Looking for workout buddies!

[MaxAloysius]

Okay, so I seriously need to start doing something about the terrible place my body is in right now. I want to start working out and eating properly, just generally doing stuff to fix the problem, but I really lack motivation. So I was wondering if there were any guys on here who wanted to do the same, and if anyone was interested in a sort of unofficial competition? Well I shouldn't really call it a competition, because there will be no winner or losers, but it would be more of a challenge kind of thing, to see who can 'do fitness' the best. I know personally I'm more likely to stick with it if I'm trying to out-compete others.

Something like this probably isn't good for openly being on the forum, but maybe we could all check in with each other via email or something once a week and see how everyone's going?

Anyways, if anyone's interested let me know, I'm really keen for this now!

[rexgsd]

that's a good idea. i've actually been wanting to start to work out a bit and stuff since i'm on T now and it'll be good for top surgery, and in general. but like you said, i lack motivation or 'work-out buddy' -.-

so this might work =)
what would you plan on doing, like calculating weight/measurments and such every week?
i find it more motivating/easier to sort of be organized about it, i.e. recording excersize of the day and so on.

[MaxAloysius]

it'll be good for top surgery

My motivation exactly. The better muscle we have under the chesticles, the better chance we have of the surgeon being able to successfully contour the scars. 

I'm not sure entirely, it would really depend on the level of comfort other people have with the kind of information they want to provide. Ideally I'd say starter pics and maybe once every couple of weeks to a month to see actual physical changes, as well as notes on what kind of things everyone's eating, and how long they're exercising for, and on what muscle groups they're focusing etc. Or alternatively we could all work out a plan together and tackle the same things, for example working out a diet for everyone to follow and a specific set of exercises and time spent exercising etc. It really is up to what everyone else is comfortable doing.

But I think we've got much more of a chance of succeeding at something like this if we all work together to make it happen.

[Nemo]

This is a good idea. I'm up for this - like you, I need a kick up the arse to do what needs doing I'm still a novice so am doing lighter regimes for now compared to other folk on here, but seriously need to shake off the excess that's being shifted to my gut. Also need to shift it from my thighs, will have a look to see what exercises I need for that. (Unless any of you have ideas?) Not to mention my arms and pecs (like you, for surgery later).

Pics are a good idea - might serve as extra motivation on top of having buddies ^_^

ETA: Hey guys, talking about pec exercises - look what I found! ^_^ Also found something for thighs - one of the things we can do, swap tips?

[MaxAloysius]

Awesome! At least it's not just me then! Okay, so should be work it out by email or what? Does anyone know of a space we can all use for progress etc, but that is locked to anyone not given permission?

This won't be super heavy duty exercising either guys, so let's keep that in mind. We all have lives and jobs and other things to do, so I think a three hour a day workout is a little out of the question. So let's focus on eating right (I've been told by several experts that this makes up for about 80% of a good fitness regime) and some exercises that are easy to do at home without big gym style equipment.

Spot weight loss is a myth, so I don't think there's any more we can say about that other than there's no point in targeting a specific area of 'fat', but I'm sure we could all talk about the muscle groups we want to work out most. I'd say pecs are probably a huge one for us, for the already stated reasons, but what about things like arms and abs? I really want to be able to rip my shirt off one day and not be worried about what I look like underneath.

[Nemo]

Arms and abs for me, definitely, along with aforementioned thighs. By the looks of things, we'd need to set a day aside for each area during the week, leaving a day's rest in between. That home bodybuilding link I posted is well worth checking - not only for exercises but he also has some cheap and easy meal ideas.

I can set up a message board for us if that's any help? Would be easier for us to keep tabs/post pics/links etc., and see how everyone else is doing Not to mention linking to tips we find online.

Oh, before I forget - it's a funny time about now. I personally am going away for a couple of weeks in August, and I doubt I'd be the only one with summer plans.

[JoshuaKael]

I'd love to join in.
I'm absolutely pathetic when it comes to muscles and being in shape. It's embarrassing really.

[Noah G.]

