January 2018 Running Challenge
Options
Replies
-
I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!3 -
PastorVincent wrote: »heh - my phone has started suggesting "dreadmill" instead of "treadmill" now.
It understands. 
YES! That's hilarious.0 -
LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!
You might be counting your exercise calories too high. Strava especially way over inflates calories burned. Try taking only HALF of what your work out app says you should get.3 -
PastorVincent wrote: »LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!
You might be counting your exercise calories too high. Strava especially way over inflates calories burned. Try taking only HALF of what your work out app says you should get.
Good point! I use Samsung Health but just downloaded Strava yesterday and planned to try that app while running outdoors.
I do notice I tend to 'compensate eat' when I know I've put in a lot of miles one day and MFP says I have "extra calories" to spare, lol.1 -
@garygse -- I followed the recommendation of @7lenny7 and bought a pair of the golf mitts and feel they have been a great addition to my cold weather gear as well. I have a pair of lightweight gloves that I normally wear (I think they are rated for 40 F, but I am fine with just those to about 20 F) and wear them under the mitts. The mitts don't flap around either when you pull your hand through the slit and there have been a couple of times when my hand was warm enough to pull out, but I left the mitts contoured around the back of my hand to still give some protection/warmth. I'm not running in the temps that some of the northerners are, but this past week have ran in sub-zero temps with WC about -15 F and was fine with those. I wear a 9.5" (L) glove.3
-
LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »PastorVincent wrote: »LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!
You might be counting your exercise calories too high. Strava especially way over inflates calories burned. Try taking only HALF of what your work out app says you should get.
Good point! I use Samsung Health but just downloaded Strava yesterday and planned to try that app while running outdoors.
I do notice I tend to 'compensate eat' when I know I've put in a lot of miles one day and MFP says I have "extra calories" to spare, lol.
Yeah, if you are focused on loosing (I am currently at maintenance, so a bit harder for me really) you probably want to start with only eating back half your exercise calories, and adjust DOWN as needed. You may also need to adjust down your daily calorie allowance that MFP gives you. It will take some experimentation to get to the right levels - and it will need to be adjusted from time to time.0 -
LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!
I'm in the same boat. When I first started running, and for about a year I was losing steadily. Then all of a sudden the weight loss stopped, despite me still needing to lose about 10 more pounds.
I personally blame my medication, which I started a few months ago. It gives me a voracious appetite and I have a feeling I'm eating more at maintenance level and not a deficit. With this medication (Abilify) it's pretty much impossible for me to eat at a deficit..
So, I guess I have to be happy with my current weight and focus more on my running gains. I can still run long distances. I'm getting better with pace too. That has to count for something.5 -
01/01/2018 - 3.0 miles
01/02/2018 - 4.0 miles
01/03/2018 - Rest Day
7/75 miles
@Link2Life and @jacqueline0821 - Welcome! And anybody else I may have missed!
Upcoming races (Question marks are races not yet registered for):
Q50 Resolution Run - 01/06/2018 - ?
Louisiana Marathon Quarter Marathon - 01/13/2018
Mardi Gras Mambo 10K -02/17/2018
OLOLCH Amazing Challenge 5K and 10K - 03/10-11/2018 - ?
Q50 Races Sunset Gulf 3/24/2018 -?
BIG EASY BIG HEART 5K 7/21/2018 -?2 -
01/01 4.06 miles
03/01 3.80 miles Phew that was one stormy run!
2 -
skippygirlsmom wrote: »@elise4270 it was definitely the machine and thankfully not a pipe. I shop vac'd the rug and I'll worry about the washer over the weekend.
My washing machine broke today too @skippygirlsmom. In my case it started smoking and set off the smoke detector. I am hanging out at the laundromat tonight...
