Thought for the Day: Fitness

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:37 pm

Something I think about every day is my physical fitness. Your licence is only as good as your next medical. Think about that for a minute. Couch potatoes are at risk for heart disease, adult onset diabetes, and countless other things that will ground you, potentially for good. I was once a couch potato.

Being overweight I was always out of energy. I recall coming home from a day of flying and feeling like doing nothing else. I'd sit around, eat poorly, and play video games. Something had to give. I was on the path to diabetes and all sorts of other health problems. I felt and looked terrible. Determination was the key to my transformation.

I started running when there was still snow on the ground. At first, I could hardly run 1 minute at a time. Now I can run 10km without blinking. I feel better then ever and I don't have to worry about losing my medical and my career due to the awful health complications that come with being obese.

If you've been thinking about starting a fitness plan, get off your butt NOW and do it! Being fit positively affects all aspects of your life. You'll look and feel better, have more energy, and an upgraded ability to concentrate and handle stress. There are so many places to draw motivation and determination from. What do you have if you don't have your health?

I've enclosed a few links that were very helpful to me. The "Couch to 5K" program worked very well. It made me into a .. Running is one of the best ways to get fit. Stay with it! About.com was also very useful with lots of qualified advice and articles.

If you have a story about losing weight or fitness tips, please post 'em up! I've lost over 30lbs now and I'm never looking back.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml Couch to 5K Running program

http://exercise.about.com/

http://exercise.about.com/cs/exercisewo ... center.htm

200hr Wonder · Post by **200hr Wonder** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:45 pm

Thanks for the info looproll, I was just sitting at home the other day thinking that I had best get off my ass and get into shape lest my flying career be over before it begins. Being 6'4" and packing just a little extra weight on makes it very difficult to fit into a training aircraft.

So I have some goals for this summer... one of them being fitness. Wish my luck... I have said in the past I am going to do it, but this time it is for real!

crazy8 · Post by **crazy8** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:53 pm

I used the same couch to 5k last winter and have been running ever since. Works too I followed it up with a 10k race a few weeks later. Lots of links there to keep improving as well.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:36 pm

Excercise is something everyone should become addicted to. That and sex.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:46 pm

I changed my eating habits (cut out sugar, alcohol, while flour, watched my fat intake, smaller portions, eating frequently enough to never feel hungry or full, working out with weights and cardio 4 times a week) and droped about 20 LBS in 4 weeks.
Once I started drinking booze and eating some of the previous cut out foods, I find I stoped loseing, but haven't gained either. it's as much how much and when you eat as it is what you eat, and you do need to stay active.
I'm about to start the process again, and see if I can get down to what I feel is a good weight for me, I figure 1 month of hard work and eating strict, and then it's just MTCE from there.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:18 pm

It is new years! The gym will be packed for Jan. and back to normal for Feb. but I agree being fit is the only way to go.

Dash-Ate · Post by **Dash-Ate** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:51 pm

All these topics lately about drinking and fitness. Avcan has become so preachy these days

Whats next we must stop chasing booty?

mbflyer · Post by **mbflyer** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:45 pm

Well - not much of a ., but I think the thing is finding something and sticking with it. My wife has lost about 30 lbs just from altering her diet slightly - more water, less starches and sugar.

I used to bike to my former place of employment - it was only a 16 km round trip, but I lost 30 lbs in 2 1/2 months.

I'm at a different place now, which makes biking harder, but I managed to bike Thurs & Fri, and that was a 32km round trip. The Winnipeg cold makes it even better

Hoping to take off that 30 lbs I gained back over the last 1 1/2 years!!

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:08 pm

Haza's tips to losing weight:

1) Cut out sugars and reduce your carbs by 50%
2) Work the ramp and move airplanes by hand

You too can be as hard and sexy as me!

Airbrake · Post by **Airbrake** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:10 pm

If you all need a workout for on the road, here are some sites that offer some great body weight only workouts. Great for a hotel room, limited gym etc.

The EVA T Site is the best for body weight only stuff.
The CrossFit site is awesome if you have a little bit more to a lot more equipment.

Have fun with then.

http://www.skievat.blogspot.com/

http://www.crossfit.com/

If you have questions there are videos for most of the workouts on Crossfit. I can answer most questions as well.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:18 pm

grounded · Post by **grounded** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:35 pm

That's a lovely collection of teapots and trinkets you have there Haz.

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:16 pm

I'm always happy to see people trying to get fit, however for some of you it's looking like your on a balloon type diet.

A good rule for weight loss is 1lb per week.

I went from about 205 lbs before I joined the Marine Corps, to 205 today. I could barely run 3 miles in 25 min, and could only do 4 pull ups on my intial fitness test.

Now I run 3 miles in 19 minutes and do 16 pull ups (part of our physical fitness test). I recently placed 2nd in a triatholon and have a few more trophies from 5 and 10K races.

Weight loss isn't the only way to get healthy.

Good luck.

PFT explained

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:23 pm

Hey Nark. Do I have what it takes to be a Marine?

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:56 pm

You bet.

Unfortunately you'll have to get rid of the goatee. Everyone has to sacrifice during times of war.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:31 pm

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:38 pm

I'm not trying to say lose weight, "BE FIT" is my motto. My weight loss was simply a result of the fat loss. I did very little as far as diet other than drinking tons of water and cutting out the really bad things I was eating all the time. As I get into it more I'm very careful about what goes in. Your meals should contain carbs, protein, and fats in the correct ratios. Now that the fat is down, time to build some lean muscle! I believe strength training is very important in the optimum fitness equation. Cardio and strength training is the best way to get in top physical shape.

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:48 pm

hazatude wrote:Excercise is something everyone should become addicted to. That and sex.

Might I add that sex is a good exercise?

alpha1 · Post by **alpha1** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:54 pm

my fat sorry ass is addicted to sugar....any former sugar addicts with any advice?

dhc-t2 · Post by **dhc-t2** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:09 am

I have to drop the "Ale" diet... Any advise?? Sugars, Pastas (Starch), Coffee/Cream, New York Fries, the works.. All gotta go.

Exercise is KEY.