Rate my body

[KIAman]

You don't look bad, but you do look a little soft. What are your goals here? Do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Just look better?

Don't get discouraged about the running part. Most people can't run a 7min mile on its own and you're doing it for 1.5mi. That's not bad. I would say not to keep running the same path/distance each day 'cause 1) it will get boring, and 2) you'll continually compare your times to previous times. You WILL get better, but sometimes you're gonna have some days that are worse than others. And in reference to the runner's high: that comes about mile 10, I've heard... so you've got a bit to go.

I have to think about what I want. I don't want muscles, I do want to be more toned.

I guess what I really want is endurance and energy. Now if losing 20lbs means I get more endurance and energy then so be it. I want to be able to keep up with my 2 toddlers all day and still have energy to ravage the wife at night. I know it's only been 3 days in but I feel worse and worse, LOL.

As to the running part, I feel like I run about 70 percent max speed. And it feels like my head is going to explode after the first half mile. My wife was a long distance runner so she goes on and on about runner's high. I've been pretty lucky with health (and I don't want to rely on luck anymore) so I don't have any bad joints or anything. The only real "strength" that I have is my lungs. I've always had a huge lung capacity and can do stupid things like hold my breath for 4 minutes or blow up a balloon in 1 try and stuff like that so it helps.

I'll try to run different paths and wifey is getting me an ipod so I'm not bitching the entire time to myself on how much I hate running.

 

[StageLeft]

To be frank you look pretty sloppy and out of shape. You are not obese. 20 lbs lost would make an unbelievable difference to you, but you don't look fit or muscular.

I'd think that by the pictures, you look "normal".

You do look normal. That's the problem. Normal in America is not good.

Given where you're starting from the world is your oyster. You could do cardio or no cardio but do weights. Your diet if it's corrected will net immediate losses on the scale.

At your fitness level trying to run 1.5 miles in 11 minutes is absolutely ridiculous. Slow your pace down to 12:00 per mile and work on upping the distance.

Sorry if I sound critical. I am 20+ lbs over race weight now and going downhill. Just being honest

 

[KIAman]

Update in thread. I guess I'm more using this as an online blog on trying to get fit.

 

[lyssword]

Maybe replace longer distance running with some sprinting/jumping (of course don't forget to warm up a bit before doing that)

 

[conorvansmack]

I have to think about what I want. I don't want muscles, I do want to be more toned.

Do you want to be more muscular and have less fat? "Toned" is just the appearance that results from less fat and more muscles.

You look like you have a good plan in place. SC's fat loss sticky is an excellent resource for training and diet ideas. Make sure you're doing some form of resistance training, nobody ever complained about stronger than they were before.

 

[Eric62]

I think you look skinny, but then I think I look skinny too.

I'd limit your running to every other day. I suspect your body isn't recovering from the previous days run.

 

[f4phantom2500]

http://www.suite101.com/content/interval-training-running-workout-benefits-for-runners-a265490

 

[KIAman]

Update in OP.

Do you want to be more muscular and have less fat? "Toned" is just the appearance that results from less fat and more muscles.

You look like you have a good plan in place. SC's fat loss sticky is an excellent resource for training and diet ideas. Make sure you're doing some form of resistance training, nobody ever complained about stronger than they were before.

I couldn't describe what I meant for "toned" before but I think you hit the nail on the head. I want to be a little more muscular but without becoming bulky. With clothes on, I don't want people to even notice if I have muscles or not.

With P90x, I do a lot more resistance training. It looks like it is every other day for resistance/cardio. I looked at SC's fat loss sticky and it is very similar to the P90x diet guide so I'm getting closer to following the guide religiously, although with the holidays coming up, I think I might splurge a little.

http://www.suite101.com/content/interval-training-running-workout-benefits-for-runners-a265490

Thanks for the link. I think I was doing this the entire time I was running without thinking about it. I would jog at around 6 mph then sprint up to max speed for as long as I could take it and back down to jogging again.

As for the running, I think my biggest problem was that I was alone. Being alone in pain is pretty boring and depressing. The thing about P90x is that I get to see others doing the same thing and also I'm home so I get to hear and see the kids and wife and it doesn't feel like I'm so isolated. And, the kids love to see daddy sweat and they climb on my back when I do the pushups making it even harder.

For now, I've cut the running until I've finished the first 90 days of P90x.

...I would say not to keep running the same path/distance each day 'cause 1) it will get boring, and 2...

I didn't believe it at first considering I had a nice collection of MP3s while running and have always felt in control of my emotions and mood but after doing P90x and feeling the difference, I believe it. I was bored as hell running by myself. I was also a little depressed because I anticipated the pain every time I started to run and I think it just killed my energy levels or something, even though I wasn't really conscious of it. Amazing how the mind affects the body like that.

Edit: I'll do another bio check and pics next monday the 20th.

 

[shortylickens]

Why was this bumped?

Anyway, I think his body fat is fine. If he just hits the weights really hard that chub will stretch over the muscles and he'll look great.

 

[Alone]

Why was this bumped?

It was bumped by the OP because he had an update. Why wouldn't it be bumped?

 

[Whisper]

I couldn't describe what I meant for "toned" before but I think you hit the nail on the head. I want to be a little more muscular but without becoming bulky. With clothes on, I don't want people to even notice if I have muscles or not.

With P90x, I do a lot more resistance training. It looks like it is every other day for resistance/cardio. I looked at SC's fat loss sticky and it is very similar to the P90x diet guide so I'm getting closer to following the guide religiously, although with the holidays coming up, I think I might splurge a little.

