OT: what do you all do for exercise?

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katryn

katryn

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I'm just curious what everyone does to stay in shape/physically relieve stress. I have a treadmill at home, but the idea of running takes me from happy/had a good day to pissy woman almost instantly. The combination of sports involving thrown/caught/hit objects and my lack of moving depth perception skills is also a bad combination (read: I get hit in the face A LOT). I just can't really think of anything besides sports or running that is easy to do in a short (30-45min-ish) amount of time. I'm trying to find a fitness habit to get into before school starts; makes sense that it will be easier to start now than in the full swing of first year.
 
katryn said:
I'm just curious what everyone does to stay in shape/physically relieve stress. I have a treadmill at home, but the idea of running takes me from happy/had a good day to pissy woman almost instantly. The combination of sports involving thrown/caught/hit objects and my lack of moving depth perception skills is also a bad combination (read: I get hit in the face A LOT). I just can't really think of anything besides sports or running that is easy to do in a short (30-45min-ish) amount of time. I'm trying to find a fitness habit to get into before school starts; makes sense that it will be easier to start now than in the full swing of first year.
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Personally, I am a runner 🙂 Nothing better than hitting the trail (or road if need be) and forgetting all your cares 😉 Not to mention, that flood of endorphins you get as a result! I agree that not everyone is made out for running...in the beginning, that is...it just takes some time for your body to get into "running shape" then you'll be addicted!
 
I think most of it is just getting home after working all day at a super busy clinic and thinking "oh great, now I get to run...." It's enjoyable when I get in to it, but I have to be shoved on to the treadmill in the first place. And for some odd reason that endorphine rush you get from it....makes me angry, like punched the wall when something fell out of the refrigerator angry.
 
I suppose I'm not the most athletic human being, but I walk. I put on my iPod and just wander out - it's definitely not the biggest calorie-burner, but since I'm a klutz (and run into everything) it helps me clear my mind. Course, it's an accelerated walk because my Beagle has absolutely no manners. Still working on that, though.

I suppose it's not a huge thing to get done in that short of time, but it's nice and you can still clear your mind without running into /too/ much. I hit the fence a couple times and a tree or two whenever I go out (get distracted).
 
katryn said:
I think most of it is just getting home after working all day at a super busy clinic and thinking "oh great, now I get to run...." It's enjoyable when I get in to it, but I have to be shoved on to the treadmill in the first place. And for some odd reason that endorphine rush you get from it....makes me angry, like punched the wall when something fell out of the refrigerator angry.
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lol...it's true...finding time to fit in a run after a long, hard day is very rough...actually, at the moment, i am trying to get back into running after an extended break (we are talking years) and it's been hard...it just boils down to fitting it in as part of the routine...

Also, I'm not sure if i would call what you are experiencing an endorphin rush!

Keep at it...I'm sure you can find something to relieve stress...just make sure its not three bottles of hooch!!
 
I ride my horses (usually three per day if everything is on schedule. I work full time so that isn't always the case) and walk my dogs every morning around 4 miles. I can't run due to bad ankles but I love to walk. Its relaxing and gives me some guilt free down time to hang with my dogs and turn my mind off.
 
I've recently started running again and for some reason, I feel really nauseous after my run. I'm only running about 15-20 mins so I'm not sure why this is. Anyone else encounter this?
 
I do lots of stuff!

I'm currently attending 5 different ballroom/latin dance classes. It's in total about 10 hours a week. I don't feel like I'm exercising, but I am, and having SO much fun.

I play racquetball. I just found a gym in my area that has courts and people that know how to play. I'll probably be hitting the courts at least a couple times a week if possible. I was playing about 8 hours a week in college. After many many hours of practice, my coordination got better. I get hit less now. But I've had many battle scars. Bruises, scrapes, concussions, and even a broken toe. It's too much fun to stop. Nothing like beating the crap out of a ball to get out your frustrations. 😀

I also go running, but this one depends. I'll run everyday for a week and then not do it for a few weeks. It fluctuates a lot. Other days I'll be happy on the elliptical or that rowing machine. But I usually do this in conjunction to dancing (I practice in a small corner of the aerobics room because it's hardwood). Or I'll just jack the incline up like crazy on the treadmill and walk as fast as I can without holding on and with it that high.

Then part of my stay thinner diet is playing the piano. I can play for hours and hours on end and not even think about food. Good for when I'm bored and just want to eat. 🙂
 
I'm not an expert but I think the nausea and the anger are both just kind of your bodies getting used to the running routine.

