Hello everyone,
I have to admit that I've had my Concept rower for a few years and it hasn't gotten a lot of workouts under its belt but its time to change that.
I want to lose about a 100lbs but more than anything I want to prove to myself that I can set the goal and achieve it as just accomplishing this goal will have more affect than just better health on my life. (not that I haven't been successful in life overall but it just seems like the last few years have been rudderless.)
To this end I have decided to start rowing again for better health and sanity.
I have printed out the weight loss plan and am committing myself to follow the rowing schedule for the next forty seven weeks (I chose the five day program to start.); recording my exercise and food consumption daily and to reporting weekly my progress to this forum.
While I realize that any commitment is 90% personal it is my hope that this forum is active enough to give me the support and encouragement that I will need to achieve my goal.
If anyone wants to communicate with me personally they can send and email to garys221 (at) gmail dot com.
Gary Scott
BTW, I should note that I may not start the actual program for about a week as I am going to have a kidney stone removed tomorrow morning and I don't know how much the procedure will affects my ability to participate in a rowing program. But the doctor says that they will remove the stent seven to ten days after the procedure so after that everything should be fine. I actually expect that by Wednesday I will be ready for some random rowing as I am anal enough that I need to start the program on a Sunday and not in the middle of the week.
Its time to change my life
Go for it, and don't let the little things in life keep you off your mark.
How's the recovery going from the stones. I have a father that has had repeated problems with stones and hope that the problems aren't hereditary. He's had some long recovery times, so I hope your's is quick and speedy. The joke in the family is that he's so cheap he's going to regravel the driveway himself.
I've recently started a life style change for myself, by adding activity to my routine. I've never really stuck with a exercise and diet program very long, but with the motivation of trying to keep pace with my 3 boys ages 10,8, and 3, I knew I had to find someway to reverse my ways.
I found good motivation by making a bet with my boss on a weight loss challenge. We've both been on it for 9weeks now and have lost 38 pounds giving each other a hard time (all in fun). The thing about it we haven't even come up with what is in it for the winner, but we both know we're both winning in the long run and we're both feeling 100% better in all aspects: energy, happiness, and most importantly- the wives have taken notice.
I am new to rowing, just bought a c2d 4days ago and have logged 42500m on the thing. I am so hooked on it and with this websight and forum, there are so many areas to get motivation from. So far mine has been just getting entries into the logbook and working on my times and going up in the rankings.
This is also my first posting to this forum and I was just scrolling through and read your post and hope that I could add some encouraging words. It also helps my own motivation to keep talking about my story, because I hope to continue walking the talk and growing my experiences.
Wishing you well on your goal.
michaelc from WI
How's the recovery going from the stones. I have a father that has had repeated problems with stones and hope that the problems aren't hereditary. He's had some long recovery times, so I hope your's is quick and speedy. The joke in the family is that he's so cheap he's going to regravel the driveway himself.
I've recently started a life style change for myself, by adding activity to my routine. I've never really stuck with a exercise and diet program very long, but with the motivation of trying to keep pace with my 3 boys ages 10,8, and 3, I knew I had to find someway to reverse my ways.
I found good motivation by making a bet with my boss on a weight loss challenge. We've both been on it for 9weeks now and have lost 38 pounds giving each other a hard time (all in fun). The thing about it we haven't even come up with what is in it for the winner, but we both know we're both winning in the long run and we're both feeling 100% better in all aspects: energy, happiness, and most importantly- the wives have taken notice.
I am new to rowing, just bought a c2d 4days ago and have logged 42500m on the thing. I am so hooked on it and with this websight and forum, there are so many areas to get motivation from. So far mine has been just getting entries into the logbook and working on my times and going up in the rankings.
This is also my first posting to this forum and I was just scrolling through and read your post and hope that I could add some encouraging words. It also helps my own motivation to keep talking about my story, because I hope to continue walking the talk and growing my experiences.
