Posts by allisha

I started on the running plan that pipanchew suggested.  I started on week 3, I think, because I thought I was in pretty good shape.  It's do-able but certainly a challenge.  I started the following week today and almost died.  But - at the same time, it felt good to accomplish something and see impovements. 

I'm "running" at 5.3 and walking at 3.8 with an incline of 2.  I'll probably up the speed to 5.4/3.9 for day 2 and maybe 5.5/3.9 for day 3 of this training week. 

Good luck!

I started paying to go to a gym about a month and a half ago.  While that isn't a very long time to judge "stick-with-it-ness"  But I feel more motivated and determined then when I could go to a gym that was free. 

Now, if I think about skipping a day I had planned on going, then I tell myself that I'm wasting money... and I really hate that!!!!

sugarsweet - you totally got the whole "skinny fat thing"  With clothes on, it's all good - but naked... that's a different story... that's when you see the "fat" part of being skinny. 

My girlfriends didn't get the skinny fat phrase either... so I showed my abdomen (with the roll, while I was standing  ) and they said "OH... OK" all wide eyed.

Looks like everyone has pretty much said what I was thinking.  I lived in Germany for the past 6 years.  Walking seems to be the national sport - even more so in the small towns.  Depending on the area, you are likely to encounter hills that should give a bit of difficulty to your walk/run.

Perhaps look into a resitance band or two to take with you.  They're super small and lightweight so they're really easy to take in your bag.  I usually take one with me if I'm going to be gone longer than 2 days.  (You can always buy them there, but with the dollar being so bad to the Euro, you might want to opt for here instead.)  If you do want to buy one in germany, there are sporting goods stores that sell them and wal-mart type stores (Real) which are sometimes hit or miss.  I got mine from the Galleria Kaufhauf.  Those stores are pretty much throughout Germany - like a JC Penny or Sears.

Lastly, be sure to go to the schwimbad (public swimming pool).  Germans are big into the pool thing.  Don't go on a Saturday or Sunday.  It does cost about 5-10 Euro to get in but it's like a little mini water park, they have lots of options.  Word of caution - there are such things as nude day.  Be sure to ask before you go!!! 

Enjoy!

Bars are the new big thing for me.  I'm probably eating too many during the week, but I look at it this way - it's way better for me than a greasy drive-thru meal.  My two favories are Atkins Caramel Fudge brownie - 150 calories and 12g protein.  Pure Protein has wonerful ones as well.  My top three are (I can't decide which one i like best) Chewy Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, and Chocolate Peanut Butter.  They're all between 180-200 calories and have a whopping 20g of protein. 

Garnet18, I totally agree with you.  Granola bars do absolutely nothing for my stomach but make me even more hungry.  However, I will say the protein bars that I listed must have some kind of special additive that makes them expand in my stomach and I feel totally full.  Believe me when I say I'm a fat kid at heart and have been known to pack away serious quantities of food.  Probably dont want to know what makes them so filling, but I don't care because it works.  Not the best attitiude to have, I know.

I love raspberries and yogurt (reddi whip too - fat free).

If you're stuck on the marshmallow thing - get the Walden Farms that can be found in the diet food section.  It has nothing in it - no sugar no calories.  I'm still not sure how they do that, but it's great.  I dipped fresh strawberries in it last night and it was awesome.

If you want a change from Granny Smith, try Honey Crunch.  They have the same texture as a Granny Smith, but are much sweeter.  They're usually only available during apple season.