2018 Fitness Challenge Thread

[LoveDivine]

I was going to give our very longstanding fitness thread a bump today, but then I realized that the new year is fast approaching and it would be nice to start with a fresh thread and new goals. I did achieve several of my fitness goals from last year (as I imagine others did as well), and I think it would be nice to keep the positive momentum going. We can also use this thread to share what workouts and strategies didn’t work for us so well and discuss ways to improve.

 

[leothelioness]

I really would like to start lifting weights again. I had the most fun doing it! My problem isn't needing to lose weight, but I do need to tone up and legs for me is the hardest part to tone. If anybody has any good "leg day" excercises for me to do I would love that!

I would love to get back to my gymnastics level of fitness, but I'll settle for just being toned up for now.

 

[CodyFaith]

Good idea to remake the thread.

This year I plan on doing a lot more running. I've already started on New Years about a week ago and have ran 3 times since. I plan on eating a lot more cleaner, although my diet was not particularly bad last year, I just feel it can be improved. I think I'm going to find my body's basic maintenance calories and start nutrient timing again... it worked for me well in the past.

Weight lifting wise I'm not sure what I want to do yet. Either I take a switch and gear my workouts to more powerlifting specific training or I'm going to just stick to hypertrophy workouts with reps in the 8-10 range. Whatever the case may be, I'm switching it up and going harder and will be including squats and deadlifts more frequently in my workouts. I just have to be careful how heavy I go as I have permenantly torn muscle or something to that effect in my neck that can reinjure sometimes depending on what I'm doing.

Last year I got the two plates on each side for bench press and was pretty proud of that.

Overall I have about 15-20lbs of fat I could spare to lose that I hope to be gone pretty soon into the year, and from then on do a clean bulk (eating clean foods with a minor surplus in calories than my body's basic maintenance calories) until I have to cut (diet) again.

I hope this will be a dedicated year for me fitness wise. Time to get serious with it after a year of easing myself into it all again.

 

[Multifavs]

I hope to continue getting enough exercise in 2018. I tend to get bored of exercising so maybe I should try to find new ways that will work for me. I also think it might be a good idea to try eating a little healthier, my diet isn't bad but I know it could be better.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

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[CodyFaith]

I really would like to start lifting weights again. I had the most fun doing it! My problem isn't needing to lose weight, but I do need to tone up and legs for me is the hardest part to tone. If anybody has any good "leg day" excercises for me to do I would love that!

I would love to get back to my gymnastics level of fitness, but I'll settle for just being toned up for now.

Squats, lunges, deadlifts and hamstring work. Go hard.

Your legs won't get super jacked overnight or anything, so don't be afraid your legs will look like tree trunks. Women don't build muscle as easy as men and even when they do it doesn't look the same.

Your legs/butt will thank you, just saying aha.
Plus if you find yourself looking too muscular you can always cut back. But it would take a while to get at that point imo.

 

[LoveDivine]

I really would like to start lifting weights again. I had the most fun doing it! My problem isn't needing to lose weight, but I do need to tone up and legs for me is the hardest part to tone. If anybody has any good "leg day" excercises for me to do I would love that!

I would love to get back to my gymnastics level of fitness, but I'll settle for just being toned up for now.

That is so cool that you were a gymnast

I am with you on needing to tone up my legs. Running has definitely helped me, but I still need to work a lot more on it.

 

[CodyFaith]

I got new running shoes for Christmas and there's a place in my town with a running track. I could go for walks every day of the year over at that center. I've lost 50 lbs over a few months from walking before so right now I just need to quit the pop and get some exercise.

The swimming pool idea is mostly kaput. I can only go a couple days a week.

Definately put those running shoes to use. Start by walking and then take the plunge and start to jog. It is pretty much guranteed to suck at first, but if you push through the suckyness and gradually see yourself losing more and more weight, and see your running endurance build up, you'll probably start to like it... a lot.

Fitness is amazing for mental health, and it's something that is in your power to change.

 

[LoveDivine]

I am also thinking of doing a push-up and burpee challenge for this month. I think it might be fun to do it as a group (whoever is interested ).

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

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[High Fidelity]

Joining a gym! I don't know when exactly but the first quarter of 2018 once my job settles

 

[leothelioness]

Squats, lunges, deadlifts and hamstring work. Go hard.

Your legs won't get super jacked overnight or anything, so don't be afraid your legs will look like tree trunks. Women don't build muscle as easy as men and even when they do it doesn't look the same.

Your legs/butt will thank you, just saying aha. There's lots of women who train their lower section pretty hard at my gym and they definately don't look bad... all I gotta say.
Plus if you find yourself looking too muscular you can always cut back. But it would take a while to get at that point imo.

I do the squats and lunges, but I might not be doing enough sets. And I definitely take a while to see even minimal results which is frustrating. I'm pear shaped so my lower body is my problem area.

 

[leothelioness]

That is so cool that you were a gymnast

I am with you on needing to tone up my legs. Running has definitely helped me, but I still need to work a lot more on it.

Thanks! I trained for 10 years and loved every minute of it. Sadly, I'm too old to do all the cool stuff anymore. Lol

Yeah, I dont really get results from cardio either. Weights are really where we need to focus.

 

[PeachieKeen]

Starting Jan 2nd I'll be doing an 8 week fitness program with an online coach called Lukas Duncan. I'm hoping to drop some major pounds and get toned.

Another big goal for myself this year is to get my wrist strength up. I hate watching people feel bad for me or insist on carrying stuff for me to protect my "bad arm."

 

[CodyFaith]

I do the squats and lunges, but I might not be doing enough sets. And I definitely take a while to see even minimal results which is frustrating. I'm pear shaped so my lower body is my problem area.

With weight or just bodyweight?

Do 3 sets of each with 8-12 reps each time. Lift heavy enough that you can't do 3/4 reps more each time. Make sure you first learn proper form before lifting heavier weights. I can't stress that enough. You can ask a trainer or look online or both (preferably both). Also make sure that you build up slowly to ger to this point and make sure you're comfortable. Do this these things with each exercise. You will see results when you first start doing it, it's a gurantee.

When you lift light weights it's really not doing much. Toning is pretty much a myth... muscle building is muscle building, and if your weights have been light you've basically just been doing the equivalant of bodyweight stuff... which will help you be healthy but gain very little muscle.

 

[MehGuy]

Need to finish my diet.. been stagnated this past month.. mainly because of all the Christmas parties and food.. at least I didn't gain weight.

Also want to start exercising and working out more.

 

[leothelioness]

With weight or just bodyweight?

Do 3 sets of each with 8-12 reps each time. Lift heavy enough that you can't do 3/4 reps each time. Make sure you first learn proper form before lifting heavier weights. I can't stress that enough. You can ask a trainer or look online or both (preferably both). Also make sure that you build up slowly to ger to this point and make sure you're comfortable. Do this these things with each exercise. You will see results when you first start doing it, it's a gurantee.

When you lift light weights it's really not doing much. Toning is pretty much a myth... muscle building is muscle building, and if your weights have been light you've basically just been doing the equivalant of bodyweight stuff... which will help you be healthy but gain very little muscle.

I do it with weights although I didn't think I was going too light, but I might be. I would be dying by the tenth rep, though, so I don't know. Lol

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I lost over 100 pounds in 2017. 2018 is the year I gain 50.

 

[MehGuy]

I lost over 100 pounds in 2017. 2018 is the year I gain 50.

50 pounds of muscle right? Lol..

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

50 pounds of muscle right? Lol..

Something like that.