[kinein]

I thought it would be good to collect whatever experiences everyone had that actually had RESULTS. Things you DID...

Stuff that does not qualify:

1. I heard from my... "aunt, mom, dad, cousin, grandpa, 4th cousin on the western side that immigrated from bosnia during their war... "

2. Korean Celebrity "X" does this..

3. American Celebrity...

4. I learned in P.E. .....

5. I think... <--- the minute you say I think. Stop at the door and turn around and read the sign. NO THINK. YES/NO - WORK OR NOT.

You have to have experienced it and gotten RESULTS!

Doing cardio 5 times a week for 30-45 minutes or more will give GREAT benefits. In all aspects of your life :

- be it stress relief,
- time to think
- a way to vent
- being able to dance longer and play more
- looking better in outfits ( be it any outfit )
- allowing you to eat more or indulge yourself
- seeing faster results from weight-training, dieting, yoga, pilates
- you can run away faster if a dog is chasing you
- cardio can be the great catalyst that truly helps change everything. it just depends on how effective and consistent you are if you have your eating and other training in check.

-------

Links - for questions etc please read below

Kinein & Makaveli's Fitness Thread, 2009 and beyond helping the dedicated everywhere!
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=281904

Being Realistic & Planning Ahead
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=242014

Why is Diet so important?
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=272559

130 Reasons To Workout, For those that want more reasons to stop being lazy, and to care..
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?sho...;#entry11071539

[laris]

-enrolling in a sport
-HIIT (sprinting, on the bike, jumping rope, et cetera)
-jumping rope
-periodizatioin weight training (primarily compound exercises with free weights)
-airdynes (air-resistance bikes)
-judo
-wrestling
-plyometrics (box jumps, line hops, sprints, clap push-ups, pull-up jumps, dot drills, ladder drills)
-kettlebells
-dynamic warm-ups
-calisthenic circuits
-circuit training (barbell circuit)
-eating fruits/veggies, lean meats,
-replacing your electrolytes
-doing something different each workout

tbh, the question is quite open.. and i find that anything works as long as you push yourself, eat right, rest enough, and be smart about how you approach your workouts.

[kinein]

-enrolling in a sport
-HIIT (sprinting, on the bike, jumping rope, et cetera)
-jumping rope
-periodizatioin weight training
-airdynes (air-resistance bikes)
-judo
-wrestling
-dynamic warm-ups
-calisthenic circuits
-circuit training (barbell circuit)
-eating fruits/veggies, lean meats,
-drinking water

tbh, the question is quite vague.. and i find that anything works as long as you push yourself, eat right, rest enough, and be smart about how you approach your workouts.

VAGUE MY BUTT! What a person knows works is not vague! it is very clear cut! Haha. I totally agree with all your notes though, I've experienced all of them tehehe.

[laris]

ok not very vague. let me correct myself.. very OPEN

also, i edited the list & added more things i just remembered i've done

[tlydia]

Great topic! I've been following the advice of our fellow health and fitness guru Makaveli (who in my opinion is very patient, honest, and knows his stuff when it comes to health and fitness) Love ya Ryan!! I've been following his advice to eat every 3 hours and trying to include some type of protein in each meal. With constantly eating every three hours, I noticed I'm not as hungry as I used to be. By adding a protein in each meal, I realized it gives me energy. He also suggested doing cardio on certain days while strength training on others. His goal for me was not to over work yourself. I also took his advice and took Sundays off from working out to rest and relax. Have I've seen results? Heck yeah! I've lost about 20 lbs and feel better and look better. I follow his workout schedule to the T and wouldn't do it any other way. I have more energy, look better in my clothes, and have been sleeping bettter. He is encouraging and instilled in my head you are what you eat. His advice that I found helpful was when he told me when you fall off the wagon, don't give up and start again. Most importantly, be patient.
This is what I did:
ate small meals more frequently
included protein in all my meals
strength training
cardio
when I didn't go to the gym, I went walking
drank half my body weight in water
always tried to keep hydrated
make sure the proteins were lean
rest on Sundays

