I need to get in shape...

I would say paddle around even if its flat. park at one spot, carry your board a few blocks down and paddle back to your car. Should be a good workout and it directly relates to surfing.

 

surf when there's waves and go to the gym when there are not. simple as that

 

I've been following this thread since it began with interest. I have to say Im having similar problems with my endurance lately. But the concerning thing for me is that I have a fairly healthy lifestyle.
At 38 years old I have been surfing strong and long up until about mid to late august this year. then one day my muscles fatigue extremely quick and Im not recovering inbetween sets like I used to. Been that way since. Its def. affecting my surfing, in terms of positioning myself in the lineup and popping up on my board.
I dont smoke, and I work out 3 to 4 times per week for the last 15 to 20 years. I still have my strength, Im possibly stronger in my max wieght lifts at the gym... but my endurance is at an all time low and my muscles burn/fatigue so much quicker then they used to. Also my breath seems to run out quick.
I mentioned that I am sort of a gym freak and I excersize regularly... the only thing that I can think of is that over the past year to half year I have increased sugar consumption. I got into the habbit of putting sugar in my coffee, my cereal and I usually eat candy bars at sometime during the day. In trying to track down the cause of my fatigue Im taking the sugar out of my diet, unless its in food naturally. I felt a bit better during this past weeks swell but I def. still have quick fatigue... Now Im just waiting for the next swell to see if the long term sugar use (after never using extra sugar) was the culprit...

 

I think you are correct in pointing at the increased sugar intake as the culprit. Sugar is poisen and has a huge impact on your matabolism. The spikes in you insulin level will alter the way your body retains fat intead of buning the excess energy, it will cause you to become sluggish and lose endurance. It could also mean you could have high bursts of strength but will tire easily after. I am a soda drinker and am now trying my best to control how much if any I drink.

 

I quit drinking soda about 6 years ago, best move I made.

 

Quit smoking 2 packs a day when I was 26. Got in shape using P90X at age 49. Now at age 52, feeling great...sure everyone gets winded, its how quickly you can recover. Eat clean, follow a good regular regimen of aerobic and anaerobic activity and Yoga. You can't just run and you cant just lift weights or do weight training. Gotta mix it up, keep it fluid and work hard when you work. I became a Beachbody coach to help those that want it. Went from 21% body fat to 12% body fat in 90 days. http://www.beachbodycoach.com/wesb. My goal was to stay lean and not bulk up so I could surf. Doing anything is better than doing nothing. Good luck bro.

 

Best way to quit smoking: get a super hot girlfriend that won't let you smoke. Then the decision is easy--sex is way better than cigs. Worked for me.

 

ps the only workout i do is 40 push ups and ~150 crunches a day, and it keeps me in shape way better than you would think. in the winter i only surf maybe once a month because of work and my regrettable distance from the ocean, but the pushups seem to keep up my endurance so i can charge big surf even if i haven't been out for a while. also eat healthy. choose a grilled chicken sandwich over the burger, skip the fries, and diet soda or water (preferably water).

 

Smoking thing gotta go if u want to get better. A couple people have said and I agree, push up and sit ups are a great way to start. Throw in 10-15 pop ups in between and stretch, stretch and more stretch. i dont know how big u are or your board size but it sounds like maybe u are riding to much foam to duck dive. Unless your at Jaws or Mavericks, try grabbing your rails, extending arms and riding over incoming. I have a couple bigger boards I have no issues riding over anything under 6-8'.
Good luck with the smokin.

 

TRX, rock climbing, and yoga seem to help me stay in shape. When you get the urge to smoke, pray for help, the urge is only momentary.

 

I totally agree with this. I did it all winter when living at VB, paddling out and around the bouys and back and did circles around everyone when Spring came. Plus of course lots of cross training, yoga, eating well, SUP. core work.

 

When you're in the water and its flat also practice sprints. hundred paddles out as fast as you can turn around and paddle in 100 strokes. Then do it again! Builds like crazy!.

 

If cutting out the sugar doesn't help, then go to your doctor. I'm no expert, but it sounds like you might have a thyroid issue. For someone as active as you, I wouldn't think a few tablespoons of sugar would make much of a difference as you would burn it right off, but who knows?

 

This is a great idea. I from VB too and i think im gonna start doing this on flat days. i try to surf everyday there's some swell but i still wanna stay in shape for these damn weeks without swell we tend to get.