| Forum | Topic | Date | Replies |
 |
|
|
|
| Recipes | Recipe ideas for runners | Oct 30 2008 15:03 (UTC) |
|
That's a brilliant resource, thanks! |
|||
| Fitness | Good fuel for runners | Oct 30 2008 01:56 (UTC) |
2 |
mmmm.... sounds good guys, i'll give that a try
|
|||
| Fitness | Good fuel for runners | Oct 29 2008 23:24 (UTC) |
5 |
Hey Eric - What do you have with your pasta? Or do you eat just plain pasta? I'm happy eating wholewheat pasta I just wanted to make it a bit more exciting! |
|||
| Motivation | Couch-To-5k Motivational Thread | Jul 17 2008 13:21 (UTC) |
274 |
I would spread it out a little bit more - your body needs recovery time from the running for the muscles to heal and thus grow (as you probably know exercise results in micro tears in the muscle, these are repaired and healed and that increases muscle mass), if you run every day or on consecutive days your body can't do this and so you won't feel the benefits as much. A couple of days consecutive is fine but you need a break somewhere in the middle and a day off or two after your long run. I go Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, sometimes Saturday, and Sunday. Olivia, jogging every day is not giving you adequate rest time. That's not to say you can't do cross training on those rest days (I go kickboxing, do weights, yoga and swim when I can or go for a bike ride). The other thing is that if you over do it, especially at the start, you are very likely to end up with an injury that stops all exercise (and so weight loss) or losing your motivation early on. |
|||
| Motivation | Couch-To-5k Motivational Thread | Jul 16 2008 16:45 (UTC) |
280 |
You guys are all so awesome! Congratulations you are doing great - just wanted to offer a few friendly suggestions that I have learned over my running 'career' to date Mbeazley and everyone - you GOTTA have good shoes. I didn't think this was such a big deal when I started but really it is! Go to a proper athletics/running store and ask them to do an assessment. They can tell you if you are neutral or a pronator and give you good shoes that will protect you knees, feet and your lower musculature. Without proper fitting, supportive, cushioned shoes you are risking so many injuries that will stop you from running altogether. Even if you are only doing short distances at walk/run you still need good shoes. Every step you take running your knee has to take forces equivalent to 2 or 3 times your body weight. Be nice to them and get good shoes. Tamarabee (?) Try the running club that's how I got started and it's brilliant. There will be a beginner group and you will not be at the back of the group. It's fun, social, the motivation from running with others is brilliant and you will train properely which will have massive benefits in terms of speed and stamina in the long run. I started in the C25k group equivalent in January, now I am rocking it with the intermediates I'm not sure who mentioned it but you shouldn't really run more than 4 times a week - you need to give your body time to recover - especially after long runs! You guys are all doing so great! Keep it up! For those of you doing this for weight loss - I just broke the official 20lb weight loss mark (and that's with muscle gain) so boy does it work - and with the weight training it's not just your legs, I've lost those awful bingo wings (flabby arms)! : ) |
|||
| Fitness | Small Injury During Couch to 5K Program... | Jul 12 2008 22:16 (UTC) |
|
RICE always RICE - Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate (you probably knew that already but better to be safe) - take it easy, if your knee is painful rest it - don't go running. Same with bad ankles. Running is extremely tough on your body, you need to be nice to your knees and ankles (in fact legs in general) Your knee may be generally ok but when you're running it's taking a force equivalent to a couple of 'you's every second. Resting it up for a couple days won't make you fall off your plan. Try walking on it after a day or two of icing and see how you go. Advice from a physio I got a while back was to be cautious - so ice and rest for a couple days, then go out gently - if the pain doesn't go during the first 10 mins of your run then call it off and repeat the icing thing. The best plan - go and talk to a pro! |
|||
| Motivation | Couch-To-5k Motivational Thread | Jul 11 2008 16:46 (UTC) |
316 |