[Makaveli]

1. Cutting carbs for fat loss -->> Abuse of carbs runs rampant around these parts
2. Protein is crucial for any type of diet
3. Cardio will never make you HYOOGE aka "OMFG MY CALVES LOOK LIKE THE HULK'S!! ALL I DID WAS RUN OMFG MY LIFE IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!"
4. A clean diet and consistency are CRUCIAL for any success
5. The lazy and undedicated will ALWAYS fail no matter how much advice or help they get

[kinein]

Great topic! I've been following the advice of our fellow health and fitness guru Makaveli (who in my opinion is very patient, honest, and knows his stuff when it comes to health and fitness) Love ya Ryan!! I've been following his advice to eat every 3 hours and trying to include some type of protein in each meal. With constantly eating every three hours, I noticed I'm not as hungry as I used to be. By adding a protein in each meal, I realized it gives me energy. He also suggested doing cardio on certain days while strength training on others. His goal for me was not to over work yourself. I also took his advice and took Sundays off from working out to rest and relax. Have I've seen results? Heck yeah! I've lost about 20 lbs and feel better and look better. I follow his workout schedule to the T and wouldn't do it any other way. I have more energy, look better in my clothes, and have been sleeping bettter. He is encouraging and instilled in my head you are what you eat. His advice that I found helpful was when he told me when you fall off the wagon, don't give up and start again. Most importantly, be patient.
This is what I did:
ate small meals more frequently
included protein in all my meals
strength training
cardio
when I didn't go to the gym, I went walking
drank half my body weight in water
always tried to keep hydrated
make sure the proteins were lean
rest on Sundays

IMPRESSIVE!!! AHH So happy for you!!

[Hax]

-Controlled Diet
-Running for 30 minutes everyday (Lost 30lb this way). I first started out running for 6 minutes straight and could not go anymore. I increased it until I was able to run for 30 minutes without a rest.
-P90x - Workout videos which I recommend for people who lack structure (like me) in working out.
-HIIT (sprinting for 30 seconds and then resting for 30 and repeating until I cant go on anymore) - When I got tired of running for 30+ minutes a day, I started doing this and it worked wonders.

These are basically the things I did to lose all the weight I did.

Here's a question for people who may know. Makaveli mentioned it, but why do you have to cut carbs to lose weight? The reason why I'm asking is because I have managed to lose around 45-50 lb and I have never managed my carbs one bit. I followed the calories in vs calories out rule and made sure to just eat enough protein for P90X. I eat a crapload of carbs. If I had to guess, it would be in the 200-300g of carbs a day since I eat rice every meal and various other things that are jam packed with carbs.

I've read online at various places and never found anything that could quite explain it. I hear things about which kinds of carbs are bad for you and what are good, but then I hear people who say in the end, it doesn't matter as long as the calories are right.

[Makaveli]

-Controlled Diet
-Running for 30 minutes everyday (Lost 30lb this way). I first started out running for 6 minutes straight and could not go anymore. I increased it until I was able to run for 30 minutes without a rest.
-P90x - Workout videos which I recommend for people who lack structure (like me) in working out.
-HIIT (sprinting for 30 seconds and then resting for 30 and repeating until I cant go on anymore) - When I got tired of running for 30+ minutes a day, I started doing this and it worked wonders.

These are basically the things I did to lose all the weight I did.

Here's a question for people who may know. Makaveli mentioned it, but why do you have to cut carbs to lose weight? The reason why I'm asking is because I have managed to lose around 45-50 lb and I have never managed my carbs one bit. I followed the calories in vs calories out rule and made sure to just eat enough protein for P90X. I eat a crapload of carbs. If I had to guess, it would be in the 200-300g of carbs a day since I eat rice every meal and various other things that are jam packed with carbs.

