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This is great. Last year I broke my shoulder and could not run or swim for 4 months. I got fat for the first time in my life. I was eating loads and doing nothi

This is great. Last year I broke my shoulder and could not run or swim for 4 months. I got fat for the first time in my life. I was eating loads and doing nothing. After months of physical therapy on my shoulder I was ready to start getting back into shape. My regime was simple: - Kitesurf lots (really fun and uses a lot of energy) - Swim lots (if there was no wind) - Never eat processed foods. - Drink a pint of milk before and after exercise sessions. Done. Going to the gym demoralised me. Kitesurfing is addictive. I think finding a form of exercise you love is akin to finding a job you love. When you love something you want to do more of it. If you have to force yourself to go to the gym you will fail. I want to go swim because I have nearly drowned kitesurfing big waves in Ireland and never want to experience that again. These external pulls and internal pushes are what keep me fit. Not a New Year's Resolution.

astral303 15y ago
+1 on finding the exercise you enjoy doing. Just as a caution though, if anyone is reading this and is on the fence about taking up exercise and starting going to the gym, please give it a shot and don't assume you'll be demoralized. You never know until you try. For me, going to the gym turned out to be quite moralizing, as it put me in that "exercise mode" (surrounded by exercisey stuff). I also associated it with getting better/fitter, so going to the gym == improvement == positive feelings. Some of my friends hate running and love biking. I love running. If you told me 3 years ago that I'd be saying that last thing, I would be laughing in your face in disbelief. But you never know till you try.
- richardburton 15y ago
  Agreed. I should have elaborated more. The reason I found the gym demoralising is because I was overweight and was surrounded by these greek gods. Now that I am fit again I really enjoy going into the gym with the goal of improving my fitness for kitesurfing. I go to the gym with my physical performance instead of my physical appearance in mind. That is the best reason to go.
sireat 15y ago
The first three are pretty reasonable, but what is the idea behind drinking milk before and after exercise? Wouldn't you be more likely to regurgitate your stomach's contents by drinking milk before exercise? I have some bad experiences from eating and then exercising...
- richardburton 15y ago
  It is way better than a protein shake. It is not for everyone and perhaps you can skip the pre-session milk but post-session it is great for recovery.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
- matwood 15y ago
  but what is the idea behind drinking milk before and after exercise? If you look at the recommended macro percentages (carbs/fat/protein) for pre/post workout drinks milk matches it almost exactly and is typically cheaper than protein shakes. Wouldn't you be more likely to regurgitate your stomach's contents by drinking milk before exercise? Believe or not, your body can learn to deal with it. Look at ultra-marathoners who can eat pizza while on the run.

astral303 15y ago

+1 on finding the exercise you enjoy doing. Just as a caution though, if anyone is reading this and is on the fence about taking up exercise and starting going to the gym, please give it a shot and don't assume you'll be demoralized. You never know until you try. For me, going to the gym turned out to be quite moralizing, as it put me in that "exercise mode" (surrounded by exercisey stuff). I also associated it with getting better/fitter, so going to the gym == improvement == positive feelings. Some of my friends hate running and love biking. I love running. If you told me 3 years ago that I'd be saying that last thing, I would be laughing in your face in disbelief. But you never know till you try.

richardburton 15y ago
Agreed. I should have elaborated more. The reason I found the gym demoralising is because I was overweight and was surrounded by these greek gods. Now that I am fit again I really enjoy going into the gym with the goal of improving my fitness for kitesurfing. I go to the gym with my physical performance instead of my physical appearance in mind. That is the best reason to go.

sireat 15y ago

The first three are pretty reasonable, but what is the idea behind drinking milk before and after exercise? Wouldn't you be more likely to regurgitate your stomach's contents by drinking milk before exercise? I have some bad experiences from eating and then exercising...

richardburton 15y ago
It is way better than a protein shake. It is not for everyone and perhaps you can skip the pre-session milk but post-session it is great for recovery.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
matwood 15y ago
but what is the idea behind drinking milk before and after exercise? If you look at the recommended macro percentages (carbs/fat/protein) for pre/post workout drinks milk matches it almost exactly and is typically cheaper than protein shakes. Wouldn't you be more likely to regurgitate your stomach's contents by drinking milk before exercise? Believe or not, your body can learn to deal with it. Look at ultra-marathoners who can eat pizza while on the run.