The Bobcat Nation

You may not appreciate the Congressmans photos as much as I do, but I like the message! Little changes can make big changes.

http://www.menshealth.com/fit-for-summer-challenge/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You have the power to change your life for the better. By making smart, simple food and fitness choices, you can take control of your health—and look and feel better than you have in years! (And you’ll even be helping our nation in the bargain.)

With the Fit for Life Summer Challenge, I’m challenging you—and all Americans—to sign up for an easy weight-loss plan than can help you drop 10, 20, even 30 pounds or more by Labor Day and get in the best shape of your life. I’ve teamed with Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines to design a program that’s so easy and effective that I know it will work for you. (And it’s free!) By the end of the summer, you can slash your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many other diseases dramatically!

How does that help America? Consider this: Health care may be the single biggest factor in our nation’s ongoing budget crisis. Yet 8 out of every 10 dollars we spend on health care is spent on diseases that are preventable; if only we took better care of ourselves. Think of the billions of dollars we could use for better infrastructure, renewable energy, and job creation. Not to mention a little more cash in your pocket!

I know how hard it is to start a fitness program. I got serious about my own health, went to a local health club, and asked for help. With focus, discipline, and knowledge about healthy eating, and only a few years later, Men’s Health declared me America’s Fittest Congressman. (Hey, it’s a small honor, but I’ll take it!)

Make this summer the summer you really get fit. It's contagious—once you start you’ll be fit for life! Research shows that if you can stick with a new diet and exercise plan for 5 weeks, you’re more likely to stay with it permanently. Don’t worry: We’ll give you everything you need. Motivation tips. Workouts you can do without equipment—or without much time. Nutrition tips that will help stay lean, even if you eat fast food once in a while. You can even track your weight and post before and after pictures here, so you can see your progress in real time.

Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for your country!

So tell me, America: Are you up for the challenge? If so, sign up today!

—Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Illinois

It's called P90-X

However, most people can't sack up enough to follow through with it.

TIrwin24 wrote:It's called P90-X

However, most people can't sack up enough to follow through with it.

I know there's lots of plans out there, but like you said many people don't want to or can't commit to them. That's why I liked this approach. Small changes. Things people can and will do. Heck, if it helps one person it's worth it to me.

Here we go again! A "Challenge" to get people to lose weight. OMG! As I have said before if it takes a challenge or a bet or a dare or whatever for someone to lose weight then it is not going to last. Take the Biggest Loser Reality show. It has been reported that almost ALL of the contestants have returned to their original weight or close to it. Why? Because they lost weight for the wrong reason, money. I am sure they wanted to lose weight to some degree but not enough to do it on their own. Here are some simple tips that anyone can do:

1, STOP DOING CRUNCHES! You CANNOT isolate weight loss. Doing crunches will not lose 2 oz. of fat in your stomach even if you did them all day. In fact, it will enlarge your ab muscles pushing your stomach out further. Doing Squats will not cause weight loss in you legs. Your body decides where, when and how much weight you lose. The ab muscle is so small that you burn few calories. Doing squats, deadlifts or Barebell bench press will burn 10X - 20X more calories (depending on how hard you work).
2. Eat MORE meals! Not more calories but more meals. Whatever you are eating now just break it in 6 meals instaed of 3. This will increase your motabolism.
3. Eat sufficient protein with EVERY meal. Protein increases motabolism. I recommend at least 20 grams per meal (no less than 15g).
4. Your last meal of the day should be mostly protein and if any carbs are digested eat carbs with a very low glycimic index.
5. The heavier you lift the more calories you will burn (within reason). The 4-6 rep range is good for at least 1/2 of your workout.
6. Do not run and lift during the same workout. Seperate the two as morning/night or alternating days.
7. If you have a sweet tooth save those snacks for either early in the morning or right after your workout (unless your workout is at 8pm).
8. Ab, bicep, tricep, arm excersizes are fine but burn the least amount of calories. You are going to have to do the large muscle, compound movements if you really want to burn calories. Yes, those excersizes you hate and never do!
9. Break down those muscles! Go to or close to failure with less than 10 reps. Don't just do 6, 8 or 10 reps. Go to failure. When you break down the muscles they have to recover and that is your calorie burn.

Great tips I agree with (although I do run and lift together sometimes because it's the only time it fits) I, like you, am a fitness addict that doesn't need a challenge or a promo or an incentive.

Most people are not. Most people need to see something small and doable that they can pick up and go with. If it takes a challenge or a small step to start moving and it works for only 25% of the people, then it's a success in my eyes (and the #'s I found for Biggest Loser success were average for weight loss programs).

Going into a gym, let alone a weight room, is intimidating for a novice. Especially if they're overweight and have people with your attitude looking them down. I get people in my Zumba class that look positively terrified because they have no idea what to expect, what to do, and they're surrounded by a bunch of thin fit people. ETA: you know who I admire the most? Not the ladies I know from all the other classes they take of mine or with me, it's the heavy girl who's found something she loves and is at every Zumba class she can get to. She's losing weight and becoming healthy and recently took the training to become an instructor despite her fear of being too fat for it.