I've read online at various places and never found anything that could quite explain it. I hear things about which kinds of carbs are bad for you and what are good, but then I hear people who say in the end, it doesn't matter as long as the calories are right.

Cutting carbs helps you lean out. If you were huge before just cutting calories is fine. Once your bf% gets lower and lower you don't want to cut protein because you'll lose muscle mass, you want to cut carbs. If you're just going for a "normal" look, you can cut whatever you want.

[~dhluvr4ever~]

woot. great info. now i realized that i have been super lazy DANG.
Now I'm more motivated to go out there and work out yooooo !
I just need to change my workout everytime, because
i thought it was okay to do cardio 3-4x a week.
45-1 hour.
i cut calories & do light cardio.

I've been super lazy and only 3x a week with 45 minutes...
awww....
i feel like crying. Kidding ish. ;D
allright man, time to get dedicated !!!!!!
goal is to win my battle by christmas.
all i wish to do is slim down, and drop some pounds.
not impossible, right?

[whatnow]

- drinking lots of water i admit i can only go as far as 2 weeks of doing this. but during those times that i did, it really worked on me. but idk, because before i'm not really one to chug down 1L of water in a day... so it really helps, i think, specially for people who don't drink that much water.
- exercising i did this for 2-3 weeks straight, averaging on 45 minutes a day and i lost weight, not really a lot, but of course, i didnt expect a lot for that 3 weeks time.
- oatmeal i just eat oatmeal when i get hungry and it helps since i'm not eating whatever unhealthy snacks i can munch on.

[oreoo]

-being a vegan HAAHA. I did lose like 10 pounds from doing this but I also exercised by dancing/running etc.

:[ unfortunately thats all thats worked for me...

[kinein]

woot. great info. now i realized that i have been super lazy DANG.
Now I'm more motivated to go out there and work out yooooo !
I just need to change my workout everytime, because
i thought it was okay to do cardio 3-4x a week.
45-1 hour.
i cut calories & do light cardio.

I've been super lazy and only 3x a week with 45 minutes...
awww....
i feel like crying. Kidding ish. ;D
allright man, time to get dedicated !!!!!!
goal is to win my battle by christmas.
all i wish to do is slim down, and drop some pounds.
not impossible, right?

If you say it! Mean it!!

[witchery]

Hmm...this isn't related to losing weight, but from experience I know SLEEPING EARLY and getting at least 8 hours of sleep did great for my skin. Parents always say this lol and it sounds meaningless but it's definitely true, a lot of people just can't be bothered to force themselves to sleep before 12.

Also, running will help trim down your thighs from experience. They made mine smaller and firmer, and I ran everyday. They weren't as jiggly as before Cardio has yet to do something about my stomach though!

[kinein]

Hmm...this isn't related to losing weight, but from experience I know SLEEPING EARLY and getting at least 8 hours of sleep did great for my skin. Parents always say this lol and it sounds meaningless but it's definitely true, a lot of people just can't be bothered to force themselves to sleep before 12.

Also, running will help trim down your thighs from experience. They made mine smaller and firmer, and I ran everyday. They weren't as jiggly as before Cardio has yet to do something about my stomach though!

Great post!

[suzushii]

- making good habits for life

- ditching bad habits forever

- getting a physical hobby (if you don't enjoy going to a gym, you're going to quit eventually, but if you like swimming, make it a hobby!)

- being mindful of your own body (people don't just wake up with 50-100 pounds extra gained overnight. Don't pretend those 5-10 pounds aren't there. People don't get chronic/lethal diseases overnight. Have a pain in your gut? CHECK IT OUT! Do you have sugar crashes? CHECK IT OUT. Do you feel winded from going out with your dog? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW). The biggest mistakes people do is ignore the problems they have, and pretend they're not there.... until it's too late. Freak accidents, illnesses with a sudden debut - tragic. People who let stuff get worse and worse until they die YOUNGER then they should, or waste part of their lives with something they CAN control - makes my blood boil.

