what's your current exercise regime?

[GLC1968]

Since I started biking, it has become pretty much all I did and I've done nothing but gain weight in that time frame.

This past year, we added 'farm work' into the mix - so when I'm not at a desk at work, I'm shoveling, hoeing, building, carrying, milking, weeding, etc. And I was *still* gaining weight.

A month ago, it occurred to me that when I was a 'normal' body weight, it was back when I used to lift weights regularly. I decided to pick it up again. Now I lift heavy 3 days a week, do one mixed cardio (kick boxing, step, etc) once a week, still do the farm work and I ride when I can (about twice a week now). It's making a HUGE difference on how I view my body and my abilities. And the scale is starting to move in the right direction, too.

I have no idea how I ever let myself drop the weight training, but I'm SOOOO glad that I'm finally back into it.

[Chile Pepper]

We're still in winter, so my cycling time is down. I'm going to the gym three to four days a week, doing the treadmill and weights. I cycle when the weather is decent. Once spring arrives, I'm hoping to keep up at the gym three days a week and ride three days (two short, one long), with Sundays off for recovery.

[DarcyInOregon]

During the winter months I am at the gym 6 days a week, doing cardio, weights and core. However I can't get the sustained heart rate at the gym that I can while cycling, so when good weather arrives I am on the bike again, and I just visit the gym a few times a week to do low burn cardio, weights and core. I also walk and hike.

On the bike my average heart rate on a distance ride is over 130. At the gym, even doing running intervals on the treadmill I am lucky to get an average heart rate of 125. The bike is a more effective cardio exercise for me.

Next summer I am thinking about taking up kayaking, in addition to the cycling.

The weight gain while cycling happened to me too, and in a serious way, back in 2007. I burn over 35,000 calories a month with cycling during the good months, so I was in shock. It turns out I had gotten an inflammation of my intestinal system, most likely caused by food chemicals, which slowed down my digestive system and metabolism. Anyone reading this who is gaining weight and might not know why, to put it delicately, if your bowel movements are not normal, like when you were a healthy child, then you should suspect internal inflammation as the cause of your weight gain. I focused carefully on my nutrition and minimized processed foods in my diet, cleared up the inflammation, my bowel movements are now incredibily healthy, I lost the weight I had gained plus a bunch more, and I feel great.

[shootingstar]

The weight gain while cycling happened to me too, and in a serious way, back in 2007. I burn over 35,000 calories a month with cycling during the good months, so I was in shock. It turns out I had gotten an inflammation of my intestinal system, most likely caused by food chemicals, which slowed down my digestive system and metabolism. Anyone reading this who is gaining weight and might not know why, to put it delicately, if your bowel movements are not normal, like when you were a healthy child, then you should suspect internal inflammation as the cause of your weight gain. I focused carefully on my nutrition and minimized processed foods in my diet, cleared up the inflammation, my bowel movements are now incredibily healthy, I lost the weight I had gained plus a bunch more, and I feel great.

Re: Bowel...I tried starting up a topic thread on this with a few responses. Just a few days ago, I chatted up with another cyclist. She agreed that regular BM is another way how she informally assesses healthy bodily functioning..aided by exercise. My gut feeling tells me that BM matters both healthy and not so good, tend to be noticed when we get into our 30's and beyond. Younger people may not notice certain patterns nor care at that point in time.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=32936

During cycling season, I do cycle a significant amount. Then near end of day, I try to do some simple Pilates, yoga, etc. more to keep myself flexible, stretched, etc. Winter is not great 'cause other than the floor stretching exercises, I only do snowshoeing occasionally if weather is too lousy/not safe for cycling.

Of course, not having a car, I must walk, etc. as my other transportation alternative.

[Crankin]

Right now, cycling about 4 days a week, sometimes 5. A couple of these rides may be short, errand rides of 8-15 miles, but always ending in the steep climb to my house. I walk or hike on a trail 2 days a week, about 3-4 miles. I also do upper body weights twice a week and at least one yoga session and two days of core work.
I gave up my gym membership in May and it hasn't made one difference. I have weights at home, lots of DVDs, a balance ball, and elastic bands. In the winter, I snow shoe, x country ski, and hike for cardio, along with my bike on the trainer. It helps that I have trails right from my door and an x country center about 8 miles away. I am thinking of buying an elliptical for my house, which would have helped me during the rainy summer we had in June and July. Although I don't mind walking in the rain, I don't ride in it.
DH and I are planning on doing some serious core work and lifting this winter, in preparation for a bike trip next May.

[Dogmama]

Since I started biking, it has become pretty much all I did and I've done nothing but gain weight in that time frame.

A month ago, it occurred to me that when I was a 'normal' body weight, it was back when I used to lift weights regularly. I decided to pick it up again. Now I lift heavy 3 days a week, do one mixed cardio (kick boxing, step, etc) once a week, still do the farm work and I ride when I can (about twice a week now). It's making a HUGE difference on how I view my body and my abilities. And the scale is starting to move in the right direction, too.

I have no idea how I ever let myself drop the weight training, but I'm SOOOO glad that I'm finally back into it.