Hi Olivia, close but no cigar! It's a stingray : ) a lovely one at that (small female called 'wonky' because of a kink in her tail) I had the pleasure to work with them a while back. Seriously Olivia, keep it up - everyone for that matter! You are all doing unbelievably well! The hardest run is the first one - I am totally addicted now, I am so glad I persevered through the first hard runs, now I LOVE hard runs! I just love running and I am so glad I started. If I am having a bad day, a great run can make me feel 100% better. It's like meditation some days, happy drugs on other days. Sometimes you will find you hit the wall and just can't do it. Everyone has bad days. Even the top runners - anyone remember Paula Radcliffe at the Olympics just crashing at the side of the road and crying?! The trick is to just put it behind you and look forward! Tomorrow is a new day. Also listen to your body - running is hard on you so take care of yourself - cross training is the way forward! Enjoy : ) |
|||
| Motivation | Couch-To-5k Motivational Thread | Jul 09 2008 20:25 (UTC) |
322 |
You guys are all doing so great. I just wanted to jump in and say congrats and keep it up! Stick with the running as it gets addictive and the health and weight loss benefits are AMAZING! I started running at the end of January, I started with a running club and was basically on a c25k plan more or less. I did a 5k in March, a 10k at the end of april. I found myself training more and more, and LOVING it. The rush is amazing. My endurance/stamina and my speed were dramatically improving. My CV fitness is, I think, pretty darn great now. Especially when I think back that last christmas I was smoking and really out of shape! In the past 6 months I have quit smoking successfully and lost about 20lbs (including gaining muscle mass so I've lost a lot of body fat). I am now training for an adventure relay race (24 hours) at the end of this month and a half marathon in october. If I can do that, you all can too! One thing I found helped a lot was doing cross training, working on core and upper body strength helped a bunch. Believe me keep it up because it's awesome - not only the fringe benefits like weight loss, CV health and relaxation - just actually running. |
|||
| Weight Loss | Biggest meal at breakfast? Really? | Jun 20 2008 20:30 (UTC) |
|
You always have to take this research with a pinch of salt, remember the scientists studying this are looking at specific physiological processes - not holistic behaviours /health, they are answering a specific question about some aspect of human biology - they're not answering the question 'how do you eat to lose weight'. When the media gets hold of it they 'interpret' the findings as they wish. I think there is a lot of sense to it. You don't want to eat to REPLACE calories, you eat to provide FUEL for your body to burn. So chowing 600 calories at supper, when for the next 3 hours you'll be sat watching TV and then off to bed doesn't make much sense to me. BUT I think you have to work this theory into your schedule and be sensible with it we don't all follow a set daily, diurnal rhythm. I am trying to follow the basic rule of matching my eating habits to my activities, which is tough for me as I have a really varied schedule. Plus I am trying to train for a marathon but at the same time 'control' (rather than reduce) my calorie intake an weight. I work as a biologist on a boat, so on a full working day I am up at 5am, on the boat all day and back home at 8pm. I try to have some cereal and some fruit and a lot of coffee for breakfast, I'm usually rushing, tired and eating is hard that early so I often carry it with me and eat it on my commute. I then sort of graze through the day (lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains, bran muffin, maybe some miso soup or low fat noodle soup, quite a bit of protein half way through) to try and keep my energy levels up. When I get home I have a light supper like a little bit of soup with crackers or a muffin, and some fruit and yoghurt, I try to take it easy on animal proteins and starchy carbs. I then try not to binge on the sweeties my flatmate always buys. On a day off I usually do some training, and eat depending on that. Today is afternoon long run, so I big brekkie and carb up in the morning, light lunch and light supper. If I was having my long run tomorrow I would probably eat a lot more carbs in the evening. If I was doing weights or kickboxing this avo I would prob have a protein heavy supper to help my muscles recover. The main thing about all this is listening to your body, figuring out when you need to eat and when you don't. I used to eat big meals at supper time cos I'm english and that's how I was raised. Now I find, especially if I have exercised early evening, I'm just not that hungry at tea time, and I naturally lean towards grazing throughout the day rather than meals. |
|||
| Fitness | Side Ache....HELP | Jun 20 2008 18:02 (UTC) |
|