Wishing you well on your goal.
michaelc from WI
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Snail Space
- 2k Poster
- Posts: 258
- Joined: September 10th, 2006, 12:13 pm
- Location: Durham, UK
Go for it, Gary: you will feel proud of yourself.
Two years ago (age 49) I was overweight, on meds for blood pressure, and couldn't even kick a football around with my kids (then age 12, 9, and 3) without getting tired and breathless (even though I didn't actually do any running for the ball!). I was drinking too much (each day open a bottle of wine for a glass after work, and then finish the bottle, and follow it up with a shot of malt whisky). I just put it all down to "middle age".
Recognising that if I kept going like that I wouldn't live to see my youngest reach adulthood I decided to do something about it. I joined my local gym; the rowing machine caught my attention, but I had an inauspicious start when I fell off it in a wheezing, spluttering mess after less than 3 minutes. Despite that I persisted, gradually increasing duration to 20 mins over the next few weeks, and then eventually was able to row for 40 mins after a few months.
As I got slowly got fitter I found myself wanting to reduce influences that would impair my rowing performances, so I cut out the cakes and cookies. I even stopped drinking alcohol (zero booze for nearly 2 years now).
Now I row 4-5 times per week, doing about 80K. I am slim(ish) - above the ideal that the charts suggest, but at about the weight I was when I was in my early twenties. My blood pressure is normal without medication. Best of all is the confidence and sense of freedom that beating the booze has given me. Oh, and I can out-run the kids when we kick a ball around.
I'm proud of my achievement, but that isn't why I'm telling you all this. I want you to gain all the benefits that I continue to enjoy. You will feel like a new person.
Stick with it, Gary. Come back here and share your successes.
Cheers
Dave.
Two years ago (age 49) I was overweight, on meds for blood pressure, and couldn't even kick a football around with my kids (then age 12, 9, and 3) without getting tired and breathless (even though I didn't actually do any running for the ball!). I was drinking too much (each day open a bottle of wine for a glass after work, and then finish the bottle, and follow it up with a shot of malt whisky). I just put it all down to "middle age".
Recognising that if I kept going like that I wouldn't live to see my youngest reach adulthood I decided to do something about it. I joined my local gym; the rowing machine caught my attention, but I had an inauspicious start when I fell off it in a wheezing, spluttering mess after less than 3 minutes. Despite that I persisted, gradually increasing duration to 20 mins over the next few weeks, and then eventually was able to row for 40 mins after a few months.
As I got slowly got fitter I found myself wanting to reduce influences that would impair my rowing performances, so I cut out the cakes and cookies. I even stopped drinking alcohol (zero booze for nearly 2 years now).
Now I row 4-5 times per week, doing about 80K. I am slim(ish) - above the ideal that the charts suggest, but at about the weight I was when I was in my early twenties. My blood pressure is normal without medication. Best of all is the confidence and sense of freedom that beating the booze has given me. Oh, and I can out-run the kids when we kick a ball around.
I'm proud of my achievement, but that isn't why I'm telling you all this. I want you to gain all the benefits that I continue to enjoy. You will feel like a new person.
Stick with it, Gary. Come back here and share your successes.
Cheers
Dave.
Thought I'd give a short reply so that people don't think that I've dropped off the wagon, so to speak.
I've rowed a little bit but I was uncomfortable rowing as the bending seemed to cause the stent to irritate my urethra. So I haven't done as much as I would have liked.
I saw the doc this morning and they removed the stent so in a day I should be ready to row again. I'm feeling a little rocky still but at least I don't have the urge to go to the bathroom every hour any more.
gary
I've rowed a little bit but I was uncomfortable rowing as the bending seemed to cause the stent to irritate my urethra. So I haven't done as much as I would have liked.
