want to start a primal workout type discussion?

[425lisamarie]

I'm curious if there are many followers of this. I'm really liking this Mark's daily apple site! I never read through much of it but found a post where he was talking about basically primal type workout. Heavy squats, deadlifts, kettlebells.

I've been working out a long time and over time I have completely changed my workouts to heavy intensity, low volume, low frequency and I am STRONGER, healthier, tire less, full of energy, more FLEXIBLE (big one because I don't do yoga or much of anything that is graceful LOL)

I used to go to the gym 3 times a week, but now I'm just doing 2, and on saturday I do a kettlebell workout and cardio since we go to my mom's and she has a nice eliptical.

I'm really on a life mission to convince people to treat their bodies better! I see so many people doing a million exercises telling me how they wake up to do an hour of cardio and then workout after work, then MORE cardio. No wonder they have to take so many chemical suppliments

I was really happy and interested to see in another thread those pictures of shapely, fit looking woman as an inspiration.

Maybe we can share workouts, ideas, help, or discuss how everyone is doing. I've recently bought 2 kettlebells and I swear I found muscles even *I* didn't know I had LOL

On the other days I'm going to start focusing on doing some stretching and yoga. My kids like yoga, it's too cute

[dogmom327]

Subbing

Not sure I can be of much health as I'm just getting back to working out after several years off and I've only been doing primal for 6 months. I am curious to hear ideas though. I really like having videos to motivate me (lame I know). So I'm getting into Chalean Extreme which is lots of heavy weights but next I'd like to do something more functional.

[lil_earthmomma]

Sounds great!!!

I'm loving yoga, it's totally changed my life.

I'm also focusing on weight training, and tabata style burpees at the moment.

[Ms. B. Sprout]

I need to learn how to lift weights. Right now my only exercise is "chronic cardio."

[crunchy_mama]

I really like his exercise focus as well. Especially right now at this point in my life I don't want to spend hours a day working out. I think his guidelines are really reasonable and about real health rather than just what looks good. I am just now 7 wks pp so just getting back in the swing of things. I got the 30 day shred video which I like as it has bodyweight exercises and intervals, but probably won't be a long term thing- I like having videos though. My thought is I want to work on incorporating my working out w/ playing w/ the kids more and making it more family time.

So, his recommendations are to (for anyone not familiar):
3-4 hrs low intensity cardio exercise a week(for me I want that to be hikes w/ the family and just nature walks w/ the kids)
lift heavy things (right now I am doing more bodyweight exercises-pushups-pullups-squats-etc- I have weights and have lifted some- but there is no one in the area to teach Olympic lifts that I want to do- always wanted kettleballs but I have never ponied up to by them!- )
and run really fast sometimes-sprint- so many sprinting opportunties while playing outside w/ the kids!

I do yoga some as well. I just love the idea of fitness being life. It seems so crazy doing those isolation movements and hrs on treadmills when there is so much outside. I love the philosophy as well as having an active family is a big goal of mine. I have told dh often that right now the kids love being outside and I really want to foster that.

I also love feeling big and strong, but I want that to be functional as well. Dh and I do a lot of work around the house and outside as well, so there is always opportunities for workouts in that way as well. Digging, shoveling, carrying logs, raking, throwing/lugging heavy rocks- gardening.

Rambling on- I sure need motivation! I fall to workout videos because I like to have someone to workout with- but as I said I am trying to move to a more active life- in the spring/summer/fall this is pretty easy just w/ life but it takes more of an effort in the winter.

Yesterday we took a nice family hike outside. It was only 15(F) but we were plenty warm as we bundled up it was a real nice time. I am planning another hike come Thursday. Tomorrow will be park day- I plan on bringing a Frisbee for a nice game and to get some running in- the park has a trial as well.

[mags]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

I really like his exercise focus as well. Especially right now at this point in my life I don't want to spend hours a day working out. I think his guidelines are really reasonable and about real health rather than just what looks good. I am just now 7 wks pp so just getting back in the swing of things. I got the 30 day shred video which I like as it has bodyweight exercises and intervals, but probably won't be a long term thing- I like having videos though. My thought is I want to work on incorporating my working out w/ playing w/ the kids more and making it more family time.

