OT: P90X/Health and Fitness Thread

[Captain Erv]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but just looking for some pain relief advice. I've had a shooting pain down my left backside/hip area for the past month. I believe it is a sciatic nerve problem. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he gave me a 6-day steroid, which seemed to help a bit, but now it is back to hurting as much as it ever did. I admittedly need to lose some weight, but with a full plate of work and school I just can't completely commit to that right now (I'm hoping to get on a workout plan in the next month as I graduate in the middle of December and will have more time on my hands). In the meantime, do you guys have any advice?

[jimmybones]

Any suggestions on getting more toned?

Diet. Being "toned" is just a function of having low body fat and a decent amount of muscle to show. If someone tells you their workout plan is really good at "toning," they are really good at marketing.

I admittedly need to lose some weight, but with a full plate of work and school I just can't completely commit to that right now (I'm hoping to get on a workout plan in the next month as I graduate in the middle of December and will have more time on my hands). In the meantime, do you guys have any advice?

No offense, but being busy with work and school is no excuse to not lose weight. It's not an excuse to not work out, but it's really not an excuse to avoid losing weight. You can lose weight just by eating better and doing a generic circuit for 5-10 minutes in your room in the morning. Drink more water, eat more lean meats, eat more vegetables. Commit your mind to doing it and don't accept anything else. I mean fully commit, right now. Even if for now you just do the simple things I mentioned in this paragraph.

[Captain Erv]

No offense taken, I totally agree with your perspective. I just need to start doing whatever I can to make this freakin pain go away.

[AussieBuck]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but just looking for some pain relief advice. I've had a shooting pain down my left backside/hip area for the past month. I believe it is a sciatic nerve problem. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he gave me a 6-day steroid, which seemed to help a bit, but now it is back to hurting as much as it ever did. I admittedly need to lose some weight, but with a full plate of work and school I just can't completely commit to that right now (I'm hoping to get on a workout plan in the next month as I graduate in the middle of December and will have more time on my hands). In the meantime, do you guys have any advice?

I've battled this for the last decade or so. Strengthening my core was the fix for me although it's not completely gone it flares up much less often.

[Mags FTW]

Just finishing my first month of gym membership. I had to slow down the running, as my body was beginning to wear down. I now lift and run every Tu, Th, and Sat.

Also picked up my first tub of creatine last week. Learned the hard way that you're supposed to drink a lot of water with it. My skin dried out like crazy.

[jimmybones]

I've battled this for the last decade or so. Strengthening my core was the fix for me although it's not completely gone it flares up much less often.

For sure, but don't do your typical crunches and fancy ab work bs. That is all working the movement system of your core. Work the stabilization system of your core, that's what supports your spine and your entire posture.


98% of my clients go through some serious core stability training before they ever do a core movement exercise. Highly recommend this article to anyone who works out, has low back pain, or just wants a stronger core:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/corestability.php

[AussieBuck]

I've battled this for the last decade or so. Strengthening my core was the fix for me although it's not completely gone it flares up much less often.

For sure, but don't do your typical crunches and fancy ab work bs. That is all working the movement system of your core. Work the stabilization system of your core, that's what supports your spine and your entire posture.


98% of my clients go through some serious core stability training before they ever do a core movement exercise. Highly recommend this article to anyone who works out, has low back pain, or just wants a stronger core:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/corestability.php

I do almost zero crunches. I also work out in my garage so there isn't anything fancy going on. Good stuff though as usual.

[jerrod]

my abs hurt everytime i cough today

i guess that means it's working!

[ReasonablySober]

Just booked vacation tix for early february to a place on a beach. Hoping it'll help motivate me to keep exercising and not eating like an idiot these next couple months.

[jimmybones]

Would anybody be interested in a friendly little fitness challenge? I'm doing one right now with my clients, it really seemed to fire up and motivate some of them. It helps to stay accountable when you know you are going to share your results with other people.

I'm personally looking to aggressively cut body fat until the end of the year, yes, through the holidays. In January it's back to aiming to add muscle but I want to be lean as possible before then.

Having a specific goal in a specific time frame is so helpful in keeping you on track. "Get in better shape", or "lose weight" are not specific goals. Then do something to track your progress. Scale weight, bodyfat, measurements, pictures...ideally all of those.

[RiotPunch]

Just booked vacation tix for early february to a place on a beach. Hoping it'll help motivate me to keep exercising and not eating like an idiot these next couple months.

I'm heading down to the Punta Gorda, FL area in March. I'm hoping to be a lean, mean, beach loungin' machine by then so I can hopefully have a bit more success with the ladies at the tiki bar.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Jimmybones- Any suggestions on where or how to get your body fat tested? I don't belong to a gym and have no clue where else you would get it tested.

[EastSideBucksFan]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but just looking for some pain relief advice. I've had a shooting pain down my left backside/hip area for the past month. I believe it is a sciatic nerve problem. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he gave me a 6-day steroid, which seemed to help a bit, but now it is back to hurting as much as it ever did. I admittedly need to lose some weight, but with a full plate of work and school I just can't completely commit to that right now (I'm hoping to get on a workout plan in the next month as I graduate in the middle of December and will have more time on my hands). In the meantime, do you guys have any advice?

My brother went thru sciatic pain and tried chiropractor, massage and acupuncture. It was the acupuncture that worked and I think he did about 8 sessions over 8 weeks. Then went on to lose 20lbs using P90X. Every body is different, so try different things and go with what works. But it sounds like you know what you eventually need to do.

[jerrod]

in case anyone cares, my jumper is finally back after my shoulder issue.

i pulled up a few feet behind the 3 point line on game point last night and it was perfect. no pain at all.

[jimmybones]

Marty, the easiest way would be to get a scale that tells you. They go for about 40-60 bucks though. You can buy calipers but it's not that easy to do by yourself. You can get cheap plastic ones for $10 or a better digital one for $25. Easiest and cheapest would be using measurements and plugging them into an online calculator to guesstimate. Probably the least accurate. None are going to be to be totally accurate, but you're just looking for the change. Scale worked good for me in the past for that.

scale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L6NTHU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001FWXFN6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1J0MTCRYEYTZCW9CKW1P

digital caliper: http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Digital-Body-Mass-Caliper/dp/B00488FDO8/ref=sr_1_12?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1321981430&sr=1-12

plastic caliper: http://www.amazon.com/Acczilla-Personal-Body-Fat-Tester/dp/B004RBFOZO/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1321981430&sr=1-3

measurements: http://www.amazon.com/AccuFitness-MT05-MyoTape-Body-Measure/dp/B000G7YW7Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1321981430&sr=1-5


Let me know if you go with one of those and I'll give you tips on how to use it.

[AussieBuck]

in case anyone cares, my jumper is finally back after my shoulder issue.

i pulled up a few feet behind the 3 point line on game point last night and it was perfect. no pain at all.

For you anyway.

[jerrod]

in case anyone cares, my jumper is finally back after my shoulder issue.

i pulled up a few feet behind the 3 point line on game point last night and it was perfect. no pain at all.

For you anyway.

[Nebula1]

I definitely try to get as much extra water as I can with the creatine. It will dry you out.


Hopefully everybody keeps it together over the holidays.

[jerrod]

Hopefully everybody keeps it together over the holidays.

we're having thanksgiving at a brazillian steakhouse, so i'm just gonna eat whatever and deal with it later.

[Newz]

Hopefully everybody keeps it together over the holidays.

we're having thanksgiving at a brazillian steakhouse, so i'm just gonna eat whatever and deal with it later.

Will they have turkey on special? GRAVY ON A STICK?