Do you have any specific routine to stay strong? Reasons to do so?
 

Hello, Mene!

A friend and I recently decided that we want to set goals for ourselves with regards to strength, including mile times, long distance running schedules, arm strength, and a whole range of combat skills we'd like to pick up before we're 23.

Right now, we're both 17. And terribly excited about our plans for increased physical capability. :boogie:

Our reasoning for doing this is kind of dorky, kind of admirable... mostly dorky: basically, we want to be "Lady Knights." This is partly inspired by the Alanna series, but also inspired by the Knight's Code of Honor in Dragonheart (a corny, but entirely worthwhile film: watch it!). Basically, we'll both feel eminently useful and more capable if we're strong in every way-- mind and body.

My question is this:

+Do you have any specific routines you do to maintain strength? Karate, kickboxing, running, etc...?
+Why do you chose to excersize, if you do? Are you motivated by weight loss and the urge to look good, or more motivated by the urge to be strong and capable?
+If you don't have any such health routine, why not? Time issue?
+Do you think that the emphasis on strength is different for guys/girls? What do you think the emphasis on physical strength and well-being should be?

And...

+Do you think that there is any sort of moral responsibility to keep yourself strong and in shape? If you have kids? If you're in the medical field, police field? For the sake of your family, or your insurance plan?

That last question occurs to me primarily because of the idea of Knights. They use their strength for "noble purposes." Basically, I'm in dork mode.

... erm... I apologize. Humor me? :angel:

Mmmm, I don't have much equipment or time to put aside to fitness, so what I do is rather limited at the moment. I have a good stretch, and then for 30 minutes i job on a treadmill. Afterwards I do as many situps and push ups as I can without over-exerting myself.

Both are use influences to me. I feel as though my weight is really my only phyical flaw, aside from being a bit on the hairy side. I also love the feeling of strength and the speed of running... all around, athleticism appeals to me.


Time issue, yeah. And because I'm far too self-conscious to go to the gym. Even if people aren't WATCHING you, there are still people around. I'm actually so self-conscious that i stopped my health regiment for awhile because my treadmill was located o nthe top floor of the house, and everyone could hear me when I exercized. ._.;;


OH, definetly. Men are expected to be strong, whether they're bulky or lean-muscled. Muscles are generally discouraged in females... most people find muscular women ugly or too 'butch'. The world doesn't want muscled or strong women, they just want us think and healthy.

Personally, I have no problem with muscular women so long as it isn't TOO extreme. The same thing for men. I just don't like the look of super-macho people. I prefer leaner looking physiques. I myself have broad shoulders and hips, though. :sweat:
Hmmm... Well, sure, if you think about it. You don't need to be fit to be a good role model, but I'm sure it helps... especially when it comes to jobs like the ones above. How are you going to catch the criminal if you're too out of shape to keep up with them?

Uy! I feel your pain: for 3 years, I lived in a house with my aunt and uncle, with the treadmill upstairs. I eventually got over my shyness about it, but I definitely excersized a lot more when they were out and away on weekends.

Actually, there are a lot of people who feel that they need to get in shape to go to the gym... where they would get in shape. I'm not sure if we simply live in a more judgmental society, or if the emphasis stems from our tendency to save face. I think, in many ways, society favors those who are "perfect" with less effort-- in education, in health... It's a strange illusion.

I'm really self-conscious about excersize, too. I used to plan my running route specifically to avoid places where I knew my peers lived. :sweat:

I'd like to think that I've gotten used to it all, but I'm still sadly limited.

ah yeah, I started going to the gym cuz the doctor told me I would die of kidney failure, with no feet, blind, and toothless. So I got scared. Good luck with the ladies knight thing, sounds like something worthy.

Ahhh, same here. I know what you mean by lady knight, too... I'd kind of like to be the prince charming type character, like Utena. :'D

And eventually the machine got moved into the basement, so I can exercise more peacfully. But the machine is so loud, I get nervous! I have a rememdy for that, though: earplugs. I put em in, close my eyes, and just keep running until the timer goes off. It makes working out a lot more peacful.

Oh, and I totally get the 'get in shape to go to the gym' thing! I couldn't stand going to such a place unless I knew I looked good o nthat machine. Getting red-faced and huffing.... no, a bit too embarrassing.

Oooh, boy. You gave me an excuse to give the cheesy and embarrassing little "inspirational" story of the month. XD;;

Up until a couple years ago, I was quite certain I wasn't gonna see the age of 40...and as disturbing as it seems to me now, I was FINE with it, because I didn't want to add more stress to my life; I figured it was best to not lengthen my life by making it miserable.

I have a weight issue that NO amount of exercise or dieting was ever able to fix before, no matter HOW thoroughly I stuck to my plan. I have terrible genes; pretty much everyone on my mom's side of the family is completely screwed up health-wise, ESPECIALLY her, and my dad's side is a mystery (he's adopted).

But a couple years ago, I made some really good friends, with some assistance from the internet...and I discovered some new music that inspired me a good bit. I discovered some new interests...at first it wasn't much to cause a MAJOR change. It actually made things worse for a while, when one of my best friends started developing interests so wildly different from my own that we grew apart...and another of them, who I used to speak to on the phone almost daily, proved herself to be one of those "shadow" friends, as I call them - the ones who are wonderful when you're in the light, but disappear the moment it gets too dark. She was with me through many minor issues...but eventually my family issues caused all to shoot to hell, I got rather bitchy for a time...she didn't try to help me; she just yelled at me, told me it was annoying on the few occasions I DID find happiness and talked about it (you wouldn't be able to shut up about it either if you only had one or two things to be happy about for several months on end!), and eventually just left. A few of my friends stuck around, but the most important ones just...left.

