2014 Ab Off

[Heero]

This is turning into quite the partay.

[Ronan]

I already have abs. Is that cheating?

Also the hardest thing about getting abs is losing the weight so you can actually see them. Doing ab exercises is nice and I suppose necessary, but most people over-do it.

Sprinting (a form of high intensity interval training) is generally easier on the knees and such, and provides a lower-ab workout.

[Ithildur]

I already have abs. Is that cheating?

Also the hardest thing about getting abs is losing the weight so you can actually see them. Doing ab exercises is nice and I suppose necessary, but most people over-do it.

Sprinting (a form of high intensity interval training) is generally easier on the knees and such, and provides a lower-ab workout.

+1

Yep. Doing a lot of crunches isn't really the way to do it. Selective change of diet and exercises that target for afterburn effect, to speed up metabolism and continually burn fuel even while not actively exercising, etc.

This may be a helpful resource:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshor ... ln3c_37GnQ

A lot of things come down to knowing what NOT to do as much as what to do, eliminating excess/useless activities.

[kid]

Ronan does indeed have abs.

At least I'm pretty sure I've seen them peeking somewhere under that glorious muffin top that was damn near covering his pink thong.

[Rumple C]

I already have abs. Is that cheating?

Also the hardest thing about getting abs is losing the weight so you can actually see them. Doing ab exercises is nice and I suppose necessary, but most people over-do it.

Sprinting (a form of high intensity interval training) is generally easier on the knees and such, and provides a lower-ab workout.

it's not cheating.

The real goal here is to all get fitter together under the guise of competition.

[Burt]

I already have abs. Is that cheating?

Also the hardest thing about getting abs is losing the weight so you can actually see them. Doing ab exercises is nice and I suppose necessary, but most people over-do it.

Sprinting (a form of high intensity interval training) is generally easier on the knees and such, and provides a lower-ab workout.

it's not cheating.

The real goal here is to all get fitter together under the guise of competition.

Yeah right.

[Rumple C]

This may be a helpful resource:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshor ... ln3c_37GnQ

A lot of things come down to knowing what NOT to do as much as what to do, eliminating excess/useless activities.

I have obtained this and will go through the 12 week? process. i look forward to being shredded.

First session on Tues the 8th!

[Rumple C]

Ok well...

First session actually ended up being today after some work stuff happened.

Good to be back in the gym. I felt lousy afterwards (pushing a little to hard in my unfit state) but it soon wore off.

My brother is doing the same program as I though he has a weeks head start on me, so we are motivating each other to keep with it.

For the record it went something like this.

push ups for warm up

benchpress then upright rows (no break between exercises) x 12 reps and 3 sets (with 90 sec break betweeen sets)
Millitary press then dumbell shrug (as above only x 2 sets)
dumbell squats then straightback deadlifts (as above)
dumbell curls x15 then dips til exhaustion (as above)
calf raises x25 then 90 sec running in place with weight
sit ups

next session is in 2 days (sat)

*edit - yeah just a wee hotel "gym" so the gear and weights were very limited. dumbells and general exercise station only.

[Rumple C]

Day 2 done.

Similar exercises.

Was feeling sore this morning even before the excercise. Pretty borderline on being movement restricted. Almost hobbling down stairs etc. Lets us see how i feel on the morrow

Also, feeling fantastic to be back in the gym again after years of being irregular with it. I predict great things. Having a formal program and taped exercise tutorials has been a great help. Like an el-cheapo personal trainer.

[Rumple C]

Also, feeling fantastic to be back in the gym again after years of being irregular with it. I predict great things. Having a formal program and taped exercise tutorials has been a great help. Like an el-cheapo personal trainer.

I have to say that i'm feeling great. Sure it is painful in the gym sometimes, but I'm getting a thrill out of improving each time. Maybe its form, or intensity, or just how much i'm sweating or puffing. The feeling after is magic. All natural endorphins, and a lot of satisfaction.

With Dusks (our resident fitness trainer) help I have modified the program a little to add more cardio and am looking forward to finishing the first "month" (with a little extra practise) in three weeks time and moving onto a new phase.

A major part of what I have been doing is being aware of what I eat. Smaller meals during the day, and better quality food.

Also, I have reclaimed my top two sets of abs. Nice to see them again. That was the easy part ofcourse. The tough one will be set 3 then 4. I have never seen the 4th, what will they look like I wonder?

I have also been somewhat inspired by heeros own goal of entering the 2014 Athen Marathon. Where it all began. When I return to Australia early next month I will see a physio-therapist about my injured knees and visit a running shop to get shoes under their guidance. If the gods are kind I may yet also be able to run the marathon and collapse dead at its conclusion.

To anyone who is yet to start, or has started and stopped. Live! Get active. You'll feel great.

Update in 3 weeks.

[Ithildur]

*thumbs up*

Awesome.

[Ronan]

Managed 20 handstand pushups. My best in a while as I've had a rotator cuff injury.

Ab-wise I am still where I started, meaning Rumple has probably caught me. Haven't had the time for any cardio.

[gonz.0]

I approve of the overall goal, and will quietly support while doing my low impact yoga and such in effort to see my feet again with a mirror.

Cheers all.

[Rumple C]

Great stuff Gonzo.

Ronan, right now i'd max out at about 25 regular pushups.

Ah, how the mighty have fallen. 3 sedentary years in what is really a desk job.

Still, its not about what I was before, or even what I am now, its about what I can be in the future.

[JonnyJerny]

I'm gonna start lifting. You're all old anyways.



Just LOOK at that young man, the eyes of a champion. (Who's never going to shave his head, right, Rumple?) So much untapped potential.

Sorry I shaved my mustache.