Ah, yes, summer again (well, except that overnight there was an inch of snow, but soon!). Back onto the Moomba forum for the first time since the fall.

I keep generally tight through resistance training 3+ days a week. The only way I can do cardio is via lacrosse and ice hockey. Tried running, got about a block and returned home, boring as heck. Don’t know how I used to do it, but that was 30 years ago.

I was never into abs whatsoever. Then I became a water skier in my mid-40’s and henceforth became obsessed with it. I read that the pros focus their training on their core. So, monkey see - monkey do. Took after the core, and it’s interesting to have some firmness in places I’ve never experienced! But my purpose in replying to the post is that in the course of researching core exercises, I found much criticism of sit-ups, regarding their detriment to the lower back. As I was doing 100-200 of various types of sit-ups per day, this got my attention quickly. I found on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tDZRogSbbU, this illustrated/narrated simple set you can do in front of the TV without hardly raising your pulse. Do them with purpose and I guarantee your guts will ache. There is scads of info on the net about core exercises, so you can add as you wish.

Also around this time of year, in the gym I put an emphasis on ski-oriented lifts, simply grabbing a cable machine handle and pulling the weight to your hip while standing perpendicular to the cable machine in a water ski stance. Start with one hand – full arm extension, and add the other hand slalom-undergrip as you draw the handle in (careful your feet don’t slide out. I use a board between my feet and the machine base).

Anyhow, now the ice is off, and if it would ever warm up here, I will be curious to see if the improved core will allow me to ski longer prior to tiring, which is my objective.

Good thread. Thanks for the info in the supplements. I’ve been leery of those boosters, but some days I could sure use a kick start. And congrats on the P90X; most folks crap out on that…I’ve been pondering it, but don’t think I could make the commitment.

So, I think one needs a purpose to work out, and mine is slalom (plus keeping up with my kids).