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| Via www.ayearwithoutmirrors.com |
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The 6 Types Of People You Meet In The Gym
1. Workout Barbie
Workout Barb (WB) has a beautiful, proportioned body that she has obviously worked hard to get. She lifts heavy and looks great doing it. However, she is Workout Barbie because the gym is her whole life. She talks about being there to train for a couple hours in the morning, then comes back in the evening to do some cardio. Sounds hardcore until you realize this is all she has outside of work (assuming she works). She wanders the gym talking to everyone and wedging herself into conversations. This makes me sad, but not enough not to hate her perfect butt.
2. Half-a-shirt Guy aka Meathead
His shirt sleeves have been cut off or look like the top half of that horrifying over the shoulder banana hammock swim suit. He has a huge upper body and grunts like he's in labour during every lift. While irritating to be around, this one is at least handy if you need a spot.
3. Lululemon Model
Her hair and makeup are more perfect than mine on date night. Her clothes are cute and flattering and have never had a drop of sweat touch them. Most often she is found on the elliptical or walking on the treadmill at a ridiculous incline while holding on to the top (does this bother no one but me!?).
4. Wannabe Meathead
A close relative of Meathead, this guy often has a huge upper body but toothpick legs. He is in the gym every day but only does bicep exercises - at least 10 of them. It looks like he's moving through a circuit since he's on different equipment in different parts of the gym, but he's crafty like that. They are all bicep curls - often in the squat rack.
5. The Untrained Trainer
There are some fantastic trainers out there. This is not one of them. He or she moves indecisively and tends to copy whatever exercise the person close by is doing. They don't watch their client during any exercise, but especially not difficult or potentially dangerous ones like squats, deadlifts, bench, or cleans. Will leave said client to fling around kettlebells while they play on their iPhone. This is a particularly dangerous creature.
6. The Unattractive Working Girl
This is my tribe. I'm in the gym to work and if there's makeup on my face, it's because I didn't take it off after work. My gym clothes are ratty and often too big. My hair refuses to stay up and behaving. May or may not wear an enormous brace on the knee/elbow/ankle which gives the appearance that they are bionic. They are not. Have you seen the gym episode of How I Met Your Mother? These are the Robins.
What kind of gym creature are you?
Workout Barb (WB) has a beautiful, proportioned body that she has obviously worked hard to get. She lifts heavy and looks great doing it. However, she is Workout Barbie because the gym is her whole life. She talks about being there to train for a couple hours in the morning, then comes back in the evening to do some cardio. Sounds hardcore until you realize this is all she has outside of work (assuming she works). She wanders the gym talking to everyone and wedging herself into conversations. This makes me sad, but not enough not to hate her perfect butt.
2. Half-a-shirt Guy aka Meathead
His shirt sleeves have been cut off or look like the top half of that horrifying over the shoulder banana hammock swim suit. He has a huge upper body and grunts like he's in labour during every lift. While irritating to be around, this one is at least handy if you need a spot.
3. Lululemon Model
Her hair and makeup are more perfect than mine on date night. Her clothes are cute and flattering and have never had a drop of sweat touch them. Most often she is found on the elliptical or walking on the treadmill at a ridiculous incline while holding on to the top (does this bother no one but me!?).
4. Wannabe Meathead
A close relative of Meathead, this guy often has a huge upper body but toothpick legs. He is in the gym every day but only does bicep exercises - at least 10 of them. It looks like he's moving through a circuit since he's on different equipment in different parts of the gym, but he's crafty like that. They are all bicep curls - often in the squat rack.
5. The Untrained Trainer
There are some fantastic trainers out there. This is not one of them. He or she moves indecisively and tends to copy whatever exercise the person close by is doing. They don't watch their client during any exercise, but especially not difficult or potentially dangerous ones like squats, deadlifts, bench, or cleans. Will leave said client to fling around kettlebells while they play on their iPhone. This is a particularly dangerous creature.
6. The Unattractive Working Girl
This is my tribe. I'm in the gym to work and if there's makeup on my face, it's because I didn't take it off after work. My gym clothes are ratty and often too big. My hair refuses to stay up and behaving. May or may not wear an enormous brace on the knee/elbow/ankle which gives the appearance that they are bionic. They are not. Have you seen the gym episode of How I Met Your Mother? These are the Robins.
What kind of gym creature are you?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 61: After This Week, I'll Take It
Starting Weight - 152.4lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Day 54 - 143.9 (-2.5lbs)
Day 61 - 143.6 (-0.3lbs)
Total Lost = 8.8lbs
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Day 61 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Day 54 - 143.9 (-2.5lbs)
Day 61 - 143.6 (-0.3lbs)
Total Lost = 8.8lbs
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Day 61 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Day 54: Oh Hai Tim Hortons
Starting Weight - 152.4lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Day 54 - 143.9 (-2.5lbs)
Total Lost = 8.5lbs (what the shit?)
