Quickest way to get fit?

[Angry_squirrel]

Correct me if I'm wrong OP, but presumably you run in the city (IE on pavements), with reasonably thick shoes, and you don't run on your toes?

I damaged my knee doing the above, and couldn't run for a while. Learn to run on your toes, with thin shoes, and try to do so on grass. The 40 KG backpack is a very bad idea, the extra weight will just be more strain on your joints, even if you aren't running as far.

You may also want to consider taking glucosamine hydrochloride, you can buy it in Holland and Barrett, I found it help a lot in helping my knee get better

EDIT: This guy speaks a lot of sense

Swim. Swim like a fucking fish. Very easy on your joints, and really gets your cardio going.

I was out last track season due to ankle injuries, pool keeps you close to where you want to be for cross counrty.

 

[AwKwardly]

There are plenty of ways to get fit, however it depends on what your goals, resources and restictions are. Your first concern should be managing that ankle injury. If after a month you're still having difficulty with pain or mobility then it's definitely time to see a doctor, or in the very least a physio. (Google MD not advised)

If you're comfortable with how your ankle is mending on its own then any sort of high intensity interval training would be suitable for general fitness. Rowing, boxing or swimming to start while you're still healing then you can go back to whatever takes your fancy so long as it works you hard enough for long enough, without having long break periods during a session.


Using calcium to digest fat.... would lead to 15% of the world not having bones at all!

 

[GonzoGamer]

I highly recommend martial arts training and mix it up.
What worked really well for me was jeet kun do (Bruce Lee's invention) which is an amalgamation of many styles but I added iron shirt to it which I would recommend for OP on account of that ankle. Iron shirt qigong or yoga (might be easier to find a trainer for that) or something. I really think it was the reason I was the only one in class who didn't bruise.
My jeet kun do teacher used an old method of jujitsu that was created for healing; some real mr Miagi shit.
Drumming is also really great.
Either way, the best motivation is when working out is entertaining and those are the two best I can think of.

 

[Loop Stricken]

It's not "ultra-fatty" anyways, unless you're drinking cream.

But it is formulated for growing calfs. Not humans.

 

[JochemHippie]

Free weight I'd say.

Squats, Pull-ups, Sit-ups and Push-ups.

And running to build some stamina, build a schedule slowly and keep doing it every day. You'll be fit in no time.

Also drink lot's of water and keep tabs on what you eat.

 

[SciMal]

Hi guys, I'm really into running, have been for a couple of years now, and a few weeks ago I reached the end of a period of regular, hard training, due to having a number of races over a few weeks. I was pretty fit by the end, in all but one sense - I had worn something down in my right ankle and it hurt a lot every time I came back from a run. So here I am, 4 weeks later, and I've not run since then, save a couple of sessions in which I tested out how bad my ankle was (it was still bad).
I'd like to get fit again, my ankle isn't quite perfect but it's a lot better, so I'm trying to work out whether I should change the way I run to try and optimise my fitness gain. I've considered the following:

1. Running with a weighted backpack (about 40lbs or so)
2. High Intensity Interval Training (read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training)
3. Longer, more gentle runs which have less impact on my joints.

So, if any of you guys have ever run, or done any kind of long-term fitness regime, what did you find worked well? What didn't? Post away.

1) Find out what's wrong with your ankle. If it's cartilage (which will never heal), do what's comfy. Go to a doc to find this out.

2) Don't jump into heavy training. Start at 30%-50% of your old max. You will have lost quite a bit of muscle or O2 utilization in 4 weeks without trainin.

3) If your ankle won't heal, choose an easier exercise. Biking, swimming, etc.

 

[theparsonski]

... So here I am, 4 weeks later ...

How can you have gotten so unfit in a month?

do not question the might of DORITOS!

I'm not unfit, I can just feel how much my fitness has decreased. I have tried running a few times since the injury and it's a lot more difficult, and I want to get back up to where I was before. But yeah, I guess I could have eaten better as well.

As for the guy who asked about my ankle, it's basically this sharpish pain around the joint, and I get it after any exercise that uses my feet and legs. It's never too bad WHEN I'm running, but when I get back it hurts like a *****. It feels like I might have worn something down somewhere, it definitely came on gradually, but I couldn't stop because I had races to train for.

 

[SEXTON HALE]

You would'nt consider changing to different form of cardio exercise like swiming or cycling
to hold your fitness over untill your ankle gets better would you?

 

[Yuno Gasai]

Trying to get fit as quick as possible is a surefire way to fail.

I'm inclined to agree with this.

Getting fit isn't a "quick" process. It takes time.

