I am 5'8 205lbs 33 yrs old. About a year and a half ago I was 250lbs. I lost 55 pounds over the course of the year and got down to 195. I watched what I was eating and started working out (treadmill and some weights) for the first time ever. I have since gained about 10 lbs back. I started to gain because I became a little weaker on my diet and also laxed on my workouts a little (less consistent).
I started rowing (I guess that is erging to you folks) about 9 weeks ago to change things up and get back in the losing weight mode. I haven't lost any weight yet. I usually row about 5k 3-4 times a week. A couple guys in my office row - one is fairly experienced and has done it for years, the other started when I did - so we have friendly competitions - mostly between me and the other guy who just started.
I have improved my times and I guess some strength but have not seen any weight loss or even that much definition (arms/abs).
I have to assume it is because I don't train at length? I just do 5000k per day and usually do it in splits of 2000, 1500, 1000, and 500 with 2 min of rest in between. My times started at 9:51, 7:12, 4:44, 2:10 and I have gotten them down to 8:44, 6:42, 4:26, and 2:04. This work out kills me. I am at my limit on breathing by the end of each segment and my heart rate is at about 85%-90%. But I feel like I have accomplished something when I am done. I am always out to beat my previous times.
Is this dumb to be doing?
I have done straight 5k rows (with no rests or splits like above) and have gone from 25:00 to 23:12.4 as my best. these are killer rows for me too.
I guess I just can't imagine rowing 10k like some of you do or for more than 30 minutes straight. For me to row 30 minutes straight I have to stay at around 2:25-2:30 splits to maintain that length of time. At the end of 30 min I am DEAD!
Am I too concerned with my times?
How am I doing?
Good work, Rookie
Hi, Rookie, I am not qualified to give exercise advice, but I have read in numerous sources that in order to make a real impact on weight loss with exercise, you need to work out for at least 45 min. If I remember correctly, it takes that long in the metabolic cycle to burn through carbs and start to burn fats or something like that. So perhaps you'd see more dramatic results with longer workouts. But I've always found that you need to work yourself up to the next level so that you don't hurt yourself or burn out.
It's fun to watch your times drop as you improve, and it sounds like you are working at max capacity, which is why you may not feel you can go past 30 min. But you could try throwing in a couple workouts a week where you don't focus on improving time, and may even slow down a bit but focus on going a little further...some author used to call that Long, Slow Distance (LSD) which allows you to make amusing comments to your friends like, "I think I'll do a little LSD tonight." Okay, I'm a child of the 60s and have a diminished sense of humor.
The one other comment I'll offer is this: if you haven't watched any of the videos referenced in some of these threads, I'd encourage you to do so. I sat on my first erg more than 20 years ago and have kept it as part of my workouts for the last 12. But until I watched one of those videos (recently!) and really understood and SAW the thing about hinging from the hip, I never realized how poor my form was. When I really focus on form I see the times drop, so I try to keep the best form I can, even if I am doing a longer distance and not trying to go as fast. I even keep a mirror propped on the floor across from my erg so I can watch my knees and my hinging.
Good luck with continuing your success in losing weight and in doing great on the erg. If you enjoy your workouts, you will stay motivated and inspired. They say it is one of the best workouts since it uses the whole body. So check your form, try to throw in some LSD, and most of all have fun with it!
Cindy
It's fun to watch your times drop as you improve, and it sounds like you are working at max capacity, which is why you may not feel you can go past 30 min. But you could try throwing in a couple workouts a week where you don't focus on improving time, and may even slow down a bit but focus on going a little further...some author used to call that Long, Slow Distance (LSD) which allows you to make amusing comments to your friends like, "I think I'll do a little LSD tonight." Okay, I'm a child of the 60s and have a diminished sense of humor.
The one other comment I'll offer is this: if you haven't watched any of the videos referenced in some of these threads, I'd encourage you to do so. I sat on my first erg more than 20 years ago and have kept it as part of my workouts for the last 12. But until I watched one of those videos (recently!) and really understood and SAW the thing about hinging from the hip, I never realized how poor my form was. When I really focus on form I see the times drop, so I try to keep the best form I can, even if I am doing a longer distance and not trying to go as fast. I even keep a mirror propped on the floor across from my erg so I can watch my knees and my hinging.
Good luck with continuing your success in losing weight and in doing great on the erg. If you enjoy your workouts, you will stay motivated and inspired. They say it is one of the best workouts since it uses the whole body. So check your form, try to throw in some LSD, and most of all have fun with it!
Cindy
It is our choices that show what we truly are, Harrry, far more than our abilities. (from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling)
Hi,
I am about the same height and weighed 203 lbs. on April 2nd. I'm down to 184 lbs. and have a goal of below 150 by mid-August. I average 12,500 meters per day and vary between 3 different workouts, 2 fast 5K's/slow 2.5K, fast 10K/slow 2.5k and slow 12.5k. By fast I mean within 1-1.5 minutes of my personal best. I row every day and only take one day off per month.
Once you get over the "hill" of the first few weeks it becomes much easier. My workouts today feel almost effortless, it is a great feeling like the runner's high I used to get a long time ago.
I know my body pretty well and if I did your workouts I would struggle to lose weight. The biggest challenge is in your head, acquiring the mental discipline to stick with a program and push yourself hard. It may seem grueling at the start but instead of letting negative thoughts creep in think of how it won't be long before it starts to come easy. I have always found that 3-6 weeks is all I need to get over the hump and once you are there, believe me, you won't ever want to turn back. I have a problem with over eating as well (snacks mainly) but once I get into good condition the desire starts to fade.
Motiviation also helps, get a partner online, someone in real life or use a virtual rowing program. I use a program, without it I'm sure I would slack off.
I am about the same height and weighed 203 lbs. on April 2nd. I'm down to 184 lbs. and have a goal of below 150 by mid-August. I average 12,500 meters per day and vary between 3 different workouts, 2 fast 5K's/slow 2.5K, fast 10K/slow 2.5k and slow 12.5k. By fast I mean within 1-1.5 minutes of my personal best. I row every day and only take one day off per month.
Once you get over the "hill" of the first few weeks it becomes much easier. My workouts today feel almost effortless, it is a great feeling like the runner's high I used to get a long time ago.
I know my body pretty well and if I did your workouts I would struggle to lose weight. The biggest challenge is in your head, acquiring the mental discipline to stick with a program and push yourself hard. It may seem grueling at the start but instead of letting negative thoughts creep in think of how it won't be long before it starts to come easy. I have always found that 3-6 weeks is all I need to get over the hump and once you are there, believe me, you won't ever want to turn back. I have a problem with over eating as well (snacks mainly) but once I get into good condition the desire starts to fade.
Motiviation also helps, get a partner online, someone in real life or use a virtual rowing program. I use a program, without it I'm sure I would slack off.