Chapter_BLK
Pro
I'm in much better shape. Since this year started, I lost about 60lbs. A majority of that happened after the lockdown started.
Running through the neighborhood provided a new challenge as opposed to the treadmill since I always kept the incline on 0%, but my neighborhood is hilly af so I really got a workout from that, plus I would run home from work with my backpack on which added extra weight. I started adding extra miles to my run and the most I've hit so far was 10.
My knees are also way better for it. I stopped doing squats on the smith at a certain point because my knees started to hurt, and I would have to take ibuprofen after running after I took that up again. After losing the weight, my knees only ache when I run more than 4 miles or so with my backpack on. I am incorporating more collagen protein into my diet, and taking krill oil, but losing the extra pounds by far did much more for my joints than any supplement.
As far as weightlifting, I don't have much of a setup at home except whatever some previous tenants at my apartment left in the backyard. Having a limited amount of weights force me to eventually go through the reps much slower with perfect form, and really maximize time under tension. I haven't really been focusing on hypertrophy anymore but just on strength period. It took a while too, but I learned from trial and error when my body was giving the signal that I shouldn't push myself any further. You can still get stronger going for one more rep, but it's inconvenient if it means not recovering in a timely manner for your next scheduled workout.
I also have started intermittent fasting about once a week now as a tune-up for my body and overall metabolism. My baseline energy level goes up when I do so, and I get more out of my meals when I do.
Needless to say, my diet is waaay cleaner than at the beginning of the year. When I do eat junk food, it's seldom and usually done intentionally to boost my metabolism.
My goal was to get a six-pack, but the weight loss has slowed down to a crawl in the last 10lbs or so. I'm taking my sweet time now since I'm not trying to burn myself out living a healthy lifestyle. I've learned so much about nutrition these last few months that I'm not even afraid of backsliding or yo-yo'ing because I know exactly what most foods are going to do if I eat them. Inflammation is a bytch fr.
Running through the neighborhood provided a new challenge as opposed to the treadmill since I always kept the incline on 0%, but my neighborhood is hilly af so I really got a workout from that, plus I would run home from work with my backpack on which added extra weight. I started adding extra miles to my run and the most I've hit so far was 10.
My knees are also way better for it. I stopped doing squats on the smith at a certain point because my knees started to hurt, and I would have to take ibuprofen after running after I took that up again. After losing the weight, my knees only ache when I run more than 4 miles or so with my backpack on. I am incorporating more collagen protein into my diet, and taking krill oil, but losing the extra pounds by far did much more for my joints than any supplement.
As far as weightlifting, I don't have much of a setup at home except whatever some previous tenants at my apartment left in the backyard. Having a limited amount of weights force me to eventually go through the reps much slower with perfect form, and really maximize time under tension. I haven't really been focusing on hypertrophy anymore but just on strength period. It took a while too, but I learned from trial and error when my body was giving the signal that I shouldn't push myself any further. You can still get stronger going for one more rep, but it's inconvenient if it means not recovering in a timely manner for your next scheduled workout.
I also have started intermittent fasting about once a week now as a tune-up for my body and overall metabolism. My baseline energy level goes up when I do so, and I get more out of my meals when I do.
Needless to say, my diet is waaay cleaner than at the beginning of the year. When I do eat junk food, it's seldom and usually done intentionally to boost my metabolism.
My goal was to get a six-pack, but the weight loss has slowed down to a crawl in the last 10lbs or so. I'm taking my sweet time now since I'm not trying to burn myself out living a healthy lifestyle. I've learned so much about nutrition these last few months that I'm not even afraid of backsliding or yo-yo'ing because I know exactly what most foods are going to do if I eat them. Inflammation is a bytch fr.
when/if COVID hit me gave me that much more motivation to have my cardio on lock.
you ain't shyt Port lol
