DoxieDoc

Fatty here doing the less-batshit-insane version of this. I've dropped ~60 or 70 pounds in about 8 months, and I am loving it. Part of my exercise routine is running, and when I started I could scarcely run for 15 seconds without being severely winded, but now I can run for about 10 minutes at a time comfortably.

There was a big change when I went from stopping because my heart felt like it would explode to stopping when my legs were tired. I loved running ever after that because I feel like I was fighting my legs instead of my heart (which somehow seemed more ephemeral).

edit - I had a bunch of questions, so I think I replied to everyone but I thought I'd edit this post too. My starting age weight size was 27, 330, and 5'11".

So when I started I was 5'11, 330 pounds, and when I started I just middled through. I began boxing a heavy bag when I felt like it and doing some aerobics. It wasn't very effective but it began to move my heart and lungs toward healthy.

For running, I following the C25K program (couch to 5k). The idea is that if you can keep up with it's program then in 9 weeks you can run a 5k (3.1 miles). There is a free App from zenlabs on the iphone store, or you can just print out the program and wear a watch while running. It eases you into running (by doing 30 minute exercise sessions that are things like run 90s followed by walk 90s, and eventually has you running for 30 minutes straight). I found that around the 5th week I could no longer keep up with the speed the program was advancing, so I began repeating the hardest running sessions I was comfortable with. Also, it is only a 3 day a week training regiment, but because I go to a gym and want to exercise daily I add on informal "freestyle" runs. The machines at the gym I go to measure heartrate (or you could get a heartrate monitor), and there are some charts available online about where your heartrate should not go past. I get to around 145 bpm while jogging 4-5 mph, but when I started I could easily go into the "Danger zone" of my heart rate so I constantly was just running until my heart got too fast, then walking my heartrate down again, and then resuming running.

So far as other exercises, I do a Yoga class once a week which is amazing if you have never tried it. I was extremely nervous at first, but felt like success kid when I got through a few sessions full of beautiful women without getting a boner. It's really hard stuff. I also do yoga on my own following online programs, but there is no replacement for a yoga instructor because everyone's body is different, and they are trained or experienced enough to recognize your unique situation.

Maybe twice a week I still get out and box. Boxing is great because it's where cardio meets imagination. If I'm frustrated after work, I just rock the heavy bag. Of all the things I do, boxing takes the heaviest investment of about $150-250 for a good heavy bag, mounting equipment, gloves, and wristwraps.

For dieting, I use a free iphone app called "myfitnesspal" which has lots of users, and is just a calorie counting tool. You put in some general information about yourself, and it suggests a calorie level. At my current weight (280-285) I can eat 1835 calories and still lose 2 pounds a week (theoretically). If you can't use the iPhone app, there is a free website for myfitnesspal as well. I like it because most of the food from the supermarket is there, as well as most chain restaurants, and you can even create your own "foods" so it is very easy. It presents charts and graphs and other fun tracking info, and gives you predictions based on its data like "If every day was like today, you'd weigh xyz in 5 weeks." In reality, you could do the same with pen and paper, but it's simply not as convenient.

I do weight lifting only three times a week, and only do so for around 20 minutes a session. I am using the machines now, but as soon as I'm able I will be moving to free weights. 5 by 5 workout that is what I will (try) to follow. I am still a novice, and really can't offer you much advice here.

It may seem like a lot because I have talked about it alot, but in reality it boils down to me doing running/weight lifting for about an hour before I go to work, and then boxing twice a week after work and doing yoga one night after work (for around an hour), and throwing in other exercise as I crave it. I might go hiking on a weekend, or go swimming on a wild hair, but my core only amounts to about 8 hours a week of exercise.

Well said. This view that South Koreans have about America keeping the two countries apart is absolutely fucking true, and anyone who complains should be free to rejoin their North Korean brethren.

I live in georgia, and hike parts of the AT. If you think that is flat then you must be Paul Bunyan.

How is Blue?