Hey, I used to suffer side stitch when I first started running and occasionally still do. The advice I received initially is that 1) no-one really knows what actually causes 'stitch' it CAN happen to the best athletes some times (but not as much!!) 2) Avoid fatty or fried foods and alcohol the day before you run. (not sure if this does have an impact but I try to avoid all of them anyway) 3) Don't eat heavy carbs or protein before working out - leave a nice long gap before meals. If you need fuel for the workout I rely on bananas if it's a long slow run, if I am aiming for speed then a handful of m&m's or jelly beans or something ****** 4) A few people mentioned the exhaling thing, and I have found that REALLY does work, if I get a stitch I make a few full and quick exhalations, really emptying my lungs and that seems to work a charm. Whenever I get stitch now I always seemed to have changed pace in my run and usually I have run or am running downhill. I think I tend to hold my breath when I am doing this and the erratic breathing could be the cause. Good luck and don't let it put you off! |
|||
| Health & Support | I'm 19 and I haven't gotten any wisdom teeth yet... | Jun 11 2008 00:43 (UTC) |
15 |
Count yourself lucky! Mine got infected, impacted, and in the end I had to have two other teeth taken out to make room for them. All in all I had about 5 dentists and 2 doctor/emergency clinic appointments, 2 courses of antibiotics, a fortnight of sleepless nights, about a month of acute pain, and a whole load of ibuprofen and codeine, costing me a few hundred quid. That was over a few years! |
|||
| Weight Loss | Curious- how many of you eat back calories to keep a 500 cal deficit? | Jun 09 2008 23:50 (UTC) |
14 |
I totally understand that... I keep looking at myself in the mirror wondering why I don't have a physique like Paula Radcliffe yet (I know I know... that's ridiculous) and then I try and cut my calories right down but my body usually lets me know and I just seem to be SO hungry if I have less than 1600 cals each day. Busy days (burning about 800-1000 cals in workouts) I trough closer to 2000 cals. Which is probably why the remnants of my stomach and saddle bags won't shift! I do feel a real dilemma between what I want in terms of weight loss and what I want in terms of overall performance. I just gotta keep reminding myself that the former will EVENTUALLY happen if I stick with the latter, and that the latter will give me a much bigger sense of achievement! (I see it as a choice between being a gym bunny or being a 'Paula' - I know what I'd prefer!!) |
|||
| Weight Loss | Curious- how many of you eat back calories to keep a 500 cal deficit? | Jun 09 2008 23:31 (UTC) |
16 |
Mortal Monkey you are doing waaaay too much.. you need to give your body time to rest and recooperate, and most importantly for your muscle to recover. Running for an hour every day is not a good move, at the very most you should be doing 5 runs per week. (I have no idea how experienced/'into' running you are - please forgive me if I am 'teaching granny to suck eggs' so to speak - to get the most out of running you need to be varying your schedule with speed sessions, hill workouts, intervals, etc which means that your runs should vary in length from 20 mins to a few hours, if you're just plain out running for an hour all the time you won't be making the most of that time). When you are weight training I would make sure you only do it every other day, in order for your muscles to recover and build you have to give them time to rest. I am sure you are making great progression - I have no clue how long you have been doing this - but in terms of long term sustainability and your overall health you have to be carefull. And Lorime: I'm training for a half marathon in October (nowhere near your 1/2 Ironman - nice one and good luck!) - I have been told by everyone who knows better than me to not even think about restricting my calories /dieting during this time, but to concentrate on just eating well, making sure those calories come from the right places. Trying to diet and train I don't think is such a good idea, like previous posters. Plus I know when I am going for a big run, that I need all the calories I can get to ensure a good performance. To the point I'm usually chomping a handful of smarties before a long run. Could the lack of weight loss be due to muscle gain? Again, I think what you're doing is awesome! I hope one day to try an Ironman challenge but I don't think I'm near that level (yet)! Very best of luck! |
|||
| Fitness | Bike crashes, shoulder injuries and weight lifting... can anyone help me? | Jun 09 2008 18:49 (UTC) |
1 |
