Hey everyone,

I thought I'd do something fun and interesting, and at the same time get to know everybody in the Community a bit better while I'm at it.

I'd like to hear what your fitness goals are, what the timeline is you set for your goals, and how you are doing at your present goal. Perhaps you had a goal and you recently fulfilled (or didn't fulill it but that's ok too ... sometimes it takes time to get it right) it. I'd be interested in hearing about that too.

And what have you been doing to acheive that goal? The TRX I'd imagine is part of it , but what else do you do in preparing to meet that goal? And so on.

So to kick it off, I'll do the first one below.

I hope to see your responses soon!

Ok, so as most of you know, some don't, I'm Justin.

I am 25, and have worked in IT for the last 6 years, and up until between last year and this year, I didn't watch my eating, and didn't take care of myself, I managed to gain 110 lbs over about 5 years. I weighed 280, and I weighed 170 when I first got married in 2003.

For the last 3 years especially, I've told myself I'll make a change. Never did. Lost promises. Well last year I got myself started, but didn't have any goals, and didn't have much motivation. I lost 30 lbs from visiting the gym and eating right (before I got the TRX, which was this year). However that stopped, and I just stayed there. Fortunately, I never gained that 30 lbs back, but never lost any either.

So this year I got serious. I bought the TRX, and that first week I decided I'd detox my body of all the energy drinks, soda, alcohol, smoking, and drugs I've put in and out of it since I was a teenager (only things I do anymore is an energy drink on rare ocassion, and an ocassional drink or beer), I did the Natural Lemonade Cleanse which I think was a success. The following week, started working out.

In interim, I set a goal for myself to keep myself accountable. My goal was to lose 60 lbs in 6 months. That started in April.

Thus far, I have lost 30 of that. And not sure if I'll lose the actual pounds of the remaining 30, as I've built up a lot of muscle.

I have done the All Body XPress workout starting at 30 second durations to now 1 minute durations, as well as metabolic conditioning performing metabolic circuits on the TRX. I also go hiking regularly each time for 5 - 10 mi each time, and I jumprope.

In additioning to eating right, and supplementing with fish oil, whey/casein blend protein, multi vitamins, and plenty of water.

 So I am fulfillng my goal successfully thus far. If I retain this other anticipated 30 lbs in muscle, then thats awesome.

My next level I am going to take is to start studying Brazilian Jui Jistu. That will be fun. :)

Well, that's my story. Now lets hear yours!

Hope to read some responses soon.

Thanks,

Justin

My fitness goals are to increase my strength, flexibility, and overall health.  I want to build as much muscle as I possible can, as well as to strengthen my core.

That´s an interesting question, thanx for asking.

For the last three years I´ve been working full-time plus studying in my spare-time. So I gained a lot of weight and was pretty out of shape (and desperate) by the end of the second year.

So I bought the TRX because I had to squeeze as much workout in as little time as possible. It has worked well so far, because I´m beginning to get back some of my former strength and endurance.

So far I´ve worked out whenever I had some time and energy left, but as I´m getting fitter again, that´s no longer effective. So I think I´ll have to develop and then follow a schedule. For the time being, my main goal is to lose some weight.

When I started to study I weighted 188# (at 5 foot 11) and my weight rocketed to 231# within two years. By now my weight is 217# and my goal is to lose 17# till may.

That's great that you are trying to lose the weight that you gained.  Even if it takes a longer time to lose the weight, at the end it is worthwhile.

Awesome. Good responses so far.

Olaf,

Yeah setting a schedule and sticking to it can really help. It doesn't work for everyone, but if adding some structure to your workout routines helps, by all means do so. That's what I ultimately did. As long as you workout around the same time each day you workout, that really helps your muscles have an optimum recovery time in between workouts.

Yeah, its amazing how us not challenging our bodies for even 1 or 2 years, even 6 months for that matter, and it all starts to go downhill. I was close to 300 lbs and I am 6 ft tall, so only an inch taller than you. All that soda, Carls Jr., and Beer got me over the years. So I totally understand where your coming from. I was 248 in April, now 220. I don't think I'm going to lose that other 30 lbs though, because the weight is staying on as muscle, and thats great actually.

Something that could really help is taking fish oil capsules. The concentrated fish oil, what it does is it causes fat to be extracted from fat cells in your body. You burn off fat and potentially lose weight without even working out taking them to a point. However when you are working out on top of that, then the fat has no where to go, and it just goes away.

