So orgers...now that the summer (for us in the northern hemisphere at least) is drawing to a close, let's discuss our fitness again.

How many of you were able to keep your goals for the summer?

How many of you failed miserably?

Do you have a plan for the fall/winter?

I for one, failed in general.

My goal to have a flat stomach (or even abs) for the summer did not happen.

My gym membership became mostly a donation, as I was not in there as much as I should've.



So I did discover that my core strength is negligable, but I did increase in strength in my shoulders a bit.



So is it too early to say that Summer of 2014 will be mine?

Now that the weather gets cooler and especially when kids go back to school, I should be able to get back on a weekly routine.

Top 10: Fall Fitness Resolutions

With fall in full swing, it’s important to set some new resolutions to help you maintain your physical fitness as the winter approaches. Many people let their workouts, diet and healthy habits slip once the warmer summer months go by, as they know they’ll easily be able to cover up with winter gear.

However, if you’re smart in your approach, you can use the cooler fall months to set some great resolutions that will carry you through until the New Year.

Let’s have a look at the top fall resolutions to consider.

No.10 Try New Cooking Techniques

One of the best resolutions to set to keep up your fitness into the fall is to try some new cooking techniques. Now that barbecue season has come to a close, experiment with other cooking techniques such as slow cooking or roasting. Both will give you a great break away from stir-frying, baking or grilling in the oven, and are good ways to prepare nutritious meals.

No.9 Find A Fresh Weight-Training Routine

As you move back to the gym after taking the summer off, the next thing that you’ll want to do is make sure to find yourself a new weight-training routine. Since the body is very quick to adapt and muscle memory will come into play as you venture back into the mix of things, if you proceed with the same routine you left off with at the end of spring it won’t be long before you’ve hit a training plateau.

By switching it up now, you can ensure that you start off full speed ahead, earning new fitness gains beyond what you experienced before.


No.8 Keep Running Outside

Ever notice how as soon as summer weather kicks in, the number of joggers you see out and about rises exponentially? That's because some dedicated fitness fanatics switch the thrill and dynamism of running outside with the monotony of a treadmill as soon as the leaves change color. Don't let that be the case this year: Pick up a pair of ASICS GEL-Blur33 sneakers, some cold-weather workout gear and get outside.

No.7 Sign Up For A Rec League

If you still feel not quite ready to hit the gym and like you want a change, move your summer activity indoors by joining a men’s recreational league.

Indoor soccer, basketball or ball hockey are all fantastic ways to stay in shape and burn plenty of calories year-round. The social environment will help keep you motivated as well.

No.6 Vary Your Diet

During the summer, many men opt for lighter meals, varying their picks of protein sources and produce options.

Come winter, you’re much more likely to resort to the typical standbys of cooking steak or chicken along with potatoes. While there’s nothing wrong with that, in time it will get boring and it could leave you craving pizza or Chinese takeout.

Instead, try something new. Venison, ostrich and pork are all great sources of protein that will shake up your diet and offer a new taste experience.

No.5 Prevent Injuries

As you get started at the gym again, make sure that you take the time to get back into proper form before charging full-speed-ahead. You may have lost the feel for many of the exercises in your routine over the summer break, so now’s a critical time not to forgo any stretching exercises and to focus on improving your flexibility in general.

A small slip in form really could mean the difference between an injury or a good workout, so make sure that you really give this some consideration.

No.4 Maintain Your Produce Intake

One thing you will notice as you’re grocery shopping is that the variety of produce has decreased. For many guys, this also means a decline in intake.

Help combat that by trying different varieties of a particular type of produce. Try variations of apples, squash or citrus fruits to keep your consumption high without becoming bored with your diet.

No.3 Banish TV-Munching

If there’s one habit you should set a resolution to break this fall, TV munching is it. You likely left TV-watching behind as the warmer months came about, but as the season premieres are about to get underway, put a ban on becoming a couch potato.

If you never let yourself get into this habit, you could easily save yourself pounds of excess weight gain over the fall and winter.

No.2 Focus On Strength With Kettlebell Training

Since going shirtless won’t be a concern during the winter months, use this time to focus on quality, lean muscle mass building. Try out a new form of resistance: kettlebell training. This is one of the hottest techniques to use and is great for building strength while burning fat at the same time.

No.1 Get A Physical

Finally, the last resolution to make this fall is to book an appointment with your doctor for a physical. As much as you may hate the idea, it’s really going to promote long-term health and wellness and will allow you to pinpoint any weaknesses you should be working on.

Maximize your doctor visit, put in a good effort to remedy any less-than-optimal areas of your health and, by Christmas, you’ll be healthier for it.

So, make sure that you pick a few of the above fitness resolutions for the fall and attack them with all your effort. Having something clear to work toward will keep you in the healthy-lifestyle frame of mind, ensure that you stay active and nutrition-conscious for the months to come, and live longer in general.

Read more: http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness/top-10-fall-fitness-resolutions_1.html#ixzz2bUzzbusP

I failed miserably. When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start turning, that usually gives me the inspiration and the energy to get back into the gym on a regular basis.

So far, so good!

I am still consistently bench-pressing 300 pounds. I did try to set a new record a week or so ago (current record is 311 pounds). I was able to get 321 pounds off the ground, but couldn't complete the lift. But I'll get it soon!

Yesterday, I wanted to see how many times I could get up 225 pounds (this is the standard strength test for the NFL). I got 16 reps at 225. I was shooting for 20 reps, so that's now my new goal.

I feel pretty darn good for 54 1/2 years old!

BTW, here is the NFL "status quo" benchmark rep numbers for certain positions. My goal now is to reach the Tight Ends/Linebacker benchmark.

225 bench totals for different-sized athletes to meet NFL status quo:

• Linemen: 30-39
• Tight Ends and Linebackers: 25-30
• Running Backs: 20-25
• Defensive Backs and Receivers: 15-20

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[Edited 8/9/13 12:46pm]

Reached a couple of goals this summer;

Weighted dips w/100 lbs - 8 reps

Weighted pull-ups w/45 lbs - 4 or 5 reps

110 lb dumbells(in each hand) bench press - 6 reps

There are dudes half my age at the gym who can't do that. Now I'll spend the fall/winter working on my flat bench press. My max was 315 in my younger days. I want to get close to that.

RodeoSchro said:

So far, so good!

I am still consistently bench-pressing 300 pounds. I did try to set a new record a week or so ago (current record is 311 pounds). I was able to get 321 pounds off the ground, but couldn't complete the lift. But I'll get it soon!

Yesterday, I wanted to see how many times I could get up 225 pounds (this is the standard strength test for the NFL). I got 16 reps at 225. I was shooting for 20 reps, so that's now my new goal.

I feel pretty darn good for 54 1/2 years old!

BTW, here is the NFL "status quo" benchmark rep numbers for certain positions. My goal now is to reach the Tight Ends/Linebacker benchmark.

225 bench totals for different-sized athletes to meet NFL status quo:

• Linemen: 30-39
• Tight Ends and Linebackers: 25-30
• Running Backs: 20-25
• Defensive Backs and Receivers: 15-20

.

[Edited 8/9/13 12:46pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

Reached a couple of goals this summer;

Weighted dips w/100 lbs - 8 reps

Weighted pull-ups w/45 lbs - 4 or 5 reps

110 lb dumbells(in each hand) bench press - 6 reps

There are dudes half my age at the gym who can't do that. Now I'll spend the fall/winter working on my flat bench press. My max was 315 in my younger days. I want to get close to that.

That's impressive man

kitbradley said:

I failed miserably. When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start turning, that usually gives me the inspiration and the energy to get back into the gym on a regular basis.

I hope that works for me as well.

I didn't get anywhere near where I wanted to this summer. But I didn't back-slide either, so that's a little comforting. I've had an arm injury for several months now that has basically prevented even a basic push-up, so I'm doing what I can to get around it, but it's tough (and more than a little painful).

Eating-wise, I'd be doing great if I added more seafood to my diet and cut way down on the sweets. And maybe didn't eat so much pizza.

PurpleJedi said:

kitbradley said:

I failed miserably. When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start turning, that usually gives me the inspiration and the energy to get back into the gym on a regular basis.

I hope that works for me as well.