That'd be a trip to the doctor then! It's actually not painful as such, more 'uncomfortable' to do certain movements. I'm off down to my kickboxing gym today and I'll ask them to recommend a physio. I am 99.9% sure it won't be a fracture or chip or anything as there was no impact to my shoulder, it was definitely 'a wrench' if anything. But i will find a good physical therapist and go have it checked out properely. I'll stay away from the weights until I have spoken to a physio. Although I am sure I should be fine for a lot of stuff, I just have to stay away from chest presses and anything that requires rotation of the shoulder. A good excuse to get out of push ups!! Looks like I'll be training south -paw for a while : ) Ho hum Thanks guys! |
|||
| Fitness | how would you a log running workout | Jun 07 2008 06:05 (UTC) |
|
Check out www.mapmyrun.com - you can map your route, calculate pace, log and track your precise running training and calculate calories for each activity. It's bloomin' marvellous! |
|||
| Fitness | Scared of next level - Couch to 5k ***UPDATED- AGAIN!!!**** | Jun 05 2008 00:47 (UTC) |
8 |
Hey there, You should look into joining a running club - they will have a few beginner level groups - I started in the walk/run group at my local club in Jan. I had only done a bit of running before, had just quit smoking at new year, was about 150lbs, pretty out of shape. Now I'm kicking butt in the intermediate group - I run religiously three times a week at least and I love it. I get tetchy if I can't go running. My weekly long run is now around 12k and my pace is always improving. I've taken part in 5k and 10k races. I'm training for a half marathon in October. Man, if I can do this, ANYONE can. Oh and I lost about 13lbs. Running with a club may give you that little extra push, a bit more motivation and a HEAP of support. You'll make friends in exactly the same position as you, and you'll have loads of fun. Going with a proper group I find pushes me, I do training sessions I probably wouldn't do on my own, it stops me from 'running empty miles' and helps me train smart. It seems a little scary at first, but as soon as you're there and running you will have a ball! Make sure that you don't over do it or over-exert yourself, but at the same time, as you have said sometimes you just need to push yourself and do it, and you'll be amazed with the results! You just have to do that 'little train that could' thing. When you're running on a treadmill alway have it set at 1% incline to protect your knees. Good luck! |
|||
| The Lounge | Anyone quitting smoking? | May 07 2008 03:54 (UTC) |
|
17 weeks! Coming up to 18! Odd cravings here and there but just let 'em pass me by! Plus I lost almost a stone in weight : ) |
|||
| Motivation | My father is an ass | Apr 28 2008 02:47 (UTC) |
11 |
Wow! That sounds awesome! Where do you do your rescue thing? I'd LOVE to get into something like that! Unfortunately my life hasn't allowed for a dog yet - not enough stability but as soon as I do settle I'll get the mutt I have always wanted! At the moment I volunteer with a pit bull rescue center as a dog handler/trainer for strays each weekend which is pretty cool but the search and rescue sounds truly amazing!
|
|||
| Motivation | My father is an ass | Apr 26 2008 20:58 (UTC) |
13 |
I'd try to channel all that negative energy into a sport or something! Running relaxes me and helps me refocus, kickboxing just lets me vent all the frustration in a constructive manner! Use their energy against them! I know he's an old man but he sounds like a bully - he's obviously getting something out of behaving like that - so vent that energy into something positive and then kill 'em with kindness! Having said that... I can only imagine the stress and anger and pressure you're feeling in this situation and how hard it is to even conceive doing anything other than 'just coping'. When I was a teenager my parents decided to move in with my stepdad's elderly mother. It was a horrific experience - the venom and rudeness we endured... my goodness. Just remembering it makes me feel sick in the pit of my stomach. I'm not sure I can accept aging as an explanation. But either way... i do have an inkling of the frustration - so just as you put the offer out there, if you need to PM someone who you know will absolutely not judge your rants or anger then I'm always here! |
|||
| Motivation | I'm great thanks, how are you? | Apr 07 2008 18:12 (UTC) |
|
Sweet! Nice one Krrpt08! Isn't it just the best feeling? Very happy for you |
|||
| Motivation | I'm great thanks, how are you? | Apr 07 2008 15:58 (UTC) |
2 |
hah! Thanks... I tend to do things a bit obsessively so I just did the same with exercising and always eat very healthily I just started watching those little indulgences. I think mainly I swapped my addiction for nicotine for an addiction to endorphines which helped no end! Most of it has to do with quitting smoking and just keeping at it! So what successes have you guys had?
