Paralysis by analysis...
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:17 am
Well, not quite but I can see the signs up ahead...
First, the vitals:
Age: 63
Ht.: 73"
Wt.: 217
General Health: Overall good. Former smoker (over 10 years off the cigs), COPD, Type 2 Diabetes, osteoarthritis in thumbs & left shoulder. Ride a recumbent bike (a real bike, not an exercise bike) 15 - 20 miles per day. Recently joined a fitness club (just over 1 month ago). Living in South Florida.
SO, here goes... I've been fighting Type 2 Diabetes for a few years now; a few months ago I saw my doctor and told her about a study I'd read about (out of the UK I believe) that concluded that patients who lost 33 or more pounds basically cured their T2 Diabetes. My Dr. had read the same study and we resolved try it. I was at 248 lbs when I started; began riding regularly and watching my diet and lost 25 pounds. At that point I kind of plateau'd, and joined a fitness club. I had lifted before a few years ago and enjoyed it, but had to stop for various reasons. So, now I'm lifting again and riding my bike. A word about my work schedule... it's not ideal. I work Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12 hrs/day (0600 to 1830 (I know, that's 12.5 hrs, the extra .5 hrs is lunch, don't nitpick!)). Anyway, that gives me a 4 day window for fitness. I've been riding and lifting every day, alternating Upper body and Lower body with core every day. I do 1 set of everything w/8-12 reps until volitional fatigue (per guidelines I've read about here on ExRx.net). I try to concentrate on compound exercises rather working isolated muscles, but some things are, of course, isolated by nature (biceps, forearms, calves, etc.). So far, so good, but gains (or losses, as it were!) are becoming incremental.
I'm afraid I'm overtraining, or overlooking some aspect of training.
Goals are in flux. At first, I wanted to get down to 175 and then start to bulk up, but the opportunity to join this fitness club came along and I said why not? The more the merrier, right? Well, maybe not, but I don't know. I figured burning the xtra calories by pumping iron would help me lose weight, but of course I'm increasing muscle mass when I lift, so things seem to equalize themselves.
Am I doing too much? Trying too hard? Is patience the answer or should I go out and kill something (a joke, a joke, just something from my past. Some of you may remember...)? Have I given you enough info? Inquiring minds want to know!
First, the vitals:
Age: 63
Ht.: 73"
Wt.: 217
General Health: Overall good. Former smoker (over 10 years off the cigs), COPD, Type 2 Diabetes, osteoarthritis in thumbs & left shoulder. Ride a recumbent bike (a real bike, not an exercise bike) 15 - 20 miles per day. Recently joined a fitness club (just over 1 month ago). Living in South Florida.
SO, here goes... I've been fighting Type 2 Diabetes for a few years now; a few months ago I saw my doctor and told her about a study I'd read about (out of the UK I believe) that concluded that patients who lost 33 or more pounds basically cured their T2 Diabetes. My Dr. had read the same study and we resolved try it. I was at 248 lbs when I started; began riding regularly and watching my diet and lost 25 pounds. At that point I kind of plateau'd, and joined a fitness club. I had lifted before a few years ago and enjoyed it, but had to stop for various reasons. So, now I'm lifting again and riding my bike. A word about my work schedule... it's not ideal. I work Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12 hrs/day (0600 to 1830 (I know, that's 12.5 hrs, the extra .5 hrs is lunch, don't nitpick!)). Anyway, that gives me a 4 day window for fitness. I've been riding and lifting every day, alternating Upper body and Lower body with core every day. I do 1 set of everything w/8-12 reps until volitional fatigue (per guidelines I've read about here on ExRx.net). I try to concentrate on compound exercises rather working isolated muscles, but some things are, of course, isolated by nature (biceps, forearms, calves, etc.). So far, so good, but gains (or losses, as it were!) are becoming incremental.
I'm afraid I'm overtraining, or overlooking some aspect of training.
Goals are in flux. At first, I wanted to get down to 175 and then start to bulk up, but the opportunity to join this fitness club came along and I said why not? The more the merrier, right? Well, maybe not, but I don't know. I figured burning the xtra calories by pumping iron would help me lose weight, but of course I'm increasing muscle mass when I lift, so things seem to equalize themselves.
Am I doing too much? Trying too hard? Is patience the answer or should I go out and kill something (a joke, a joke, just something from my past. Some of you may remember...)? Have I given you enough info? Inquiring minds want to know!