<p>I have a couple of wool shirts, BCE. I like them, especially as a base layer on really cold days and for skiing. I do think if it isn’t quite cold enough, they can get pretty sweaty. They aren’t itchy. The wool is good quality and they really took out the itch.</p>
<p>Okay, you guys seem like the people to ask:</p>
<p>What about the TRX home system? Have any of you used it and what do you think?</p>
<p>I’m looking to add a different strength training regiment.</p>
<p>thanks.</p>
<p>Poetgirl:</p>
<p>The TRX system is fantastic. If I were starting from scratch for fitness and knew then what I know now, a suspension trainer like that would probably be the first piece of fitness gear that I would buy. It’s useful for the most out-of-shape couch potato, all the way up through world-class athletes. It is particularly useful as the best way to progress pulling type exercises (pull-up type stuff), which is a class of exercises that’s really hard to do at home otherwise. </p>
<p>I have mine hung from the rafters in the basement and use it quite a bit. Most of my workouts that have at least one exercise using the straps. My favorite pushup variation is pushups with my feet in the strap. My favorite core exercise is planks/side planks with my feet in the straps.</p>
<p>A lot of credit is due to TRX for the work they have done popularizing the concept and producing training materials. However, there’s a competing product that is a much better value. I have the [Jungle</a> Gym XT system](<a href=“http://www.lifelineusa.com/catalog/product/view/id/58/s/jungle-gym-xt/]Jungle”>http://www.lifelineusa.com/catalog/product/view/id/58/s/jungle-gym-xt/), which is currently on sale at Amazon or Perform Better for $85.</p>
<p>[Product:</a> Jungle Gym XT](<a href=“http://www.performbetter.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_10151_10752_1005607_-1]Product:”>http://www.performbetter.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_10151_10752_1005607_-1)</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> LifelineUSA XT Jungle Gym: Sports & Outdoors](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Lifeline-4-JGXT-LifelineUSA-Jungle-Gym/dp/B004R3VQU4]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Lifeline-4-JGXT-LifelineUSA-Jungle-Gym/dp/B004R3VQU4)</p>
<p>Not only is it half the price of the TRX, I believe it’s a better product. The molded handles and foot supports are more comfortable and easier to get your feet in. The anchoring system is very nice. Plus, the two straps can be anchored separately shoulder width apart or joined together like a TRX. The separate anchoring makes it easier to just use one strap. Plus, the length adjustment on the Jungle Gym is quicker and easier. I can’t say enough good things about this product. It’s very high quality for a reasonable price.</p>
<p>They also have a very slick wall/ceiling mount kit.</p>
<p>Awesome! thanks Interesteddad. I will look into that one. I really like the different range of motion I think you might get with this technology. </p>
<p>thanks again!</p>
<p>MichaelNKat,</p>
<p>[Heart</a> Rate Based Calorie Burn Calculator for Unknown VO2max](<a href=“http://www.easycalculation.com/health/heart-rate-calorie-burn.php]Heart”>http://www.easycalculation.com/health/heart-rate-calorie-burn.php)</p>
<p>Does the formula in this link give you similar calorie burns as what you are using?</p>
<p>BC: </p>
<p>I think wool would be too hot for running. I know that it would be way too hot for strenuous hiking. Heck, it’s gotta be seriously cold or even the lightest weight of PolarTech PowerDry base layer is too hot.</p>
<p>For me, a single layer of long sleeve tech shirt and some kind of light wind breaker type running jacket or wind shirt is plenty for fitness hill walking or uphill strenuous hiking down to freezing or below. I’d rather go with the light jacket rather than a heavier insulating layer because it cuts the wind, which is when you really feel cold.</p>
<p>I think a tech shirt and a 1/4 zip pulllover and a light running jacket would be all you need for running around here on any day that you would actually consider running outside (like 20 degrees).</p>
<p>I think a wool baselayer shirt like that would make more sense for an activity that involves some standing around where you aren’t generating heat. Ice fishing, riding a chairlift, etc.</p>
<p>Having said that, the warmer Nike “thermal” running shirt I bought is one of my favorite shirts. Very soft and comfy. It’s too hot for hiking up mountains, but great to throw on as the middle layer for downhill hiking when I’m not sweating. And super for around the house! I will buy a second one in a flash, if I ever see one. They had another one at TJ MAXX, but it was in a big bold geometric stripe print that just didn’t strike my fancy at all. The wool version would probably be similarly nice.</p>
<p>2 lbs on me from consuming large amounts of sushi + continue with various smoked fish and will continue for several days, so no chance at loosing them. Yummmmm!!!
