I'm Losing Weight

“Running is a lot of work, dang... i've done away with my bike and my car almost... and i try to run at least 2 miles a day, it's crazy... i can feel myself getting in shape though, i'm wanting to be in the best shape of my life before i even think about leaving, it's coming along, my legs have quit throbbing, but i'm still so tired afterwards, i need a nap. i'm feelin good though, i thought running would suck, i actually look forward to it, it's not that bad.”

“that's good to hear... i'll be starting to run in june. i'm planning to run a 5k in september. i already know that i don't enjoy running. maybe i'll start to feel differently about it once i quite smoking!”

“I committed to go day hiking once a week this year and so far ive dropped three pounds and my wife is eating like a pig...with any luck I will get back down to a nice trim 220 this year”

“I started running again about two months ago. Hey Sim, if you're still feeling tired, how's your diet? Are you eating enough complex carbohyrdates (pasta, rice, potatoes)?”

“Because of the conservation of energy theory, YOU lose weight and SOMEBODY ELSE gains it!

Thanx!”

“Tara - I didn't know you smoked :)”

“simer,
If you are getting tired, you may be running too fast. If you don't have a heart rate monitor, get one (they're cheap). Keep your heart rate under 85% max and you can go farther without getting tired after. Since you are getting in shape for walking, you don't really need speed work--you need aerobic endurance. If you don't use a heart rate monitor, just run slow enough that you can still breathe easily through your nose rather than your mouth. Try it; you'll like it.”

“Started cutting back on the meats last week. My pants must've shrunk over the winter. I would be happy if I lose 15lbs.”

“In a training routine rest is as important as work. You are working you muscles and their support system to a point that they need repair. That is OK, if you didn’t they would not get stronger. Rest is when the body rebuilds, hopefully to a higher level of strength. Be one with the rest, its part of the process. If you slow down or reduce the speed you may feel less tired but you will also slow your progress. Repeated high intensity work is one of the best ways to achieve physical improvements. After a session of intervals on the bicycle all I want is a nap.”

“Save yourself, Stanlee. I cut way back on the junk carbos and kept the high proteins, moderate fat (my own slipshod version of Atkins Diet) -- in other words, I eat the meat, fish, cheese, and leafy greens, and skip the potatoes, Coke, bread, candy, chips -- and I've lost 21 pounds and four inches off my waist since November. In general, it forces me to just eat less, since so much of modern diets are sugar/starch junk/prepared foods. Plus a glass of red wine or a shot of whiskey are on the approved list! Though I don't find myself imbibing often anymore.

Along the way, my acid reflux problem is gone unless I cheat and scarf some bread (as in pizza crust) or other heavy carbo (two Atkins vets promised this would happen). Beats my doctor's advise to start taking Pepcid AC regularly. And if it follows my brother's experience (he's lost 39# in the last year by being much more strict about it), my cholesterol level will go down with the weight-loss without giving up steak.”

“When I start feeling "out of shape" I'll cut out Cokes completely plus back off on my eating some. I can drop 10 pounds in a month easy.
I used to run but it's too rough on my ankles.”

“Running is a good way to give up smoking. No way to do both.”

“well, i can almost make it the entire way from the golf course to my house, little over a mile, today was all into the wind... it's gettin warm out too, as soon as it get's up into the 80's i'm gonna have to start bringin water. but yeah, i'm feelin pretty good, the tired feeling isn't overwhelming, and i'm making progress, phew, it takes work though.”

“Biz, I wish you were right about smoking and running. I do both, not together however. Have been for 11 years now. I am trying to quit smoking though. Had one yesterday and three today. I am having fits!”

“I'm starting back with running this week sometime. I made a pact to run in a mini with a friend of mine, so I need to start.”

“im too fat to run. all my joints hurt afterward. i've been running on a machine at the gym, though. first time in my life i've ever worked out. i used to swear against it. i was an avid couch potato until i started bp ing. it's taken over my life. im not even really lazy anymore.”

“Back on my bike this week. I love bicycling, I hate running, and I'll walk forever.”

“This is going to be my first time going on a diet seriously. Weekdays and nights no meat...only meat on the weekends. Will try to cut down on the junk food too. The last few times I went on a diet...I lasted like 2 meals...the craving for meat is overwhelming.”

“For what it is worth: Phil's Weight Loss hints page”

“Running is a great way to lose weight. I try not to run 4 miles a day like I used to because I'm trying to protect my knees. My dog has become my personal trainer. We run a mile or two almost every night.

Muscle mass burns fat. Muscle mass will burn fat while you sleep. Going on at least one two-week backpacking trip every summer is great incentive for me to stay in shape. I'm into my weight lifting routine, three times a week. I have a stomach routine that takes about 30-40 minutes, five times a week. There's nothing like a strong torso to relieve any possible back problems. At 6-1, 210, I'm starting to feel like an NFL running back or safety. If I could run a 4.4, I'd consider making a comeback.”

“Arclite, I'm about the same size as you. What do you do for your ab routine? I'm planning on working my abs in addition to my running now.”

“If you have knee problems, I'd suggest alternating running days with cycling (or spinning class). Also, rest is important (as Mtn. Gal noted). This virtually eliminated my knee problems. A nice motivator (in addition to long backpacking trips) is the sprint distance triathlon. I do 2 or 3 a year.”

“I smoke and I run. But I figure the running just make me a more efficient smoker.

That's a joke. 8^)”

“The air is so bad in Phoenix if you're a runner it's like smoking a pack a day. There is also a disease called Valley Fever that comes from the soil and if you live there for any length of time you will get it. The symptoms are varied but the main one is bronchitis which lasts for about 6 mos in my case and leaves scar tissue on your lungs. Many people I know have developed emphasemia from it and they were never smokers.

Long story but I gave up smoking!”

“Artex, the best stomach routine that I've found is Joyce Vedral's, "Abs of Steel." She did the infamous "Buns of Steel" book. It's a series of seven exercises that does upper, middle and lower stomach. Plus it hits your upper and lower sides. I'm sure she lists the specific muscle groups (seratis and such), but I'm not much into memorizing the names of muscle groups.

You do 3 sets of 15-20 reps for each of the seven exercises. If you do this routine, start out slowly or else you'll be so sore that you won't want to continue after the first day.”

“Very cool, thanks. I'll definetly check out that book! :-)”

“'It is actually quite rewarding to be successful when people thought you would fail.'

So true Phil. I totally agree with everything you said! I have never attended a weight watchers meeting though, I have 2 sisters and a Mom, my support group.”

“phew... i need a nap, i made it the whole way today! alright, here we go... with a 25 mph wind the whole way, not bad ;)”

“No more cookie diet.I've cut the hip strap on the pack i'm building so it just fits.well,i could have some more cookies and just not use the hip belt the first few days, until i walk off a few lbs.yah!!! more cookies.”

“What's a sprint distance triathlon?”

“75yards swim to the first liquor store,then two blocks on the bike to a bar and then....”

“Hmmm, sounds good, uncliff, if only I could swim better!”

“not to worry,if you walk the beach you have to buy.”

“stumprider,
Sprint distance triathlons are basically short "fast" triathlons, rather than marathon-distance triathlons. A typical sprint distance triathlon has a 1/4 to 1/2 mile open water swim, followed by a 15-20 mile bike ride, followed by a 2-5 mile run. They are very popular around the world, and newcomers are always welcome.
For more information, go to Trinewbies.com”