Hi Huffelpuffs,

Wondering if I can play too! I've been a food and exercise logger in the past, took a *bit* of time off and am back at it again.

I'm one of the odd ones out trying to gain weight. I've been under weight since I was a kid and continue struggling to put weight on. I log mostly because I'm also a distance runner, so always want to be sure I'm eating back enough calories.

So, if I can be a Huffelpuff, let me know what I'll need to do. I read around for a while, but I'm not finding one comprehensive beginners sheet or anything like that.

Amber

Welcome. No need to be sorted. Our head of house is Queeda (lhurtubise). She is in the midst of an international move. Please post your starting weight. Even though you have no weight to lose, house points (daily exercise) are very important for the monthly house cup, and the owl and newt challenges determine if you are chosen as a prefect. Our challenge week starts on Sunday-Sat, and we post weights Sat-Mon. Every two weeks new prefects are chosen (due to change this week). We have a weekly challenge for newts (food) and owls (exercise) and we post work out minutes (house points) for the house competition. You can start on Sun when new newt/owl challenges start or scroll back through the week to find details regarding the current ones. Hope this helps, and if I left anything out...other Hufflepuffs please feel free to add on! My brain is mush this week!
Hats off to you to you and distance running. I am in the midst of transitioning to jogging...not sure how much I like it...

Thanks for the welcome!

I'll post my starting weight as this weeks weigh in as well as my exercise minutes. Then, this coming week, I'll hop in with the NEWTS and OWLS. Cool?

For exercise minutes, what do folks count as exercise? I use a GPS to track all my running, so it'll be super easy to count up all the minutes for running. In some forums, people count things like walking the dog, vigorous house cleaning, hauling laundry up the stairs... Am I counting dedicated exercise or active life activities?

How is your transitioning to jogging going? I assume you have been walking and thats where the transition comes in? Running is a lot of work, but can be very, very rewarding. I work at a running store and lead our beginner/intermediate running group. I really enjoy working with the newer runners, it's so much fun to see the progress people can make. Sticking with it and a good attitude seem to be the most important things. You've probably heard of it, but if not, look around on line for the couch to 5K program. It's a really excellent place to start!

hello everyone! TGIF! i need me a drink but i'll refrain. i was reading thru all the posts trying to find the OWL challenge but couldn't can someone fill me in?

bumflapass- when you said probation worker the first thought that popped in my mind was "OMG like the probation worker in Misfits?!?!" love that show!
love- do you go to slo or pomona? i'm from socal and live like 15 mins from cal poly pomona.
amber- omg you lead a running group for beginners?? i'm so glad to meet you. last year i started doing 5ks and i want to start running 10ks but i can't get past running 4.5 miles on the treadmill. i think it's a mental block or my tight calves, not sure which.

reading over my post i totally sound like a valley girl even though i sound nothing like one in person. i'm excited do to my first 5k of the year this weekend. yesterday on the treadmill i ran a mile in 13:35 so hopefully i'll be under 40 minutes.

I've been snowed in today! My mountain of laundry has been dealt with, fresh bread baked and I managed to get my run in.

I was chatting on line with my fiancé, who is stuck an hour away - but safe at his folks house, and told him the roads were too bad to drive to the track, so I would just run outside! The roads are too bad to drive on, but I'll run on 'em! I had ice on my eye lashes by the time I got done. The plan was 3 miles at my intended marathon pace, but I ended up doing 3 miles MUCH slower because of the terrible footing. I think I should get double minutes for running in a blizzard with sub zero temps!

Danizaga, I'm pleased to meet you too! Running on a treadmill has it's good and bad points. If I'm on one for much more than half an hour, I get a little crazy! Have you done any running outside? That sometimes helps! You could also try doing the Jeff Galloway method of doing a run/walk. A lot of people actually get much faster when they put walk breaks in. In fact, my friend set a new PR in the 5K this week by adding walk breaks! And you are on to something - a lot of running is about whats in your head. Good luck on your 5K this weekend - please let me know how it goes. Are you doing a race or running the distance on your own?

Despite the cabin fever, it's been a good day for me.

I still need to get in a few more calories before bed, but I have a plan for that! I did not get in my intended workout, but it would have been unsafe. I'm proud that I did the next best thing. It would have been easy to just skip it, or to go with an option that would be very easy and not as beneficial for my body.

