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Exercising.

That's why I cycle.

Cycling is awesome. I understand why people do heavy lifting, but the body pays the price at some point in knees, lower back, shoulders, wrists, and the list could go on. Cross fit is great because it involves full body, and with the groups help it seems to be easier to maintain the consistent desire to keep on keeping on. However, the push to keep increasing weights/reps etc usually results in cheating on form, and you WILL at some point get hurt. Expense is also an issue with crossfit. How you exercise should come from the goals you set and the things you want to improve/change. 95% of people need nothing more than a little info and the desire to change to reach their goals. Body weight exercises done in the right combos can get them to the desired result. Obviously in any individual exercise program, commitment will determine the success. Congrats to all of you that are doing something for the betterment both for yourself and your spouse. Big kudos to those who have made something a part of their life and always look/feel good.
 
I go through spurts of swimming religiously. My usual distance was 2000 yards. I could usually do it under 40 minutes. When I was feeling good, I'd go a mile and a half. The longest I ever went was 2 miles. I don't remember what my time on that was, but I was exhausted by the time I got done.

I've found that if I get cramps in my calves or feet, I would go several laps without kicking (using just my arms) while flexing my toes up to alleviate cramps.

Pretty Bad ***.

From what I understand, 2000 in under 40 is pretty much a leisure lap time to dedicates swimmers. I still think it's bad ***, and bad *** that you can swim through cramps like that.

I'm up to a mile now, with shorter rests between laps and less "backstroke" (floating and kicking with some arm movement). Maybe a minute at 500 yards and a few 30 second rests every 150 or so. I upped my goal significantly: 2000 yards with no rests and little backstroke.
 
Pretty Bad ***.

From what I understand, 2000 in under 40 is pretty much a leisure lap time to dedicates swimmers. I still think it's bad ***, and bad *** that you can swim through cramps like that.

I'm up to a mile now, with shorter rests between laps and less "backstroke" (floating and kicking with some arm movement). Maybe a minute at 500 yards and a few 30 second rests every 150 or so. I upped my goal significantly: 2000 yards with no rests and little backstroke.

How often do you swim? When you first started were you very sore for a few days after? Is it like lifting where if you do it every other day, you'll body will be sore as hell for a good week or two of doing it, but then get pretty accustomed to it? bigb?
 
Thanks CL for finding this.

Tonight I ran my best time ever. 2 miles at 9:34 pace and splits of 9:32 and 9:35. I'm pumped. I'm dead but feel good.

My lifting has stalled. I dislocated my shoulder about three weeks ago and couldn't lift for a couple weeks. I'm almost back to my high before the injury. I'm not gonna put my weight cause it's pretty pathetic.

Anyhow, just wanted to brag to someone.
 
Any swimmers?

I've recently picked it up for a combo of cardio, core strength and overall lean body strength. I was initially surprised by how long I can actually swim. My current goal is 2000 in a short pool in 40 minutes by the end of the summer. After seeing how that goes I might shoot for Ironman distance (2.4 miles). I've been swimming through cramping in both feet for at least the last 500 so I'm not sure I can work up to that.

I've been sleeping like a baby at night now. It wears me out.

You know you can do swimming sets that are the equivalent of HIIT. Warmup and then do 4 x 50 yards on a time that only give you 10-15 seconds of rest. For me that is about every 50 seconds. Then do an easy lap to recover a little. Or do sets of 6,8 or 10. It make swimming more like a lot of short races. You can swim at a high intensity for 20-30 minutes and get a great workout. I find just swimming laps to get really boring too.
 
I biked from Orem to Sundance and back last Saturday, 11 miles each way, took 1 hour 38 mins going pretty all out. Planning on a 2-3 hour hike this Saturday.
 
How often do you swim? When you first started were you very sore for a few days after? Is it like lifting where if you do it every other day, you'll body will be sore as hell for a good week or two of doing it, but then get pretty accustomed to it? bigb?
When I do it, it's virtually every day. It's been a while for me, but I don't remember the soreness/stiffness being an issue. I remember just exhaustion. But I have a job in which I'm constantly using my arms and legs.
 
When I do it, it's virtually every day. It's been a while for me, but I don't remember the soreness/stiffness being an issue. I remember just exhaustion. But I have a job in which I'm constantly using my arms and legs.

You know, it's funny. You crawl out of the pool not knowing how exhausted you are, and amazed that you ARE so exhausted because none of your limbs hurt, or any severely sore muscles.