Is it a Samsung? There's a known issue with that...3 -
@7lenny7 see I'm on the opposite page from your wife- Ben is fully aware if he shaves his off (largely because plants he visits make him shave it off to enter -_- )I'm gonna whine about it haha
January 1- 18
January 2- 20
January 3- 19
57/550
57/6000
2018 Races
*Gord's Frozen A** 50K, February 19
*JAJA Trail Marathon, April 1
*Red Deer Marathon, May 20
*Lone Wolf Last Man Standing Race, June 17
*Eddie's Half Marathon, TBA June
*Run in the Buff 120km TBA August
*Lost Souls 100 Mile September 7
4 -
January Goal: 135 miles
01/01 - Rest (worked out this was also the coldest day)
01/02 - 3.0 - 9:20/m - 141bpm
01/03 - 5.0 - 9:07/m - 143 bpm
Total: 8.0/135
2017 PR's
5K - 10/07 - 23:37 - 5K Jared Coons Pumpkin Run
8K - 10/01 - 40:24 - 8K WWI Museum Double run (5K-25:53/3K-15:01)
10K - 09/16 - 52:01 - 10K Kade Meyer Celebration Run
HM - 11/19 - 1:53:39 HM Pilgrim Pacer
2018 Races
04/21 - Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz (1st Full)... The year of the Dorothy
More races TBD3 -
There's a group that's an extension of this monthly thread with a specific thread for nutritional accountability: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges. Come join!LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
You are not alone.
Runger is real.
I lost 70+ lbs before I really started running and it melted off. I started running to "lose that last 30" and it has come off much slower than I expected, simply because I need to eat for fuel rather than weight loss. It's weird, but it's what it is. I'm still losing, just much more slowly.
On the other hand, I'm kicking *kitten* at running, so that's my focus. As long as I'm not gaining, then I'm thrilled! I'm down to the last 5-10lbs to my goal weight range, so not sure where you are in your journey.
6 -
1/1 = 6 miles
1/2 = rest day
1/3 = 7.5 miles
It was 18 degrees this morning when I set out for my run. I had no idea what to wear so I wore everything (and overheated at mile 2). LOL
January Goal = 140 miles / total miles = 6
10 -
01/01/18 - 3 miles
01/02/18 - 4 miles
01/03/18 - 4 miles
MTD: 11 miles
JAN GOAL: 80 miles
YTD: 11 miles
2018 GOAL: 1000 miles
Upcoming (and hopeful) Races:
02/10/18 - Mardi Crawl 10k
04/14/18 - Rattler Mad Moose 10k (Trail)
06/02/18 - Gluten free Gallop 5k (hubby and daughter have Celiac so this one's personal)
06/23/18 - Slacker Half Marathon
07/xx/18 - Something on a trail TBD
09/23/18 - Xterra Mountain 8k (Trail)
10/28/18 - Kooky Spooky 10k
11/xx/18 - A Turkey Trot 5k of some sort TBD
3 -
LaurenFOB2301 wrote: »I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I feel more comfortable asking here than starting a brand new thread in the "Weight Loss" discussion forum.
I'm curious if any runners here have weight loss goals but have trouble losing pounds -- even though they are making gains in lung capacity, speed, endurance, etc.?
For me, I think it has to do a lot with genetics, my desk job and my occasional sweet tooth that can run wild and wreak havoc on what otherwise would have been an incredible week of healthy eating.
Before I started running in September, I was barely exercising and would go weeks at a time without doing anything (due to a loss in the family, depression, major self-esteem issues and whatnot.) And then, suddenly, I decided to do something about it so I began running 1/3 mile stretches (the most I could do before I ran out of breath) with a goal of at least 1 mile per day.
Gradually, I increased my mileage and ended up losing about 8 pounds between September and now -- and that was never my goal. My only goal was to improve my breathing and run farther. And the pounds came off.
Suddenly, though, it stopped despite me running faster, farther, etc. I lost inches early on too, but that has stopped.
What should I be doing to push past this plateau? Should I eat more, less? Am I not running hard or long enough? Currently, I average about 3 miles/5 days a week. (Part of the problem is it's so cold and I hate running on the treadmill.) I was running closer to 5-7 mile per day in the fall when it was warmer outside!
My eating could be better. (Diary is public.) The past week hasn't been the greatest but generally I eat fairly well. I never drink soda, sugary drinks, etc. But I have a measured amount of creamer in my coffee every day and have a sweet tooth for desserts from time to time, haha.