I know when I don't run for awhile running to me feels awkward and I can get side stitches or nauseous or angry.

Once I've been running consistently that tends to go away and it all just feels...smooth.

For exercise I try to mix it up. I run. I do ballet. I do pilates. and I've heard great things about P90X so I may try that too. my problem right now is figuring how to fit it all in!

I also have a treadmill at home but I don't use it. I'm much more motivated if I actually go to a gym and everyone is working out. Otherwise its me running at home on the treadmill and my fiance eating a pizza next to me watching TV. Talk about getting angry while running. 😛

We bring our gym stuff to work every day so that we just go straight to the gym in the afternoon. If I have to go home, its game over. I'm tired and I just don't want to do it.
 
Working full time now i barely have time to exercise. I do it...but it takes up my whole night 😡 So basically i just come home, gym, dinner, sleep. Such a boring life lol

Once i move, i plan to get a bike as my only source of transportation. I love biking but my fav one got stolen jr. yr undergrad 🙁

Since my schools gym membership is not included with tuition costs ( >40k!! sighh) I signed a lease with an apartment complex that has a big gym included 😀

Besides this, i doubt i'll have much time to do hard core stuff....too much exercise makes me sooo tired ill drop dead an hr afterwards. I'm not too worried about keeping fit though because i think the lack of car will solve all my problems haha also...the stress from school
 
I don't have a gym membership now that I graduated, so I mostly run. I'm not a natural runner (distance or sprinting, I'm slow either way), but when I hit a rhythm, it feels pretty good.
Given the option (which I'm usually not), I definitely prefer to get my exercise in the form of sports, or at least in conditioning as part of a team. I love softball, lacrosse is fun, I don't really know how to play ultimate, but I do like throwing and catching frisbees. Flag football is fun too. Boogie boarding is great, and I'd still love to learn to surf. I'll play intramural-almost-anything given the opportunity. Bonus points if it involves throwing and catching a ball that fits in one hand (basketball and volleyball are not my strong points)
 
katryn said:
I think most of it is just getting home after working all day at a super busy clinic and thinking "oh great, now I get to run...." It's enjoyable when I get in to it, but I have to be shoved on to the treadmill in the first place..
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Yeah, I totally get that. For me, if I get home from classes, there is just no way I can work up enough motivation to go back out to the gym. So I kind of made it a rule that I was not allowed to leave campus until I went to the gym. It actually really worked, and I realized that even if I don't leave campus until 5-5:30, I still have plenty of time to do all of my work.

That being said, over the past two and a half months I've gone from not working out to working out almost every weekday. I love it now, but it definitely took a lot of motivation and hard work to get here. Of course, I rolled my damn ankle yesterday, so I had to skip then and probably again today. 🙁

I'm so not a runner, but I'm going to try this couch to 5k thing over the summer. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
 
I'm not so convinced that exercise has to be super-strenuous to be effective.

Throughout high school and college I ran avidly (30-40 miles/week) and my body hurt constantly (ankles, knees, hips). I finished my second marathon and decided that I'd had enough.

These days, I walk with my dog for an hour every morning before work. I feel 10 times better than I ever did when I was running and my weight hasn't changed.

Of course, this is just anecdotal 🙂. You have to find what works for you.
 
I only run if I'm chasing something or something is chasing me 😀. That being said, I like biking and swimming. I don't have any kind of routine, just sometimes it occurs to me, 'hey, maybe I'll hit the pool today,' and I'll go. Maybe I can start something this summer.
 
I like playing sports for exercise - figure skating, snowboarding/skiing, tennis, volleyball are my favourites.

I'm a terrible runner (used to have asthma) so I prefer skipping rope for cardio.
 
I just bought an elliptical machine to keep in my house at vet school. I had a lot of trouble finding time to exercise in college (the only time I can exercise is at night and it's too dark outside/dangerous at night). Hopefully this will help!
 
Instead of running, try jogging around 5mph. I'm not a natural runner, but this pace seems to work really well for me - especially when I'm listening to my Ipod. Music definitely helps. If running/jogging doesn't work, try power walking.

I'm also exhausted after a long day of work and class, but sometimes you just need to push yourself and be like, "Okay, let's do this!" The simple satisfaction of completing a workout feels great. I also seem to be strapped for time, but usually manage to fit in 3-4 miles/day (30-45 mins on the treadmill).

What about going to a gym a few times a week after work? I know most places give a a free month trial!