So, his recommendations are to (for anyone not familiar):
3-4 hrs low intensity cardio exercise a week(for me I want that to be hikes w/ the family and just nature walks w/ the kids)
lift heavy things (right now I am doing more bodyweight exercises-pushups-pullups-squats-etc- I have weights and have lifted some- but there is no one in the area to teach Olympic lifts that I want to do- always wanted kettleballs but I have never ponied up to by them!- )
and run really fast sometimes-sprint- so many sprinting opportunties while playing outside w/ the kids!

I do yoga some as well. I just love the idea of fitness being life. It seems so crazy doing those isolation movements and hrs on treadmills when there is so much outside. I love the philosophy as well as having an active family is a big goal of mine. I have told dh often that right now the kids love being outside and I really want to foster that.

I also love feeling big and strong, but I want that to be functional as well. Dh and I do a lot of work around the house and outside as well, so there is always opportunities for workouts in that way as well. Digging, shoveling, carrying logs, raking, throwing/lugging heavy rocks- gardening.

Rambling on- I sure need motivation! I fall to workout videos because I like to have someone to workout with- but as I said I am trying to move to a more active life- in the spring/summer/fall this is pretty easy just w/ life but it takes more of an effort in the winter.

Yesterday we took a nice family hike outside. It was only 15(F) but we were plenty warm as we bundled up it was a real nice time. I am planning another hike come Thursday. Tomorrow will be park day- I plan on bringing a Frisbee for a nice game and to get some running in- the park has a trial as well.

Thanks for explaining that.

[deditus]

PLEASE DO! I am so out of shape since dd was born. I was active and doing hard yard work/gardening until she was born. I worked 50-70/hrs a week laboring in my landscaping company from ages 17-25 and hiked often. I do NOT like working out - I like working hard. We now live in the city in a duplex, with a yard shared with our landlords and I really have a limited amount of work to do outdoors (unless it snows and I can go shovel, but really it's too cold to snow very much here!).
I don't even have a clue where to start. I am turning 30 in a few weeks and really having a hard time with it! Mentally I'm fine, but emotionally I am having some gut level reaction to getting old, turning grey, not being beautiful & muscular anymore! SO now that I finally have my dd's intolerances figured out and we are in a groove with eating paleo (and not being woken every 45 minutes during a reaction), it is time to start focusing on ME!
crunchy_mama, we were at Play It Again Sports yesterday getting some beginner ice skates for dd and they had kettlebells for very reasonable prices if you happen to have them by you.
I am especially interested in what can be done at a gym because joining the YMCA (with childcare) would probably be my best bet at this point, at least for the winter since it is regularly below zero here.

[425lisamarie]

I like the "lift heavy things" line . Seriously it's true! I live heavy at the gym and 90% of what I do are just olympic lifts. Squats, deadlifts, and I do walking lunges with a heavy barbell because it's SO good for that leg/butt tie in area. Then I do bench press, over head press for shoulders, and I do clean and press and snatch lifts.

The good thing about kettlebells is that they are very small and dense. They don't take up a whole lot of room. You could have two of them and get an intense workout for sure.

We are buys moms, we get ENOUGH cardio just keeping up the house and playing with the kids!

the majority of people at the gym I go to ARE only concerned with their looks, and the funny thing is they don't look vibrant, full of life, healthy, and most of them are even lacking the body they want anyways LOL. I literally spend 2 hours inside a gym, maybe 3 if I go saturday but I prefer to not these days. Since I keep such a good diet and I'm not killing myself on the treadmill I actually have success. Someone told me last week they get up and do 45-60 minutes cardio in the am, then I see her workout at night and she does cardio after too. That's so sad

I know a dear and sweet lady, who'd in her 40s and has been a fitness coach and done those shows for so many years, she asked me if I would want to, se would help me prepare. I TOTALLY am not in to that, but it kinda made me think if it would further prove my point and mission further. To live healthier, and that it IS possible to have your mind and body on the same page. YOu don't have to sacrifice feeling crappy and exhausted and not eat real food just to be thin. I don't like the idea of dropping any more body fat but it would be for such a short time. I'm pretty lean already and I wouldn't diet down if I was hungry but if I dieted a little and added a little bit of running I wonder if I could do it.

