Concept2 Forum

Hi all;<br /><br />I've been looking around the various forums today. This one sounds like it's right where I need to be. <br /><br />I'm mainly looking to lose weight, though losing a few inches and being forced to get all new clothes again wouldn't be so bad either. I hope to lose 40+ pounds, but I'm not going to look at that big number now. I'll work on the first pound or inch, then work on the second one. <br /><br />I've ordered a Concept 2 and am tracking its journey across the country. There's a spot in the garage all ready to go. Now all I need to do is get my act together and keep it together. I've seen a lot of "slow, steady progress" kinds of messages here and that's encouraging.<br /><br />I'll use the next few days to learn my way around here, get an idea of how the logs and forums work and such. I'll post progress as I come to it.<br /><br />tj<br /><br />

I've found a good approach is to think in terms of a permanent life style change, though combining this idea with "getting my act together" (permanently) could be an even better description.<br />My actual action is: first take lots more exercise, by not using cars, lifts and similar Devil's inventions, but by using others less devilish, such as swimming pools, bikes, kayaks, ergs, axes, handsaws and indeed whatever I can get my hands on; and second, lay off drink.<br />I like to think I'm not is such real trouble as to need anything more, or at least that it's a good start.

<!--QuoteBegin-tjod+Nov 15 2005, 01:49 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tjod @ Nov 15 2005, 01:49 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi all;<br /><br />I've been looking around the various forums today.  This one sounds like it's right where I need to be. <br /><br />I'm mainly looking to lose weight, though losing a few inches and being forced to get all new clothes again wouldn't be so bad either.  I hope to lose 40+ pounds, but I'm not going to look at that big number now. I'll work on the first pound or inch, then work on the second one.  <br /><br />I've ordered a Concept 2 and am tracking its journey across the country.  There's a spot in the garage all ready to go.  Now all I need to do is get my act together and keep it together.  I've seen a lot of "slow, steady progress" kinds of messages here and that's encouraging.<br /><br />I'll use the next few days to learn my way around here, get an idea of how the logs and forums work and such. I'll post progress as I come to it.<br /><br />tj <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />TJ:<br /><br />Here's one man's story (mine):<br /><br />I was born a poor ... no, forget that ...<br /><br />In March, I suddenly realized that I was the 183 pounds -- and at 5'7" tall, that's starting to get a bit "hefty". My target weight from the tables of suggested weight all said somewhere between 150 and 160 should be about right. <br /><br />I made it a goal to drop 20 pounds slowly.<br /><br />I had been a long-time runner and weight trainer, but never anything more than what I would call "maintenance" fitness ... and perhaps not even that (therefore the 183 number!).<br /><br />I realized there is a simple equation. My body has the need for fuel; in my case probably about 2,500 or so calories a day with normal activity and no exercise. If I ate the same calories as I would to maintain body weight (2,500 or so) with no exercise, but exercised (or just somehow "got it in") to up the calorie needs of my body (to, let's say, 3,000 or 3,500 per day), then body fat would be burned to make up the difference.<br /><br />I made a pact with myself that I would significantly increase the calories I burned, no matter how. Previously, I thought all the exercise I did had to be at some level that I classified as "working out". In this case, I just wanted to "get it in". So, in addition to a morning run of 5K (slow), I would add a second 5K walk that evening. Sometimes, I added two walks, or even 3. I had a "just get it in" philosophy. This way, there was NO EXCUSE to not do things that burned calories. Whatever I could do, I would do.<br /><br />I tried to keep my food intake level, and did knock off the alcohol and worthless carbs to some extent, but not to some "diet" level -- just good common sense. I was not a poor eater before this, so I did not need a huge change here.<br /><br />Between March 1 and May 1 I probably lost 5 pounds doing this -- and it was done easily.<br /><br />In May, after getting somewhat hooked on rowing because my 15.5-year-old daughter is a coxswain for a prep club team, I got the C2.<br /><br />I decided to start slow, and build up, so as not to burn myself out. I also decided, as with the exercise I had been doing prior to the receipt of the C2, that any meters were good meters.<br /><br />On 10/8 I reached my goal of LW, or under 165 lbs. I've been as low as 163. I've decided to try to stay between 160 and 163, but I am at 166 this morning, so I need to watch my intake and exercise balance this week.<br /><br />Here are the number of meters I rowed each week in week/meters/time order:<br /><br /><!--c1--><table width='95%' cellspacing='1' cellpadding='3' border='0' align='center'><tr><td><b><div class='genmed'>CODE</div></b></td></tr><tr><td class='code'><div><!--ec1--><br />19 3753 17:06.6  <br />20 20000 01:37:49.0  <br />21 25089 01:54:50.3  <br />22 31996 02:25:32.1  <br />23 28272 02:06:48.6  <br />24 37573 02:52:10.7  <br />25 48368 03:38:54.9  <br />26 82075 06:18:00.0  <br />27 80421 06:19:43.6  <br />28 83279 06:17:50.9  <br />29 66843 05:00:14.8  <br />30 75837 05:37:54.7  <br />31 22170 01:39:45.9  <br />34 25135 01:52:15.9  <br />35 26043 01:54:32.8  <br />37 10000 44:50.1  <br />38 20000 01:27:40.3  <br />39 30109 02:13:38.4  <br />40 75798 05:40:24.0  <br />41 38136 02:48:02.7  <br />42 25114 01:46:18.5  <br />43 41137 03:02:43.2  <br />44 55462 04:05:36.3  <br />45 67197 04:58:47.0  <br />46 76958 05:47:56.9  <br /><!--c2--></div></td></tr></table><br /><br />Week 19 corresponds to the 19th week of 2005, and so on, so it is the week of May 4th, the day I started on the C2. I haven't done this, but I believe if you did the calulation and saw how SLOW I was for the first many weeks, you'll realize that I truly used a "any meters are good meters" philosophy as I tried to lose the weight.<br /><br />The weight really just fell off during this time, but slowly and almost predicatably.<br /><br />It was literally 15 pounds off from May 4 to October 8, and I had a long vacation (holiday) as well as a week or two with an injury that had me off the erg under doctor's orders -- thus some of the very low mileage weeks in July/August/September.<br /><br />Those 80K+ weeks early-on were during some semi-vacation time. I would literally row 4 or 5 times a day as the mood struck me. I thought of the erg as my connection to the weight loss, and at times would just hop on and knock off 2K to 3K meters just to get in my caloric consumption.<br /><br />Over the past few weeks, I've shifted from consumption for consumption's sake (weight loss), to improved fitness and speed, so my training has changed. I'm following a structured plan (The Wolverine Plan), and am excited about the prospects of being very "in shape" for the first time since my distance running days in high school (and I'm 47!). I've also purchased the RowPro software and find racing and training online with a great group of people (who never complain about my lack of speed) is a HUGE motivator and inspiration.<br /><br />Maybe something in this story will be of help to you.<br /><br />Regards -- Mark