Another way to motivate yourself? Change into your workout clothes AT work, that way you're ready to go once you get home!
 
SocialStigma said:
I like playing sports for exercise - figure skating, snowboarding/skiing, tennis, volleyball are my favourites.

I'm a terrible runner (used to have asthma) so I prefer skipping rope for cardio.
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Yep, I'm definitely with this. My friends try to make me run but I'm always lagging behind trying to catch my breath. I prefer swimming it just feels much easier. Oh and Ice Skating is fun too. Hope there will be rinks near Mizzou. 😳
 
I do several different things. I have a free gym at my work so mostly I go there run on the treadmill or elliptical, do yoga class, spin class. But if I don't feel like that I do workout DVD's Jillian Michaels kicks your ass!! She has workouts that are 30 minutes long, and trust me- you feel it! SOme of them are even on demand for free, but if you can't access them that way they are only $10 at target🙂 I highly recommend them.
 
Oh I forgot... I LOVE to dance! Whether it be in the club or doing a choreographed dance... I love it!
 
I agree, it is really hard to get into a routine, but there are a couple things that really helped me start running 4-5times per week (and enjoying it!)...
I have a big dog that loves to jog with me, and just knowing that if I don't go she won't get her exercise helps a bunch!
I also listen to books on tape (ipod), which is AMAZING! It sounds weird, but if you get a good series that sucks you in and you only listen while running, it really makes you look forward to your jog! (if you want a suggestion, Sookie Stackhouse is addictive... think southern vampires + adventure + romance + comedy 😀)
Also, my fiance and I started a competition for who could work out more each month and the winner gets a full body massage 😀 We keep track with colored happy face stickers on our calendar and it is such a motivator! ...I am also very competetive so that probably has something to do with it too 😉.
 
Like Chii Chan, I take dance classes-I found a studio that offers a kind of yoga/ballet class for adults. I danced in high school, but now that i'm older, "real" dance classes just make my joints creaky and hurty 🙁. Yoga and pilates classes are great if you can find a good instructor with reasonable prices. Pilates and yoga are gentle on your body yet make you sweat, help you stay strong and flexible, and I always feel about 200% better both physically and mentally after a class.
 
I just bought a treadmill and it was the best investment I ever made! I used to be a member of a gym, but could never get motivated enough to go more than twice a week. Now I run about a mile and walk a mile every day before work and it has been the best stress reliever ever! Even though it doesn't seem like much, it has made a huge difference in how I feel!😀
 
I do nothing right now (kind of pathetic I know), but I also want to get in some sort of shape before school. Not losing weight wise (I'm very thin), but for strength and endurance. I sometimes have a hard time lifting up a cows tail to draw blood (don't laugh they can be strong and stubborn about it!), and when holding up a knocked out dogs head for 10/15 minutes for debarking my arms feel like they're on fire!!
Plus you just feel better. Personally I like walking (esp. with dogs), and I love playing soccer and am kind of hoping I might be able to do that at school. I wish I could will myself to run... its not so bad once you're into it and you're outside 🙂
 
Am I the only one that likes hiking as a form of exercise? It is soo much fun. I can pick a different trail everyday (easy, medium, or hard) and the reward once you get to the top is incredible. I did have a gym membership last year but I had to cancel it because I did not have a job this year. And I have been severely lacking in the working out department. I haven't been hiking in a while. I need to get back on a schedule. Since I will have a job this summer I am hoping to get back into some sort of routine with working out/hiking/swimming. I absolutely love to work out and find that it is a great way to relieve stress (I am seriously out of shape though right now due to the cancelling of my gym membership).
 
I play ice hockey (and got a couple bugs in my ears trying to get me into roller), ride my bicycle and lift weights 3x per week. Physical outlets are very important for me to keep myself relatively grounded and sane.
 
Nyanko, you would make a SMOKIN' HOT roller derby girl. Just sayin'.

I'm not graceful or coordinated, so anything too complicated doesn't work for me. The only dancing I do is the sort that should be reserved for dark nightclubs, or my husband. (lol!) I have a bike now, but it needs a new pedal. And we found it in the lake so it's not anything special that I picked - it's a Huffy. And the seat makes my rear hurt! :d

If I had a swimming pool, I'd do that... but I don't. So, uh, not a whole lot of exercise here.
 
