The FIPS Fad Diet/Exercise Challenge: Week 2 – Running

It seems like every time I turn around, someone I know is on another fad diet or exercise routine. From the Master Cleanse to the Caveman Diet to P-90X to Cross-Fit, it’s hard to know what works and what’s total crap. So for the next four weeks, I’ve decided to try some of these for myself. I’ll tackle a different diet/exercise routine each week, and then report the results back to you the following week.

Note: I’m not a dietitian, nor am I a fitness guru. So I make no claims here that I’m doing anything properly. I’m guessing a lot of you out there might approach this sort of thing like I do: overhear someone talk about it, do some Internet research, give it a try for yourself. For those who follow that pattern, maybe you can learn from my mistakes. For those who don’t follow that pattern, maybe you can educate us in the comments section.

On my first week of the FIPS Fad Diet/Exercise Challenge, I decided to start with a pretty extreme diet: raw vegan. It wasn’t the easiest (I never mentioned the night I dreamt I was inside a pizza and had to eat my way out), but I ultimately felt good and slept well and lost a bunch of weight so it seemed like a total success.

Week two would prove to be way harder. Now, I was exercising.

Like last time, I should probably start by giving you a little history of my relationship with exercise: we don’t really get along. It’s not that I’m not athletic. When I was younger, I swam competitively and played tennis every chance I got (#CountyClubProblems). College introduced me to team sports like kickball and ultimate frisbee. These days, I basically live on my bicycle, averaging about 150 miles of road-time a week.

Click to read more ...

FiPS CARES: GET YOUR ASS IN SHAPE WHILE CURING CANCER

Even though it's not yet officially Spring, we've been having a de-facto Spring since November. So, you know, it's that time of the year when I start to think about all of those things I should be doing to make myself a Better Person. I should get my big, fat, tired, white, lazy, union ass in shape. I should call my mom more often. I should start working on that cure for cancer. Since you hate cancer, don't call your mom very often, and also have a big, fat ass, I'm assuming you're with me on this.

As it happens, you could be doing all three of those things in one fell swoop, if only you could be persuaded to sign up for Team-in-Training. Team-in-Training is a non-profit organization that trains first time marathon runners to compete in an actual real-life, honest-to-God, sure-as-shit race.  And almost all of it's paid for -- travel and everything -- because they do it as a fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma research. Upon signing up, you choose the race you want to run, you call and e-mail all of your family and friends and tell them the inspiring story of how they need to give you money so that you can exercise and cure cancer.

Click to read more ...

A Fips guide to your workout playlist

So you made a commitment to work out and now you need something to distract yourself from the thoughts that run through your head the entire time you're working out (something along the lines of, "Hey, why don't we get off this treadmill, go home, eat a block of cheddar cheese, and watch The Golden Girls?").  You're in luck: FIPS has put together three work-out playlists that'll keep you focused on your workout, and not how comfortable your couch is.

Overzealous Treadmill Runner

You know this dbag.  He’s the culprit of the headache you get every Saturday morning because he’s running so hard and so far up on the machine that his feet are literally smacking up against the plastic on the front of the machine.  He’s a RUNNER, drenched in sweat, working hard, and he wants everyone to know it—even though more seasoned runners are gliding effortlessly on the machines next to him.  Here’s a list of trite running songs for this jerk (hey, how about you go to the park?  The pavement can take way more damage).  

Click to read more ...

S Clubs Is Closed

Well folks, as we reported yesterday, it looks as if the party is indeed over for S Clubs. A FIPS tipster sent along a photo of this sad sign he encountered this morn on his way to get his elliptical on. Needless to say, no one will be feelin' the burn well...ever again. 

Click to read more ...

RUMORSVILLE: S CLUBS CLOSING TODAY?

As a member of S Clubs, the bizarro basement gym located on the corner of Union and 7th Aves, I've always wondered about two things: 

1. Why is it called "S Clubs" when there is only one of them?

2. How in the hayl does this place stay open when no one's ever in the joint?

Looks like we all might be getting our answer to No. 2 today: they're not...staying open that it is. 

Last night we heard from two different tipsters, both with the same story: S Clubs is shuttin er down today for good. 

Click to read more ...