Comments on: Uplifting: Learning from the Things I Do Right http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/ Physical Fitness That Makes Sense Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:16:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: MS http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3865 MS Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:39:40 +0000 http://www.getfitslowly.com/?p=321#comment-3865 JD, I would try tinkering with the width on the reverse-grip pulldowns, take some time away from them, or get rid of them completely if you can't do them without 'bad' pain. JD,

I would try tinkering with the width on the reverse-grip pulldowns, take some time away from them, or get rid of them completely if you can’t do them without ‘bad’ pain.

]]> By: DR http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3864 DR Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:41:41 +0000 http://www.getfitslowly.com/?p=321#comment-3864 Your weight lifting approach seems very zen. Something that a man well clear of his teenage years would come up with. Maybe there is a way of bringing that zen approach over to your nutrition and cardio pursuits. Maybe you need to change the things that you are measuring. Instead of measuring calories, become mindful/aware of each bite that passes your lips. Is it helping or hurting your overall health goals? be honest When you run, are you focused on running a specific pace or running freely, without pain or tightness. There are some programs out there that focus on modifying running technique that claim to work with your body's natural mechanics. I can't vouch for their effectiveness, but it may be something to look into. And regarding the reverse grip pulldowns: The exercise puts more focus on biceps, forearm flexors and wrist flexors than a standard grip pulldown. So, the pain in your forearms is either 1. highlighting a weakness or 2. telling you that you are using too much arms and not enough back If 1. You can put up with the pain and hope it goes away as you get stronger or add in some supplementary grip and forearm work If 2. Instead of focusing on pulling the bar towards your upper chest, focus on pulling your elbows as far down and back as you can. This subtle difference forces your attention away from your arms. Due to our everyday movement patterns we have greater neurological control over our arms and less over our back muscles. You may need to minimize arm function and focusing on your elbows is a trick that has worked for me in the past. Good luck Your weight lifting approach seems very zen. Something that a man well clear of his teenage years would come up with.

Maybe there is a way of bringing that zen approach over to your nutrition and cardio pursuits.

Maybe you need to change the things that you are measuring. Instead of measuring calories, become mindful/aware of each bite that passes your lips. Is it helping or hurting your overall health goals? be honest

When you run, are you focused on running a specific pace or running freely, without pain or tightness. There are some programs out there that focus on modifying running technique that claim to work with your body’s natural mechanics.

I can’t vouch for their effectiveness, but it may be something to look into.

And regarding the reverse grip pulldowns:

The exercise puts more focus on biceps, forearm flexors and wrist flexors than a standard grip pulldown. So, the pain in your forearms is either 1. highlighting a weakness or 2. telling you that you are using too much arms and not enough back

If 1. You can put up with the pain and hope it goes away as you get stronger or add in some supplementary grip and forearm work

If 2. Instead of focusing on pulling the bar towards your upper chest, focus on pulling your elbows as far down and back as you can. This subtle difference forces your attention away from your arms. Due to our everyday movement patterns we have greater neurological control over our arms and less over our back muscles. You may need to minimize arm function and focusing on your elbows is a trick that has worked for me in the past.

Good luck

]]> By: Brigid http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3863 Brigid Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:28:18 +0000 http://www.getfitslowly.com/?p=321#comment-3863 I run for the sake of running much of the time. I meet up with a few of my friends about 3 times a week. This morning we ran the boardwalk in New Symrna Beach, FL. We usually do this 6 mile run once a week and we get muffins at a local coffee shop right after. OK - maybe I'm running for the sake of muffins, but when I'm out on the boardwalk near the ocean - it's just really pretty. I start running and remember when I was a kid and running was the normal pace of life. When you are cooped up in an office most of the day, it feels good to be out and feel the wind. Bear in mind though that I've been running regularily for about six years and before that I crewed (rowed). There was a time when it was all about getting fit and it was a chore. It's really been in the past couple years that I started to kick back and enjoy movement. As you get older, you really start to appreciate it - especially when other people your age start having problems doing simple things like getting off the couch. Cheers! Brigid I run for the sake of running much of the time. I meet up with a few of my friends about 3 times a week. This morning we ran the boardwalk in New Symrna Beach, FL. We usually do this 6 mile run once a week and we get muffins at a local coffee shop right after. OK – maybe I’m running for the sake of muffins, but when I’m out on the boardwalk near the ocean – it’s just really pretty. I start running and remember when I was a kid and running was the normal pace of life. When you are cooped up in an office most of the day, it feels good to be out and feel the wind.

Bear in mind though that I’ve been running regularily for about six years and before that I crewed (rowed). There was a time when it was all about getting fit and it was a chore. It’s really been in the past couple years that I started to kick back and enjoy movement. As you get older, you really start to appreciate it – especially when other people your age start having problems doing simple things like getting off the couch.

Cheers!

Brigid

]]> By: mark http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3862 mark Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:13:45 +0000 http://www.getfitslowly.com/?p=321#comment-3862 IMHO, if you're not either increasing weight or reps or sets with EVERY workout, there's something amiss. IMHO, if you’re not either increasing weight or reps or sets with EVERY workout, there’s something amiss.

]]> By: Nat http://www.getfitslowly.com/2008/10/20/uplifting-learning-from-the-things-i-do-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3858 Nat Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:42:05 +0000 http://www.getfitslowly.com/?p=321#comment-3858 I have such a hard time sticking with the weights (I have shoulder issues -- which is a handy excuse)... The running I happily do mindlessly. Weights seems like such work. You know? I have such a hard time sticking with the weights (I have shoulder issues — which is a handy excuse)…

The running I happily do mindlessly. Weights seems like such work. You know?

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