It's so funny how once you truely give up the obsession with your looks and being thin, it all seems to fall in to place.

As an eating disorder survivor and being very, VERY overweight during child bearing I can sympathize with every woman on the earth that's for sure.

I think yoga would be very beneficial to me. For some reason I can't really get in to it, but someone suggested I take a class once for instruction and I'm going to find one this week. I know there's a yoga studio very close but i think it's all HOT yoga, and i'm not sure i'd like that

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by deditus

. I do NOT like working out - I like working hard. .

This is PERFECT. It feels really good to have a short, intense workout that leaves you feeling strong and powerful. I watch people carry on and on with dumb exercise after dumb exercise. I sit on a bench near the olympic bar racks, I do a heavy set, then a set of abs, then sit and listen to my ipod and regroup a minute, then do it again. It's hard but effective and I feel kinda primal working out this way. Being strong is a great feeling. Does the YMCA have weight equimpment? I've never been to the Y, they have a newly remodeled one here actually I have been wanting to check it out with the kids

[ambereva]

Hey! I LOVE a long sweaty cardio session (90 minutes? bring it on!), and I don't need/take any supplements. Hunters chased game over long distances, sometimes for days at a time, so there IS a place in primal living for cardio, especially for those of us who thrive on it.

I also love lifting heavy things and making all the boys in the gym jealous because I can do more pullups than they can.

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by ambereva

Hey! I LOVE a long sweaty cardio session (90 minutes? bring it on!), and I don't need/take any supplements. Hunters chased game over long distances, sometimes for days at a time, so there IS a place in primal living for cardio, especially for those of us who thrive on it.

I also love lifting heavy things and making all the boys in the gym jealous because I can do more pullups than they can.

Yep that's true, also. I'm speaking of woman who only do cardio so they can be thin but DREAD it. Yeah I love to live nature inspired but I also have a lot of modern-ness to keep up with like the busy crazy modern world and there is no time for things that make you miserable KWIM? There was a time in college that I took up running and I really enjoyed it.

I find it AMAZING that some of those huge muscle hunks can't do a single pullup LOL. When it's all about your looks I think that's when people fail.

BTW I didn't mean to imply there is not place for cardio. What I mean is that you don't NEED hours of it if you don't like it or you'd rather do something else, or if you just don't have the time. Running can be great for strength, endurance but not everyone can long distance run. I sprint periodically and it really makes my legs feel strong. I should probably do it more often but since I can't run outside at all right now I dno't want to treck to the gym just to run. Over the summer I got SO fast. I ran probably every other day someteimes just 20 minutes, but I did fast sprints

[deditus]

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie

Does the YMCA have weight equimpment? I've never been to the Y, they have a newly remodeled one here actually I have been wanting to check it out with the kids

Oh yes, and I just looked at the class schedule and they have Kettlebells classes, too. Guess I better apply for a scholarship 'cause I don't have an extra $100/month laying around, but I could probably scrounge up $50, lol!

[Ms. B. Sprout]

Well, I have an embarrassing admission to make. I just tried to do a push-up, and I couldn't! Not even one!



I have some work to do. Where should I start? Hit me with some good books or websites where I can learn how to lift weights or do other kinds of strength training. I know it's probably easy to learn, but I just need a place to start. Thanks in advance for any info!

[crunchy_mama]

it is not embarassing to not be able to do a pushup. Most women cannot do one unless they are specifically working on them! The good news is you can build strength. I don't have much time as I am cooking supper, but there is the 100 pushup site to build up strength, but you would be starting from your knees, or wall, or some other modification obviously. I have heard good things about the New Rules of Weight Lifting for women and in the past I have enjoyed the stumptuous.com site- oh and google Eva T's blog she has a different body weight exercise everyday.

Went to the park today and hiked around a bit. The baby didn't let me play frisbee or do any sprinting, but the next 2 days are supposed to be nice as well so I hope to get lots of outside time in then.


