Even though I haven’t actually been a student for a while now, the summer still offers the same sort of feeling. The entire campus is quiet, so the work environment is more relaxing, Jaime’s less stressed since she has no school, and it’s a good time to work on things that have slipped by the wayside.
My goals for the summer aren’t huge, but I would be incredibly pleased if I establish all of them. They are, in no particular order:
- Regular exercise: I’ve started with pushups every night as I figure that’s better than nothing, but I’d really like to be running, and eventually doing some nautilus or freeweight exercising as well. Anyone have any advice on this? I’d love some good tips on what exercise plans have worked for them.
- Oral hygiene: I had cavities for the first time in my life a year ago, in fact, I had 9. I’ve been back a lot for a number of drillings and other pleasantries and they’ve found one more. I’m sick of it. 10 cavities in my life is more than enough. Supposedly I can help my teeth calcify by using ACT mouthwash consistantly and heavily, or some other such nonsense, so I’m making sure I floss, brush for 2 minutes, and swish with ACT every day, twice a day. I should probably start brushing after lunch too. I’m really getting serious about this.
- Sugar intake: Minimize it. See above.
- One softdrink per day: This is for both the health, and the teeth.
- Meal planning: Jaime and I are working on planning our meals with health built into them from the beginning. Going to the grocery store with a calendar in hand, we’ll have all our meals (healthy meals) planned out for the next few week.
- Condo: There are still a large number of things to be done on the condo. That entry is in the works and will definitely require an extended entry to describe all the things we’ve done and have yet to be done.
Holy crap, 10?! I remember you had a lot, but 10?! I had four all at once, also after having never had cavities (despite years in braces), and it sucked. But 2.5x as many? Blech.
Left by John on May 16th, 2003
I’ve got 25 fillings, one root canal, two crowns and one rotten wisdom teeth that has to come out… surgically. Who can beat that?
Left by David Collantes on May 16th, 2003
If you are looking for muscle growth, eat loads of chicken/fish. They are high in protein, and that will build a good amount of muscle. Also, believe it or not, slim fast meals are a good source of protein and weight gainer if you combine them with your meals. If that isn’t what you want, i recommend going to GNC and getting a tub of the protein powder. You can take it with water, and it’s not that bad. Drink one of those before you workout, and you will notice at least a 50% gain in your body in the first month. Plus, protein is natural. You can’t really die from that supplement. I recommend joining a gym or trying to lift weights at least 5 days a week. I am a member of the YMCA, and use to rock climb 5 nights a week. I know that gainesville has one hell of a rock climbing gym, and I highly recommend you look into getting a membership. When you decide to workout, you really won’t notice a difference if you half-ass it. For you, I would jog in the morning, and lift weights/rock climb after/before dinner. Eating healthy actually saves a lot of money. All the junk food and soda bills will add up. When you eat healthy and workout 5 days a week, you will have lots more energy in the morning and evenings. Hope that helped…
Left by workout tips on May 16th, 2003
I wouldn’t recommend starting with a five day split, though. Even with relatively low weights, it takes your body some time to get into the habit of healing itself after a workout. Start maybe only lifting three of the five days, and then four, and then finally five. You’re less likely to hurt yourself that way at the start and then have to put off starting for a couple weeks while you recover.
Left by John on May 16th, 2003
Well, I’d also recommend to not combine all those workouts at once. I live about a tenth of a mile from the rock climbing gym. I run and work out most every day but when I go to the rock gym I’m hurting for the next week. It’s rough on you.
Oh, and skip the protein powder. It’s a load of shit unless you work out about four hours a day. You can just up your daily protein through you meals.
Left by Adam on May 16th, 2003
Protein is not a load of shit. It has helped everyone I have ever worked out with. Personal trainers, bodybuilders, pro-athletes, and everyday people use the stuff with great success. I know that I used it over a summer and went from benching 200 pounds to 315 pounds. That was only over a summer, and I only worked out 1 hour a day-5 days a week (without ever working out before). If your body rejects added weight, and you are constantly trim, then you might want to consider shocking your body into adding weight. Don’t let the term ’shock’ scare you though. It only means putting about twice as much protein into your system each day, than what you normally would. It’s really not hard. Cardio will also help keep the fat off/muscle on, and help you sleep like a champ at night.
If you want to start lifting 4-5 days out of the week, I recommend that you start lifting about 20 minutes per day, and run for 20-25 minutes. This trains your body to start responding to the exercise. Like I said, (as with all aspects of life) if you halfass something, it’s not going to give you the results you want. One more side note, I’ve had great success with using Glutamine pills. They are a natural arthritis supplement that also helps with soreness in the morning and productivity of the added protein. Really, the only supplements you can take for natural muscle growth is Protein (found in most all foods), Creatine (found in many meats), and Glutamine (which is found in most all foods), and only creatine has has negative effects in people.Try to always get at least 8 hours of rest per night as well.
Left by workout tips on May 16th, 2003
Hey, number six poster, Adam (5) clearly said: _”It’s a load of shit unless you work out about four hours a day”_ … totally true.