Also, I have a desk job, so I'm sitting for 8 hours a day. Not much I can change about that, but I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, too.
Sorry to bore everyone -- just curious if anyone is going through a similar situation!
So a year ago at this time, I had ~20 pounds left to lose to reach my target range where I have been maintaining since April/May 2017 give or take 5 pounds. I had just started C25K in mid-December 2016 to help in reaching my goal. That said, I would read various MFP threads from other users on weight loss and the major points that I stick with are as follows (i.e. works for me, your results might vary, etc ) as other rules, methods, options might be better suited for you based on how your body works, your needs, etc.
- Rule #1. To lose weight, I needed to be at a calorie deficit overtime. i.e. Calories in vs Calories Out.
Note: I would use MFP to keep track of everything. Weighing portions to the gram/ounce, accounting for my needed daily vanilla latte and sticking within the guidelines MFP said I was allotted for the day/week. I had one goal and that was to stay under the number of calories I could eat each day.
- Rule #2. I don't/didn't need to exercise at all to lose weight. (See Rule #1)
Note : My first 30 lbs lost was my validation to this rule. In my past, I had started/failed at different points in time to to lose weight and was under a false impression that exercise was 100% needed to lose weight (mmmm see all those fitness commercials these days for New Years' resolutions that populate our minds with this thought process) and I am guessing the reason I failed at those attempts while vigorously exercising was I eating far more than I was burning as I didn't address the first rule so I eventually would quick thinking that "this exercise thing isn't working for me" because I wasn't loosing the weight I thought I should for the effort I was putting into it. That said, there are several benefits in exercising with the primary one being that helps you become more fit and healthier with a side benefit you can potentially eat/drink some extra calories.
- Rule # 3. You can't out run a bad diet. (See Rule #1).
If I ran 10 Miles, I might be healthier from the exercise, but generally speaking, if I ate more calories because I ran that day than I was burning I again would not lose weight. i.e. 750 calories burned from that run offset with a 1000 calorie shake as a reward over time can potentially prove Rule #3 to be true
Final comments. MFP posts often would say eat 50% less than whatever MFP would provide and then dial-up/down based on what is/isn't working. I used this approach as well. I figured for me this also allowed for leakage during the week for calories I wasn't sure of (eating out, the oil that was on the pan, a bad entry in the MFP database, etc). Today, I don't track what I eat in MFP as I have been able to successfully maintain and know that the above Rule #3 is really now my Rule #1. Best of Luck.5 -
I am so proud of myself you guys! This morning I did 2.4 miles on the treadmill in 35 minutes, that's with a 4 min warm up and 5 min cool down...so 26 minutes of 1.5min walk/run intervals! Usually after a total of 15 minutes I start feeling tired and then just walk the rest, but today I felt awesome! Planning on going a little easy tomorrow just so I don't do too much too fast.11
-
@LaurenFOB2301 Have you thought about adding weight/strength training?
I had more success when I did TDEE instead of MFP/eat back calories. For me I find it easier just to be like here's how many calories you can eat each day/week. Then if I go over one day I can still look at my week and adjust accordingly. I never liked the eating back calories thing.2 -
Oh, this is cool! Thanks to whoever shared it!
3 -
fitoverfortymom wrote: »skippygirlsmom wrote: »@elise4270 it was definitely the machine and thankfully not a pipe. I shop vac'd the rug and I'll worry about the washer over the weekend.
My washing machine broke today too @skippygirlsmom. In my case it started smoking and set off the smoke detector. I am hanging out at the laundromat tonight...
Is it a Samsung? There's a known issue with that...
Nope, it's just old - one of those stacked apartment style units, around 12 years old, and other stuff has been failing on it recently too (but easier to diagnose/repair). We are thinking we might as well just replace it, possibly with a full sized stacking washer/dryer set. There's been a lot of bedding washed lately as my oldest is prone to accidents whenever his routine changes or he's sick - both of which accurately describe winter break! Pretty sure we overloaded it one too many times.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 393 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.3K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 934 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions