takingbackmybody

[takingbackmybody]

Rededicating

I pretty much slipped off my plan, so I'm starting up again. I've hit a couple roadblocks in my personal life that have just made free time a commodity. Furthermore, my primary source of intense physical activity, tennis, is no longer an option. I don't have anyone at my level to hit with anymore. Current goals:

Figure out a new workout regiment

Start a food journal/diet log

Quit smoking once and for all

Get a physical

Hopefully I can get back on track. I'm really starting to hate my body image, which I know is unhealthy. I have a ton of bad habits that I need to shake before I deteriorate any further. I want to do this in a healthy manner, no crash diets or workout blitzes. I'll do it like I've done everything else in my life, slow and steady. "Slow is Smooth. Smooth is Fast."

[takingbackmybody]

Good call! I'm glad I could help. It is a great camera that should serve you well for years to come. Now if you don't mind a little bit more lecturing, probably just as important if not more so than body you;re using is the glass you're using. There are a handful of lenses that every photographer HAS to have and often times they might end up being just as pricey as camera bodies :[

For a starting lens, I think the standard kit lens, 18-55mm would be better for you. From my experience, the wider the lenses focal range is, the worse it performs at all focal lengths. Like in the case of the 18-135mm you were speaking about before, yeah it seems like it gives you a lot of flexibility... but it won't do particularly well at either end of the range.

If you really want to hone your skill, I'd consider the Canon 28mm F2 lens, http://www.amazon.com/Canon-35mm-Wide-Angle-Cameras/dp/B00009XVCU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1381503248&sr=8-4&keywords=canon+28mm

On a crop sensor camera like the 60D, that would equate to around a 50mm lens, which is widely consider as the 'standard' size lens. Because it can't zoom, it will force you to move around and frame your shots properly instead of relying on a wider focal range. Non-zooming lenses, or prime lenses, also tend to have much much sharper images because they don't have to have as many moving parts or glass in the way. Also, they'll have wider apertures (the F2 part I mentioned) which will allow you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and have a much more pronounced depth of field. :D

So I have decided that my official weight loss goal will be 160.

I never want to be a skinny mini but regardless of my physical condition/appearance, I will start doing more weight and resistance training.

Starting today I am taking squats, push-ups, and lunges more seriously

I’m had a few…

[takingbackmybody]

Definitely, yeah. I know they're pricier, but if you're going to invest in photography at all, I'd recommend skipping the entry-intermediate level cameras and going straight towards intermediate. Not that there's anything wrong with cameras like the Canon T3i or Nikon D5100, it's just that as you improve and progress, there will eventually be bottlenecks in what the camera can do. Intermediate cameras like the Canon 60D or Nikon D7000 will have more sophisticated autofocus capabilities, faster framerates, better image processing (shoot more shots before the camera has to slow down and process images), and more flexibility as far image control goes. Plus, the fact that they're larger make them more comfortable to hold and shoot for longer periods.

The old adage, buy nice or buy twice definitely applies here. If you're going to drop hundreds of dollars on a DSLR, a couple hundred more can make a huge difference because cameras in general are investments.

As you can see, I could nerd over photography and cameras all day, so feel free to cut me off once I start getting a bit ranty.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-16-2MP-DX-Format-Digital-3-0-Inch/dp/B0042X9LC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381470912&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d7000 (in case you wanted to check the D7000 out)

So I have decided that my official weight loss goal will be 160.

I never want to be a skinny mini but regardless of my physical condition/appearance, I will start doing more weight and resistance training.

Starting today I am taking squats, push-ups, and lunges more seriously

I’m had a few…

[takingbackmybody]

Definitely. Here are some of my and my friends photos shot with a Canon T3i and T2i respectively (both cameras have the same sensor)

http://clubhouseinc.net/gallery/photography/

The following are some shots done by a colleague of mine (I work in Real Estate Marketing) with a Nikon D5100.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d12j6rvj41o313f/Qbi5SvMb3c

Both are entry-intermediate level DSLRs.