So, house points for me for the week:

Sunday 1/15 - 60 min
Monday 1/16 - 37 min
Tuesday 1/17 - 0
Wednesday 1/18 - 69 min
Thursday 1/19 - 0
Friday 1/20 30 min

How is your transitioning to jogging going? I assume you have been walking and thats where the transition comes in? Running is a lot of work, but can be very, very rewarding. I work at a running store and lead our beginner/intermediate running group. I really enjoy working with the newer runners, it's so much fun to see the progress people can make. Sticking with it and a good attitude seem to be the most important things. You've probably heard of it, but if not, look around on line for the couch to 5K program. It's a really excellent place to start!

I completed my first sprint tri last October and I am hooked! I felt some extra energy with walking that jogging seemed like a logical step to progress to. My local sports store (Fleet Feet) has a running program I was going to start, but the changed the nights to Tues...and that is my late day at work (sigh). I am familiar with the couch to 5k. I may have to start their now since I can't attend this running clinic. I walk/run on a track for now. I started walking 2 laps and jogging 1. I developed horrible shin splints. I figured out I was running on the balls of my feet, began to focus on more of a heel strike which improved things greatly, but I tire easily and lose focus and revert back to running on the balls of my feet. So I backed off the jogging to 1.5 laps walking and .5 laps jogging. It is working better, but after the first mile, I start to fatigue and lose focus. I had received a suggestion to try breaking up the track into smaller segments, and the segments should be even. I was going to try on Sunday. I also feel the need to try to complete 2-3 miles at a time--because I can...but at what expense. Taking a step back, focusing on form and not exhausting myself were other suggestions I received. My adrenaline often kicks in midway through a workout, and then I feel a compulsion to keep going...no matter how exhausted I feel. I suppose it is great trait for athletes and competition, but also a curse as it ultimately leads to burnout and injury.
BTW--I don't miss the cold and snow one bit! Great job with the run in the snow and ice!

Oh, Miss Carolina! Those dreaded shin splints.

I don't want to sound preachy - so feel free to ignore me at any point.

If you want to start running, first, go to a running specialty store - Fleet Feet should be just fine. Have them watch you run or walk and look at your feet. Let them suggest shoes that will work for your body and feet. And as a note, most people are in shoes that are too small. When standing in your running shoes, you should have about the width of your thumb nail between the end of your toe and the end of the shoe. A quality pair of running shoes will cost around $100 - and they last for about 300-500 miles - so it's best to just use them for your running and walking. They last longer that way!

Second, landing on your heels can be quite hard on the body. There really is a lot to good running form. Too much to go into here, but you could read the book Chi Running by Danny Dreyer. It's made my life a lot more comfortable! In fact, I can't recommend the book highly enough!

And I think it's wise for you to see that going for 2-3 miles at a time at this point might do more harm than good! If you want to get a bigger calorie burn than run/walking a mile will get you, try run walking the mile and then get on a bike, or swim, or something else! It's better to start out with too little running than too much!

Are you from a northern climate? It really is strikingly beautiful today. We have fresh powdery snow on the ground with amazing blue skies, but it's bitter cold out there! I lived in Florida for about a year and could not stand the swampy summers! And Christmas shopping in shorts was too much.

urgh, i totally went over my calories yesterday and today. i made the conscious choice not to go to the gym after work but there is still plenty of time to go today.

amber- i don't do much running outside but when i do it's either around the track, on trails/paths around my house with a lot of incline or around the rose bowl which is a mix of trails/paths and asphalt. and i'm racing this weekend-
http://www.pacificsportsllc.com/rose-bowl-half-marathon-info/

i was going to do the 10k but i just couldn't get past 4.5 miles. it's totally a mental thing. i was following the hal hidgon's half marathon training program. i want to do a 10k and a half marathon by the end of the year to celebrate my 30th birthday. i find that my 1st mile is my slowest mile but once i'm at mile 2 my speed picks up and my 3rd mile is always my fastest.

carolina- going to a specialty running store for the foot analysis is worth it. i went to one totally worth it. they let me take back the shoes that i bought after 7 days even though i had been running on the track and trails with them. i finally ended up with some asics that have a wider toe box.