I saw the doc this morning and they removed the stent so in a day I should be ready to row again. I'm feeling a little rocky still but at least I don't have the urge to go to the bathroom every hour any more.
gary
Don't push it. If you are on a program, adjust it to the level that fits your comfort zone and then just gradually increase the effort a little at a time. Poco a poco. I had open heart surgery at the end of July, 2003, at age 78, - an aortic valve replacement and a 3x bypass. I didn't have a specific program, but I just tried to keep within my limits and increase the work a bit at a time. Exactly 18 months later, to the day, I entered a satellite regatta and qualified for a free flight to the CRASH-B. The key aspects of this are keeping at it but not overdoing it.garys wrote:
I've rowed a little bit but I was uncomfortable rowing as the bending seemed to cause the stent to irritate my urethra. So I haven't done as much as I would have liked.
I saw the doc this morning and they removed the stent so in a day I should be ready to row again. I'm feeling a little rocky still but at least I don't have the urge to go to the bathroom every hour any more.
gary
Bob S.
Hi
Thanks everyone for the encouragement.
I may not have been quite clear enough in my post. I was uncomfortable because I could feel the stent moving around and it irritated my urethra making it bleed. Just not a good thing to do.
Sidenote: If you don't know what a stent is its basically a small, and I'm talking diameter only, wire mesh tube. I have no idea how much the stent gets distended in the removal process but when it was removed it was about a foot long. Removal is an interesting process that I will leave to your imagination
But now that its been twenty four hours since it was removed I feel pretty good and its time to start rowing.
gary
Thanks everyone for the encouragement.
I may not have been quite clear enough in my post. I was uncomfortable because I could feel the stent moving around and it irritated my urethra making it bleed. Just not a good thing to do.
Sidenote: If you don't know what a stent is its basically a small, and I'm talking diameter only, wire mesh tube. I have no idea how much the stent gets distended in the removal process but when it was removed it was about a foot long. Removal is an interesting process that I will leave to your imagination
But now that its been twenty four hours since it was removed I feel pretty good and its time to start rowing.
gary
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lightweight8
- Paddler
- Posts: 23
- Joined: October 31st, 2008, 2:08 pm
- Location: Southwest FL
- Contact:
Congrats on committing to improving your life. I did the same thing 6 weeks ago and I've lost 15 pounds already. It CAN be done.
My first day back on the erg I could only row for 10 minutes (I haven't worked out for years!). 6 weeks later, I am doing 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week and loving the way I am looking and feeling.
Take your time, start slowly, master the technique first, and don't get discouraged. Good luck and keep us updated.
My first day back on the erg I could only row for 10 minutes (I haven't worked out for years!). 6 weeks later, I am doing 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week and loving the way I am looking and feeling.
Take your time, start slowly, master the technique first, and don't get discouraged. Good luck and keep us updated.
Trisha in SW Florida
Rowed competitively in college...
Now just erging for fitness!
Rowed competitively in college...
Now just erging for fitness!
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heeter_teeter
- Paddler
- Posts: 1
- Joined: November 22nd, 2008, 1:19 pm
Hi Gary, I too am a long time Kidney Stone sufferer....had my last about a year ago. Have had a stent put in at least twice, definitely something that you should stay away from exercise while it is in as it will have a tendency to iritate and move around. Happy to say though once it is removed everything goes back to normal pretty quick. I have also just started rowing again for weight control and in two weeks have already dropped 6 lbs! Keep at it and good things will result, look forward to hearing of your good results.
Mike.
Mike.
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tom pinckney
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 76
- Joined: August 6th, 2008, 4:07 pm
- Location: Gatihersburg, Maryland
Great to have goals. Here's some other suggestions for you that have worked for me:
Posting here is a great idea - a very positive place with tons of reinforcement.
1. join a gym (a new one IF yo ualready belong to one) and hire a competent personal trainer OR get a dependable workout partner. It will result in you "showing up." The key to exercising is "showing up!" If you show up - you will exercise. The cost is offset by less visits to the doctor (you will pay now or later). More muscle means more weight loss because you burn more calories all of the time at rest.
2. take your time. It took you a while to put on the weight. Lose it at a rate that indicates success, but does not make you "burn out" and quit.