<!--QuoteBegin-jamesg+Nov 15 2005, 03:44 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(jamesg @ Nov 15 2005, 03:44 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I've found a good approach is to think in terms of a permanent life style change, though combining this idea with "getting my act together" (permanently) could be an even better description.<br />My actual action is: first take lots more exercise, by not using cars, lifts and similar Devil's inventions, but by using others less devilish, such as swimming pools, bikes, kayaks, ergs, axes, handsaws and indeed whatever I can get my hands on; and second, lay off drink.<br />I like to think I'm not is such real trouble as to need anything more, or at least that it's a good start. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />The hardest part for me, as in 'most anything I do, is to not overdo. I think that balance will be the key. <br /><br />tj

<!--QuoteBegin-mpukita+Nov 15 2005, 06:05 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Nov 15 2005, 06:05 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-tjod+Nov 15 2005, 01:49 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tjod @ Nov 15 2005, 01:49 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi all;<br /><br />I've been looking around the various forums today.  This one sounds like it's right where I need to be. <br /><br />I'm mainly looking to lose weight, though losing a few inches and being forced to get all new clothes again wouldn't be so bad either.  I hope to lose 40+ pounds, but I'm not going to look at that big number now. I'll work on the first pound or inch, then work on the second one.  <br /><br />I've ordered a Concept 2 and am tracking its journey across the country.  There's a spot in the garage all ready to go.  Now all I need to do is get my act together and keep it together.  I've seen a lot of "slow, steady progress" kinds of messages here and that's encouraging.<br /><br />I'll use the next few days to learn my way around here, get an idea of how the logs and forums work and such. I'll post progress as I come to it.<br /><br />tj <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />TJ:<br /><br />Here's one man's story (mine):<br /><br />....<br /><br />The weight really just fell off during this time, but slowly and almost predicatably.<br /><br />...<br /><br />Maybe something in this story will be of help to you.<br /><br />Regards -- Mark <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Thanks, Mark. That's something to look forward to.<br />

Don't keep us in suspense, did you get your rower?<br /><br />Your post got me reminiscing about when I bought my model B. I waited anxiously for its arrival, took the day off work when it was delivered and had it assembled shortly after it's arrival. It was only with the greatest of mental restraint that I rowed only the recommended 5 minutes for a first row, but my goal was long-term health, not to break any records..., or myself!<br /><br />For me the key is in setting modest goals, for example committing to row 3 times a week for 20 minutes, and sticking to them. Don't get too focused on how many meters or how fast you can row or on how soon you can reach 1 M meters. I would also recommend getting a heart rate monitor as it enables you to get a handle on your perceived vs actual exertion. Even when I can't row further/faster, I feel pretty good when I see that I managed the same row with a lower level of exertion as measured by my heart rate.<br /><br />Also, before you start, and especially if you are over 40, you should have a physical and make sure you are fit enough to start rowing. Even modest rowing can put significant demands on your cardiovascular system and to be safe, you should make sure you are up to it.<br /><br />Daniel<br />

<!--QuoteBegin-parish+Nov 24 2005, 09:57 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(parish @ Nov 24 2005, 09:57 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Don't keep us in suspense, did you get your rower?<br /><br />Daniel <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Ooops! Sorry ... <br />Yes. It arrived on the Friday - 18th. I did much the same as you suggest, though I don't have the heart monitor. May get one later. For now, just rowing each day, trying to get a little better each time, maybe cut a little time off too.<br /><br />Thanks for asking.