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#1 Feb 28 2014 at 2:10 AM Rating: Good
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Lately I've been thinking of getting into shape, but the idea of mindlessly running in circles or on a treadmill is loathsome. There is also this nagging feeling that I should be doing something more physical-- something competitive, even. Right now, I am so filled with energy (despite also feeling exhausted) that I feel as though I could leap up from my computer and break... stuff... and things. Big things.

Then I think about taking up a sport of some sort. Trouble is, when I think imagine people playing sports on a non-professional/getting paid millions of dollars kind of thing, I think of pretentious city folk or kids in a little-league team. I do not know or know of anyone who actually does anything outside of home or working one or more jobs.

I just feel this enormous amount of focus, like it is a fine point somehow, and I would like to use it... for something. It is really hard to describe. I've had a few moments in the past where time seems like time was moving more slowly-- like once when I saw a co-worker throwing an handheld radio to someone else in my peripheral vision and I snatched it out of the air as if I were casually taking it down from a shelf, or another time I was removing a very large tree in pieces and one began to fall on top of me-- or when I was chased by a very large dog as a child one night on Halloween-- all three times I remember because people commented saying they'd never seen someone move so fast in their lives. Currently it's like I'm kind of stuck in that emergency "move or die" mode.

For the record, I'm not on any drugs.

Do any of ya'll play any sports? I'm thinking about boxing or something to use as an outlet for all of my anger.
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#2 Feb 28 2014 at 3:52 AM Rating: Good
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Boxing won't get you in shape, training for it will. You can do that on your own without actually ever doing any boxing, so the only real benefit to actually boxing is if you need it for motivation to train. If you simply want a pick up sport to get in shape, try basketball or soccer.

I don't play any sports now because I'm lazy.
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#3 Feb 28 2014 at 3:54 AM Rating: Good
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I used to play hockey (field hockey for you 'muricans) and while I would like to get back into that the cost and time investment are too high for my liking, especially the time investment. Other than that I'm saving up for a shiny new pair of clap skates and a speed skating course next winter so I can improve my technique and ride some bigger distances when it freezes, maybe even write in for the Elfstedentocht but that's daydreaming for now.
#4 Feb 28 2014 at 6:58 AM Rating: Good
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Install a fire place if you don't already have one. Then you can chop trees and split wood.

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#5 Feb 28 2014 at 8:23 AM Rating: Good
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Boxing is probably a bad choice since a lot of the training is running in circles and you said you're not interested in that. In fact, I can't really think of any sports where running isn't part of the core training session. P90X, or PR90, or Pwhatever90 will make you feel like you're doing sports of some sort without that much actual running from what I remember, but not any competitiveness. Also the first week you'll feel like you've died.

But yeah, if it's competitiveness you're seeking then you'll probably have to take up running in circles. I'd suggest getting a good iPod or equivalent and use an elliptical. Get to a 8minute mile before considering sports.
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#6 Feb 28 2014 at 9:43 AM Rating: Good
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lolgaxe wrote:
In fact, I can't really think of any sports where running isn't part of the core training session.
I never ran in circles in training for bowling and I made it to state a couple times.
#7 Feb 28 2014 at 10:21 AM Rating: Excellent
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The One and Only Poldaran wrote:
lolgaxe wrote:
In fact, I can't really think of any sports where running isn't part of the core training session.
I never ran in circles in training for bowling and I made it to state a couple times.
I made it to state doing nothing but running in circles; small world.

I still run (though I've gotten out of the habit the last couple of week, need to get on that again). Do it occasionally, good for the happy thoughts and not wanting to hurt cute things. If I ever feel competitive I'll sign up for one of those "fun run" things and get by butt kicked my some 70-year old wearing tights.

Anyway, if you got good reflexes try tennis, or one of the indoor knockoffs thereof.

Edited, Feb 28th 2014 9:10am by someproteinguy
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#8 Feb 28 2014 at 11:08 AM Rating: Good
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I quit running about 6-7 years ago, cuz it really bothered one knee. My main form of exercise now is walking, but we do it regularly and at a good pace and stuff. Add in my yoga i try and keep up on and it's probably sufficient to keep me as fit as I need to be at this point.

My husband goes out and splits wood though therapeutically. It looks like it works well, but I can't hardly get the big ax over my head.
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#9 Feb 28 2014 at 11:09 AM Rating: Excellent
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The One and Only Poldaran wrote:
lolgaxe wrote:
In fact, I can't really think of any sports where running isn't part of the core training session.
I never ran in circles in training for bowling and I made it to state a couple times.
Well, the request was for a sport in relation to get into shape, and I assumed the shape in question wasn't to be the same as the ball used.
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#10 Feb 28 2014 at 11:43 AM Rating: Good
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I don't actually mind running. It's running that doesn't get anywhere, or running for no reason other than to run that bothers me. If I were Forest Gump and had a point A to start at and a point B to finish that'd be great. Running for the sake of accomplishing some goal is also acceptable.

