Costume Changers Forum (Week 1)

Ooo good idea. I've been trying out my pedometer at work and have found that even on quieter days i walk about 2 miles while at work! Do they count towards my total?

I keep forgetting to wear my pedometer. Found this website that allegedly converts activity to steps. Might help some other folks, too:

http://walking.about.com/od/measure/a/stepequivalents.htm

Have had a great week so far. Exercised everyday and tracked calories religiously.

I'm doing fairly well, getting in more miles than I thought I would be. Next week the gym I go to while on my lunch break every day will be closed, so I'll have to figure out a different way to get my miles (Yes I know I can go outside, but it's been really hot and sunny, and I burn easily). Right now my gym buddies and I are planning to use our building's parking garage, and the stairwells (I work in a 28 story building, score!), so hopefully things won't be too out of whack.

I've done well food wise but not so great exercise wise! Started the week out sick, then the rain hit, and the KABILLION after work/school stuff this week and I am heading for my annual girls weekend today! We plan on hiking so I'll get some in but I am going to try to balance the treats!! I like that I feel more comfortable so that gives me huge incentive to not stray to much.

Elana you are awesome, thank you so much for doing this!

I've been tracking my miles and calories on the document you created for us. I know it's intended that we not log anything until Monday but I wanted to keep track of it somehow. I've been on my elliptical every evening this week, and I don't know some people do alot of miles at one time! I'm up to 1.25 miles but I'm pooped by the time I'm done!

I have a question though. What are the differences between running on a treadmill/elliptical and actual running, outside? I'd love to eventually be a runner but I'm intimidated by it, and want to ease my way into it. Are there any reasons you should do one vs another?

Have a great Friday everyone!

thomalu, I find it physically much easier to run on the elliptical, but mentally, I like running outside. I highly recommend the couch to 5k program. I started in February and wasn't able to run for a few minutes outside without feeling like I was going to die. By the end of it, I could run 3 miles in under 40 minutes with hills involved! Even off of the program (It's 9 weeks), I still get outside for 30-40 minutes a couple of times a week and love it.

I've been doing great. Because of the challenge, I finally took a spin class. They've always intimidated me but I decided to bite the bullet and try it. 2 morning workouts in this week for a total of 45 miles just from those 2 classes. And a great workout. My weight has fluctuated upwards a little because of the workouts, but looks to be going back down so wahoo!

I have a question though. What are the differences between running on a treadmill/elliptical and actual running, outside? I'd love to eventually be a runner but I'm intimidated by it, and want to ease my way into it. Are there any reasons you should do one vs another?

Have a great Friday everyone!

it's harder to run outside then on a machine, outside you have to physicaly move yourself making it harder
on a machine your not actualy moving so your bodys not working as hard because your staying in place

thanks so much for the challenge, Elana! it's really working for me! i had my bunco group here this week, but resisted the carbs i served them because i didn't want to blow the challenge. i've also pushed myself harder on walking/bike because of it. very motivating!

i'm impressed with all of the moving everyone else has been doing, too! WTG everybody!

definitely easier to walk/run on the treadmill because you are running on a flat surface instead of balancing on different types of terrain. that said ... i think there are a lot of advantages to the treadmill. fewer mechanisms for injury, for one. since it's still in the upper 90's here, weather is another. i find i can work out a lot longer inside than out

We had a day at a theme park today, and despite all the junk food on offer managed to eat fairly healthily. I'm not sure how far we walked - OH's runkeeper said 12km, my pedometer said 4.8km, but I'm using the one on the i-phone and I'm not sure how accurate it is. We were there for 6.5hrs, and on our feet most of the time, but a lot was spent in queues and the rest was at toddler pace. I think I'll log 3 miles, plus the 2 I cycled this morning.

Can anyone recommend a good pedometer for the i-phone? Preferrably one that doesn't use internet signal and I'm on a pay as you go service.Otherwise I think I'll invest in a cheap one.

I'm not doing bad so far. I've incorporated Couch 2 5K as my mileage program, as I'm only just starting on MFP and working out in general, the full 100 miles may not happen for me in the next month and a half BUT but being part of the challenge i'm logging every day, tracking what goes in and how much, and have motivated myself on even really bad days to just MOVE at some level. 3rd run/jog/walk of my C25K is tonight and i'm hoping I can get the full 20 minutes of moving (I've only made it about 15 minutes before shin splints happen in the walk/jog format). I have started wearing a pedometer and range from 1mile at my office job to nearly 2 miles (not counting any outside of work steps!)

All in all, i've also decided I don't want to weigh in for a couple of weeks, i'm not ready to know honestly. I feel like i'm working my booty off, but i'm not ready for a number.

It's great to see so many other people who are doing or have done couch to 5k. I'll be doing W2D2 tomorrow. W1D3 kicked my butt- I was exhausted when I got done and crashed for the rest of the day-- but I did W2D1 two days later -in the morning- and it went much better. Does anyone have any tips for getting my butt up in the morning to work out?

I also explored the fitness center at my school for the first time today and have been trying to bike more. i'm also going to be doing some ballroom dancing and pilates. And maybe some Zumba? I think I might stick at this longer if I do different activities throughout the week. What kind of activities do you guys do?

Also-- I have PCOS and need to be low carb (MD and dietician recommended). Anyone else? I'm pretty new to it, so I'd love to have someone to talk to to trade recipes/ideas.

I've done super bad the past 2 days. Shark week started, and whatever.

I'm looking for excuses - terrible. I'm getting a gym membership October 1st, and a pedometer. Tomorrow is a new day!

Elana you are awesome, thank you so much for doing this!

I've been tracking my miles and calories on the document you created for us. I know it's intended that we not log anything until Monday but I wanted to keep track of it somehow. I've been on my elliptical every evening this week, and I don't know some people do alot of miles at one time! I'm up to 1.25 miles but I'm pooped by the time I'm done!

I have a question though. What are the differences between running on a treadmill/elliptical and actual running, outside? I'd love to eventually be a runner but I'm intimidated by it, and want to ease my way into it. Are there any reasons you should do one vs another?

Have a great Friday everyone!

Couch to 5K is awesome. The trick is to stick to the program. Even if you feel like you can run longer or more often. Stick with the program.

There is also an app you can get that tells you exactly when to walk/jog, warmup cooldown and when you are halfway and finished.
You then play your playlist with it.

I finished week 8, day 2 tonight with a 28 minute run. In the beginning I was dying duringthe short jogs. Good Luck!