Posts by shill

I started running in high school and haven't stopped since. That was 11 years ago and it is a life changer. I agree with the mention of cross training. You definitely need weights and other cardio outlets. I loved spinning because it took the strength and endurance of my legs to a whole new level. I ran 7 years before discovering how it bettered my distance running.

You also need to make sure you have proper shoes for running if you really plan to be successful. It makes a HUGE difference. Start at your own pace, but set goals. I would go by timed goals at first, that way you won't feel so stressed to make a distance. if you need to walk some, then by all means do so. I increase the incline if I need to walk at all. For beginners, you should run a fairly level surface. Inclines add a huge cardio/strength stress when you run. Until you have your breathing down and can comfortably run a mile without walking, I would not start inclines above 3-4.

I could go on and on because I am a passionate runner, but individuals are all different and at varied levels...if you have a question, need motivation or whatever don't be afraid to message me or reply on here. I know a few other runners on here that can bounce answers back as well.

Good luck and hope to hear from you soon. Just stick with it....it gets easier each time.

PS. You guys can have a laugh at my most recent 10k last Sunday. Just follow the link and witness my muddy finish. At least I still had a smile. LOL!

I'm a single mom too. I have a 6 and 1 year old daughters. I've always been a single mom, so I don't know what it would be like to have help! LOL!

I'll start by questioning which part of my post is skewed. It's my opinion and also it's all fact.

I don't think we'll know the true effects of these vaccinations until another epidemic of genetic disorders surfaces. I think there's a cloudy track record for our CDC. This is more than documented. In 1976, the vaccine led to GBS after the country was sent into a panic by the CDC. I'm sure they stressed the importance of that shot then as well. Maybe you'll find these interesting. It's a list of factual occurrences highlighting the mistakes made over the years with vaccines. For those who rely on WebMd and other big name health websites, remember who governs those; the CDC. This is also a fact.

I'm not knocking the possibility the swine flu has to be severe, but I'm sure as hell questioning the methods of combating it.

What the CDC fails to mention is secondary infections from an original flu virus or patients with asthmatic history or other underlying health issues that were the cause of complications. Receiving an H1N1 shot would have been just as dangerous for many of these people as simply contracting it through daily contact. There is always a small percentage of complications and dropouts in the CDC studies (it varies by the class being studied). Usually, it's around 1% which doesn't sound like much, but they don't list the number of participants in the study or who conducted it. Funny, huh? There is a lot of money to be made in the field of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, both for the pharmaceutical companies as well as healthcare providers getting kick-backs for carrying certain products. I don't trust the CDC to be forthright with anything that makes them look incompetent.

I agree you should be informed before making a decision, not scared into it by selective information.

This site is decidedly conservative, but the articles' content is fact. The video is of CDC head being interviewed on CNN...

This article highlights the proven relationships to vaccine and asthma is children.

There are thousands of these articles and studies all over the world that fail to spark the interest of the CDC or WHO. I find THAT to be truly appalling.

Original Post by urzahlah:

For one thing. it's hard to find shirts that fit because my breasts are large.

So ladies, do you ever have to go through something similar? Do you work your butt off (literally!) only to encounter other moms that are effortlessly skinny?

How do you deal with it?

I know your post was well intended, but don't assume those ladies are effortlessly skinny. People say that to me and I am offended. I work hard to keep in shape and for me to be called "lucky" is a slap in the face. Some are naturally thin and others just don't take care of themselves.

As for what I do; I worry about me. That's all that matters! You are 118 and 5'4" which is phenominal. Plus, you got to keep your boobs. I wasn't so lucky. LOL! I can't fill out any tops or a bra of any size for that matter. I'm an A-! I'm 5'3", 112 and also find myself slinking through the juniors department at the age of 29. I do feel your pain there. I can't complain though...I feel great, I work with what I have and don't have and appreciate that I was blessed with two beautiful daughters.

Breathe...

Both my daughters were belly sleepers from the day they could roll over. I never was concerned with SIDS, nor did I let any health professional or over-protective stranger make me feel bad for doing so. SIDS has become a catch all for suffocation. Yes, there are obvious risks to placing an infant with poor neck muscle control on the belly to sleep. Also, loose blankets and sheets are an obvious no-no. You know your baby though. I suggest you trust your instincts.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

i think there is a way to stop it, and that's to have more important things to worry about: work, school, family, friends, the outside world.