|
|||
| Fitness | Cardio is kiiling me! Well, at least my shins! | Apr 04 2008 20:56 (UTC) |
8 |
To repeat a few others - you gotta get good shoes! It's so important. Go to a good athletics store and get them to check you out - they will tell you exactly what sort of shoe you need. In your stretch out after warm up, either 1) stand straight with relaxed knees, feet shoulder width apart, place one foot out front a little and tap your toes quickly. Do this for at least 30 secs each side - you'll feel it along your shin or 2) if you can find a safe space, lift your toes up off the floor and walk backwards on your heels for a couple lengths of the room/1min or so. I'd also recommend cross training - try cycling and swimming - to help build up the muscles which will help with your running.
|
|||
| Foods | has anyone tried mahi mahi or shark? | Apr 04 2008 19:01 (UTC) |
1 |
Thank you jules817! |
|||
| Foods | has anyone tried mahi mahi or shark? | Apr 04 2008 16:32 (UTC) |
4 |
Apologies for any misunderstanding - the repost was not aimed at the original readers but at the new members joining the discussion as the original issues were raised again. |
|||
| Foods | has anyone tried mahi mahi or shark? | Apr 04 2008 15:51 (UTC) |
8 |
|
Re-post PLEASE DO NOT EAT SHARK! Due to basic shark biology and ecology it is an unsustainable fishery - their populations cannot take any fishing pressure. Many species (most food species) are ENDANGERED - probably facing near EXTINCTION. Even 'stable' populations are extremely vulnerable. Sharks are critical to the health of our oceans as they fulfill a critical role at the top of the food chain. Removing sharks in any numbers threatens the stability of the entire ecosystem. If you need any further convincing, as large predatory fish, sharks are extremely vulnerable to bioaccumulation of pollutants and toxins - they contain extremely high mercury levels. Once again I plead with you to make an ethical and environmentally responsible decision here, please don't buy or eat shark meat or support their commercial exploitation in anyway. If you want more information I urge you to visit www.sharktrust.org and www.biteback.com or www.sharks.org, or just send me a message. I am sorry if my statements and presentation come across as being somewhat forceful but this is a really serious issue and something I care passionately about, so I hope you all understand. Cheers Lex |
|||
| Motivation | Your first bikini??? | Apr 04 2008 06:41 (UTC) |
1 |
I wear bikinis all the time - I never wear swimming costumes. I started wearing them a couple of years back, starting with the 'hot pant'/short bikinis which I felt more comfortable in. To be honest I think they are much more flattering, they tend to balance your body more, visually speaking. I would suggest the bra style top over the vest as I found a vest top draws attention to love handles and tummies - again it balances out your body a bit more. Who ever said about it being a liberating experience is quite right - it's a wonderful feeling - and take a look around on the beach you will see people of all shapes and sizes! If you feel a little uncomfortable do the surf thing - a nice bikini (bra-style top) with a pair of board shorts over the top. That always looks hot!