Many (most) people need to learn and understand what is healthy. How to do. How to fit in. They can't pick up your list and make that into a healthy lifestyle.

ya that is the thing to remember is that everyone is not the same. it's clear that gary is much more into weight-lifting and fitness than probably the average guy....but that doesn't make him an expert on people. for many of us, losing weight is far more mentally challenging than physically challenging. it sounds lame, but in order to truly lose weight, you need to look inside yourself first. so for some people, a simple challenge, goal, bet, etc. is just what they need to lose the weight and keep it off.

i'm not aware that most contestants on the biggest loser gain their weight back. a quick google search showed that some definitely do. but you figure this show has been on what....like 6 years or something? each one has something like 20 contestants? so of the 120+ people on the show...i'd be curious as to how many have gained a lot of weight back.

my only point is we're all different. for some people, they could simply read all gary's advice here and lose weight because of it. for others that wouldn't work at all. for some people, a bet with friends about who can lose more works wonders as i have seen this first hand in my family. for others that wouldn't work either. for some, huge challenges and the feeling that you are one of many trying to make changes is just the ticket. for others not so much.

Very few people can (and even fewer will) commit to weight lifting. Many can't afford gym memberships and don't have the time to devote to it. And has been pointed out by others, it's just not for everyone. I'm an avid tennis player, and at the level at which I play, I have no difficulty with weight and it's not atypical for me to drop 3 pounds after a singles match. But for me to suggest that exercise for others would be fruitless, because they're not going to be at the same level and intensity, they aren't going to love the game like I do, and they may not be able to afford a club membership.

The vast majority of Americans would be best served by simply walking every day.

Tennis...............now the picture is clear.

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Tennis...............now the picture is clear.

Tell you what alfie-boy. You pick the sport. I'll kick your ass at it.

In fact, I'll likely just kick your ass.





(oh, and I've seen you. "athletic" is not a term often used to describe you. )

GrizinWashington wrote:

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Tennis...............now the picture is clear.

Tell you what alfie-boy. You pick the sport. I'll kick your ass at it.

In fact, I'll likely just kick your ass.





(oh, and I've seen you. "athletic" is not a term often used to describe you. )

Oh no you di'nt!

GrizinWashington wrote:

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Tennis...............now the picture is clear.

Tell you what alfie-boy. You pick the sport. I'll kick your ass at it.

In fact, I'll likely just kick your ass.





(oh, and I've seen you. "athletic" is not a term often used to describe you. )

Then you havent seen me, swing by sometime and see how that goes for ya.

ChiOCat wrote:You may not appreciate the Congressmans photos as much as I do, but I like the message! Little changes can make big changes.

http://www.menshealth.com/fit-for-summer-challenge/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You have the power to change your life for the better. By making smart, simple food and fitness choices, you can take control of your health—and look and feel better than you have in years! (And you’ll even be helping our nation in the bargain.)

With the Fit for Life Summer Challenge, I’m challenging you—and all Americans—to sign up for an easy weight-loss plan than can help you drop 10, 20, even 30 pounds or more by Labor Day and get in the best shape of your life. I’ve teamed with Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines to design a program that’s so easy and effective that I know it will work for you. (And it’s free!) By the end of the summer, you can slash your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many other diseases dramatically!

How does that help America? Consider this: Health care may be the single biggest factor in our nation’s ongoing budget crisis. Yet 8 out of every 10 dollars we spend on health care is spent on diseases that are preventable; if only we took better care of ourselves. Think of the billions of dollars we could use for better infrastructure, renewable energy, and job creation. Not to mention a little more cash in your pocket!

I know how hard it is to start a fitness program. I got serious about my own health, went to a local health club, and asked for help. With focus, discipline, and knowledge about healthy eating, and only a few years later, Men’s Health declared me America’s Fittest Congressman. (Hey, it’s a small honor, but I’ll take it!)

Make this summer the summer you really get fit. It's contagious—once you start you’ll be fit for life! Research shows that if you can stick with a new diet and exercise plan for 5 weeks, you’re more likely to stay with it permanently. Don’t worry: We’ll give you everything you need. Motivation tips. Workouts you can do without equipment—or without much time. Nutrition tips that will help stay lean, even if you eat fast food once in a while. You can even track your weight and post before and after pictures here, so you can see your progress in real time.

Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for your country!

So tell me, America: Are you up for the challenge? If so, sign up today!

—Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Illinois

Thanks for posting, however I think I'll stick with the Bill Clinton work our routines...if ya know what I mean. Wink Wink


Zing!

Grizlaw wrote:

GrizinWashington wrote:

AlphaGriz1 wrote:Tennis...............now the picture is clear.

Tell you what alfie-boy. You pick the sport. I'll kick your ass at it.

In fact, I'll likely just kick your ass.





(oh, and I've seen you. "athletic" is not a term often used to describe you. )

Oh no you di'nt!

Ha ha ha!!!

AlphaGriz1 wrote: Then you havent seen me, swing by sometime and see how that goes for ya.

Would someone please get this guy a hot dog!!