Good morning all! All this running talk makes me want to start running:-) My school is sponsoring a 5k for charity in October. Last year I ran the first mile, thought I was going to die and walked the rest. I told myself that I was just going to walk with the kids instead of running, but really, that was just an excuse because I knew I didn't have the stamina to run it.

Since my last post-
90 house points
15 owls
10 newts
Weighed in yesterday at 134.5. It's now the dreaded TOM so I'm going to try not to eat myself into oblivion this week. For those of you that are new to our house, we usually have new prefects/challenges on Sunday. Our head of house is in the
Midst of a move so why don't we continue tracking last week's challenges until we hear from her.

OK, stats for me to start with.

My starting weight will be a whopping 90 pounds. I'll be happy to get up to 95 by the time summer rolls around - but that'll be a stretch. Ultimate goal would be to see how I feel at 110.

House points this week for me is 227.

It's pretty gross outside today. I wanted to run with my friend, but she could not meet today, so I went to the indoor track. When I got there, I realized I'd left my Garmin at home (it has a foot pod so I can measure how far I've run on the little indoor track without counting tons and tons of laps). So, I just got on the track and ran until I was so bored I could not take it any more. Made it about 45 minutes. Then, did some stretching and a little bit of glute strength work.

Now, I'm back at home, hanging with my guy. I've got some black beans in the slow cooker and more bread in the bread machine. I'll do some laundry and we'll probably watch a movie or two. We are exciting.

You probably won't see much of me tomorrow as I'll have an extra long day at work. Lucky for me, part of my work day includes our running group! Yep, I get paid to go run with a bunch of really great people.

Molly - thanks for posting OWL and NEWT stuff. Maybe I'll get things messed up my first week tracking, but it'll at least be something new to try! And I'm sorry to hear about icky family stuff. I think anyone with a family as, at one time or another, had a tough go with people.

CarolinaGirl - so glad to hear you have good shoes that fit!

MsRobinson - If you want, you could start getting ready for the 5K now and be SO very in shape by October! You could even do the event twice!

Danielle - hope your race went well for you! Can't wait to hear about it!

does anyone know how to post pictures on here? i'm trying to post my pictures to show you all. i ran a 14:35 pace.

molly don't mind at all that you took charge.

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morning

I have become very lame... Just putting in my two cents and HP's...

HP's from 1/15 to 1/21 is 386. Low again, but the whole off the bike for two days killed it.

Glad to see all you runners... Go! Run Fast/Far! I do not like to run, my little short legs feel 'equaled' out on a bike. LOL!

Have a great week EVERYONE!

Queeda, I hope they manage to sort your daughters ticket out soon. How different will your life be living over there? I understand it's a pretty strict country, well that's from what I've seen/read/heard. I can't wait to hear your updates about your new life.

My life will be SO different, but I welcome the change. They are very strict and conservative, but I am only required to be that way when I am at work. To me it is the same as it was/is in the states. I come to work as a professional and I go home and be myself. I am so excited for this adventure though. I plan to post pictures and everything once I get settled! I am leaving Saturday! Wish me luck!

just sticking my head in to say hello. Unfortunately I'm not having a fun time at the moment so may be a bit quiet and slack on the challenges. Hopefully not for long though.

Good morning all, I knew I hadn't been on but didn't realize how long it has been since I have logged in and posted. A friendly reminder phone call from the lovely msrobinson reminded me that I need to get back on track. So, I apologize for neglecting my Huffle duties, and am back on track today. Thanks M.

Welcome Amber, it is great to have you in our group. I too, am a runner, but not quite to your caliber. I had a back injury a couple of years ago, and my running has suffered since. My goal is to get back out there regularly this summer. I LOVE running. I used to live in a city where the Tuesday night Crim Training is a big deal. All over the city are groups of 15-20 runners running every Tuesday night all summer. The training is based on Galloways Run/Walk method, and Jeff even comes every year to speak to the runners. I now have a job where the hours make it impossible to participate in this training group, and I am bummed about that. I love running with a group. I am excited to have you as part of our group as I think all of your running talk will help to motivate.. 8 )

Hope everyone is doing well, Good luck with your move this weekend Queeda. You are so brave!