The funny thing about ED is it's ability to make you super selfish. I have a million other things more important to me; my kids, my work, family and I still manage to have body image in the back of my head. I give all that I can to all those things, but it's hard to know what "all" is. I've had the behaviour so long, I may not realize what I do is not normal.

It's not normal to think about your body/weight all the time.

My take on this is:

Blueberries $5.99

McDonald's double cheeseburger $1

Triple bypass $50k+

Well visit to doctor with clean bill of health ...priceless.

Cooking meals at home in bulk and freezing portions should be less expensive even with healthy foods. You'll always run into an issue of seasonal items being more expensive at times. Catch them on sale and freeze them...or go to a u-pick farm if you can. We get blueberries and apples much cheaper that way and we freeze the blueberries and they last all winter. Also, we get foods from local Amish farms and small health food stores (not chains!!!!!!). They are local, hence much fresher and much cheaper. Remember, it costs for your chain food stores to have it shipped to you.

I have a great jog-stroller and we walk everywhere in town. I go all over, up and down hills and always take the long way. She loves it. It relaxes her and myself as well. I also invested in a co-pilot bike seat and I ride a lot. Helmets are hard to find for little ones, but I highly recommend the Giro infant helmet. I ordered mine from Amazon. The bike seat came from there too. I got my stroller from Target. That's the bulk of my cardio. I have resistance bands and weights at home that I do routines with about 5 days a week.

I am a hairstylist and while I agree Organic is great and all, that is not what saved your hair. Sulfates and detergents can strip natural oils and damage hair. Most brands now are eliminating these agents from their products.

Pantene specifically uses wax (similair to that found in floor wax) to coat the hair and give the illusion of shiny, healthy hair. What it really does is coat the hair and build up, eventually causing breakage. Many other over the counter products do the same thing. Some hair can tolerate it better than others. Tresseme is probably the least damning product. They have kept a very salon similair formula.

Using a proper PH balanced shampoo for your hair type and taking into account chemical processes done to the hair will yield the best shampoo. I also highly recommend salon quality products, and NO Walgreen's, CVS...do not carry them. These products are old, black market, knock-offs or weakened formulas. I also recommend a clarifying treatment every so often to reduce product build up and environmental build up.

I myself use Loreal Professional Volume Expand Shampoo and Conditioner and love it. I also am a fan of Paul Mitchell, Biolage and Enjoy products. They don't all work on my hair, but are excellent for some of my clients. I myself swore by Big Sexy styling products, but alas they are going commercial and formulas will change.

Just my 2 cents.

Original Post by cerealaddiction:

bust 29B (can not find any bras that fit me in the band ARRGH)

 

Me too... My band size is 28 in and kids bra cups are too close together even though the band fits. Blah~

Yes, but that's kinda the point! Muscle is good. Muscle helps keep your body burning fat. Weight lifting will give your muscles definition and create a leaner, more toned appearance.I thought this myth was squashed, but I'll address it again...

Weight lifting does not make you bulky! It's just not possible for your body. You have "x" amount of muscle mass and weight training simply breaks down and reshapes the muscle you have. You don't actually add new muscle. As this happens, you are burning fat and creating that toned look. Women especially with larger musclar physiques have generally supplemented in some form to achieve that look. With that said, a proper diet is ESSENTIAL to losing that fat layer. This for me and others is key to loss of that belly fat.

You are on the right track with both spinning and walking. I LOVED spin classes. It's great for building lean muscle and burning calories. Add weight training every other day for at least 45 min and focus each day on one or two muscle groups. I can almost garaunteee you will see faster results and you will feel stronger.

I weight train and I am far from bulky. I have definition and am lean and toned because of it.

Good luck to you! If you need any advice or suggestions, I'd be happy to give my thoughs.

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

heeeeeyyyy.... I didn't eat any corn!!!

I had that kind of epiphany yesterday. I didn't remember having a salad...

Original Post by plasmagirl:

• Ohio State Fans

- Tarheels Fans.

I highly recommend weight training added to whatever cardio you are currently doing. Building muscle will burn more fat. As for targeting belly flab, no can do. Everyone loses differently and the belly is usually last. Running is an excellent cardio workout that tones the midsection at the same time.

Diet is also key. A balanced diet with ample fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protiens is very important.

What are you currently doing?