DVMDream said:
Am I the only one that likes hiking as a form of exercise? It is soo much fun. I can pick a different trail everyday (easy, medium, or hard) and the reward once you get to the top is incredible. I did have a gym membership last year but I had to cancel it because I did not have a job this year. And I have been severely lacking in the working out department. I haven't been hiking in a while. I need to get back on a schedule. Since I will have a job this summer I am hoping to get back into some sort of routine with working out/hiking/swimming. I absolutely love to work out and find that it is a great way to relieve stress (I am seriously out of shape though right now due to the cancelling of my gym membership).
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Definitely not! I love hiking! It's so much better to be outside in the fresh air than inside a gym.
 
Yay for all you dancers out there! 🙂 I just got a pair of really nice professional dance shoes. I can't WAIT for class tonight!!!!!!

If you're uncoordinated, I actually suggest trying to take a dance class. I'm uncoordinated. Literally, I ran into walls while walking, turning corners, etc. It got to the point where people at work would laugh or make fun and I didn't know why or even know I was running into walls! I was so used to it that I didn't even notice. Now after dancing (even though it's only been 9 months since I started taking classes), I run into walls less because I avoid them at the last second. I've gained a bit of grace. 😛

twelvetigers said:
Nyanko, you would make a SMOKIN' HOT roller derby girl. Just sayin'.

I'm not graceful or coordinated, so anything too complicated doesn't work for me. The only dancing I do is the sort that should be reserved for dark nightclubs, or my husband. (lol!) I have a bike now, but it needs a new pedal. And we found it in the lake so it's not anything special that I picked - it's a Huffy. And the seat makes my rear hurt! :d

If I had a swimming pool, I'd do that... but I don't. So, uh, not a whole lot of exercise here.
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Do you mean you actually pulled the bike out of the water? Free is free. I would have done the same. No one usually steals the crappy looking bikes. 🙂
 
I currently lift twice a week and do cardio the other 5 days. I prefer the workout I get from running but its starting to get really hot so I think I will be mainly moving into elliptical at the gym.
 
chii chan said:
If you're uncoordinated, I actually suggest trying to take a dance class. I'm uncoordinated. Literally, I ran into walls while walking, turning corners, etc. It got to the point where people at work would laugh or make fun and I didn't know why or even know I was running into walls! I was so used to it that I didn't even notice. Now after dancing (even though it's only been 9 months since I started taking classes), I run into walls less because I avoid them at the last second. I've gained a bit of grace. 😛
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I tried winterguard once (like colorguard - you know, the flags in the marching band - but in a gym in the winter season, and more 'dancy') and while I managed to learn to throw and catch the flags pretty well, I still looked so awkward doing most of it that I got to sit behind a prop a lot. Lol! And, I ran into a doorway with my full body weight just yesterday. I dunno if it had more to do with my lack of grace, or my tendency to go off in my own little world...


chii chan said:
Do you mean you actually pulled the bike out of the water? Free is free. I would have done the same. No one usually steals the crappy looking bikes. 🙂
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That's exactly what I mean! The chain was rusted, the wheel was a bit bent, and the pedal was loose from someone riding with the bolt loose to begin with - it can't be tightened all the way as a result. The husband fixed it, except for the pedal. And the seat is terrible, and I'm not the greatest at reacting to situations while on it... I tend to fall over instead of veering, lol.
 
twelvetigers said:
I tried winterguard once (like colorguard - you know, the flags in the marching band - but in a gym in the winter season, and more 'dancy') and while I managed to learn to throw and catch the flags pretty well, I still looked so awkward doing most of it that I got to sit behind a prop a lot. Lol! And, I ran into a doorway with my full body weight just yesterday. I dunno if it had more to do with my lack of grace, or my tendency to go off in my own little world...
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I did color guard for five years. I miss spinning, especially rifle and sabre. So much fun.
 
I almost had a black eye from rifle. Hit me in the damn cheekbone. Let's just say I never mastered that one... I'm still impressed with myself for learning the flag (in about a month).
 
twelvetigers said:
That's exactly what I mean! The chain was rusted, the wheel was a bit bent, and the pedal was loose from someone riding with the bolt loose to begin with - it can't be tightened all the way as a result. The husband fixed it, except for the pedal. And the seat is terrible, and I'm not the greatest at reacting to situations while on it... I tend to fall over instead of veering, lol.
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As long as you don't fall over into traffic, that's not a huge issue. 😛
 
I used to go hiking with my mom and sister, but I'm away for school and don't know any hiking trails in the area or anyone to go with. I'm a social hiker--if I don't have someone to talk to while I'm walking, I don't have much motivation. I've recently heard of some nice trails, so I may go check them out once midterms are over.

