I can also answer the weighted vest issue: wearing one is like carrying weights around in your hand, except easier, and the good part is that it builds core strength (to keep you upright) and muscle strength in the legs and hips (to keep you upright). Doing lunges in one is the same as doing lunges with dumbbells or a kettle ball. Doing raised lunges is the same. Farmers’ carry is the same. Weighted pullups is the same as using a weight belt. In other words, any exercise that normally involves movement with weight is the same. Bend over with a weighted vest and that’s a good morning lift. So you can do lots of things with one. Sprinters start and pull against ropes or bands and a weighted vest is another way to develop start strength.
That said, you don’t jump much or run much with weights in your hands - because it’s dangerous to you and others - so you wouldn’t with a vest.
This said, I would never use a weighted leg weight - like an ankle belt: dangerous for many reasons. Turn your leg wrong and you tear your ACL. Rip your achilles, etc.
If anyone has read this far down, I divide exercise into 4 categories: endurance, explosive, strength and flexibility. We need all 4 kinds. The two kinds that cause the most injuries are endurance and explosive: run on a treadmill and you can get repetition injuries and doing explosive (like plyometric) exercise can simply cause stuff to break. IMHO, doing yoga and weight lifting - not at the same time! - works together: tightness caused by strength lifting balanced by flexibility, focus in yoga helps with weight technique, yoga helps with balance (on one foot, etc.) which enables strength just as strength enables balance. I believe in the Roman maxim: mens sana in corpore sana. A sound mind in a strong body. BTW, explosive can mean something as basic as ball slams and kettleball swings, not sprinting.
Interesting thread…about 30 years ago I used Weight Watchers to trim down for my 10th college reunion. There was no way I was going back looking the way I was. Sitting all day at my desk, out for margaritas with the girls at night. Best thing I ever did. I’m 59, 5’6" and weigh 123. Now my daughter is home from her first year of college and is chunkier than she’s ever been. I don’t mention her weight because its not my business and she already knows she’s overweight, but I did mention W.W. when she asked and she started it last week. Already lost four pounds, and is learning a ton about nutrition, portion control, bad eating habits, etc. Love that program!
My sister just went back for her 50th college reunion, and came back depressed at how so many of her classmates had “let themselves go”. Not just weight, but hair, general grooming etc.
Now I’ve broken my foot and have to sit around for several weeks, although I do have a great knee roller to get around the house in. There is NO WAY I’m going to gain weight…cut back 500 calories daily should do it.
I bought my daughter an electronic scale for her dorm room. All of the kids have taken daily weight measurements since they could stand; it’as normal to them as brushing their teeth every morning. I’ve been weighing myself daily since I was a teenager. The rule in the family is that weight should never sneak up on you.
^^weight won’t sneak up on me as long as I can learn to keep my mouth shut. [-X
But I’m not there yet. I have gone up two sizes in the last few years and I know what it’s from. Not enough exercise and diet coke and eating too many sweets. I eliminated diet coke for almost a year and then went back to it last July 4th. I’m going to try that again but this time just stick to water and not go back. Eliminating sweets? Yikes. At least for awhile so I can go down at least one size again.
I pulled something in my chest doing cobra I think. It didn’t hurt at the time, but it did the next day and for almost a year after that. I am not a big fan of yoga.
It’s good in a some ways, no more hormones fluctuation, no more worry about running out of pads. It’s not all bad.
I’m in the category it is what it is.
LasMa, and not knowing your experience/fitness/etc., if you can, try to work with a trainer to learn proper technique. Really important on deadlifts and squats, which most people do wrong, often very wrong. BTW, I also recommend people try a trap bar. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a barbell that’s divided in the middle so you step inside. That transfers the movement partly to the quads and puts a bit less strain on the back. It’s also a more natural grip - your hands face in on your sides. The technique is the same and you try to keep the weight back on your heels the same too.
I’m 58. I’m in what people would consider excellent shape but I have extra pounds I can’t lose or can’t lose and keep off.
Took weight off about 6 years ago and all was good. I exercise religiously at least 5 days a week. I watch what I eat and rarely eat sweets, meat other than chicken w/o skin, cheese ( other than low fat) , butter, etc. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Was with family on a very hot humid day yesterday. After dinner we all went for ice cream. I was the only one who did not get ice cream.
Yet I have been putting weight on again as of late. I think it is wine. Sigh…
I love a glass or two or three at night. It’s relaxing. But I force myself not to have any wine for several nights out of the week for weight purposes. It doesn’t seem to be working.
I do not want to give up my wine entirely. Excuse me while I go pour another glass!
I must admit that my workout was better today. I upped both the speed of the treadmill and the volume of my playlist. For a moment or two I felt powerful.
@Lergnom - I work with a trainer and he watches my back and shoulders like a hawk at all times. After every set he asked me if I’d felt anything in my lower back. He also was making sure that I was aware of my knees and that they weren’t getting too far forward. He’s a fanatic about correct form.
Yes, the correct body position is CRUCIAL. My favorite yoga instructor is VERY careful to have everyone who joins her classes to tell her about ANY health issues they have and any injuries so she can be especially sensitive to them. She always tells us to work to our edge but NEVER beyond. She’s about my age and very, very careful to remind us NOT to push ourselves until injury. Holding a correct position is much more important to her than us pushing ourselves and risking injury and not being able to hold the position.
He pushes me hard, and there is plenty of pain, but the right kind. Very often as, say, my quads are on fire, he’ll say “You’re not feeling that in your knees, are you?” I’ve had lots of sore muscles in the time I’ve been working with him, but zero injuries.
but truthfully, I met (along with my H who is a doc) with a surgeon today to talk about cosmetic surgery.
I went expecting to be advised to get a tummy tuck and he said it would be pointless and to consider a liposucktion and expect modest results.
He also thought I look better than many my age and overall is a nice guy. Still embarrassing.
I am 5’2"and 143lbs–my heaviest other than pg in my life. I workout --weights, walking, mountain hiking and so on 6 days a week–but really? whatever. I do not like this tummy. period.
It turns out I have the medical (why I need H who is sleeping now) equivalant of a bowed spine.
I had noticed it just 2 years ago but it is making my tummy protrude.
So do this–stand with your back and spine to the wall-- can you put your hand between the wall and your spine?
Some is genetic and some is posture. I have been a stand up straight freak for my lifetime so this is genetic.
The lipo is about $4000 and a month of recovery although able to workout and so on after a week.
I intend to keep increasing my upper body weights and am happy to see that after about 3 weeks now I see definition to my muscles as I had 10 years ago! I am also going to work on getting my weight down to 135.
This is not a low weight at all but one I think I could work with.
I look great at 126 but cannot work a lifestyle around it (good for a wedding or whatever though).