The music I'd discovered in the past couple years got me through it, though. Relaxed me, made me happy...kept me from going insane. Helped me to learn a new language, even - words can't even begin to describe how happy it STILL makes me to realize I understand these songs the first time I hear them now, no translations required.

Eventually I started leaning on that a lot. And I do mean a LOT. And eventually...I started writing some of my own music. It was a great outlet for me. It made me feel GOOD. And it made me want to live longer than I'd expected to. But it still wasn't quite enough to make me make a REAL effort...not for a while.

But eventually, as I continued with this, it got to me. I eventually realized...I want to live to make the people who inspired me proud of me and of themselves one day. I want to amaze them with what an amazing transformation they put me through. I want to look better - and have before and after pictures. XD I want to be able to keep up with Miyavi - he's the craziest of the artists who inspired me, and also one of the most influential to me. So far that's going well - two concerts of his in three days, and my legs are only a LITTLE sore! XD My knee is another story...but THAT'S just amusing to me. Besides which, it has next to no relation to being in shape or not; it's an old injury. Which...is why it's amusing.

I discovered that my old weight issue was related to depression and stress, because lately, now that I've been happier...I've been losing weight without a problem. Hell, yesterday was so crazy I probably lost five pounds without even trying. I'm afraid this might almost be unhealthier than having the extra weight...but hell, it's only unhealthy in the short term if it's only a day, and it makes things a hell of a lot better in the end.

For the first time ever...thanks to the friends who stuck with me and my favorite musicians, I kinda fear death. Not the idea of it as a whole; I know it'll happen eventually...but I now want to put it off as long as possible. I want to accomplish something. I now know it's ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE for me NOT to as long as I put my mind to it...unless I let myself get killed. So now, I DON'T want that to happen.

I guess in a nutshell...the BEST way to say it is that I'm now working on my physical strength to match my new found emotional strength. Sounds a bit corny, sure...but that's the way it is. And I'm damn proud of it.

As for my routine? I don't really have one, but my day-to-day activities have grown to work wonderfully. ;p

I don't have specific routines because I'm not good at routines. I am trying to go on the bike machine every day at my house but I can also watch television while doing that so I get amused for the most part.

I'm motivated by the fact that I gained a few pounds and it should help with my over all health. I also generally feel better after I exercise and my acid reflux is not as bad.

Laziness... wish I could say it was time but I'm pretty lazy.

It's different from guys and girls due to the fact that there are different expectations for each group. People generally look up to the 'strong muscular' guys and glorify them while they look up to the thin beautiful women. In other words weight is focused on women and strength is focused on men. I think that someone should be fit but not have to feel pressured to be macho.

For your insurance/health care -- yes due to the fact that being overweight contributes and can cause a numerous amount of other problems, which in turn creates a higher cost.
When you have kids -- yes due to the fact that you're their role model.
In the medical field/police force -- being overweight makes you look like you're a bit lazy (though you may not be) so being in shape is important. Then you also have the difficulty of the criminals running away and the outpatients running away.

*wince* Yeah...I went through something like that, too. Didn't help the stress much. It was a soccer accident...that's why my knee still hurts like hell right now. Having that happen...when I was 10; just about to start puberty...have it stop me from playing sports...AND contribute to the stress...that was a major factor in my weight gain, too. >.<;

But now it just might be the best thing that ever happened to me...because it's half the reason I was able to open up and accept the inspiration from Miyavi. X3 When I finally remembered why my knee always hurt (which was only about a month ago; I kinda forced myself to mostly forget), it left me thinking..."damn, we have something HUGE in common! O_O" And from that moment on...he became an even bigger inspiration to me than ever before. Now he's actually tied with the one other artist I ever liked more than him...which I thought was impossible. o__o;;;

I'm now a guitarist. Largely thanks to this. X3 I've been kinda half-assedly at it for a few months...but I thought I couldn't do anything seriously because of an injury to my left hand. Can't play the frets with that hand.

After remembering my accident, though, I just got this amazing burst of inspiration and massive confidence boost...I bought myself a left-handed guitar, and now, four weeks later, it might as well be a part of me.

My guitar practice is actually very good for me, physically...because ANOTHER effect that the realization of our common incident had on me is that it made me a bit crazy, not unlike him. Aside from strengthening my hands and working up the endurance of my arms...my practice is pretty much a full-body workout for me, because I really get into it. XD

I wish I did more exercise but I just hate it, I find it easier to cut down on unhealthy foods to lose weight rather than exercise...

But if DDR counts as some exercise then I do get a bit in, I take walks too, so I do get some exercise, I just don't have a routine. Being fit is fine with me, but doing it to be strong isn't my goal, just to stay healthy.

I go to the gym 3 days a week.

I run like 4 miles 4 days a week (very slowly, only a hair below a 10 minute mile).

I swim on weekends (like laps, not going to the beach, though I do that too).

I still cannot do a push-up and fail in the strength department. My dad says I don't get enough protein, my mom says I'm built like her and will probably never be strong. Whatever.

I'm doing cross-country next year just for something to do since you don't have to try out. I suck, but whatever.

I -like- looking healthy. And I like not needing 15 hours of sleep like I used to.