Re fitness and diet, what works for you?

[Vittoria]

Feb 13, 2009 4:03:51 GMT robbiesheik said:

Feb 13, 2009 2:00:48 GMT Vittoria said:

Robbie, you quick smoking! Good for you! Any secrets to share? If I don't quit, I feel I might hack up a lung!

I had tried everything, the patch, gum, cold turkey....nothing worked so my doctor suggested I try a medication Chantix. www.chantix.com
You first pick a quit date. When you start the medication you continue to smoke the 1st week and then the 2nd week you stop. I think you are suppose to do it for a few months but since it wasn't covered by my insurance, I at first only purchased the starter pack (1months worth). I didn't take it any longer than the 1st month because, it made me a little nauseous each time (twice a day). But after the 1st month I was good and I haven't had a cigarette since August 1st 2007. It is one of the best gifts I could have given myself. If I can do it You can do it!!!

Thanks Robbie! I too have tried everything else to no avail and I started smoking when I was about 10 or 11. I stopped for two years between ages 18-20, but stupid me went back to it! Since starting again, I've tried quitting many times. I'll call my pharmacist tomorrow about it and then if all is clear, I'll ask my doctor about it when I see him later this month. Oh... It's called Champix in Europe and Canada. Possible adverse reactions newsletter: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/bulletin/carn-bcei_v18n2-eng.php#1

[rueful]

It's really nice to know that others are trying get fit and are offering support to everyone. It's easier when you aren't fighting alone.

My ipod, used in combination with Rufus's audio recordings, has helped me tremendously in recent weeks. I have always HATED any kind of excercise, never found any sports "fun," and I have a really sedentary job. I could (and sometimes do) sit for 6 to 8 hours at a stretch without moving a whole lot.

But I've decided that it's time at last to do something, before it's too late. So, I downloaded Joseph Andrews as well as recordings from www.roofsewell.com, like Dr Syn and Arcadia, and I listen to them while I'm on the treadmill and stretching. I also have playlists of music I like on the ipod, so I can switch between Rufus and music. It really helps the time pass. I've tried watching tv before, but I'm always acutely aware of time slooooowly passing if I watch tv while I work out. For some reason, the audiobooks and even the music allow me to "zone out" so that 30 minutes have passed before I'm even aware.

So now I'm promising myself a reward if I keep up my regimen for a certain length of time--either The Woodlanders or James Bond as read by Rufus. Now that's incentive!

[robbiesheik]

Rueful that is a wonderful idea. I think I may try that as well!!!

[rueful]

Good luck, robbiesheik! If nothing else, you'll get to listen to Rufus a bit, and that's never a bad thing.

[lizap]

It seems I should consider getting an ipod. (Do they come with extensive directions for the techo-impaired?)

[tipou]

let's put it this way: if i could do it, you can do it.
you plug it in with an usb cable that comes with it (along with, yes, an instruction booklet), and then the player itself shows on your pc as an extra disc.
then its all cut and paste.
i did not get the ipod, i got a regular mp3 player, got it for 50$.

[peach]

I couldn't last a workout session w/o my trusted Ipod, it's the only thing that'll keep me on track. I have several palylists that have very up tempo music, it gets those endorphines going and I don't want to stop. Lots of Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Pink and just really good stuff alogn with Ruf when I want to slow down things a bit. If I can master the thing anyone can. It's quite simple to use, I have videos and my own photos on my ipod, I love the thing. Only draw back is that Apple's web site is not that user friendly but if you use their live help line it's great, very easy to use and download tunes too.

[lizap]

Thank you both for the info and encouragement! I can feel momentum building for another Rufus-related purchase. ;D

[rugirl]

Lizap, I would stay AWAY from the iPod, I found it not intuitive at all, and the site is a pain in the butt to use. Plus the fact that Apple doesn't allow you to download MP3s in any format but theirs, while Microsoft's Zune or SanDisk's Sensa players are pretty agnostic. The cool factor is definitely with Apple, but if you just want something easy, Apple is not the way to go IMHO.

Plus, the first iPod I had, a Nano, was actually defective, and the woman at the Apple Store (near Cupertino, CA, by the way, which is Apple's HQ) acted like I broke it or somehow was incapable of starting up an iPod. After about a 1/2 hour of argument, she finally acknowledged that it was in fact defective, and gave me a new one. All this with my then 18 mo. old son in his stroller, and the mall packed to the rafters.

I wouldn't buy an other iPod if you paid me to. But MP3 players are great for working out, I cannot imagine me doing any kind of exercise without one...

[lizap]

rugirl, thanks for the input!

[rueful]

For me, ipod was the way to go because other family members already had it, and I could share songs among several computers and people. (I think you can have 3 or 5 computers--can't remember which--linked to the same account). That way I could take on songs they'd already purchased. Maybe that's the case with other mp3 players too, so it's probably something you should investigate.

Either way, I agree with rugirl--exercising with the mp3 has made all the difference for me.

[miss october]

By no means am I "fit", but I am not over-weight, either. The only things I 'do' that seem to keep me at my usual weight is....

1) I mostly drink water. Yeah, it's boring, but after awhile, that's all you pretty much want. (I have tea about 1-2x a week. I almost can't even stand soda pop anymore. )

2) I don't eat anything 2-3 hours before bed. That's usually when people gain the most weight, I've heard. (Also, I get stomach aches during the night if I do eat anything late, so there's some motivation for me right there.)

[catdishy]

I got the iPod nano in November because I wanted to upload all my own CDs,and audio collection. I hadn't intended to download music, but maybe some lectures from iTunes. My only gripe is it needs recharging way too often and I may have to visit the Futureshop to see if my battery was defective.Otherwise, I'm lovin' it.

[dirtygirldiva]

get one of these.... z.about.com/d/exercise/1/0/J/b/ballcrunch.jpg they work really good for crunches... I got one at Wal-Mart for like $8.

[rueful]

Hi, DGD. I've often looked at those balls and wondered if they were really helpful. I'm not a cruncher yet (still working on improving basic situps), but I think I will invest in a ball with an eye to "someday soon". It always helps me to have a definite goal. I've never had any upper body strength, even when I was so skinny you couldn't see me if I turned sideways. So the day I can do 5 really good pushups (or 1 chinup, LOL), I'm going to get myself a big present!