|
|||
| Foods | has anyone tried mahi mahi or shark? | Mar 27 2008 03:50 (UTC) |
16 |
PLEASE DO NOT EAT SHARK! Due to basic shark biology and ecology it is an unsustainable fishery - their populations cannot take any fishing pressure. Many species (most food species) are ENDANGERED - probably facing near EXTINCTION. Even 'stable' populations are extremely vulnerable. Sharks are critical to the health of our oceans as they fulfill a critical role at the top of the food chain. Removing sharks in any numbers threatens the stability of the entire ecosystem. If you need any further convincing, as large predatory fish, sharks are extremely vulnerable to bioaccumulation of pollutants and toxins - they contain extremely high mercury levels. Once again I plead with you to make an ethical and environmentally responsible decision here, please don't buy or eat shark meat or support their commercial exploitation in anyway. If you want more information I urge you to visit www.sharktrust.org and www.biteback.com or www.sharks.org, or just send me a message. I am sorry if my statements and presentation come across as being somewhat aggressive but this is a really serious issue and something I care passionately about, so I hope you all understand. Cheers Lex |
|||
| Weight Loss | motivate me quick!! | Mar 21 2008 21:03 (UTC) |
1 |
If you're running, and going to the gym in the same day you need to eat more! I usually aim for about 1600-1700 cals on my regime which sounds quite similar to yours. On really full on days (tuesday is 1hr circuit training, 20 mins swimming, 45 mins running in the evening; thursday is same but with an hour kickboxing in the evening instead) I up my cal intake to 2000+ after all I do want to burn fat but I don't want to lose muscle. Instead of worrying about a bad day I think you should be careful not to overdo it (the exercise that is) and take care of your body, I use swimming as my low impact activity. Psychologically you have to stay positive - even when you've had a slip up learn from it, discover that moment of weakness so that next time you are ready for it! It sounds like you're very fit and super active, so I would just perhaps up your calories a little bit (my favourite extras to boost my calories are bananas and milk, and for carb cravings low fat fruit and bran muffins). You're doing great, and let yourself rest! You're body needs it - especially from the running! : ) |
|||
| Fitness | All you RUNNERS: Is this distance too far to maintain for a longer period of time? | Mar 21 2008 19:53 (UTC) |
2 |
Hi, I think you should check out running clubs in your area (there should be more than one - and I should think one that goes in the evenings). I joined a club when I moved to Vancouver as I didn't know anyone and I had no idea where to go (in terms of nice routes and safety). I love running with the group now, it's great fun & it's good for my motivation. I still enjoy my solo runs with my music, but I am glad I joined the group and i'll continue to go with them. You really should give it a try!
Lex |
|||
| Fitness | Weightlifting to lose weight called inaccurate :-( | Mar 21 2008 05:30 (UTC) |
|
woah... I'm lost in a sea of information! I'm really sorry to be asking you guys to repeat yourselves but if anyone would be so kind to help me understand. I've just started a major health and fitness kick about a month ago. I'm 28 and have essentially abused my body with all of the bad things for a couple of years. I'm 5'4'' and weigh 141lbs (from 151 in feb). I don't think I'm 'fat' but I do have a bit of a belly. I wouldn't mind toning up and building muscle (who doesn't) and I really want strength and stamina. Anyhoo... I've started running, I run 3 times a week and I am keen to build the distance and speed as I really want to be good at it - possibly to a competitive level one day. I've also started kickboxing and train 3 or 4 times a week, I would like to build my strength for this. I swim four times a week (from 20 mins to an hour depending on what I do first). I have also started circuit training which I aim to do twice a week, I don't do the cardio just the resistance training. I usually consume 1600-1700 calories a day depending on activity levels - I try to keep a 500 deficit but sometimes it ends up being more like 400 or 300. I try to eat a really healthy diet. My question - is my circuit training sufficient resistance training? Do I need to up it or start doing proper weights? Am I eating enough or too much? Is there anything I should be doing to improve my training? I'm really bewildered by all of his so it would be great if someone can give me a few practical pointers! (Pretend you're talking to a kid !!) A HUGE thanks in advance! |
|||
you too should be very proud of yourself!
 |
gill88 added almost9 as a friend |
 |
New forum message "I heard you gained like 20 lbs" by kankan213 18:47 |
|
bluenicola added sarahbear24 as a friend |
 |
New journal post yey im going to tescos i need to be lotf and a lock so i can break a code whenever i want by attinew 18:35 |
|
canderson28 added tabbyrabbit as a friend |