-read the preceding sentence, then write the next part as fast as I could. I couldn't hold the train of thought long enough to actually write the whole thing.

I re-read the speech later. It wasn't bad.

Whew, you didn't strike me as the type to dislike football, Kev. There's way too much contact involved in basketball for a baller to really hate football with the disdain of a ... well, marathon runner (sorry jim. Hey, jim, you've got girls. I bet if you had all boys and they liked football you would play along and be supportive.)

Head trauma must have something to do with where you get hit and also how hard your head is. You must have really got smashed, Kev. I got knocked woozy a few times. Most of the time, getting hit in the head just gave me a warm sensation and I might "see stars". The only time I was really out was when I had to run track inside due to rain. I was running up stairs and somehow slipped and hit my head on the ground. I figured out later I must have been knocked out. Then, I got back up and kept running. No headaches or anything occurred.

I think the hard head part might have just been God protecting me but I was once assaulted by a guy who clocked me in the head with a baton of some sort. Years later, my joke is "Good thing he hit me in the head". The stick flew out of his hand. Left an abrasion on my head, but no damage otherwise accept psychological. Messed me up good for a long time and almost made me do something really bad. (God was with him and me later). Any how, I think I must have a hard head or I was just lucky.

The only time I got kayoed in Taekwondo was from having my ribs separated from a kick. I would have MUCH PREFERRED getting hit in the head to that. Man that hurt. If you watch guys on UFC today, they get knocked out all the time and seem to recover in a few minutes. Most don't even suffer bad concussions.

Why is that?

[bulletproof_32]

Sorry to hear that, nate. While not the same injury as yours, I can relate.

I've had a chronic knee condition since my late 20's/ early 30's. After 2 torn meniscus surgeries in the span of a year, my surgeon decided to perform ACI (Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation) surgery - it's a bear of a procedure/ recovery time but about a year and 1/2 after the surgery I was back to playing basketball again full time (2-3x/ week) and have continued playing ever since (3+ years now). I had to make some adjustments (no more blacktop playing, always ice down after exercise/ playing etc) but it was all worth it. I'm sure you'll be back to your normal workout routines before you know it.

And I couldn't agree more with nivek and fish - rehab was the key for me. Not only during the PT sessions, but on my own time as well (which shouldn’t be a problem for someone as disciplined/ conditioned like yourself).

Good luck and keep us posted.

[dobrojim]

I'd say don't be an idiot about it but also don't take what the
Doctors say about your future prospects as the final word.

my last week -

Sat - didn't run as I normally would but went to the Y
Sunday - 10 mile run
Monday - Y including some full court hoops, elliptical
Tues - abbreviated interval workout
Wed - biked to work (47 mi rnd trip)
Thu - ran 6 mi with friends (then had a couple beers) then went to the Y and ran/ellip/weights
Friday - bike to work

I've lost about 4 pounds in the week; need to lose about another 10
pounds by mid July, 15 would be better.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Getting away from themes of violence or bad memories, I got another good bit of confirmation my workouts are working.

Went to a gym I hadn't been to in several months. The second person in little over a week told me they didn't recognize me at first. This guy knows me well but I hadn't seen in since sometime last year. While I might only weigh 20 or so pounds less, my weight is redistributed to muscle in the the chest and shoulders and my gut is slowly but surely vanishing.

To look in the mirror and see a hint of washboard abs is exciting! Adding protein to the diet and making a few sacrifices is paying off big time.

Last thing. I'm 50 and at an age where a lot of guys are seriously slowing down in the lovemaking department. BEFORE YOU TRY VIAGRA (not that I needed it before) I would suggest workouts and protein supplements and vitamins can really, really, really make a difference. Just get in shape. I can tell the difference in my energy level and stamina and that's all I need to say.

Each day I am more and more thankful to my ex-wife for leaving me.

[dobrojim]

just to be clear, I don't hate football and I played it from
the 4th or 5th grade until about 8th grade. I was never
that good at it since I didn't have explosive quickness
or even much better than average sprinting speed.

I am relieved to not have to worry about sons playing
football in HS though. It's clearly dangerous. FWIW,
I also raced motocross which is definitely dangerous.
I once came to in an ambulance without a very clear
idea of how I got there. I race MX from the time I
was 16 until I was over 30 and rose to the level
of 'expert'. Scabs knows what this means.

I still routinely ride a motorcycle on the streets
and hwys of wherever I want to go.

So I am not completely averse to things which are
dangerous. I would put things like football and boxing
in a separate category since the stated object as
well as the rules governing the sports are explicit
in their tolerance for physical violance. Brains
don't heal that great when damaged.

One final note about football, if you are not either
extremely big or extremely fast (in a 40 yd dash)
you have almost no chance to play above HS and even
in HS your chances are not so great to be a regular player.