SoWell Work Out Support Thread

You could try any of the energy drinks or you could go to GNC and ask them what they suggest. The people there are usually pretty knowledgable about what you should take according to your workout. Just don't let them sell you the most expensive thing. They usually have 2 or 3 different cost levels of the same prodect. Much like drugs, they carry generic brands.
Good Luck.

Paula, I drink coffee before I go to the gym. I can't say I drink it for the energy, but I read somewhere that it will boost the metabolism while working out. Once we get to a certain age we need all the boosting we can get, or at least I do. 😀

Cafine is great for a work out. I drink coffee before my rides (if they are in the morning). I also buy gel packs by Cliff (sp?). They have carbs, 200 cal and 50 mg of cafine, come in different flavors (espresso is my fav). Maybe try downing one of these before a workout. A couple of times I didn't have time to enjoy a couple cups of coffee because the ride was too early and I got up too late so I stopped at the quicky mart and got a Starbucks double shot. That did the trick :yikes:

Instead of caffeine or a sports drink, I suggest a fresh fruit snack or juice - better for you and won't give you a sugar crash when it wears off. A lot of the sports drinks/supplements have a lot of calories in them and I get easily distracted w/ caffeine in me.

Another trick is to plan the workout for a time in the day when you have the most energy and are least likely to blow it off. I like to work out after work/evening because that's when I'm awake/energetic. For me, a morning workout would require a cattle prod.

I'd ask your trainer to help motivate/amuse you as well.

These SoWell threads need their own forum!!:idontno: :wave:

The only problem with drinking 2 cups of coffee before your work out is that you may need to interupt your working out w/frequent potty breaks. 😀

I will be all over this thread after June 16. We joined a club and I haven't been able to start working out yet. Life has been too crazy. But after this date I should be ready to go!

Great thread..please keep it up!!!! I will meet you back here then!!!

oh ya... Don't forget an Ipod with metallica 😀

If coffee works for you keep it up, don't let anyone talk you out of it. I work out at 5 AM and down at least 2 cups before.

Most "energy" and "motivation" drinks you'll see at GNC or online have caffeine as the main active ingredient. If you like coffee, stick with that.

Don't forget to drink some whey protein after (and maybe before) your workout. Your body is trying to rebuild muscle and needs protein to do it. Try different brands to find your favorite. Many people like muscle milk. As a woman, don't worry about bulking up-it won't happen. You want muscle mass, it's metabolically active (burns calories while you're not active) and it looks good.

I drink coffee as well. I don't usually have any problems with it during my workout. I also make sure that I am totally hydrated before I start. I hate getting a muscle cramp while I am exercising. Water works wonders for me.

I don't drink coffee so I turn to the energy drinks for the caffine. I usually have 1 of the Monster Energy drinks or the Sobe No Fear drinks to jumb start my workouts. The weight lift session lasts about 2 hours and then cardio for 1/2 hour. By that time the energy drinks are wearing off. If you do drink one you need to make sure that you do s good workout or you will be bouncing off the walls after 1/2 hour.

Love this thread paula and gttbm! :wave:

and as far as caffeine goes, I love it. drink it every day. but usually skip the work out part! :shock: oh lordy, you guys are going to make me do it aren't you? (work out).

Love this thread paula and gttbm! :wave:

and as far as caffeine goes, I love it. drink it every day. but usually skip the work out! :shock: oh lordy, you guys are going to make me do it aren't you? (work out).

:lol: spewed my caffienated beverage.:lol:

Love this thread paula and gttbm! :wave:

and as far as caffeine goes, I love it. drink it every day. but usually skip the work out part! :shock: oh lordy, you guys are going to make me do it aren't you? (work out).

Toots, I've been walking every morning for a while now, and occasionally the walk incorporates a visit to the neighborhood coffee shop. It's all good. :cool:
I know someone who's addicted to this drink, anyone else drink it? http://www.zipfizz.com/

I don't drink coffee so I turn to the energy drinks for the caffine. I usually have 1 of the Monster Energy drinks or the Sobe No Fear drinks to jumb start my workouts. The weight lift session lasts about 2 hours and then cardio for 1/2 hour. By that time the energy drinks are wearing off. If you do drink one you need to make sure that you do s good workout or you will be bouncing off the walls after 1/2 hour.

Holy Cow, how many times a week do you do this? You da Man!

