Opinions vary........



Merry Christmas!



Mark

Thanks for all of your support guys. Had a really good workout yesterday and things are looking up. I think I have found a highly motivated workout partner, so that is a great big plus. Again, thanks for your support!!!



Mark

Well, got the new job, big raise, big upside.....only it has been a struggle the last couple of weeks. Been traveling alot, living in hotels, eating crap, and only had 2 workouts in the last 16 days. The real bad part is that I have gained 8 pounds in that time. Well I finally got an apartment in my new town, so I will be moving in on Monday. My new office building has a nice gym in the basement, so thats a plus. So I am back on the stick next week, eating right and working out. NO EXCUSES! Hold me acountable guys.



Mark Lovelace

I really wish we could have a blog on our page here at traineo. One stop shopping so to speak.



Mark

Richard I feel you brother. My worst time is watching football on sunday. There was a time when a 12 pak of beer and a 12 pak of nachos with chili and cheese was right up my alley. Nowadays it's flavored water, celery and ranch dip..........My how the mighty have fallen. But I tell you, its all worth it to me when I can physically do whatever I want easily, without trouble breathing or fatigue. Take care and hang in there, most of us share your pain.



Mark

I agree with all of the above. Since I got back into shape it's been all upside. I even buy new clothes with a smile on my face!



Mark

Joe,



I love the magazine, it has great, easily digestible articles. Having said that, I fell like there is enough information in the mag, and here on this and other websites, so that I have no need to pay for another service. Just my $70 worth................



Mark

I love all of the options...even though I don't use most of them. It does go to show that folks who say then cant exercise because of a lack of time or facilities are full of bull. The truth is we all have time, even if it is just 5 minute intervals throughout the day, and we all have the facilities..our own body!



Mark

Well, stress does burn calories. But it is tied to something call your base metabolic rate (BMR). You can read all about it here....



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate



Mark

Brandon,



I have been on Atkins for 3 years in January. Dropped 80 lbs since Jan '04, and I have maintained +/- 15 lbs for the last 2 years. As far as I am concerened Atkins is not a diet at all, but a low-carb lifestyle of my choosing. So a fad diet to me, isn't the same as a fad diet to you. I'm guessing there are many varying opinions on this.



Happy Thanksgiving!



Mark

You don't have to run! Well if you are being chased my mountain lions it's ok. Find alternate cardio. Get a rowing machine, or swim, or speedwalk, or bike. Chop wood for an hour. There are hundreds of things you can do to increase your cardiovascular fitness, and most don't require a book.







Mark

There are good points in the article, but some that are not so good. In particular I disagree with the 20% exercise-80% diet formula. At least for me it needs to be closer to 50-50. And the note about fad diets, I say whatever works for you. Like the man said "Just win baby!".



Mark

Hmmm.....interesting topic. My journey to fitness was a channel of confluence in my life. My lifestyle changed at the same time I retired from my 1st career, and the same time my children reached adulthood, and at the same time my wife started feeling the symptoms of perimenopause. I found that I really needed to be selfish to stick to my lifestyle change...to do it for me, not the job, not my family...but for me. So with all the other things going on you can imagine how difficult the whole time was. Almost 3 years later the peaks and valleys have started to level off. But I'll tell you, I wouldn not change a thing. I'm 45 and I want to live till at least 90, so in my mind I have half of my life to live in this body. I want to keep it in as good shape as possible.



Mark

"Good luck to you all, and let's not forget all that we have to be thankful for!



Jen"



Good point Jen!



Mark

I am cheap. Can't help it. My home gym gear is comprised of rejects found at garage sales, and curbside garbage drop off areas. I did make one major puchase of a concept2 ergo last year for about $900. As far as motivational products, I need none....just a picture on my wall of me 4 years ago weighing 306 lbs. Having said all that, there is nothing more important than your health, so I would certainly spend it on that before anything else.