I am thinking of going back to the 100 pushup program as well, just because I like some structure of some sort for that stuff. Dh is starting a weight loss challenge at work on Thurs. so hopefully we can start some lifting together then as I will have a spotter. I don't do any complicated moves as I cannot find good instruction, but I like to deadlift and squat. I want to start working on pullups again.

Oh, and deditus since you live w/ super cold weather you could do tabata snow shoveling We don't have any YMCA here so I don't know anything about them. No Play it Again sports either. I know our one gym has a bootcamp class that I have done before that does lots of pushups and such and she even goes outside some to run the stairs sometimes. I really like those kind of workouts myself and love working out in classes as I really find them motivating- of course that depends on the teacher. Totally jealous of the kettleball class- that sounds too fun- hopefully you might qualify for a scholarship! The expensive place around here is $50 month. The one gym only costs us about $10 a month I think as dh gets a discount through his work.

[Ms. B. Sprout]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

it is not embarassing to not be able to do a pushup. Most women cannot do one unless they are specifically working on them! The good news is you can build strength. I don't have much time as I am cooking supper, but there is the 100 pushup site to build up strength, but you would be starting from your knees, or wall, or some other modification obviously. I have heard good things about the New Rules of Weight Lifting for women and in the past I have enjoyed the stumptuous.com site- oh and google Eva T's blog she has a different body weight exercise everyday.

I'll check all of that out! Thanks!

And thanks for the reassurance, too. After I tried, DH did 15 push-ups so I was feeling pretty outgunned.

[crunchy_mama]

blasted computer! UGH!
hiked a bit yesterday w/ the kids. did a few sprints as well racing my 5 y.o. he thought that was big fun.

Hope to get outside today as well, weather is supposed to be good at least until Sun when the rain comes. Will be doing some pushups and pullups today(or rather attempting pullups as I haven't done any since early in pregnancy so I am betting it will be a rather weak attempt!

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

blasted computer! UGH!
hiked a bit yesterday w/ the kids. did a few sprints as well racing my 5 y.o. he thought that was big fun.

Hope to get outside today as well, weather is supposed to be good at least until Sun when the rain comes. Will be doing some pushups and pullups today(or rather attempting pullups as I haven't done any since early in pregnancy so I am betting it will be a rather weak attempt!

It's been raining here every single day. UGH! I posted in a thread about pullups.....doing sets of negatives i'm not sure which thread it was. They are tough! I couldn't do a single pullup a while back, and I do sets of 6-8 now. I was stuck on reps of like 4 or 5 until I started deadlifting which made my forearms and everyhting else a little stronger and it upped my reps a little

I'm doing a home workout tomorrow of pushups, pullups and jump squats. Basically I jump up do as many pullups as possible, drop and do as many pushups as possible, roll over and do V-ups with a medicine ball, then stand up and do jump squats, or kettlebell swings if I want to do shoulders too. Then I rest a minute or two depending on the kids (they like to workout with me too and show me their moves, it's cute). I do 4 sets.

[crunchy_mama]

No rain here yet, but it is coming! Have done a little bit of working out so far today. A couple of sprints. Did pullups(negatives) and pushups-5-3-1. Yes, that was tough in all honestly. I tried to see if I could do a pullup, but no way is that happening right now! My pushups are pretty pathetic as well. My energy level is great, just lacking in the strength right now. You remind me I need to do cursed squats Oh, and the kids love to work out w/ me as well. They both wanted to hang on the pullup bar. But they call all exercise pushups for some reason. I like to do yoga on Thursdays- so I plan to do some rounds of sun salutation this evening.

[lil_earthmomma]

Let's start the 100 pushup challenge on MONDAY!!! I'm so in!

http://hundredpushups.com/

[crunchy_mama]

alright I am in Sigh... last time I did this I started in level 3. Oh, well. I am starting in level 1 this time.

I did not get outside yesterday! time slipped away, next thing I knew it was time to make supper, then eat then playing games and bedtime. Great day though. Awesome energy. Dh had a killer headache last night so no working out(likely the carb flu). Hopefully we can start some workouts together this weekend.

Oh, and I am a bit sore today! Sad but true!