Also, when you feel you have established a sufficient amount of strength in your body, start doing the metabolic circuits. Metabolic conditioning burns just as much fat as cardio workouts in a fraction of the time, but its at very high intensities during short intervals. Plus you get "afterburn".

If I can help you along the way in any way, let me know.

Thanks,

Justin

This is really something to think about--my latest (most important) goal has been to recover the strength lost in my core (lost after my back injury). After I do that, then I can work on getting back in shape & gaining some muscle, losing some fat. I'm at 20% bf looking to get down to 15-16% if possible (pie-in-the-sky goal) 18% in next 6 months.  My other goal: one-legged (pistol) squat!!

Well, this will sound silly I guess but I have always been very atheletic and naturally strong.  However, I have never had 6 pack abs or been very lean.  So that is my goal!  I want to drop my body fat % down so that for once in my life I can see my abs!  There you have it!

My goal is to lose weight and increase flexability.

Currently in a very sedimentary lifestyle, trying to break free.

dannyg1984:

My goal is to lose weight and increase flexability.

Currently in a very sedimentary lifestyle, trying to break free.

Thats great.

Breaking free of a sedentary lifestyle can be quite a challenge, I know that firsthand.

I still have days where I don't want to do anything. Just like quitting smoking (which I've also done 4 years ago), breaking free of a sedentary lifestyle tends to be a mind battle you have to fight.

Best thing to do is set goals, and set smaller goals to achieve the larger goals. Build up to that, and before you know it, you'll lilve a much more active lifestyle.

SkaterGurl and Jeskarda,

That is awesome you want to lower your body fat percentage, and build up muscle.

I know I always wanted 6 packs abs myself. I now have 6 pack abs, the muscle is there, but still fighting with this little bit of belly fat so I still can't see them yet. I may even have an 8 pack for that matter.

Unfortunately, when you burn fat, it doesn't go away in just one area, it burns off a little bit everywhere over time. My thighs for example used to rub together when I walked, and caused chaffing. Well recently I went on a longer walk than usual, and my thighs didn't rub anymore, which is awesome! And I can tell more fat is going away in my cervical region (neck). But I can tell the tiny pot belly gets a little smaller all the time.

One recommendation I can definitely make, is start delving into Metabolic Conditioning. Start doing interval training in part of your workouts, and your results will change for the better drastically!

 My main goal is to shed a whole lot of body fat and build as much muscle as I possibly can by using my own body weight. I truly want the perfect physique. Notice that I said PHYSIQUE. That is so important for not only looking awesome, but for keeping any chances of developing diseases such as cancer or diabetes extremely low!

This is my main goal. I know that I can truly achieve it by using the TRX. Not only will I look great, I will also be stronger. I will have no choice but to be completely stronger using this amazing device. I honestly think that it is better than any piece of exercise equipment or free weight. There is nothing better than being able to push, pull, dip, etc your own body weight. I get a quick, efficient and overall better workout at home than at the gym.

I apologize for going off to another planet with that one. LOL!

LOL, no worries. It's awesome to be passionate about your health.

Absolutely, its so important to be concerned about your health, and preventing and/or stopping diseases, depression, etc...

It's sad when someone is obese, probably well on their way to diabetes or other diseases, and you try to help them and encourage them to exercise, but they won't do it. If only we could fix people, but it just doesn't work that way... It's like trying to make someone quit smoking, or kick a drug or alcohol addiction. It just won't happen. I have a friend I ocassionally try to encourage, and I have been able to get him to go on walks with me, and go hiking with me, so it's a start.

Yeah, using vector resistance (Bodyweight + Gravity + Angle = Vector Resistance) for working out gives you a workout that you couldn't get any other way, it's incredible!

I initially was working out solely at home, and hiking 3 days a week for cardio, plus metabolic conditioning. Now, since I started going to school and Golds Gym is across the street, I've been doing metabolic circuits on the treadmill everyday, and then I'll wrap the TRX around a Smith Machine with the Suspension Anchor, and start tearing it up!

 Sounds great jmbrink26. Seems like you'll get your workout in anytime, anyplace. It's exciting a rewarding to see others enthusiastic about working out.

Continue to stay in shape and keep living!

 Hi all,

 I'm 44 years old and in the National Guard, preping for my 2nd deployment at the 1st of next year.. Want to loose excess body fat and a few pounds. Increase my endurance and strength. Can't do the running part due to injuries sustained from last deployment, So I'm gonna use a power walking program for the running portion.