Realistically, the more invested you get in photography, the less you'll be using auto/program modes. If anything, you'll be using either Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority functions the most.

The reason why I recommend Nikon dslrs for you, is because for the most part, they have superior autofocus and low-light capabilities. As technology has advanced, Canon has caught up some. Having superior autofocus will allow you to track moving objects (sports) better with less missed shots. Better low light performance means that you can use faster shutter speeds (better for capturing motion without blurs) as well as having reduced image noise (graininess you see in low light photos).

Had I known what I know now, I would definitely have opted for a Nikon as I primarily shoot portraits, landscapes, and the occasional street shots. I've taken plenty of great shots with my T3i, but because I don't shoot too many videos, a lot of the features of the camera are wasted on me. Also, Nikon is catching up in terms of video recording. Sure they're not on par with Canon, but they're definitely a step up from most point and shoot and mirrorless systems.

If you're really set on Canon cameras, I suggest you shop around for the Canon 60D. It has the same sensor as the T3i, but it's better in just about every other department. Plus, because it's going to be replaced soon, they can be had for around your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-CMOS-Digital-Camera-3-0-Inch/dp/B0040JHVCC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381369861&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+60d

I regret not saving up a little bit more and going for the 60D.

So I have decided that my official weight loss goal will be 160.

I never want to be a skinny mini but regardless of my physical condition/appearance, I will start doing more weight and resistance training.

Starting today I am taking squats, push-ups, and lunges more seriously

I’m had a few…

[takingbackmybody]

As far as photography goes, I'm semi-professional, and I would recommend Nikon if you're primarily going to be taking stills. Canon definitely trumps Nikon in the video department, but I think Nikons are better suited, for regular photography. (I use both by the way, just in case I come off sounding biased)

Granted, photography always comes down to the photographer. A good photographer could produce better images with an old camera flip-phone than a mediocre one could with a Hasselblad. But there is some merit to using the right equipment.

(Unless for some reason you've already invested in Canon lenses, of course)

So I have decided that my official weight loss goal will be 160.

I never want to be a skinny mini but regardless of my physical condition/appearance, I will start doing more weight and resistance training.

Starting today I am taking squats, push-ups, and lunges more seriously

I’m had a few...

[takingbackmybody]

I've been slacking.

I have zero conviction.

[takingbackmybody]

Over half of the #fitblr tagged posts I see are food. Granted, healthy food. But still food.

Thanks.

[takingbackmybody]

Quick and Easy Guacamole Recipe

[takingbackmybody]

[takingbackmybody]

[takingbackmybody]

[takingbackmybody]

Sitting at my desk...

...is getting real old real fast. Now with all this desire to work out and play tennis, being trapped here at my office is just mind numbing.

[takingbackmybody]

If you don’t know who this sexy chick is, go google Lindsey Stirling now! She will produce music that will make you orgasm. Lmao, but seriously, she is awesome

[takingbackmybody]

Help

How do you develop/maintain self control? I suck at it.

[takingbackmybody]

[takingbackmybody]

I hated these things for so long, and now I can't get enough of them.

Supreme Fitness

[takingbackmybody]

Finding time to work out.

I know tons of people have jobs and still find time to workout. I, however, am horrible at this. I'm usually exhausted by the time I get off, and if I'm not, I'll have plans of some sort. I try to play tennis whenever I can, but the friends I hit with have such uncooperative schedules. My only real opportunities to hit are on Thursdays and Fridays. Weekends are usually booked for visiting the girlfriend. My pseudo-solution for this is, well, work out in the office! I've been trying some in-office workouts that are both discrete and effective. They're primarily isometric exercises that I found online.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/exercise-at-work/10-office-exercises-you-can-do-secretly.htm

I'm mostly doing #3 and #8 and it's been going pretty well. I was actually a little sore the next day. (I don't know if that's impressive or pathetic)