Mark

Hang in there man....3 weeks is a blip in time. I'll bet it took alot longer than 3 weeks to collect the fat, so it's gonna take some time to work it off. Stick with your program, be a bulldog. You will probably see it in your waistline before you see it on the scale. Hang tough & good luck!



Mark

Most of us look forward to Thanksgiving for a variety of reasons, family, football & friends top the list. Oh, did I forget food? Well over the last three years I have been able to keep from ruining all my hard work with a holiday pig-out. First, I plan on eating a big breakfast that morning after sleeping late. Next I will make sure that I am surrounded with safe munchies, ones that fit my nutrition plan. For me I am a low-carb guy, so celery & cream cheese, pork skins, and a few sugar free candies will keep me straight. Finally the coup de gras...the meal. Well we will have turkey, and ham, fresh cauliflower, a brocoli casserole, green beans, and will even have a slice of double fiber whole grain bread. For desert it will be a low-carb peanut butter cheesecake. Later that night I will have a protien shake, and will toss in a couple of sugar free chocolate chip cookies to get that cookies-n-cream thing going. How will you fare this thanksgiving? Good luck!!!



Mark

Would love to see traineo have a dedicated chat room. Some sites have a java enabled room, or maybe an irc channel for traineo, but either way, I would love to live chat with my fello train-e-o-ites. Oh also room for another pic on the individuals page...like a before and after maybe?? Anyway you guys are doing a great job, I love this site.



Mark

I'm not on a diet, just a lifestyle. So my "cheats" are just little peaks along the way. I have my valleys as well, but like a stock chart, its the trend that matters. when my peaks and valleys start to effect my trendline, then its time to make course adjustements.



Mark

A very good article. Another important factor would be hereditary medical traits. For the males in my family the problem is prostate cancer. So you can bet I will be keeping a close (eye?) watch on that.







Mark

I'm in if wanted. I am not 300 now, but have been there and done that, so would be glad to pitch in and help motivate those of you who will soon be LESS than 300 lbs.



Mark

Alcohol slows your metabolism to a crawl. Have some cold water with a lime instead, your liver will thank you down the road....



Mark

Those of you who are critical of atkins have to understand that our bodies are different and can respond differently to plans such as atkins. I myself lost 86 lbs over 18 months on atkins. I did gain back about 20 over the next 12 months, but that still left me with a net loss of 66 lbs. I am back on atkins, and have shaved off 10 of those 20 lbs in the last 3 weeks. Atkins works for me, maybe not you, but for me it works. Please don't knock what works for others, your pontification might just cause someone to miss the plan/program that is just right for them.



Mark

Vrinda,



Thanks for the tips! I got the powersculpt for men 3 weeks ago. I never thought 15 minutes of work on a ball could hurt so much! I love getting such great work done, in a short time, and without having to use massive weights. Thanks again for the suggestions!



Mark

Bill,



Your question is complicated with dozens of different answers. My suggestion is that you try a program like "Body for Life", or "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle". Websites for these programs can be easily found using your favorite search program. Good luck with your training!



Mark Lovelace

yeah, bo is correct. you gotta get under 10% for that look. believe it or not most models don't stay that cut, they get there for shows or photo shoots and then get a little thicker in between events...



Mark

I like to put it in my oatmeal with peanut butter. It makes a yummy hot breakfast that REALLY sticks to your ribs?



Mark

Same for me. I don't workout, but stay in bed and usually don't have an appetite. I do good to get down a can of soup.



Mark

Hey Nick is EXACTLY right. You can easily do too much cardio and burn muscle. When that happens you will but fat more slowly. You need to keep lifting, and add the cardio in as well. Keep it balanced and consistent. Forget the fast fat loss. It didn't get there quickly, it won't disapear quickly. Be consistent, and don't get discouraged if it doesn't go as fast as you want.



Mark

I would say no more than 45 minutes before. I usually eat a small meal about 1 hour before my workout.



Mark