Posts by nilla529

I would definitely get my boobs done.  I am only 28 but after two children the things just hang there.

You can't completely change who you are, I am an introvert always have been always will be.  I will always prefer being in a group of 4 or 5 more than at a large party.  That being said you have to step out of your comfort zone to meet new people. 

I used to tell myself "tonight I am going to make one friend, tonight I am going to talk to the people around me."  Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't.  My husband was the friend I made on one of those nights so I am definitely glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone once in a while.

I always also appreciated having a close friend with me on those nights to help me feel more comfortable.  Is there somebody you can talk with about how you feel that can help you feel more comfortable and break the ice for you?

I have polarized sunglasses and I love them.  I use them for running, biking, and driving mainly but those activities are the majority of my outside time.  They knock out practically all glare and I know I definitely squint less now which in turn means I feel less eye strain.

I felt the same way when I first started running.  I started with a walk/run combination and I increased the length of my running intervals but after about 8 weeks I still could not run an entire 5k distance without taking a walk break.  I couldn't figure out why and then I read something on these boards about breathing. 

The poster suggested on focusing on a good strong exhale so on the inhale your body is getting more air.  I was so unaccustomed to an oxygen debt that I was frantically trying to breath in more air without exhaling all of the air already in my lungs.  The evening I tried this I ran 40 minutes straight without a walking break, it was amazing.  I don't know if this is what ails you but I thought I would offer it for your consideration.

Also, as I have continued to run I have learned that an oxygen debt is just the natural state of running and I have gotten more used to it.  When I started running I was uncomfortable because I wasn't used to the oxygen debt, so I would slow down and walk but I have now learned that I can deal with the oxygen debt for much longer than I originally thought.  When I want to stop and walk I usually tell myself at that next telephone pole or in a quater mile and then when I get there I discover I can go another telephone pole and then another.

I tend to agree with Mango - your seat may be too comfortable.  I always experience some pain when I first start riding again if it has been about a while since regular rides. It usually feels like bruising on my sitz bones but subsides after about a week or so of riding.  I have learned that a low profile saddle is often preferrable to a "comfort" saddle.

You did not mention the size of your seat so I could be way off but a saddle should be just wide enough to support your bones but not much wider.  Also, the angle of your seat horizontally could be part of the problem as well.  You can take your bike into a bike shop and have them adjust your seat for you to help eliminate some pain and fit you for a new saddle of that is indeed the problem.  I find it strange that you are riding your bike so much and still getting pain.

HRM from an earlier post stands for Heart Rate Monitor.  I use one when I run and bike and I find it very motivating.  I set my weight and height and then during exercise it monitors my heart rate and gives me an estimate of calories burned. 

I have a polar F11 which I bought on Ebay for about $70.  It is a little bit of overkill with the features and I could probably get everything I need out of the Polar F6.  If you are a gadget kind of guy and decide to get a HR monitor, I would definitely suggest one with a chest strap instead of the ones you have to stop execising and take your pulse periodically.

Just a suggestion to help you get a more accurate handle on your calories burned.  My best estimates on CC are always much higher than what the HR monitor comes up with.

If you have gone from doing no cardio to cardio three times a week you will gain more muscle that you had before.  You do not have to lift weights to build muscle.

As for the scale dropping, you said you were eating healthy but you didn't mention how much.  The concept behind losing wight is simple even if practicing it is not: eat less than you burn.  Maybe you need to take a look at the number of calories you are eating and adjust. 

When I first started losing weight I was watching calories and working out and I was losing okay but then aout a month into it I started carring a liter water bottle with me and drinking three of those a day and the weight started flying off.  The only change I needed to make was drinking more water.  My point is there could be a small thing you need to change/adjust and it will start happening.

The situation with your husband sounds quite scary.  I have never come across a dog quite so scary but I used to run out on county roads with quite a few homes and dogs but not many leashed or fenced dogs. 

I got a small can of pepper spray at Sportsman's warehouse that velcros around my palm ($8), I hardly know it is there while I am running.  I only used it once on a dog that constantly came and nipped at my heels (never bit hard but made physical contact with me nonetheless).  After that one time he has never chased or nipped at me again.  Usually I would just talk to the owner of the dog but nobody was ever home at this particular house.

I don't think this would have worked with the dog that attacked your husband but it worked fine in my situation and didn't do permanent or serious damage to the dog.