runningkel Member

I'm not a big home exerciser (once I'm home I lose motivation), but I do see that my on demand cable service comes with a slew of free exercise videos. As does Netflix or amazon prime if you have either of those. There are a lot of free exercise apps in the iTunes store, too, including some yoga ones. Some libraries will…

If you're experiencing shin splints, you need to take some time off. Rest, stretch, ice and take some ibuprofen until the pain gets better. If you don't take the time off now, it will get worse. Stretching should be a part of your cool down anytime you run or walk. I agree that shoes make a ton of difference. Get to a…

There's a DVD called something like "yoga for scoliosis" that my PT recommended that is amazing. The models/instructors all have visible scoliosis and discuss modifications you can make. I've mostly done the stretching one, but there's 2 other sessions, too. It's not complicated pretzel-yoga stuff, either! I use a couple…

I also follow the 10% rule. It's gotten me through more than 20 half marathons injury free. I would increase 10% for 2 or 3 weeks then back off a week. One other thing to think about when setting your weekly mileage is that your long run should only make up about 33-40% of your weekly mileage...that's not exact but that's…

I don't know anything about intermittent fasting, but I do work out in the mornings. Anything under an hour I can do on an empty stomach without any problems. If I'm going to be doing something for an hour or more, I'll have a small snack before I work out. But most times I just roll out of bed, have some water, and head…

I started running to help with my depression/anxiety and it helped tremendously. I'm not advocating you have to run, but I am a huge advocate of moving more and sweating to help your depression. Having an outlet to drain the negative juju and bring some endorphins to the surface is key for me. I feel empowered and it gives…

My goal this year is to run 1000 miles and 4-half marathons. The first is coming up mid-March! I have definitely been running better since I started back on track eating-wise!

Ditto!! I've got about 7-10 pounds to goal (I lost 19 last year)...when you don't have that much to go it can get frustrating! :)

I'm 36. I run (and walk) a lot, so the fitness part is definitely easier for me to stick to than the eating part. Need to pass a fit test this year so trying to get back in rockstar shape!

I tried it. I only made it through 9-days of the 10-day cleanse because it made me sick. It was a temporary loss and a TON of supplements, I'd recommend saving your money and just starting out here. :) I have friends that swear by it...but then they are doing it 3-4 times a year, so that tells me it doesn't really work…

I use Nuun electrolyte tablets when I'm running...sometimes I'll add one of those to water and vodka. It makes it a fizzy type flavored drink. I've also used a crystal light lemonade packet with vodka and water...it's not fizzy but it's still good.

I had great success with the old WW, when it was points plus (PP). I lost weight and didn't feel deprived. I rejoined this year but I hated the new WW with the Smart Points (SP). I tracked both SP and calories and found that with the same number of SP, I would some days be at 900 calories, and some days be at 1800. This…

Glad to see I'm not alone!! I had good success on the "old" WW, but I did not like the new SP. At all! I was tracking both on WW and here, and the same amount of SP would one day be 900 calories and the next be 1800. That didn't seem healthy to me. Plus, the idea of "unlimited" fruit and veggies is so odd...my friend goes…

Not sure about arthritis...but there's a DVD my physical therapist recommended called "Yoga for Scoliosis". It's a lot of stretching and some strengthening, which will help relieve pain. And the instructors in the video all have pretty severe scoliosis, so they will also show how to adapt certain poses. The stretching…

Definitely invest in a foam roller! The first time using it will probably be fairly painful...but stick with it, it does help! Also, you pack a lot of lower body work into 4-5 days straight. It could help to break it up to 2-days on, 1-day off, repeat, instead of 4-5 days straight. Do you have anyone monitoring your form…

If you do proper recovery and are smart about future training, it shouldn't keep happening. I got a stress-injury (my only running injury) in my foot in 2010 due to ill-advised, ill-fitting inserts...I wore the boot, did my PT, and was smart about getting back into running. Since then I've done a full marathon, probably…

Get fitted for new shoes. The right shoe is an investment...but totally worth it! Running 4-5 times a week, 5k (minimum) each time is a lot of running for a novice runner...pain (especially anything that can be described as sharp or shooting) is often an indication that you're overdoing it. Sharp, shooting pain that…

Obviously there's not a definitive answer. :) Keep tracking all your food, that's most important. If what you're doing fitness-wise works, stick with it. When you stall/plateau, change it up. Getting healthy should be a sustainable lifestyle change...there's no need to kill yourself trying to do two-a-days or sweating for…

It sounds like you're really putting in a lot of work, so good for you!! But you may be putting in too much time running. I don't know how much you run with the group, and then you say you go out several times during the week, too...it could be too much for a beginner. Aim for 3-4 days a week, max, and try not to make them…

Activity is never a bad thing...and eating healthy and exercising should go hand in hand!! But I have found (and been told) that losing weight is predominantly a diet thing. I found this to be true when I actually gained weight training for a marathon...and it was not all muscle...because I didn't monitor what I was eating…

I agree with Lourdesong! I'm a big fan of everything in moderation because once I tell myself I "can't" have something or "won't" eat something, that's all I can think about! So, I make sure to budget myself a treat everyday. Something of a splurge so it's "easier" to say no to other temptations when I know I have a treat…

Also, SLOW DOWN. :) A lot of new runners have a hard time improving (and, yes that was me once, too!!) because they are so fixated on pushing hard...there's a misconception that if you're not panting, red, and exhausted it doesn't count...or there's some goal pace that runners think they need to be at. That was great…