I'm a big proponent of lifting weights. It makes an amazing difference in body shape. When I cycle only, I get "skinny fat" - meaning that I drop some weight and I drop A LOT of muscle, so I get the flappy underarms, etc. I don't feel good either - seems like my coordination is off and I just get grumpy - probably hammering too much on the bike & overtraining. "The only time I see middle ground is when I am running from one extreme to the other" (joke!) I noticed that some TdF guys actually had some flabby arms too - not a lot, but you'd think that holding that position would firm up triceps more.

Crankin - my hand-eye coordination sucks too. I was recently out of town & the hotel gym had a bench, a couple of exercise balls & free weights. It's pretty cool what you can do with a bench, free weights & a little imagination!

Oakleaf - I get tired just reading your post!!

Kelly, I did some running on vacation & forgot how nice it is. Do you run inside/outside or both? I just got some new Sauconys - boy I love those shoes!

It's been a week since I've been on the bike & I"m ready to head out early in the morning!

[pfunk12]

I usually do 200-225 miles on the bike per week since I commute every day and try to do longer rides on the weekend. I try to do core work 2-3 times per week and weights 2-3 times per week. I just canceled my gym membership since I never went so anything I do (core work, weights, balance exercises, flexibility exercises, etc.), I do in my home. When I was a runner, I was much more disciplined about doing some type of exercise every night but I think it was because I was competing and I knew that anything extra that I did helped my performance. Now? After an hour ride on the bike home and cooking dinner for myselfand my 2 kids...I am sometimes too tired to move!

[KnottedYet]

I don't exercise. (I just make other people do it.)

[Grog]

I wish I was doing more right now, but I'm in a big transition period professionally and I'm not too hard on myself.

I try to keep running 2 times a week at least, even if only for 20 minutes. I utility-cycle, and I had the chance to go on a looong ride on Sunday, which did me a lot of good. Starting next week I will be commuting 20+ km (return) at least 3 times a week to get to work, on my bike, which will definitely feel good. I can throw a few hills in that commute so that will help, too.

I look forward to more running, but it might be a few more weeks.

[zia]

Run twice a week (one long slow distance, one interval workout), bike twice a week (10-15 miles each session, or a spin class), swim twice a week (one mile each session -- in open water as long as I can).

Always thought I'd love nothing but running, but I'm surprised: I love the swimming, and am growing to love the biking. And I think the swimming and biking have helped reduce my running-related injuries. This winter, I'm hoping to introduce some yoga to correct my absolute lack of any flexibility.

[Kelly728]

Kelly, I did some running on vacation & forgot how nice it is. Do you run inside/outside or both? I just got some new Sauconys - boy I love those shoes!

I run outside. Treadmills equal complete misery to me and you will only find me on one if it storming or there is ice on the ground!

[nscrbug]

Currently, I'm cycling about 200 miles a week (3 days, all fairly long rides) weather permitting. In addition to that, I'm at the gym M-F...doing 60-90 minutes of cardio (running, elliptical, Stairmaster), 60 minutes of strength training, and 30-45 minutes of abdominal/core work and stretching. I also do a 45-minute spinning class, 2 mornings a week. And I was also swimming 2 days a week for 1 hour at an outdoor pool, but the pool closes for the season this weekend so I'm done with swimming for now. Unless, I can find an indoor pool that I'm comfortable with (I despise swimming in an indoor pool).

Once the colder weather sets in (I'm in Chicago), the cycling outdoors will stop, unless the temps are in the 40's and no ice on the ground. I will then switch over to my winter workout, which is basically my gym routine, 7 days a week.

[redrhodie]

Currently, I'm cycling about 200 miles a week (3 days, all fairly long rides) weather permitting. In addition to that, I'm at the gym M-F...doing 60-90 minutes of cardio (running, elliptical, Stairmaster), 60 minutes of strength training, and 30-45 minutes of abdominal/core work and stretching. I also do a 45-minute spinning class, 2 mornings a week. And I was also swimming 2 days a week for 1 hour at an outdoor pool, but the pool closes for the season this weekend so I'm done with swimming for now. Unless, I can find an indoor pool that I'm comfortable with (I despise swimming in an indoor pool).

Once the colder weather sets in (I'm in Chicago), the cycling outdoors will stop, unless the temps are in the 40's and no ice on the ground. I will then switch over to my winter workout, which is basically my gym routine, 7 days a week.

Wow, it sounds like you work out several hours daily, with no rest days. Am I reading that correctly?

[nscrbug]

Wow, it sounds like you work out several hours daily, with no rest days. Am I reading that correctly?

Yeah, I guess you could say that. I love to exercise...crave it, actually. I've been exercising on a nearly daily basis, for almost 20 years now. I have a chronic lower back condition (vertebral slippage at my L5/S1 level) that only seems to respond with daily exercise. The more I keep moving and stay mobile, the less my back hurts...so it's good incentive for me to do something every single day. I do take some days off...if I'm deathly ill, or on Christmas Day (gym closed) for instance. But other than that, I need to do some sort of physical activity everyday, or I'll go nuts.

[Dogmama]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. I love to exercise...crave it, actually. I've been exercising on a nearly daily basis, for almost 20 years now. I have a chronic lower back condition (vertebral slippage at my L5/S1 level) that only seems to respond with daily exercise. The more I keep moving and stay mobile, the less my back hurts...so it's good incentive for me to do something every single day. I do take some days off...if I'm deathly ill, or on Christmas Day (gym closed) for instance. But other than that, I need to do some sort of physical activity everyday, or I'll go nuts.

That's quite a bit of exercise.