Wow! Thanks everyone. I'm going to try coffee first (1.5 cups -- I'm quite sensitive to caffeine) and some protein something before (cliff bar or the gym sells Dan's Bars so I assume they think they'll be good before a workout -- I'll ask them).

I can't say enough how great having a trainer twice a week has been. It isn't cheap, but it does make a difference and at some point in our lives we have to figure we're worth it (considering the higher cost of health care anyway!). It has only been 6 months but I've toned up so much (down 2-3 sizes, given the toning and weight loss), and feel so much healthier. The weight loss and diet has been my doing, but the fact that the trainer could keep me coming back regularly is nothing short of a miracle (for those of you who know me at all, exercise is really not my thing, though it's slowly becoming my thing). She's an excellent match for me, so if you use a trainer be sure the trainer is a good match for you. I didn't want to go for being buff, proving myself (e.g., how much I could lift), and I didn't want it to backfire in any way now or in the future (bone, joint, muscle problems). She pushes me hard but no so hard that I can't stand it (though I refuse to do push ups - I hate them so much).

Anyway, any other ideas for inspiring people, helpful hints, etc. are always helpful.

What does "ride" mean, RO?

And that 2.5 hour workout, Kish :bow:, I barely get my 50 minutes in and I'm always looking at the clock (I have to stop doing that....). Maybe an iPod would be a good idea... though there's music at the gym.

OK Paula, I have the answer.

You need to change trainers . . . you need a young good-looking MALE trainer. 😀

What does "ride" mean, RO?

As in "A Bike" ;-)

And that 2.5 hour workout, Kish :bow:, I barely get my 50 minutes in and I'm always looking at the clock (I have to stop doing that....). Maybe an iPod would be a good idea... though there's music at the gym.

Never watch the clock. It makes time go WAAAAAAAYYYYYY slower :cool:

My perscription:
Go to SoWal, walk to "For the Health Of It" have one of their wonderful protein shakes and walk back the way you came...that should just about do it!😀

OK Paula, I have the answer.

You need to change trainers . . . you need a young good-looking MALE trainer. 😀

:rolling: Hah. That might stop me from watching the clock but it wouldn't necessarily make me want to work harder! All the trainers at this place are 30 something women in great shape. It's a perky place where you feel like you're treated very special. About 3/4 of the people who go there are women and about 1/4 are some very lucky men.

As in "A Bike" ;-)

Oh. OK.

And I hope some of the people in SoWal who have health business (isn't there a new gym in Grayton Beach?) join in. I'd definitely consider going to training once or twice a week when in SoWal (probably earlier in the morning before the family wakes up - oh, I just remembered, it doesn't matter when I go because it's a priority!).

I sometimes need caffeine to help me get through a workout, but I've learned that the main fuel my body needs is just good food. The caffeine is like the gas thrown on the fire to get it blazing. If I've been eating a lot of junk, my workout tends to be pretty worthless. One thing that I found to help me focus on the good food was this list of foods. I found that if I stay filled up with the good stuff I don't crave the junk as much, and I have a ton of energy.

Great list, Barefootguy. I do everything on that list regularly now (in fact, my super home-made low cal granola bars have many of those items in them, and I add flaxseed as well - I have a feeling those granola bars have done something to increase my metabolism or something good for the weight. You can see the recipe on the SoWell on SoWal thread), except the whey powder and I'll ask my trainer about that today.

I assume the no-fat refried beans in a can are fine, right? And oily fish like salmon are important twice a week, too, though I don't know what they add for a workout.

I'd love our yoga and work-out trainers in SoWal to chime in, too.

Ipod. Although you need to reember to keep it charged.:bang:

One day, I arrived at my walking spot, tried to crank up theIpod, and it was dead. I really wanted to bag the walk, but I made myself go anyway. After about 15 minutes, I thought I would just try running part of it to make it go faster since I didn't have any music. After I didn't die, I figured this would be a better way to get more out of a walk here, since there are no hills and I was up to 4 miles without any real effort. I am up to loping/jogging 2 miles and walking the other 2- and it's not too hard!

I'm starting a new thread about Ipod exercise tunes.....

I work out Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday. I got into the routine about 7 years ago and it just stuck. Usually every 5 or 6 months, I switch the days to keep my wife happy. This way I am not tying up her schedule on a consistent basis. I was laid off from my previous job and needed something to pass the time at that point. I was always fit but needed something to burn off the stress of job hunting and it works great.