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Day 54 - 143.9 (-2.5lbs)
Total Lost = 8.5lbs (what the shit?)
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
Monday, October 3, 2011
The 5 Best Tips For Starting To Lift Weights
I was comparing gym habits with a coworker the other day. She weight trains, but "wouldn't be caught dead" in the main weightlifting area (vs. the women's only section). That got me thinking, what are the top things I wish I had known when I started lifting weights?
1. There's Nothing Wrong With Lifting in the Women's Section
Um, provided you're a woman, I suppose. This area is usually far less busy, generally quieter, and consequently you'll have more equipment options. In theory. If you're comfortable here, rock on.
2. The Main Section Gives You More Options
A women's section may be missing crucial equipment - I'm talking about no bench press or squat rack, more often than not. Can you work around it? Yes. But if you're paying for the full gym experience, you should feel comfortable taking advantage of everything the gym has to offer.
3. Don't Be Afraid of the Bench Press or Squat Rack
Yes, these machines are intimidating at first. There are no diagrams on the side, and as a free weight machine you may feel like you're more likely to injure yourself or drop the weights. However, it is infinitely worth it to master these exercises. Start light, ask for help, and don't be afraid to go slow.
4. Get a Spotter - or Just Ask for One
Having a spotter is like adding plus ten to your strength for every lift. Last week, with no spotter I dropped the weight for my six set after three; today, I pushed 15 pounds more with my spotter there. It's a weird mental thing, but it works. If you don't have a regular gym buddy, don't be afraid to ask for a spot from a trainer or even someone working out near you. Just remember to ask in between sets (you'd be surprised how often people talk to me in the middle of a set!), and look for someone who is a) strong enough to do it and b) looks comfortable with the exercise you're doing. Asking someone to spot me for a squat in between his free weight shoulder raises has backfired, and there's nothing worse than having a spotter you don't trust (minus ten to strength).
5. Find a Gym Buddy
Gym buddies are great. They push you to go on days you don't want to, they help you push more weight, and they keep you accountable if you're slacking. It never ceases to amaze me how willing others are to help you out and share knowledge, so take advantage! Just make sure you find someone you can trust and ideally who matches where you are in your training (at least relatively).
1. There's Nothing Wrong With Lifting in the Women's Section
Um, provided you're a woman, I suppose. This area is usually far less busy, generally quieter, and consequently you'll have more equipment options. In theory. If you're comfortable here, rock on.
2. The Main Section Gives You More Options
A women's section may be missing crucial equipment - I'm talking about no bench press or squat rack, more often than not. Can you work around it? Yes. But if you're paying for the full gym experience, you should feel comfortable taking advantage of everything the gym has to offer.
3. Don't Be Afraid of the Bench Press or Squat Rack
Yes, these machines are intimidating at first. There are no diagrams on the side, and as a free weight machine you may feel like you're more likely to injure yourself or drop the weights. However, it is infinitely worth it to master these exercises. Start light, ask for help, and don't be afraid to go slow.
4. Get a Spotter - or Just Ask for One
Having a spotter is like adding plus ten to your strength for every lift. Last week, with no spotter I dropped the weight for my six set after three; today, I pushed 15 pounds more with my spotter there. It's a weird mental thing, but it works. If you don't have a regular gym buddy, don't be afraid to ask for a spot from a trainer or even someone working out near you. Just remember to ask in between sets (you'd be surprised how often people talk to me in the middle of a set!), and look for someone who is a) strong enough to do it and b) looks comfortable with the exercise you're doing. Asking someone to spot me for a squat in between his free weight shoulder raises has backfired, and there's nothing worse than having a spotter you don't trust (minus ten to strength).
5. Find a Gym Buddy
Gym buddies are great. They push you to go on days you don't want to, they help you push more weight, and they keep you accountable if you're slacking. It never ceases to amaze me how willing others are to help you out and share knowledge, so take advantage! Just make sure you find someone you can trust and ideally who matches where you are in your training (at least relatively).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Day 47: I Will Breathe
Starting Weight - 152.4lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Total Lost = 6lbs
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
Day 6 - 148.1 (-4.3lbs)
Day 13 - 147.7 (-0.4lbs)
Day 20 - 146.6 (-1.1lbs)
Day 27 - 145.8 (-0.8lbs)
Day 41 - 146.4 (+0.6lbs)
Total Lost = 6lbs
Tom's Weight - 216lbs
Day 20 - 206lbs (-10lbs)
Day 27 - 206lbs
Day 41 - 204lbs
Total Lost = 12lbs
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