The only thing I do these days is walk. I walk to and from school every day, and I volunteer at a therapeutic riding center and the majority of my time there is spent walking or lifting or getting into a tug-of-war with a horse who wants to grab a snack while in a lesson. There are some dance and martial arts classes at my school's gym that I want to take, but they either clash with my schedule (work, school, volunteering) or I think I don't have the time. And also, I haven't been able to convince a friend to sign up with me. XD Maybe next year I'll just do it alone. Or over the summer, since I'll likely be here.
 
haha, don't i feel like a lazy loser... exercise for me is walking up to my 3rd floor unit and walking half a mile to the train (1 stop to work no less). if i'm feeling super motivated, i'll do the 1.25 mile walk home.

i'm starting to finally feel like i'm leading my body to its demise, so i went and got exercise clothes! that first step is as far as i've gotten so far... sigh... my vet school resolution is to start exercising.
 
I know this sounds horrible...but I don't mean it in a bad way (hey i've got lots of junk in the trunk)... I saw a girl at a school when I went to interview. She must have been close to 350 or 400 pounds. Do you think this would deter adcoms from giving her admission?
 
Used to play Racquetball but just kind of fell out of it. I'd love to get into running but I don't know. People talk about how it feels so good and is so much fun to just run and run, and yah, I don't get ANY enjoyment from it at all. But yah I've 'started running' about 5 times now and never can see what the big deal is about. I guess my endorphins are broken.

But work itself is a pretty good work out. Running around the clinic all day leaves me pretty sore at times.

Other than that I usually go to my favorite park and walk through the trails, or will ride my bike. Currently I chase my puppy around the yard though lol. She loves it and it's good exercise for the both of us (and wears her out, always a plus).
 
I cross-country ski during the winter, but since spring has hit I haven't been able to convince myself to go outside and exercise much. I was running last fall, but my joints were hurting by the end (and skiing is SO much more fun!).

I signed up for unlimited summer yoga near me this summer... so I will be out at the study 5-10x/week. (Doctor's orders to destress, LOL) If I like that, I will continue it next year up at school *crosses fingers*
 
twelvetigers said:
I almost had a black eye from rifle. Hit me in the damn cheekbone. Let's just say I never mastered that one... I'm still impressed with myself for learning the flag (in about a month).
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Haha, yeah, my sabre captain chipped a tooth with her rifle. My rifle captain had a hilt-shaped bruise from her sabre (noticing a pattern?). We all jammed multiple fingers trying to do these crazy catches. But then again, during my first year audition, I caught a flag with my nose...
 
luplodw said:
I know this sounds horrible...but I don't mean it in a bad way (hey i've got lots of junk in the trunk)... I saw a girl at a school when I went to interview. She must have been close to 350 or 400 pounds. Do you think this would deter adcoms from giving her admission?
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I would hope not, but it does bring up a point/research that was talked about in my psychology class. Basically, a bunch of actors were sent for job interviews with clients and then the same actors were given a kind of make-over to make them look overweight/obese. In the end, it showed that employers are more likely to hire the attractive looking people over the overweight ones. It also showed that employers were less discriminatory over males being overweight than females being overweight. The difference between whether the employer would have hired the more in shape male vs. the overweight male was very minimal whereas the differences between hiring the in shape female vs. the overweight female were fairly large. Just found this interesting.
 
I hate running! I've tried to get into it with friends, but it's just not my thing. When I exercise I usually do Jillian Michael's (one of the trainer's from the Biggest Loser) dvd workouts at home. I get in a super exahusting all over workout (cardio like jumping jacks to squats and weight lifting) in like half an hour. I've been doing it for over a year and a half consistently, and I lost 50 pounds. I guess I'm getting to the point of more maintenance than weight loss so I've been a lil lazy lately.
 
The only reason i'd bring that up is that when I was taking a tour at another vet school, a vet was telling us it didn't matter how old or overweight you were as long as you could run and close the gate before the cattle got out haha....but honestly...this girl was so big there would be no way she could run and "close the gate"
 
Cows have large herd instinct right? They follow the pack leader? So maybe if she ran the other way, she wouldn't have to close the gate.

Think I'm going to hell now.
 
Hahahahah!!! Horrible but I love it
 
HopefulAg said:
Cows have large herd instinct right? They follow the pack leader? So maybe if she ran the other way, she wouldn't have to close the gate.

Think I'm going to hell now.
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🤣
 
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