Considering the fact that you're injured, I'd recommend talking to your doctor or to a professional (e.g. a personal trainer) to seek their advice on exercises you can do which will benefit your ankle's healing, as opposed to hindering it.

 

[hermes]

If you have problems with your ankle, I would recommend you to get on a diet (a serious one) before trying to push it with exercise. Once you are ready, your ankle will thank you for the extra weight it doesn't have to pull.

 

[HardkorSB]

Hi guys, I'm really into running, have been for a couple of years now, and a few weeks ago I reached the end of a period of regular, hard training, due to having a number of races over a few weeks. I was pretty fit by the end, in all but one sense - I had worn something down in my right ankle and it hurt a lot every time I came back from a run. So here I am, 4 weeks later, and I've not run since then, save a couple of sessions in which I tested out how bad my ankle was (it was still bad).
I'd like to get fit again, my ankle isn't quite perfect but it's a lot better, so I'm trying to work out whether I should change the way I run to try and optimise my fitness gain. I've considered the following:

1. Running with a weighted backpack (about 40lbs or so)
2. High Intensity Interval Training (read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training)
3. Longer, more gentle runs which have less impact on my joints.

So, if any of you guys have ever run, or done any kind of long-term fitness regime, what did you find worked well? What didn't? Post away.

So, your ankle isn't healed yet and it can take LESS pressure than usual and your plan is to put MORE pressure than usual on it?
Wait another month or so, nothing will happen if you do. Something might happen if you don't.
I speak from experience, trust me.

 

[ExploreHer]

by fit do you mean lean? if so it's all about the diet.

 

[Marik2]

Read this Worksheet and sometimes refer to /fit/
http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh%27s_Worksheet_%28WIP%29

LMAO that was actually very informative and hilarious, thank you for sharing that.

*bookmarked*

 

[lacktheknack]

It's not "ultra-fatty" anyways, unless you're drinking cream.

But it is formulated for growing calfs. Not humans.

It doesn't really matter. The idea that it takes more than 30% of the recommended daily amount of calcium to digest 200 calories is several types of absurd.

Also, I drink scary amounts of milk while not really eating enough calcium-rich veggies, and one problem I'm NOT having is calcium deficiency. I think the phrase used by my doctor to describe my arm was "wouldn't break if run over by a car".

And thirdly, if you set aside calcium, there's still lots of good things in milk. It's worth drinking.

 

[The Funslinger]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

I have a question: What diet advice can you give me for gaining weight?

 

[Dectomax]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

I have a question: What diet advice can you give me for gaining weight?

Steak. All day, every day!

On a serious note; LOTS of protein. If you're not taking enough in, try whey-powder for a few weeks after the GYM. You'll start putting on weight no problem. As long as you're lifting and doing running - taking in a protein heavy meal afterwards and a few protein shakes here and there it'll stack up! ( Give it a few weeks and you'll start to notice a difference. )

 

[renegade7]

Trying to get fit as quick as possible is a surefire way to fail.

In what way? Could you explain further?

Just so you know, I'm not looking for a shortcut, I'm just wondering what method will be the best for my fitness, both in speed of action and overall quality.

Because it's not so much about 'getting fit' than it is about altering your lifestyle to a healthier one rather than doing exercises until you (aren't fat, have a 6 pack, get ripped, etc etc). And it really depends on what you mean by 'fit' if it's losing weight then focus more on cardio and medium intensity stuff like jogging and definitely work in an hour (total) of some kind of activity a day, like walking. High intensity interval workouts may sound attractive at first but it's a really difficult routine to maintain. It's much easier to walk for an hour a day than it is to do 20 minutes of hard sprints every other day for several months.

And the weighted backpack thing really depends on what you are trying to do. If you are trying to build muscle then yes. If you are trying to lose weight then no, since that makes you unable to run for as long a time.

 

[esperandote]

High intensity interval training, search bodyrock.tv in youtube the have hundreds of routines.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

A well balanced diet but be sure to eat better, not less. When you workout don't push yourself to exhaustion because once you've already broken down the muscle there's no point in pushing any farther, wait for recovery and do it again. People have a habit of pushing themselves harder than they have to and trying to live on protein shakes and egg-whites but you need real food. Remember that just because a food says it's healthy, check for sugar, because it's usually loaded.

 

[DSK-]

Quickest way to get fit: Listen to what your body tells you. If you think you're over doing it, cut back a bit, build up and then make yourself work that bit more harder, and gradually continue on from there.

Don't neglect stretching, keep to your goals and push yourself as much as you can without over doing it and injuring yourself.