- Two habits for staying young - sunscreen and hydrating cream. The ONLY two things proven to slow aging. The rest is bullcrap. EXPENSIVE useless bullcrap.

- Two habits for strong bones - moderate sun exposure (10 min a day) and lots of calcium. And a vit D supplement. Apparently most people are deficient and new studies show we need more then the usual guidelines.

- portion control > binges of tasteless diet food

- exercise, togetherness with someone you love, good music, good books, and good food - who needs drugs really?

- avoid routine, keep busy, make a balance out of the superficial and of the spiritual. Overworked people have life pass them by. Bored people overeat. Sad people overeat. Superficial people crash and burn, too spiritual people forget to have fun. MODERATION

and last but not least:

- not reading beauty magazines. THEY LIE! Did you know they sometimes use body doubles, or make-up a look with photos of limbs from up to 4-5 people? Did you know reading magazines for 2 minutes lowers self esteem in 90% of people polled? Why pay someone to make you feel like crap? Why look at pictures that make your self worth plummet? Life is too short to waste on feeling dissatisfied that you're not a anatomically impossible Barbie doll

[kinein]

wow this threads getting better and better!

[whiskey71]

1. Following a Glycemic eating plan ( but I do this more for a nutritionist helping me with my slight diabetes)
2. Workouts of the Day (WOD) from Crossfit for the past four years. -
3. Kettlebell workouts
4. Protein shakes - morning and before bed.
5. Staying away from the TV
6. Shopping and Preparing my own food.
7. Drinking a lot of water (esp now with the heat and working out outside)
8. Having a source of protein and veggies in every meal/snack.

Thanks for having this post. =D

[plumerias]

This thread is great. I don't know how much this post will help.. but does it count as an inspirational story?! Although most soompiers here are young, maybe this can be for future reference haha. Or encouragement that anything is possible? Whatever.

It's never too late to start being healthy. 4 years ago, my dad was obese. He was 195 lbs and 5'6, and his body frame is pretty small. He didn't exercise at all, and he had to catch his breath whenever he went up small flights of stairs. All his life he had acne all over his back and on his face, even till then.
Finally, he started reading up on health and such, and I guess he got scared from all the horrible diseases that risk factors go up when you're obese and unfit. So he completely changed his lifestyle and started going to the gym. His diet is basically no refined carbs, high lean-protein, very low fat, LOTS of fruits and vegetables (low G.I. carbs).
I think he went from 195 to 130 in a year?
And now he's at 145 at some low bodyfat, iirc it was 12%.
And he can run up those stairs without a sweat now. (I'm proud. haha.)
He still works out and working on gaining muscle. Oh, and he has no acne anymore. He's 48 years old.

Anyway.. his lifestyle change completely changed mine too. If we stayed eating the same things all these years, I would be overweight and obese. That's no question. I started to break out one day in 7th grade, and that's kinda when he started this new lifestyle. After I started following him, my skin reversed and no acne.
After I wrote this post, I realized how much I learned from my dad. -thankful moment- xD

Hm, I hope that post was okay. Basically what I learned..
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND KEEPING FIT WORKS!
Specifically, low glycemic index carbs (like fruit), vegetables, lean mean, low fat.
(But I do love my milk and cheese.)

[kinein]

Thanks for having this post. =D

Thanks for contributing! It only can be a good thread with real solid replies as you and the others have shared with everyone!

This thread is great. I don't know how much this post will help..


After I wrote this post, I realized how much I learned from my dad. -thankful moment- xD

Hm, I hope that post was okay. Basically what I learned..
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND KEEPING FIT WORKS!
Specifically, low glycemic index carbs (like fruit), vegetables, lean mean, low fat.
(But I do love my milk and cheese.)

Wow, your dad is the MAN! You should be extremely proud of him! Congratulations to you as well and yes your post does count and I think it will help a lot of people. A nice take on the prompt from my initial post. Kudos!