Around here "running" means striding through people's yards and playing in traffic. I often think about the students who are struck by slow moving vehicles on the way to FIT across the street (or striking our vehicle while it is stationary)-- or the co-worker I knew who was robbed and beaten on his way to work-- or the time I was out walking around just looking for a job to be set upon by bored teenagers who pulled over in their flashy Mercedes just to pick a fight with me. Given it is the state of Florida, I'm liable to be shot to death for walking on the sidewalk where there is any and looking like a liberal.

I'd give anything for access to the wooded paths I knew those two years I lived in Georgia (which later were destroyed to make room for more apartments) or something like that.
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#11 Feb 28 2014 at 11:46 AM Rating: Excellent
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Boxing and Wood splitting sound like good outlets.

You could make them Habits on HabitRPG Smiley: grin
#12 Feb 28 2014 at 11:46 AM Rating: Excellent
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Soccer is always good. Are there any publicly-accessible soccer fields (or grassy expanses in general) near you? At the local middle school, there's a track and some soccer fields and whatnot, and there's always a pickup kind of game going on. Nothing serious, and it can be quite the *********** if there are a lot of people, but anyone can just jump in and play, and it's a good workout.

I have a few friends who play in a couple local softball leagues and one amateur hardball league. Tons of guys play, from all walks of life. There's a Thursday league and a Sunday league near me. I might join the Sunday league this summer.
#13 Feb 28 2014 at 2:32 PM Rating: Good
Seems like soccer or lacrosse would be mostly what you're looking for. There is a lot of running, but it's running around to do something. Lacrosse also means you get to hit other guys with sticks, which is a plus.

#14 Feb 28 2014 at 2:36 PM Rating: Excellent
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Try to start a Calvinball League.
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#15 Feb 28 2014 at 2:39 PM Rating: Good
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I'll 2nd lacrosse as a way to get fit and let out some of your anger. Just prepare for bruises. Big ugly ones.
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#16 Feb 28 2014 at 2:41 PM Rating: Decent
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If the goal is simply to get in shape weight training all the way. That doesn't mean hit the bench press it means proper movements with good form; weighted if you're up to it but the movement and form is what matters at first. Lunges, Squats, Rows etc. Best bang for your time. You don't get in shape by playing sports you get in shape too play sports.

Or you could audition for the Fraternity of Assassins given your particular talent.
#17 Mar 01 2014 at 11:22 PM Rating: Decent
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I know you said you didn't want to run on a treadmill or anything like that but that's pretty much what I did. I Started out with an exercise bike and move don to a treadmill. While I would have liked to see better weightless I do feel a lot better. The key for me to enjoy the treadmill is finding a show I like to watch and watching it. I have a roku and I can plug headphones into the remote and actually hear the TV, that helps alot. I try to do 45 minutes on it every other day at 4mph. I then do some pushups, situps, and light bench presses. I also do stretches before and after.

I am the oposite I have no desire to play any type of ball or any sort of competitive sport.
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#18 Mar 01 2014 at 11:50 PM Rating: Excellent
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Swimming, yo.
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#19 Mar 02 2014 at 1:14 AM Rating: Good
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Now that it's the weekend I've been getting a pretty good workout from my stepdaughter. As soon as the sun goes down she goes from being a sloth-like couch potato to practically bouncing off the walls. She demands I get up and dance with her, or ride her around on my back or shoulders. When she is bored with that, I must pretend I am her pokemon, or a Minecraft zombie.

She is frightfully strong for a nine year old-- strong enough to pull me to my feet if I attempt to sit down. (I weigh between 200-220 lbs)

Occasionally she and my two year old son will team up and try to find me in the apartment. Propping my arms and legs between the narrow space in the all closet above the door for long periods of time feels like what must be considered endurance training-- especially when I must do it quietly and without breathing too hard, which is often the hardest part. It's also a lot of fun when they can both look right at me and not know I'm there looking back at them. I keep thinking of that cursor icon in Skyrim and how its real life equivalent might look at different moments.
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#20 Mar 03 2014 at 3:57 PM Rating: Excellent
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Hah. Reminds me of family get togethers back when my nieces and nephews were younger. Dogpile on Uncle sounds fun until you realize you've got like 5 kids on top of you. Monster was a bit better better, but with more cardio. Generally involved me "chasing" the kids, by walking stiff legged, arms outstretched, after them (with suitable sound effects, of course). Much squealing was typically involved. This eventually evolved into "Zombie", where each kid that got caught would turn into a zombie and start chasing the other kids.

Games that require just a lawn and imagination are always the best. Well, till you collapse from exhaustion, of course. Not sure how it is that kids have infinite stores of energy despite eating like a piece of bread with some ketchup on it for lunch. One of the mysteries of the universe, I suppose.
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#21 Mar 03 2014 at 4:22 PM Rating: Good
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Kuwoobie wrote:
Now that it's the weekend I've been getting a pretty good workout from my stepdaughter.
There is absolutely no way to read that sentence without cheap synthesizer music.
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#22 Mar 04 2014 at 3:08 AM Rating: Excellent
I m literally in bed reading this on my phone. Must sleep... But will post my thoughts tomorrow. I'm not a gym rat by any means, but I am actually very passionate about working out.
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#23 Mar 05 2014 at 12:48 AM Rating: Excellent
So, you're looking to get more active?