3. keep a training log. It will show your progress.
4. take a class in nutrition. Your local hospital offers classes for this and it may be covered by insurance. It did for me.
5. Reward yourself with new cloths as you lose weight. Throwaway your old clothes as they become too big for you.
I've taken off 60 pounds (and kept it off) with this approach. What has worked for me:
1. aerobic activity to burn calories.
2. build muscle thru weight training
3. eat properly (notice I did not say diet?) for permanent weight loss.
4. I bought the "worlds greatest exercise machine!" Yep - I bought a dog as a workout partner. He is always enthusiastic, loves me and I end up walking every day. The build up of calories from walking over time really add up and you really feel better.
I workout indoors during cold weather and do outside fun stuff when the weather allows me to do it. I cycle my training so that I'm always looking forward to it. Train hard all of the time will burn you out. Take your time and you will be successful. It only takes a little weight loss and building muscle before people will be looking at you and saying: "have you been losing weight?" This will give you a shot in the arm and keep you going.
Posting here is a great idea - a very positive place with tons of reinforcement.
1. join a gym (a new one IF yo ualready belong to one) and hire a competent personal trainer OR get a dependable workout partner. It will result in you "showing up." The key to exercising is "showing up!" If you show up - you will exercise. The cost is offset by less visits to the doctor (you will pay now or later). More muscle means more weight loss because you burn more calories all of the time at rest.
2. take your time. It took you a while to put on the weight. Lose it at a rate that indicates success, but does not make you "burn out" and quit.
3. keep a training log. It will show your progress.
4. take a class in nutrition. Your local hospital offers classes for this and it may be covered by insurance. It did for me.
5. Reward yourself with new cloths as you lose weight. Throwaway your old clothes as they become too big for you.
I've taken off 60 pounds (and kept it off) with this approach. What has worked for me:
1. aerobic activity to burn calories.
2. build muscle thru weight training
3. eat properly (notice I did not say diet?) for permanent weight loss.
4. I bought the "worlds greatest exercise machine!" Yep - I bought a dog as a workout partner. He is always enthusiastic, loves me and I end up walking every day. The build up of calories from walking over time really add up and you really feel better.
I workout indoors during cold weather and do outside fun stuff when the weather allows me to do it. I cycle my training so that I'm always looking forward to it. Train hard all of the time will burn you out. Take your time and you will be successful. It only takes a little weight loss and building muscle before people will be looking at you and saying: "have you been losing weight?" This will give you a shot in the arm and keep you going.
Gary,
I don't actually have any advice, just wanted to wish you good luck. I'm trying to lose 30 lbs after having 2 kids and I just joined a gym for the first time in my life two months ago. Although I have a c2 at home, I go in to the gym for that dose of public humiliation, and it is paying off. The first day I went in I did about 10 minutes of rowing and two months later I'm at about 45 minutes. I hope you keep us updated, I personally am wishing you lifelong success!
I don't actually have any advice, just wanted to wish you good luck. I'm trying to lose 30 lbs after having 2 kids and I just joined a gym for the first time in my life two months ago. Although I have a c2 at home, I go in to the gym for that dose of public humiliation, and it is paying off. The first day I went in I did about 10 minutes of rowing and two months later I'm at about 45 minutes. I hope you keep us updated, I personally am wishing you lifelong success!
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tom pinckney
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 76
- Joined: August 6th, 2008, 4:07 pm
- Location: Gatihersburg, Maryland
I revved up my workouts recently along with taking more walks with "Blue Boy!" I weighed him in recently. HE had lost three pounds!!And remember if your dog is fat, you are not getting enough exercise.
The vet told me that she wishes SHE had his wasitline. Remember this.........Dogs are people too!!
One other tip (my policy) - never do an exercise you don't like. You will do it have-heartedly. Your body doesn't care what you do as long as you DO IT. There are lots of exercises around that are much more fun than others. Do THEM!! Fun stuff keeps you going.