Sorry to be MIA the past few days...I feel like the week has been exercise...work...sleep...and repeat. Looking forward to a rare Friday off...it can't come fast enough! Got off track with food this week...not horrible like I used to to though, but I was able to get myself back together today. I FINALLY get a couple hours today to knock out about a quarter of the admin stuff I needed to get done...I still have a lot...but at least I got something done!

Queeda---Good luck with the move...sounds so exciting!

Danielle great job with the race!

Amber--your run sounds neat sharing with the track team...even if they hog the track sometimes. I wish I had room for a big freezer. Right now I have slim pickings at the farmers market...lettuce, sweet potatoes and some odds and ends, whatever the greenhouse seemed to put out for the week. I am ALREADY looking forward to fresh tomatoes...one of the farmers greenhouse tomatoes should be out next month. I like the idea of volunteering in exchange for produce...may have to look into it.

Molly--thanks for coming up with the challenges. You are so disillusioned with Lake Erie...beaches are rocky, it is smelly and polluted. I remember having to stop to see which beaches you could swim at. If you ever make it to the US, I'll make sure to suggest several lakes that are much better than Lake Erie (ok but it is still where I grew up so I shouldn't knock it too much)

Suzie---Glad to hear your back!

Stats
Sun
HP 60 NEWTS 9 OWLS 0

Mon
HP 60 NEWTS 9 OWLS 0

Tues
HP 65 NEWTS 5 OWLS 0

Wed
HP 100 NEWTS 11 OWLS 0 (ok I did finally do some crunches...but not the punching ones!)

edited because I forgot to add the water to my NEWT totals!

So glad it's my exercise day off! I'll still do a couple strength things and a little stretching, but NO RUNNING! Don't get me wrong, I love my running, but my days off sure feel good when well timed. Yesterdays workout was tough.

I stepped on the scale this morning as a mid week check in - and I'm down 2 pounds?!!? I've gone over my calorie goal every day this week. I have to remind myself of my motto or mantra or whatever it might be: I will give my body everything it needs to become bigger and stronger. That's all I can do, and all I can focus on. So, that said, my food diary is open to "friends". If anyone wants to take a peek and make suggestions, I'm open to that. Keep in mind, no meat. And I'm a bit lactose intolerant. I can handle some dairy, but too much makes me ill. Also, note that I recently changed the meal labels. So, sometimes my snack is logged as lunch and my snack is called dinner. All the food is there, maybe just not under the right category.

MFP tells me I should be at 1700 calories per day to gain half a pound a week. I manually raised my goal because I don't think 1700 is enough.

I suspect the problem is not enough calories OR my HRM is off with the calorie burn. It's probably not the HRM because it's a good one (Garmin 610) and it's appropriately set up for me. I measure MOST of my food with either measuring cups/spoons or an accurate digital food scale. I don't measure every last thing, as that would make me nuts - but most of it.

Suzie - time can be a big issue with exercise, right? I'm so lucky to work at a running store. When I have to work open to close, my manager knows I'll need an hour run break. If you can't get away for an hour, can you maybe just walk around at work? I used to work at a college, and one of my co-workers would walk laps around one of buildings in 15 minute increments, 3-4 times a day. She said it was her cigarette break, without the lung cancer.

Miss Carolina (I don't know why I like calling you that so much. Do you mind?) Yeah, having the fresh produce is great, but it sure is a lot of work! The first few weeks, I come home from the farm so uncomfortable! But, we had "fresh" greens last night and it was really nice. I'd blanched them before freezing. Then, I put the frozen Brussels Sprouts in a baking dish, added a bit of pepper, olive oil and a few spoons full of apple sauce (that I made last fall) and covered it up, tossed it in the the oven - and it sure was tasty! Could not really tell it had been frozen months ago! Being in Carolina, your growing season has got to be longer than it is up here! I'm sure if you look around, you can find some good stuff. You could also look into a "CSA". I work at a CSA, but instead of buying my food with money, I buy it with work! Also, have you picked up that Chi Running book? How is your running transition going?

Dani - You doing ok? You've been quiet around here!

Molly - I hope you are doing well too. You'd mentioned you'd be away for a while. Anything we can do for ya?

And MsRobinson, I'm in that same boat with ya. But instead of being hungry, I'm tired! I did my workout yesterday, and pretty much fell asleep on the couch right after my shower. I did not have much of a lunch because I slept through it!

Take care!