Definitely continue paying a lot of attention to the dietary aspect of your lifestyle, then. When it comes to becoming "bulky" versus remaining lean, what/how you eat will have a LOT more to do with your results than will your training regimen (to an extent, of course).

As an anecdotal example, I've been lifting heavy for going on 11 years now, but because I don't eat much in general, many people would likely be hard pressed to tell I'm anything more than just "fit" when I'm wearing an unfitted shirt.

 

[KIAman]

Definitely continue paying a lot of attention to the dietary aspect of your lifestyle, then. When it comes to becoming "bulky" versus remaining lean, what/how you eat will have a LOT more to do with your results than will your training regimen (to an extent, of course).

As an anecdotal example, I've been lifting heavy for going on 11 years now, but because I don't eat much in general, many people would likely be hard pressed to tell I'm anything more than just "fit" when I'm wearing an unfitted shirt.

Thanks for the info. So... just because you build up strength doesn't mean you necessarily bulk up. I've been cutting out all junk food and fast food and I am pretty good at eye-ing my portions now and mentally calculating my caloric intake.

Also, sociallychallenged suggestion of eating home-made trail mix when getting shaky worked like a charm. I guess my stomach doesn't need much to calm itself. I eat around a small handfull when I get shaky and it goes away within several minutes. I calculated the small handful to be around 50 calories, LOL.

Pics to come tomorrow morning to see if I'm having a placebo effect.

 

[highland145]

Grats.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Thanks for the info. So... just because you build up strength doesn't mean you necessarily bulk up. I've been cutting out all junk food and fast food and I am pretty good at eye-ing my portions now and mentally calculating my caloric intake.

Also, sociallychallenged suggestion of eating home-made trail mix when getting shaky worked like a charm. I guess my stomach doesn't need much to calm itself. I eat around a small handfull when I get shaky and it goes away within several minutes. I calculated the small handful to be around 50 calories, LOL.

Pics to come tomorrow morning to see if I'm having a placebo effect.

Victory I'm really glad it worked.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

How's the running coming along? I had some weird shit going on with my running times. I was consistently a minute slower than my best time for like 6 months. I just kept putting in the miles and one day I decided to have another go at my best time and I was 30 seconds faster than my best time. Don't ask cause I don't have a clue other than my hard work paid off.

 

[KIAman]

How's the running coming along? I had some weird shit going on with my running times. I was consistently a minute slower than my best time for like 6 months. I just kept putting in the miles and one day I decided to have another go at my best time and I was 30 seconds faster than my best time. Don't ask cause I don't have a clue other than my hard work paid off.

I hardly run anymore because of P90x. I did notice that my body got "used" to the run and I had to push myself harder to keep up the same times I started with. I was also going through a lot of stress at the time so I think it affected my mood and eating habits. Right before I started P90x, I decided to give it full steam and got my 1.5 mile down to 10 minutes and 5 seconds, beating my time. I thought that was impressive until my wife did it under 10 minutes. But my excuse is that she is 70lbs lighter than me.

Update pic in OP. LOL, I can't tell much difference except the bulge around the belly is microscopically smaller.

 

[Wordplay]

Anymore updates? I would really like to know if p90x has got you in better shape. Maybe in the next month or so I intend to get it myself.

 

[Howard]

You got a tiny ass, bro. That, or your quads are too small or your lumbar arch is exaggerated. Not sure which combination.

 

[KIAman]

Anymore updates? I would really like to know if p90x has got you in better shape. Maybe in the next month or so I intend to get it myself.

I took a 3 week break starting when I got my teeth pulled. I tried to do my normal p90x routine the day after and my mouth started bleeding like Niagra Falls so I gave it a rest until I healed up. Unfortunately, I got used to not doing p90x and before I knew it, I am on my 3rd week break. Time to start over.

Results are there. I feel p90x doesn't really reduce weight. It does make me feel stronger and more fit. It is also shaping my body nicely as well. My stomach line is shrinking, my legs and shoulders got a little bigger.

You got a tiny ass, bro. That, or your quads are too small or your lumbar arch is exaggerated. Not sure which combination.

Haha, thanks! I've been told my "asian" ass looks small. It's most likely because my legs are smaller than what they should be. In highschool, I was the same height and weighed 128lbs and I think my legs never matured.

 

[Powermoloch]

Haha keep up the good work. i'm about the same weight as you but at 5'10"~ shorter (i lost 43 lbs last year). I have added running and strong lifts into my workout plan, and it' s starting to show (definitions especially on the legs).

What ever works for you, have clean food in your diet, and good luck !

 

[iluvdeal]

Results are there. I feel p90x doesn't really reduce weight. It does make me feel stronger and more fit. It is also shaping my body nicely as well. My stomach line is shrinking, my legs and shoulders got a little bigger.

For weight loss, it's really more affected by how you eat. 1 hour of exercise a day is great, but it's not going to overcome what you are stuffing in your mouth those other 23 hours in the day.

If you are doing their workouts along with following their eating guide to the letter, tracking what you eat, etc., you should be dropping weight. A common mistake people make when they start working out is their hunger increases so they eat more than they did compared to when they didn't train. It's no surprise then their weight doesn't change even though they are exercising.

So I'd say stick to their workout and nutrition guide religiously for 90 days and see what happens. After 90 days is up, you can go back to being a couch potato. The secret though is once you see what kind of results you get from working out and eating clean, you probably won't go back to your old ways.

 

[cmanser7]

Try an hour of cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach - best way to lose fat.