Left by David Collantes on May 16th, 2003
Jordan, I use that ACT stuff too. I have Bubble gum flavor. There is a prescription toothpaste that helps restore your teeth too. I went to the dentist a year ago and brought a painful spot to his attention, and he was like, “oh! well it looks like you have the start of a cavity.” Then he prescribed this stuff and it made the thing go away after a few months of brushing with it. I thought it was neat so I am telling you about it.
About the working out… I agree with the chicken and fish thing completely, and I also have read over and over again that it is better to space your working out… out. The thing that has hit me the hardest though is that it is important to choose workouts that can become a part of your lifestyle, because otherwise it will just become a phase. If you really want to change you need to make a small lifestyle change toward working out.
Next… Podium’s available.
Left by David on May 16th, 2003
I really can’t believe Adam & David really think that you need to workout 4 hours a day to see a difference with Protein powder. In fact, that’s almost funny. Make sure you debate your theory with personal trainers.
Left by workout tips on May 17th, 2003
I really can’t believe everybody’s getting so pissy about _protein powder_ of all things! For fuck’s sake, people
Left by John on May 17th, 2003
Have to agree with the protein powder on this one. Now that I’ve moved and am getting set up, working out again, protein powder is the way to go. And no, you don’t need to workout 4 hours a day.
Left by Aristotle on May 19th, 2003
You realize it’s possible exercise and stay in shape but not munch protein powder to ’see results’? Not everyone wants to bulk up as much as possible.
Left by Scott on May 19th, 2003
I’m actually mildly torn. I would like a bit more bulk, but I think I’d like to work up to general health first, and then maybe work on adding bulk (as I could certailny use it). I definitely appreciate all the good discussion and will probably try a few things to find out what works best for me and my schedule. I think the hardest part for me will be integrating a workout plan into a busy routine and making a habit of it, but things have been going well this summer, so maybe they will continue to do so. I actually got up and ran this morning, and it feels nice.
Left by Jordan on May 19th, 2003
Mildly torn?.. Is that like, ‘almost — but not quite — ripped’ because it kinda sounds like it, and it is fun to say. Consider this…
stj1281: Man, I am workin’ so hard to get ripped this summer for the beach, but I don’t think I’m gonna make it til September or somethin
RJoNeS80: That’s cool. I’m workin’ out too, but I only want to get mildly torn… not completely ripped.
stj1281: Why not? Being ripped is like my dream!!
RJoNeS80: My gf. She sees complete rippage as a bad thing.
OK, I’m done with that now. Had fun with it though
Left by David on May 19th, 2003
nothing personal jordan… you really need to just eat regular meal starting w/breakfast while limiting your junk intake. this alone will change your energy levels. add REGULAR/DAILY exercise and you’re set. as for protein powder …IT IS NOT CRAP. anyone who says otherwise is FULL OF CRAP. is it necessary?? not necessarily
all your nutrient requirements can be had from food w/out supplementation including protein. you just have to eat enough of the right foods in the right quantities. this alone can be a pain in the arse. protein is vital for muscle maintenance/recovery and growth. personally, it’s difficult for me to get enough in my daily food. so i supplement it. i weigh 198 lbs and have ~6% bodyfat. the more lean mass you have, the higher the protein requirements. w/out the protein supplement…i get weaker and lose some muscle mass since i don’t get enough in my food.
Left by Lin on May 19th, 2003
Jordan, if you want to stay in shape, and maybe add some bulk…then do this. Work out 6, yes 6 days a week, but follow this. For example, MWF lift weights, and maybe light cardio. But only lift for about 45 minutes to an hour at most. TRS do any type of cardio at least 20 minutes, but that’s all you would have to do. Best to do it first thing in the morning if you want to get lean or more defined (but you already are), or at least 2 hours after a meal. Because then your body will use stored energy rather than what you just ate. If you do this, I guarantee that you will see results in as little as a month, and you will definitely notice big results as far as being in shape and getting size within 2 to 3 months.
Left by Aristotle on May 20th, 2003
Jordan, this post has moved from #1 to #3 in the most commented category, and that saddens me. You’ve gotta give us like weekly or maybe biweekly updates on these summer goals to keep the comment count up.
(Or you could drop a new, ever more popular post!)
Note to Lin… I liked your comment and think that it is really good, realistic and honest advice.
Left by David on May 30th, 2003
Until you can get your ass to a gym you can do something like this // push-ups, chinups, sit-ups, squats, and cardio… do this maybe 4-5 days a week. Once you get to a gym and start on the free weights you’ll will find that gains and definition is coming very well …. this is because the excercises and what not have built the basic muscles in // pecs, shoulders, abs, back and legs …
(,()()|) L(_)(`|{ [v]@/\/
Left by -=[Brendan]=- on May 2nd, 2004
Buy a bowflex, run, and eat 300 calories a day for 6 days, then on the seventh eat junk food, by doing that youll lose 5 lbs a week. And gain muscle as well. Ive already lost 60lbs in 4 months.
Left by Brendon on January 12th, 2006