Swimming is kind of the perfect exercise, except for the whole not being able to breath underwater thing.
 
How often do you swim? When you first started were you very sore for a few days after? Is it like lifting where if you do it every other day, you'll body will be sore as hell for a good week or two of doing it, but then get pretty accustomed to it? bigb?

2x. I get mildly sore in my thighs, pecs and upper back and neck area when I push too hard. It is nothing like soreness from lifting tho. It's low impact and doesn't break down the muscle fibers well enough to cause soreness.

You know you can do swimming sets that are the equivalent of HIIT. Warmup and then do 4 x 50 yards on a time that only give you 10-15 seconds of rest. For me that is about every 50 seconds. Then do an easy lap to recover a little. Or do sets of 6,8 or 10. It make swimming more like a lot of short races. You can swim at a high intensity for 20-30 minutes and get a great workout. I find just swimming laps to get really boring too.

That's good advice for those a little better fit than me. I've been given the same from two co-workers. One held Iron Man type events for about 10 years and the other has kids who have been swimmers since they were old enough.
 
I biked from Orem to Sundance and back last Saturday, 11 miles each way, took 1 hour 38 mins going pretty all out. Planning on a 2-3 hour hike this Saturday.

11 miles one way, very downhill the other.

















Still very bad *** C. That's a healthy climb.
 
11 miles one way, very downhill the other.

Still very bad *** C. That's a healthy climb.

Thanks. Yeah, the whole trip took me 98 mins: 63 minutes to get there, and 35 mins to get home. And the steepest section (the 2.3 miles from Provo canyon highway to Sundance) took me 28 mins up and only 4.5 mins down, can you believe it?

Last year I worked up to biking around the entire Alpine Loop. Orem - Sundance - Aspen Grove - Summit - Timp Cave - American Fork - Pleasant Grove - back to home in Orem. Took me about 3.5 hours, if I recall correctly, and is probably the most physically taxing thing I've done my entire life. I'm thinking I'll probably work up to that again this year.
 
Thanks. Yeah, the whole trip took me 98 mins: 63 minutes to get there, and 35 mins to get home. And the steepest section (the 2.3 miles from Provo canyon highway to Sundance) took me 28 mins up and only 4.5 mins down, can you believe it?

Last year I worked up to biking around the entire Alpine Loop. Orem - Sundance - Aspen Grove - Summit - Timp Cave - American Fork - Pleasant Grove - back to home in Orem. Took me about 3.5 hours, if I recall correctly, and is probably the most physically taxing thing I've done my entire life. I'm thinking I'll probably work up to that again this year.

Well done. Cycling is my favorite workout. I used to run and swim a lot too, but I don't do that as much anymore. Equipment makes a big difference in cycling. What sort of bike are you riding? Is it a road bike? Do you have clip in pedals? They will help you go much faster and also give you a better workout because you can put force into the pedals for 360 degrees. I often go on 50 mile rides. I've done LOTOJA a number of times which is over 200 miles.
 
Two days ago, I ran 2.04 miles outdoors in 90 degree heat. I felt like I was going so slow. My first mile was 9:18, the second 8:58. Very pleased with that considering I've done little to no working out in the past year. I then lifted chest and triceps yesterday though what I do is a complete joke for now because my lower back (and left shoulder to a lesser degree) is SOOOOOO temperamental.
 
I've got a Fuji road bike (Team Fuji SL, which I bought used six or seven years ago). I don't clip in, but I use PowerGrips, which is the next best thing. They are straps which clamp your regular shoes to the pedals, highly recommended.
 
I've got a Fuji road bike (Team Fuji SL, which I bought used six or seven years ago). I don't clip in, but I use PowerGrips, which is the next best thing. They are straps which clamp your regular shoes to the pedals, highly recommended.
You'd be amazed at the difference that clip ins would make. It's not just the fact that your foot is connected to the pedal, but also the rigidity of the shoe. You could probably pick up a pair (pedals and shoes) on KSL or at Play It Again if you're persistent enough. Obviously, if you're wanting to buy used then finding the right sized shoes might be the biggest challenge. Be aware that there are several different cleat systems, but you can screw any type of cleat into the bottom of any type of shoe.

Buying cleats and shoes new would obviously be nice, but I'm guessing if you went that route they could cost you as much or more than you paid for your bike.
 
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