Just another proof that exercise is only one side of the story, consumption is very much in play here.</p>
<p>BC, a wool running shirt would be too hot for me, but I’m not in NE. $30 for a quality hybrid wool baselayer is a very good price. It is very similar in construction to my favorite Helly Hansen baselayers that are made of a hybrid wool-polymer fabric, like this one:
[W</a> HH DRY REVOLUTION LS - Helly Hansen Official Online Store](<a href=“http://shop.hellyhansen.com/us/item/w-hh-dry-revolution-ls-48157/]W”>http://shop.hellyhansen.com/us/item/w-hh-dry-revolution-ls-48157/)</p>
<p>HH makes clothing for active winter sports, and they really know how to make a piece that can be warm, lightweight, and moisture-wicking. Nike dri-fit stuff is great as well.</p>
<p>The big downside of wool for sweaty fitness gear is that you have to be careful washing it. I love that you can throw man-made tech fabrics in the washer and dryer with no fear whatsoever that it will shrink or change shape.</p>
<p>Ahhh. Back from the basement. Good solid workout. Squat jumps were great. Big air – well, big air for an ol’ (formerly) fat guy… Core was swiss ball mountain climbers. Abs burning. Those are always hard.</p>
<p>Really good single leg dead lifts. I guess probably should bump the weight up. DB bench press was good. Walking lunges (with two 20 lb DBs) were tough, as usual. Chin ups were great. Nice slow grinding reps. The combo move (curl, squat, press) kicked my butt… just like it’s supposed to.</p>
<p>Now, it’s time for shower and a great dinner (bbq combo platter – baby back ribs and pulled pork – plus my spicy brocolli slaw. Then, settle in under my down sleeping bag on the couch for Monday Night Football!</p>
<p>2.75 miles on the treadmill. I was going to go to the Y tonight but I had to drop off a few tennis racquets for stringing and a ton of fog rolled in.</p>
<p>rest day today after two long runs on the weekend. Walked a little over a mile with incline and did some weight machine. Just to get some warm up and stretch done.</p>
<p>Overall, I failed my goal of a presentatble body. Two months ago, I was so sure I could do it, dropping another 5 ~8 lbs, but… … I did not even lose one lb in two months.</p>
<p>The #1 problem is my food intake. As weather gets colder, my appetite for food grows. Don’t have the will power any long. A snack here and there - I am now two lbs over my session low.</p>
<p>I’m considering ordering one of these…</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Trainer In a Bag, Equalizer Suspension Trainer, Black, (3000 Series). Made in USA.: Sports & Outdoors](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Trainer-In-Bag-Suspension-3000/dp/B005CV8LBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355201724&sr=8-1&keywords=suspension+trainer]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Trainer-In-Bag-Suspension-3000/dp/B005CV8LBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355201724&sr=8-1&keywords=suspension+trainer)</p>
<p>It’s even cheaper than the Jungle Gym.</p>
<p>dadx:</p>
<p>That’s the way it goes. The plateaus are part of it. All you can do is keep eating well and exercising and let the results come when they will. As you get closer to your goal weight, the weight loss has to slow down, unless you are able to keep whacking your calories.</p>
<p>I’m up a couple of pounds. Same thing happened last year in November/December. I don’t know if it’s a seasonal thing. It very well might be.</p>
<p>Dad II, I was at a plateau for 2.5 months this summer/fall. Did not budge, for love or money. It broke in late October – dropped six lbs in 10 days and it has stayed off. Have lost more since, too. I just kept eating right and doing my cardio rehab. At some point my metabolism finally kicked up a notch. Hang in there!</p>
<p>I think there is a seasonal thing…</p>
<p>Yesterday ended 10 weeks since I started trying to lose weight. I lost 25 pounds. I weigh 155 pounds. </p>
<p>I felt kind of lousy working out last night. I realized that I had only eaten 1200 calories yesterday and was burning about 2500 calories with various exercises. These are
estimates. 
so I cut things a little short, ate some food and made my main goal.</p>
<p>I woke up today. Looked in the mirror, and if anything, I am thin now. I
wouldn’t mind losing another inch or two from my waist, but I don’t want to lose anything in my face or neck. And my waist is ok. 34’s fit well now. Maybe even 33’s might work, but I don’t have any of those. :)</p>
<p>My wife, who is a jock, looked at me and said, “Enough losing weight.” I told her when I started losing weight, she could decide when I am done. :)</p>
<p>So now, the hard part, the maintaining. You would think with 1200 extra calories a day to
play with, it would be easy…</p>
<p>I actually weigh a little less than 155, so I am going to eat something bad. :)</p>
<p>dstark, congrats. Size 33 pants are not that easy to find (and size 35 pants are virtually non-existent) - it really puzzles me why our manufacturers think that men’s waists shrink or grow in 2-inch increments. Do they really think that a belt is the best cure for ill-fitting pants?</p>
<p>I did some core work last night - planks, pushups, wall sitting, stability ball stuff, squats… Did not feel like running for some reason, but will definitely go for a run later today.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>25 pounds is a significant change in body weight! I bet that everyone who was used to looking at you at 180 (including you) does see 155 as pretty skinny! Congratulations!</p>
<p>I believe that the number one goal for weight maintenance, especially for us “middle-age” folk, is to focus on building lean muscle. There’s a misconception that strength training is just for bodybuilders. In reality, it’s probably the most important thing for easy weight maintenance.</p>
<p>I weigh 4 pounds more than I did a year ago today, but the same size pants fit better. I think the difference is that I’m more muscular now. The hiking is doing a number on my legs and glutes. I can feel the difference in several of my regular strength training exercises.</p>
<p>Well, dstark, based on the numbers given, I think we have rather different body build. I am about 20 lb heavier than you are but my waist size is smaller than yours. It will take another 10 lb or so for me to reach the “normal” BMI range for my height. </p>
<p>My DW has also been telling me to stop losing weight. But I want to be a “normal” person. May be next summer I could get down there.</p>
<p>I finally got bumper plates in our gym I had to make another exercise specialist mad, but I won 
We also added a little color to the gym with them…</p>