I'd love a work out buddy or two, but I'm horrid at things like this: keeping track of progress, keeping track of what I do and what I eat, all that jazz.

Fortunately I do have a game plan to finally get back to working out like I've been saying I need to for way too long. That said, I wish you guys good luck with this and your work outs! Hopefully it provides the motivation you need and the results you'd like!

[Lee]

Hey, I'd love to join in.  I'm flabby as hell at the moment.  This is my finals week, so I'm eating horribly and sitting on my butt a lot.  It'd be nice to have a kick in the ass to get going again.

[Jigsaw]

Too bad everybody is not on facebook.  Could make a private group for it.

I would like to do it also.  Only downside for me is, I would only be able to do it for about 3 weeks cause of my surgery date....but could join in until then and once again after I am allowed to exercise again.

[Adio]

I'm interested in something like this now that I can exercise again.  I plan on getting back to the P90 program.  My eating habits really suck though.  I don't foresee that changing any time soon either.

But exercise I can definitely do.  I've been looking forward to it for a while.  The only thing is, I'm not comfortable posting my pictures online, especially not full body ones.  I have a really bad self-image and a huge fear of my photos being used inappropriately so...if I can participate without that (posting measurements is fine), then I'm up for it.

[kyle_lawrence]

I'd be interested in joining this.  Its sad how lazy i've gotten since i don't use a bike as my main transportation anymore.  I used to average 20 miles a day on a fixed gear.

What if we each posted before pictures, along with your goal.  I'm sure everyone is looking for something different in the end.  I don't need to lose weight at all, but I would love to get my endurance up again and build some more muscle, especially in my arms and shoulders.   So anyway, post your goal, and then we can help each other figure out a workout and diet plan.  Then each week or something post a progress picture, and then we can help each other figure out if your workout is working, or to figure out something different to try if its not.  I like the idea of a private forum, or maybe a live journal type site.

Maybe now I'll actually use the free gym membership I get through work.

[rexgsd]

yeah, i think having a place to record it (ex. messageboard as mentioned) would be great. also so we can actually see progress, especially since i know i'll never remember it all week to week. and the picture thing is good too. normally i hate pics, especially of undesired weight and such, but for this purpose it'd be great, especially because others might be able to see any change/progress you might not (since you see yourself everyday)

and yeah i agree on the light workouts, with work/school etc, and also because it's summer -.-
i don't know about anyone else but i hate the heat, especially after working in a hot garage all day with hot engines, last thing i want to go when i get home is some hardcore workout haha.

[Lee]

Yeah, I hate the heat too.  I'm sitting here waiting for the sun to go down before heading out for a run.
Edit-Well, scratch that.  We just went from clear skies to typhoon in about 10 minutes.  Gotta love Colorado.
Edited edit-Oh, it's nice out again.  Time for a run it is then.

[PandaValentine]

I've been contemplating working out again... that's it, just sitting on my ass contemplating. I'm also up for it. DailyBurn has it where you can add 'motivators' and I believe only motivators can see your stats or something, I don't know, it was a while ago that I signed up for that... lol used it like three times. But yeah I'm the competitive type so this was seriously an awesome idea. I don't know about pictures though, since I'm super self concious about how my my stomach's been looking lately.

[Adio]

I like Kyle's idea.  I think a locked livejournal community might work for this purpose. 

[PandaValentine]

I like Kyle's idea.  I think a locked livejournal community might work for this purpose.

I agree.

[tekla]

It's good, but if you have anyone IRL it's a lot better.  It's a lot harder to skip it when your bud is pounding on your door telling you to get up.

[Jigsaw]

Can a locked live journal page be viewed by anybody?   I also don't like to post pics since I am not 100% out.  I don't mind the info and measurements.  Think the pics are more motivation though.

[Adio]

Can a locked live journal page be viewed by anybody?   I also don't like to post pics since I am not 100% out.  I don't mind the info and measurements.  Think the pics are more motivation though.

I don't think so.  A moderated lj with locked, community-only posts should be pretty private.  An email membership screening by the mods would also be helpful in keeping the comm private.