EntropySink
Entertainment & Artistry => Sports/Outdoors & Manpoon => Topic started by: ahluka on October 15, 2007, 06:23:14 AM
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I want to start doing early morning runs. I've lost 5.something stones (woot!) but it's sort of stopped - I'm not loosing or gaining any weight.
I figure it's time for regular exercise! Running sounds doable and the early monring-ness helps on the humiliation front. I'm not *that* fat anymore (I think I look rather dashing :p) but it would help not to be laughed at by every bastard in the village.
Basically I'm looking for advice, mainly on warming up actually (I spoke to someone I know in person about general advice last night) - throw anything you've got at me though.
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Stretch, run a little bit to warm up before you go, make sure you're warm enough (especially important as we get into winter), and be sure you're visible to people driving by.
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also lift weights
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Stretch, run a little bit to warm up before you go, make sure you're warm enough (especially important as we get into winter), and be sure you're visible to people driving by.
Thanks I completely forgot about visibility :thumbsup:
What should I start with weight-wise? I have no idea how much I can "handle".
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We can't tell you that. Generally the weight you're going to want to do is the highest weight you can move with good form. Could be high, could be low. Take a few sessions to get comfortable with the lifting and worry about how much you're doing later. The body can handle a lot more than you think, and your lifts will shoot up at first as you start adapting to lifting
Here's a good routine to start with
http://newbie-fitness.blogspot.com/2007/01/stripped-5x5.html
I'm suggesting weights because they're one of the most effective ways to lose weight, and you'll build muscle so you will look better as the weight falls off.
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Thankies :)
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I'll agree to that. If you want something easy as a warm up, you can try jump roping for 5 minutes before too.
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I'll agree to that. If you want something easy as a warm up, you can try jump roping for 5 minutes before too.
Eeeek!
That would be rougher than the run!
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I haven't got the coordination or rope anyways.
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Make sure you spend a good 10 to 20 mins stretching after your run or you'll be damn sore the next day.
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The first few times you're going to be sore regardless. Soreness is good, and goes away.
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Advil helps.
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>>I want to start doing early morning runs<<
Try eating more fibre...
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Make sure you spend a good 10 to 20 mins stretching after your run or you'll be damn sore the next day.
caveat emptor start /
I've been a runner for years and I've always found that stretching is pretty much useless. But that's my opinion. I have found you're better off with a gentle warm up like walking or a slow job before you go pulling your muscles into streching positions. Feel free to have a stretch of the legs after you've run, but you really shouldn't need to do that even. Your goal is to warm up your muscles - which, if you're running or cycling you'll already be doing when you start. The same applies to weights - you don't need to stretch to lift because the action of lifting stretches your muscles anyway.
This article has some info on the topic: http://running.about.com/od/running101/a/stretching101.htm
/end caveat emptor
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BTW good on you for getting into a bit of fitness stuff :)
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Thanks for all the help guys :)
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I guess it depends on the person, if I don't stretch after running I get really stiff.
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I think the purpose of stretching is more to prevent injury.
My coach also says there are two aspects to power--flexibilty and strength. You really shouldn't have one without the other. Not that this applies to you right now, but something to keep in mind. :)
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I've read/heard so many conflicting things about stretching. All I know for certain is that 1) some stretching is necessary for any activity and 2) it varies depending on the activity. Here's an interesting (maybe a bit dated, but well-written IMO) article: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0203.htm
Anyone have some up-to-date material on stretching? I looked at Wikipedia and the article not only seems to contradict itself, but basically says there's no consensus on the benefits/methods of stretching
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> I've been a runner for years and I've always found that stretching is pretty much useless
I do the same, but I'm not willing to recommend it
> you don't need to stretch to lift because the action of lifting stretches your muscles anyway.
This is a really bad idea that can easily lead to severe injuries
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Just remember: Whenever you get the idea to go running take a large stick and whack yourself in the knees. Might as well get the damage in and save yourself some time.
As far as stretching I always like: light warmup, then stretch, exercise, and then stretch again.
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> I've been a runner for years and I've always found that stretching is pretty much useless
I do the same, but I'm not willing to recommend it
> you don't need to stretch to lift because the action of lifting stretches your muscles anyway.
This is a really bad idea that can easily lead to severe injuries
Like I said, caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. I'm not a doctor so don't take my advice with anything other than a grain of salt.