Fall & winter is when you have to kick-up your workouts and watch what you eat. Lots of temptation from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

Efan said:

I didn't get anywhere near where I wanted to this summer. But I didn't back-slide either, so that's a little comforting. I've had an arm injury for several months now that has basically prevented even a basic push-up, so I'm doing what I can to get around it, but it's tough (and more than a little painful).

Eating-wise, I'd be doing great if I added more seafood to my diet and cut way down on the sweets. And maybe didn't eat so much pizza.

...and WHERE exactly will you be on Tuesday???

uPtoWnNY said:

PurpleJedi said:

I hope that works for me as well.

Fall & winter is when you have to kick-up your workouts and watch what you eat. Lots of temptation from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

September 1st will be my new kick-off date.

i walked a lot! but only lost a few pounds....my problem is i didn't eat healthy enough...too much stress. today i only walked 4 miles, but at least i did do that.

I wanted to join the new gym in my town, but I never even had time to stop and sign up... Working two jobs keeps me busy.
By working at B&N, my legs did tone up a bit... long shifts of walking back and forth.

However, my diet is crazy- "eating for convenience" in between jobs and on breaks, plus going out with friends.
I will actually eat better once the school year starts.

I failed to meet my unofficial goals. Did lose 10lbs in July though! A friend and I would like to do a fun 5k, so I'm trying to use that as motivation

I don't think I made any real strides, but I did keep up weekly hikes and my legs got a lot more toned. I've also taken a few jogs for the first time in years over the last two weeks.

I know I am in better shape 6 months ago and I feel better, but I doubt anyone else would see the difference.

NDRU said:

I love mangoes, especially Alphonso.
I love sugar cane.
I love that sour green apple there that they call Granny Smith.

ISF said:

I love mangoes, especially Alphonso.
I love sugar cane.
I love that sour green apple there that they call Granny Smith.

That´s my kind of workout! Do you have a personal trainer for that? What about overtraining?

I´ve been working out very regularly lately, but then again, I always have. It´s part of my lifestyle , just like a proper diet, and I don´t believe in kick-off dates at all...you just have to do it and stick with it, no excuses, no seasons, just do it and keep doing it regularly.

I´d get seriously sick if I didn´t work out.

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I´m not that much into cardio though, unless I really enjoy doing some cardio stuff like occasional running, regular cycling (cruising around on my bicycle rather than going on a stupid stationary bike), sex, sometimes swimming, maybe a few minutes on the treadmill etc.

Cardio is a bit overrated in my opinion. It has its purpose but most people don´t really know what they´re doing when it comes to cardio. As far as I´m concerned, it should be natural and fun.

KoolEaze said:

ISF said:

I love mangoes, especially Alphonso.
I love sugar cane.
I love that sour green apple there that they call Granny Smith.

That´s my kind of workout! Do you have a personal trainer for that? What about overtraining?

I think ISF thought that this was the Summer Fruit thread

KoolEaze said:I´ve been working out very regularly lately, but then again, I always have. It´s part of my lifestyle , just like a proper diet, and I don´t believe in kick-off dates at all...you just have to do it and stick with it, no excuses, no seasons, just do it and keep doing it regularly.

I´d get seriously sick if I didn´t work out.

-

I´m not that much into cardio though, unless I really enjoy doing some cardio stuff like occasional running, regular cycling (cruising around on my bicycle rather than going on a stupid stationary bike), sex, sometimes swimming, maybe a few minutes on the treadmill etc.

Cardio is a bit overrated in my opinion. It has its purpose but most people don´t really know what they´re doing when it comes to cardio. As far as I´m concerned, it should be natural and fun.

Kool, if you want some fun cardio, take kettlebell classes. It's great core training, and it does more for you than the exercise bike or treadmill. I was wiped out, even using light weight. Cardio boxing is fun

"No.9 Find A Fresh Weight-Training Routine

As you move back to the gym after taking the summer off..."

Why would you do that??? Summer is the best time to workout.

Anyway, I'm on a high these days, it really getting harder at 40 to keep in shape but i'm having much fun with it and i'm 4 times a week at the gym. Having a strict diet too, i've become a bit fatter and we don't want that

Unfortunately, they no longer sale this at sears. lol. They took it down after it was brought to their attention.

It's a good thing I bought one before they took it down.

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kewlschool said:

Unfortunately, they no longer sale this at sears. lol. They took it down after it was brought to their attention.