You should do what I do, which is to work out every single day for at least 10 minutes... no days off. That's what I've been doing for 882 consecutive days (started back in October 2011 to see if I could go for one year without getting injured, and I just never stopped).

It's a great first step because you cultivate the habit of making time to be active. People have all sorts of reasons for training, whether it's to run faster, lose weight, build muscle, run a race, etc. The vast majority of the time, though, these reasons come and go. I really believe that exercise should be as much of a person's day as taking a shower or brushing your teeth; so, rather than base my exercise on one thing or another, I've trained myself to exercise simply because I should. That has been the biggest benefit of my everyday goal, and honestly, I'm still kind of shocked that the experience has been so transformative. Keep in mind, I've never lacked motivation... but now, I just view exercise differently. I have no doubt that I'll be active each day.

I chose 10 mins/day as my minimum standard because that basically allows me to have easy, restful days so I don't overtrain. Most days, I work out for 25 mins to an hour. I weight train one day, do MMA-style cross training one day, run a few days and then have a few easy days. I have a Wii U, and the fitness game I have is great for easy days or even moderate cardio days (if I really get into it). Some days, I also mix in some basketball. No matter what, though, I always log at least 10 mins... even on my easy/rest days, that's just enough time to work up a light sweat, but not enough time to strain myself by any means.

Now, the other reason why I suggest you do something similar to this is that you can start getting active while thinking about what you REALLY want to do. You said you don't like tracks or treadmills, but are you opposed to trail running (I avoid running on streets like the plague)? Are you good at any sports with rec leagues in your area? Do you have money to spend on a personal trainer? Is there a gym near you with any interesting fitness classes?

Personally, I've found a lot of enjoyment doing cross training at my local MMA gym... kind of boot camp style workouts. I never actually do any fighting or sparring (I'm totally not built to be a fighter, lol), but the cardio and strength training from that kind of workout is like nothing else I've ever done. We do running, jumping, pullups, pushups, kettlebells, punching bag stuff, yoga ball workouts, all kinds of things to push ourselves. The thing I like most about the MMA-style boot camp workouts is that I've learned a lot about how to exercise differently and more effectively.

If you signed up for a gym tomorrow and you'd never been before, you'd probably face a high risk of losing interest. You'd be able to figure out the machines, and maybe you'd find a spotter for some free weights, but you wouldn't have the benefit of knowing -why- you should be doing certain exercises. The more you expose yourself to new types of exercise, the more you'll start seeing the gym as a really cool tool, and not just a place where you go to push weights around. Once you start to see the gym as a valuable tool, THAT's when I think the risk of losing interest drops significantly (because, at that point, you're going for the right reasons).

Anyway, if you're serious about wanting to get active, start working out NOW for a minimum of 10 mins/day. Start getting yourself in the habit. You can run in place, do jumping jacks, do pushups, wall sits, etc. You can go onto YouTube and search for short workouts you can do in your living room. You can go run around the block a few times... whatever it is you want to do, just do it for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, you can go to sites like LivingSocial.com and look for deals on gyms and fitness centers in your area... you can often find really cheap deals through those sites, often accompanied by personal training appointments. Just don't let yourself get roped in to sign something that you're not ready to sign. You can also check with your local community college for active courses, if you're looking for a group setting. One of my friends recently took a fencing class at the local community college; he also got into rock climbing at a local climbing gym.

If you start cultivating the habit now, then I guarantee, you WILL soon realize what it is you really want to be doing. The most important thing though is just start exercising and don't look back.

Edited, Mar 4th 2014 10:52pm by Thayos

Edited, Mar 4th 2014 10:55pm by Thayos

Edited, Mar 4th 2014 10:56pm by Thayos
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#24 Mar 06 2014 at 1:01 PM Rating: Good
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For the last year and half or so I've been an avid runner. It's a fantastic outlet for rage and stress, as well as a healthy alternative to punching baby faces. I currently run 25-33 miles a week over about four days. I love it. Races are great fun. I do 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. That said, I ******* hate, hate, hate the treadmill. That is always an absolute last resort for me. On my off days I do body weight and dumbbell stuff to keep toned and sexy.
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#25 Mar 06 2014 at 1:09 PM Rating: Excellent
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PunkFloyd, King of Bards wrote:
It's a fantastic outlet for rage and stress,
I agree.
PunkFloyd, King of Bards wrote:
as well as a healthy alternative to punching baby faces.
I disagree. Never underestimate the stress relief potential of punching a baby in the face.
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#26 Mar 06 2014 at 1:11 PM Rating: Excellent
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PunkFloyd, King of Bards wrote:
I @#%^ing hate, hate, hate the treadmill.

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