Total Posts: 730
2.1 Years Ago

For some reason, I had it in my head my swim workout was on Thursday, not on Tuesday. I decided to end my run short and head out to the pool for drills anyway. To my surprise, the swim actually did me good. I got out of the pool actually feeling refreshed and relaxed, not worked as I had expected (even after some hard and fast drills).

So my long day, turned in to a very long day, but I am one happy camper. I have my long day for the week out of the way on Tuesday, instead of putting it off until the end of the week. I am truly enjoying my training for IMAZ in april, and look forward to hearing from other people who are doing the same race. I'll be more careful to write down my scheduled swims from this point on ;-)

Train hard, have fun!

Total Posts: 730
2.1 Years Ago

Do this a few times and you start to see the pattern, and nothing seems impossible. anything seems possible!

"You become what you think about most"

Total Posts: 20
2.1 Years Ago

Total Posts: 349
2.1 Years Ago

Some points in response to your first post.

Firstly, you don't need to train for an Ironman or some other crazy sport to be fit. What is important is embracing a healthy lifestyle and doing something that you enjoy to achieve that.

I happen to love triathlons and the training so that's why I do it. Training six days a week is something that I find to be very rewarding, otherwise I wouldn't do it.

Secondly, the type of training Chris is doing isn't required for someone to be fit. 20 hours or more a week is pretty extreme and NOT necessary if you're looking for fitness.

Thirdly, as to having no time left for a life, I train with a group that has become the core of my social circle. I was at a Christmas party last night with about 30 of them and we had a fantastic time and most of the time didn't talk about triathlon. Before I got into triathlons I spent most of my non-work hours playing ultimate frisbee and spent most of my time socializing with other ultimate players. Through that sport I met people from around the world and incorporate visits and tournaments into my travels. I'm hoping I'll eventually get the same connections out of triathlon.

Finally, as the the whole "where does it stop?" question, my mother wants an answer to that too! Ironman tends to attract a lot of crazy A-types (at least the ones I know) who are looking to push themselves so don't judge the quest for fitness by how we live our lives!

For me, being fit is an amazing side benefit of doing something I love, I get fit to to do triathlons as opposed to do them to get fit, if that makes sense.

Total Posts: 2
2.1 Years Ago

Chris makes a great point and the human body is capable of incredible things - both good and bad. In a detached way, obesity is very interesting, it's amazing that the human body can store that much energy. However seeing what the human body can do in terms of performance is personally much more interesting and socially acceptable.

The key distinction between what an athlete(like an endurance athlete) does and someone who is trying to lose weight or simply regain health is the mark of performing some action for the sake of the action, rather than the sake of becoming healthy.

Getting stronger, lighter, improving cardio functions should be the first series of steps in a long list of goals toward making exercise an integral part of your lifestyle. Pretty soon, it will just be something you are, rather than something you have to do.

Total Posts: 637
2.1 Years Ago

As far as I am concerned, I am happy if I can join Chris on one or two of his weekly workouts, and get 5 hours in.

Suzi - I think I understand your issue as well. And to some degree you may be right. 10 hours is Great (btw)! I was 6'3" and about 235lbs a year ago. My friend and I, on fitness journal, set a simple goal of getting in 5 hours per week of exercise, EVERY WEEK. I have done this(pretty consistently) for about a year, and now I am 6'3" and 215lbs. The first 10 came off fast, the next 5 a bit slower, and the last 5 over the past 6 months. This may be the body getting custom to the workouts.

I am not a scientist, I only know what I experience. I think changing the workout makes a difference. I have been cycling - A LOT - Recently I signed up and did my first triathlon. I had to add swimming and running into my workout schedule of weight training, cycling, stairmaster and hiking.

I am noticing that after runs and swims, much shorter workouts from a time standpoint, my weight is starting to drop again. I am hoping to hit 200 lbs before I do my next triathlon in May.

Also, if there is an injury, hopefully there will still be some type of exercise that can be done, and if not... Then intake would have to be cut dramatically (I would imagine.)

Best of luck to you! - Jim

Total Posts: 349
2.1 Years Ago

In response to your question:

"If a person tries to stay the same, doesn't the body become so acustom to the training that it starts to put on weight again unless the work is made harder and harder? "

My understanding is that as you build muscle and get fitter your metabolism gets more efficient and you burn more calories even when you're not working out. So the fitter you are the easier it is to stay fit, if that's not totally redundant.

Your body does get accustomed to training in a way, as you get more competent and skilled at something you generally expend less engery, swimming being a great example. That's why cross training (doing different sports) and switching up your workouts is a good idea. This also prevents you from getting bored.

As to your frustrations with workouts not having the effect you want, maybe consider trying something different - a different class or type of exercise all together. Obviously the sleep issue, which has been addressed far more knowledgably by others here, is also a factor. I know what fatigue does to me and my workouts!

Good luck with your training!